Chapter 57
Chapter
Fifty-Seven
KAEL
T he crowd is still roaring as I step into the arena, the scent of blood and sweat heavy in the air. Torin stands to the side, his blade resting on his shoulder, his grin sharp and unrepentant as Rogar’s lifeless body is dragged from the ring. The first fight was brutal, messy, and entirely Torin’s style. He thrives in chaos, and the bloodlust still lingers in his eyes as he gives me a quick nod.
“It’s all yours now, Alpha,” he says, his voice carrying over the noise. “Make it good. Wouldn’t want to disappoint the kitten.”
I glance over to where Sable stands on the sidelines, her arms crossed tightly as if holding herself together. Her green eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the noise fades. There’s something unspoken in her gaze, something that grounds me even as it makes my chest tighten.
I stride over to her, the weight of my blade a familiar comfort. “Are you all right?” I ask, my voice low .
She nods, but her lips press into a thin line. “I should be asking you that. Torin made it look easy, but I know this isn’t just about fighting. This is about making a statement. For all of you.”
“It’s always about making a statement,” I reply, my tone bitter. “Strength is the only language they understand.”
Her hand reaches out, brushing against my arm. The touch is so small, so fleeting, but it sends a ripple of warmth through me. “You’ll win,” she says, her voice softer now. “You always do. Just... don’t get yourself killed.”
“I don’t plan on it,” I say, a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. “You worry too much.”
Her hand lingers, her eyes searching mine. “I have a lot to worry about, Kael. Especially when it comes to you.”
There’s something in her voice that catches me off guard, something raw and unguarded. I reach up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re stronger than you think, Sable. You’ve proven that time and again. Just... stay close to Finn. He’ll keep you safe.”
She hesitates, her gaze flickering to the ground for a moment before meeting mine again. “I don’t need Finn to keep me safe. But I do need you to come back to me.”
The words settle between us, heavy and unspoken until now. I nod, unable to say more without unraveling completely.
The arena is alive with the roaring of the crowd, the sound echoing off the natural amphitheater of trees and rock. The uneven forest floor beneath my boots feels familiar and treacherous all at once. It’s a battlefield that favors the clever and the adaptable—not just brute strength.
Beside me, Torin adjusts his grip on his blade, a wicked grin cutting across his face. His energy crackles with anticipation, the Reaper eager for another taste of blood. His presence is a steady reminder that I’m not alone in this round, though the weight of the responsibility still feels like mine to bear.
“Don’t embarrass us, Alpha,” Torin says, his voice dripping with mockery. “Kitten’s watching. Wouldn’t want her thinking you’ve gone soft.”
I shake my head but allow the faintest of chuckles. “Try not to lose yourself out there, Reaper. This isn’t a slaughterhouse.”
Torin snorts, his grin widening. “No promises.”
The announcer’s voice booms, silencing the crowd. The second round is called, and Rothgar’s second champion steps forward. He’s taller than me, lean but wiry, his movements predatory. His crimson cloak sways as he walks, the fabric embroidered with sigils that shimmer faintly. His face is sharp, his eyes gleaming with malice. This one isn’t here just to fight. He’s here to win, to humiliate, and to serve Rothgar’s agenda.
Torin whistles low. “That one looks like fun. You want first crack, or should I?”
“I’ll take him,” I say, stepping forward, my blade in hand. “Back me up.”
Torin shrugs. “Suit yourself. But if you don’t finish him quick, I’m stepping in. Can’t let you have all the fun.”
The warlock smirks as he approaches, his hands already glowing with a faint violet light. “Kael, the mighty Alpha,” he sneers. “I’ve heard the stories. But I’m not impressed. Let’s see if the big bad leader of the north can fight without his pack.”
I don’t respond, my grip on my blade tightening. His words are bait, nothing more. But he continues, circling like a predator.
“Rothgar’s been talking about what he’ll do once this is over,” he says, his voice dripping with mockery. “That girl of yours—what’s her name? Sable? He’s got plans for her. Plans that involve breaking her piece by piece until she begs for death. ”
My jaw tightens, the fury rising in my chest threatening to break through my composure.
"But first, he says that we'll all get to have a turn with her."
I can feel my anger swelling. I know I need to get control of it. I focus on my breathing, on the ground beneath my feet. I can’t afford to lose control.
The warlock laughs, sensing the crack in my calm. “Didn’t think that would bother you, Alpha. But maybe you’re not as cold as they say.”
“Talk’s cheap,” I growl, lunging forward.
My blade arcs through the air, and he barely dodges, the tip grazing his shoulder. He retaliates with a burst of magic, a jagged bolt of violet energy that streaks toward me. I deflect it with my own power, the force rippling through the air as our magic collides.
From the corner of my eye, I see Torin flanking him, his blade swinging in a brutal, precise arc. The warlock dodges, his movements quick and slippery, but he’s forced to split his focus between us.
“Come on, Kael,” Torin taunts as he ducks under a blast of magic. “You call this a fight? I’ve seen kittens with sharper claws.”
I block another attack, driving the warlock back step by step. “Focus, Torin,” I snap, my voice colder than the northern winds.
The warlock’s laughter grates on my nerves. “Is that all you’ve got, Alpha? No wonder Rothgar’s going to take everything from you. Starting with her.”
My chest tightens, but before I can react, I feel a shift through the bond.
Calm.
Steady.
Her .
Sable.
She’s pushing reassurance through the tether that binds us, her presence a balm to my fraying control. I glance toward the sidelines, where she stands watching, her expression fierce and unwavering.
The warlock’s distraction costs him. Torin closes in, his blade slashing through the air. The warlock stumbles, his magic faltering under the relentless assault.
“Keep him busy,” I order, stepping back to channel my power.
Torin grins, bloodlust glinting in his eyes. “With pleasure.”
The ground beneath us trembles as I release a surge of energy, roots twisting up from the earth to ensnare the warlock’s legs. He struggles, his magic flaring wildly, but it’s too late. My blade finds its mark, slicing through the air and biting into his side.
The warlock collapses, his breath ragged as blood pools beneath him. The crowd erupts, but my victory is short-lived.
I feel it before I see it—a shift in the energy around us. I turn, my eyes scanning the sidelines, and my heart drops. Rothgar is gone.
“Sable,” I whisper, my gaze locking onto her figure. She’s alone, her focus on the fight.
And then I see him. Rothgar. He’s behind her, his blade drawn, his intent clear.
“Sable!” I shout, but my warning comes too late.
A sharp pain explodes in my side as my opponent, bloody but not defeated, drives his blade into me. I stagger, my vision blurring as I watch Rothgar’s blade rise toward Sable.
And I’m too far away to stop either of them.