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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

WYNTER

I fidget uncomfortably, and Silas places a hand on my knee. “Relax,” he whispers.

“It reminds me of before,” I mutter, lowering my eyes.

“You’re looking at it all wrong,” he replies. “This is an honour. Pearl has been waiting for this day since she was a small child.”

I watch Pearl lying in wait, noting that she doesn’t look nervous like Summer did. The familiar sound of chains causes me to jump with fright, and I lower my head again, praying it isn’t Wrath. I sigh in relief when I peek up and see Zeus practically pulling his guard towards Pearl.

“Can I ask a question?” I whisper.

Silas nods but looks mildly irritated and keeps his eyes on the scene before him. “Why are they so . . . feral?”

“They’re given medication, and they watch things to stimulate them. They need to be ready to fulfil their duty.”

I glance up just as Zeus braces his arms either side of Pearl.

It reminds me of the caves and what I had to go through, instantly causing me to feel sick.

Pearl groans, but I keep my head lowered, fear gripping me until I can hardly breathe.

Ava whispers in Silas’s ear, and he takes my hand and squeezes it.

“You need to watch,” he mutters. “You’re making me look bad. ”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, tears filling my eyes at the sound of grunts and breathy moans. “I can’t help it.”

His arm moves around my shoulder and his hand goes into my hair, taking a firm grip and tugging my head up.

“I have a wonderful evening planned. Let’s not ruin it.

” I swallow the lump in my throat and stare at the statue of Jesus behind where Pearl and Zeus are in ceremony.

“Good girl,” he praises, and I shudder with repulsion.

It feels like it goes on forever, and just when I think I can’t take another second, Zeus roars and Pearl begins to sob. At first, I think it’s from the pain, but as she sits up, I see they’re tears of joy. I glance over at Summer, who catches my eye and offers a weak smile. At least it’s over.

We gather outside, and the forefathers stand off to one side to talk. Ava smiles wide as their wives approach and purposely stands in front of me so I can’t be part of their conversation. That suits me—I don’t want to see my mother and pretend we’re all happy.

Summer joins me, and I notice her hand placed carefully over a small bump. “How are you?” she asks.

“I’m okay,” I reply. “You?”

“Okay.” Then she smiles sadly. “Not okay, actually. Scared. Father is meeting with Silas tomorrow to discuss a marriage between me and one of his sons.” I gasp. “Are they that bad?” she asks, panic lacing her words.

“No,” I lie, forcing a smile. “Of course not, I’m just surprised.”

“I always thought he’d choose Lucas Perez. At least he seems nice.”

“Try not to worry too much, Summer.”

“I’m starting to think that what you said before, well, you were right.”

“Shush,” I hiss. “If anyone hears you . . .”

She smirks. “I used to say the same thing to you. Now, all of a sudden, you’re shy about your true beliefs?”

“I’m not shy, it’s just difficult with prying ears. Ava hates my guts and will do anything to get me into trouble.”

“I don’t want to bring my baby up here,” she whispers, her voice breaking as tears fill her eyes. “I’m sorry for the things I said. I was upset, but I need you.”

I slip my hand in hers. “I’ll think of something. I promise.”

Silas leads me through the caves, and I try to keep up in the stupid heels he made me wear until we break out into a large area where lots of other men are.

I spot the occasional woman, but there are mostly men.

And there, in the centre, is the fighting ring.

I glance up to where the cove is in the cave wall, wondering if Jaycee and Anna are up there watching again.

“What is this?” I ask innocently.

Silas smiles. “I’m taking you to your first fight.”

I look around. “Fight?” I repeat. “I didn’t think I was allowed to this sort of thing.”

“I make my rules,” he says proudly. “Besides, it’s a big night,” he adds. “Your father thinks his warrior is declining.”

“Wrath?” I ask on a gasp.

“Yes. They all do eventually. Your father didn’t use him wisely.” He looks gleeful about this. “They need equal fights to ceremonies,” he explains like he’s some expert. The sickness in the pit of my stomach returns. “So, Wrath will fight for his life tonight.”

“Life?” I whisper, looking around the room in the hope I’ll catch a glimpse of him.

“Yes. He’ll fight up-and-coming warriors until he beats them all.”

“And if he doesn’t?” I ask, my hands now shaking with fear.

Silas grins. “He’ll die. Only one warrior will walk out of here tonight.”

A stray tear falls down my cheek, and he pulls me closer, wiping it with his thumb. It reminds me of the way Wrath did it once and a sob escapes me. I clamp my hand over my mouth. “Sorry,” I mutter.

“Why are you sad?”

“I’m not. I’m excited,” I lie, “but I think I have allergies down here.”

He seems to accept my lie and leads me closer to the centre. “I got us ringside seats.”

Once we’re seated, drinks are brought to us, and then my father approaches. I notice the way Silas tenses. He immediately takes my hand and smiles up at my father. “Anthony.”

“I hope your money is on the right warrior,” he says with a grin. He doesn’t bother to look in my direction, but I take comfort from the fact Silas is holding my hand tight. I don’t think he’d let my father hurt me.

“Actually, I haven’t made any bets as yet,” he replies, turning to me and smiling as he adds, “I was going to let my beautiful wife choose for me.”

I blush slightly. “Bet?” I ask.

“You’re so innocent,” he whispers. “I like that.”

“I’ll send someone over to take it,” my father mutters before sauntering off.

“What’s a bet?” I ask again.

“We place money on who we think will win the fight. If they do, we’ll get extra money back.”

I smile. “That sounds fun.” And then I remember that we’re actually betting on someone to win by killing others and my smile falters.

The men begin to jeer and become rowdy, and I sit closer to Silas, who looks pleased and wraps an arm around me. “I’ll keep you safe,” he reassures me. I hate to admit it, but I believe him.

My breath is taken when Wrath enters the ring.

His head is bowed, and his hands are chained in front of him.

I want to go to him and wrap my arms around him just to feel his nose pressed to my hair as he inhales.

I want to kiss him until my toes curl. Most of all, I want him out of those damn chains.

Another man gets into the ring, and this one is smaller than Wrath and looks terrified.

A man approaches us. “Bet?” he asks.

Silas looks to me. Smiling, he asks, “Who will win?”

I glance back at the warriors, even though I know who I’m going to back.

“Wrath,” I confirm, and as if my voice is carried through the crowd, Wrath’s head lifts and he turns in my direction, his eyes searching until they land on me.

For a second, it’s like the entire room has stopped and it’s just the two of us.

God, how I wish that were true . Relief passes over his expression, and then his eyes track to Silas, who is still sitting close as he thumbs through a wedge of bank notes and hands them to the man.

He throws his arm back around me, oblivious to the fact Wrath is watching.

His relief turns to fury, and my vision blurs from tears.

A bell rings, causing me to jump with fright.

It breaks our intense eye lock, and as I look around, it rings a second time, and the guards remove the warriors’ cuffs.

It rings a third and the warriors charge at one another.

I wince as they crash together, Wrath landing on top of the other and sitting over him.

He hits him over and over with his fists, roaring like an animal as blood splatters across the floor.

I wince, turning away, unable to watch him transform into this monster while at the same time rooting for his victory.

The bell sounds again, and I finally look up. The opponent is being dragged from the ring, lifeless, and he’s discarded to the side, covered in his own blood.

Wrath circles the ring, unphased by the splatters that drip from his own body. Is it wrong that I’m glad? I’m happy it isn’t his blood.

The next warrior enters and the bell rings, signalling for the guard to remove his restraints.

Wrath stops pacing and stares at the warrior from across the ring.

This one looks a little less nervous as he balls his fists, and for the first time, I realise it could be Wrath they drag out and dump next.

I swallow the bile in my throat, forcing a smile when Silas glances my way with a huge grin on his face.

As I look around, I see the other men all calling for blood like hungry wolves, and it only intensifies my sickness.

The bell rings again, and I almost cry out and beg for this all to end.

Wrath doesn’t charge this time. Instead, he stands poised, ready to pounce but in no rush.

His opponent is eager, and he closes the gap only to be met by Wrath’s hand, which wraps around his throat and forces him back to his corner.

The warrior tries desperately to fight back, but his arms don’t quite reach Wrath, making it impossible to hit him away.

I almost smile, relieved Wrath has it all under control.

When the warrior slumps, Wrath releases him, watching as he slides to the floor of the ring. The bell rings, and the man’s dragged out and dumped alongside the other.

Wrath looks my way, but he’s not the same warrior anymore.

His eyes are lifeless and cold. He’s in the zone, the zone to kill and fight for survival.

I offer a weak smile, but he doesn’t return it.

I’ve taken no notice of Silas as he continues to place bets on Wrath to win, but suddenly, I tune back in as he hands over a third wedge of cash and says, “Satan.”