Page 61 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Your stage name.” I indicated the ring. “Like, what they call you when you’re fighting.”

“Oh…” She chewed on her lip, considering.

Two new fighters were involved in another unimpressive round. This was why I appreciated the theatrics of professional wrestling. Where was the chair throwing? The fire and smoke? Even at the very least, the shirt ripping? Sure, everyone knew all those things were fake, but that didn’t make it any less entertaining.

“MaybeThe Lusty Lioness—”

“No!” Never. I sliced my hand through the air. “TheLoneLioness.”

She frowned at me. “Why do I have to be alone?”

“It makes you more enticing!” Duh.

“You’re really getting into this.” She was watching me, expression critical. “Are you secretly an adrenaline junkie? You haven’t been scared at all.”

I put my finger to my lip and cocked my head. I didn’t understand her question.

Why should I be scared? It wasn’t like I was the center of attention. Any lingering glances mainly had been tossed in Maria’s direction. People were more invested in the fight than anything else.

It was only scary when people noticed me.

“I’m not complaining!” Maria shrugged, unbuttoning her blazer. She handed it to me, then loosened the buttons at her wrist and rolled her sleeves to her elbows. “This suits me just fine.”

“You’ll do it?” My stomach twisted. It was all becoming more real. I had half-expected her to turn down this plan, to say the whole thing was stupid. Then we’d return to Titus’s office and sit around drinking lattes while we reminisced about our almost-adventure.

The Spitter suddenly seemed meaner-looking than before. “Do you think you can take him?”

“Oh, please.” She rolled her eyes. “Bears are slow and brutish. It’ll be a cinch.”

Bears?

Hold up…

“Maria…” I reached for her as the room slowly closed in around me. There was a mix of supernatural beings around us, but I hadn’t placed any bears. I needed to learn faster. “Are we—what is that?”

Maria had put on a purple ski mask, which, paired with heels, a black mini-skirt, and her lilac blouse, was the one thing thatmade her stand out among the other business-minded people placing bets.

“No, I get it. You’ll want us to be anonymous, right?” Maria asked, tucking her long blond hair into the hood. “I haven’t seen anyone I know, so this has worked so far. But if we do this, they’ll try to figure out who we are. Put this on.” She shoved a similar mask in my direction.

I held up the burgundy garment with two fingers. “Why do you have two ski masks in your purse?”

Maria’s shoulders tensed, and she looked away. “Never mind that.” Her words came out in a rush as she snatched the mask out of my hands and pulled it down over my face. “Let’s just get this show on the road.”

“But…” I’d sent her to fight a bear? This was not what I’d envisioned.

I could not handle this level of intensity.

However, if Maria even heard the beginnings of my protest, she ignored it and pulled the hood down over her face. She’d already shoved her purse into my arms. I watched helplessly as she strolled across the room with an air of confidence I’d never imagined replicating.

It took her less than an instant to reach her target, and she wasted no time making her introductions.

I had absolutely no idea what she was saying, but it wasn’t difficult to read the body language.

‘Hey there, big guy.’ She’d tapped his shoulder and ran her fingers down his ridiculously huge bicep.

I frowned at the scene. This wasnotthe plan. Not that I had very much confidence in the plan anymore, but still.

The bear was initially suspicious, already raising his arm to strike, when his grouchy expression softened. Of course, being the rough sort, he’d not have a way with words.