9 #2
“That’s right!” Winnie clapped her hands. “Winnie was stuck in that place for a long time. But do you remember anyone else here?”
He glanced at each of them, lips pursing, but the only person who’d been sentenced to Braderhelm for longer than three years was Winnie. But when Takeshi’s gaze landed on Khalani, his muscles locked in place, the vein in his temple pulsing, like his brain was starting to splinter.
“That’s okay!” Winnie cut in, sensing the renewed friction. “It will come back to you. Just don’t forget that the missing things are usually right in front of our eyes.”
Takeshi’s frown deepened as he stepped away.
Despite Lane telling them that he was no longer a threat, Brock watched Takeshi distrustfully as he marched toward the corner, blending in with the shadows. Raziel kept a hand on his holstered gun as Takeshi put his back to the wall, closely watching the scene like a mute predator.
She shifted nervously when Takeshi’s eyes centered on her once more.
It almost felt like he was waiting.
But for what?
Brock cleared his throat, attempting to clear the anticipation that had filled the entire room.
“Since the Captain has graciously decided to grant us his presence,” he said in a dry tone, “let’s get back to it. Next up is—”
“Serene and Raziel,” Serene interrupted, stepping forward with determination, cracking her neck on either side.
Menace flickered in Brock’s hard glare.
“No,” he snapped. “You’re up against Khalani, Terror.”
Serene flicked her hand. “Khalani can beat me in a fight. Of that I have no doubt.” Pride sharpened her tone, and Khalani felt a warm, unexpected pinch in her chest before Serene directed her attention toward Raziel.
“But I might learn better from someone who’s fought for a living and can throw me around easier. No offense, babe.”
“None taken.” Khalani’s lip twitched.
She’d bet her next meal that this was less about learning how to fight and more about pissing off a certain Death-Zoner who looked like he was about to punch a hole through the wall.
Raziel snorted, no doubt loving the chaos.
But when he stepped forward, Brock held up a hand.
“No need, Raz. I’ll handle this one.”
“No. I want him to handle me.” Serene tied her blue hair up into a messy bun, ignoring the Death-Zoner’s incensed expression.
“You heard the woman, Brock. But don’t worry. I won’t hit too hard.” Raziel cracked his knuckles, grinning.
She half expected Brock to throw Serene over his shoulder and lock her in a room for the next week.
But Brock set his shoulders. “You want to do this here? Fine.”
Brock stepped back as Raziel stood calmly, his expression lighthearted despite the murderous glare directed at him.
Serene gulped, suddenly nervous.
“You ready, sweetheart?” Raziel asked, raising his fists.
Serene stayed silent and nodded, mirroring his stance.
Raziel was smaller than Takeshi and Brock, but Khalani knew better than to underestimate him. When he had accompanied her and Takeshi to the casino, the other inhabitants of Hermes had stared at him with pure, unadulterated fear.
“Same rules apply. Three seconds to tap out. Go.”
Serene charged, throwing haphazard punches, much like Khalani used to do in her first training sessions with Takeshi.
Raziel sighed, barely using energy as he blocked each hit. His laid-back expression only seemed to stoke Serene’s fury.
She gnashed her teeth and threw a wild punch, but Raziel sidestepped it and smacked her cheek. He didn’t put weight behind the hit, but when Serene stumbled back, her eyes watered.
That was about the same time Brock launched forward and clocked Raziel in the face.
Blood spurted from Raziel’s nose as he fell to the ground.
But he wasn’t angry. He laughed.
“What’s the problem, Death-Zoner? I said I wouldn’t hit too hard,” Raziel chuckled, licking the blood from his lip.
“You’re done,” Brock growled, his knuckles balled so tight, he looked like he was barely holding himself back from throwing another punch.
Khalani had never seen him so angry.
“It’s not over,” Serene protested, raising her chin. “I haven’t tapped out yet.”
“I said you’re done!”
It looked like a demon had taken over Brock as he whipped his head to Serene, breathing raggedly.
Serene returned the harsh glare, a storm brewing in her eyes, preparing to blow away everyone in its wake.
Khalani slowly inched forward, about to step in.
But a devious smile appeared on Serene’s face. “Glad to see your balls finally dropped.”
She turned away, striding up the stairs.
“Don’t follow me.” Serene brushed Adan off.
When the sound of her steps faded, Brock cursed, jaw locked like he wanted to chase her. But he stayed put, no doubt realizing that would only make the situation worse.
Raziel wiped his bloody nose and bounced to his feet like nothing had happened. “Well, this was fun. If you don’t mind me, I’m gonna find some food.”
When Raziel left, no one moved for a full minute.
Adan and Brock kept glancing at the stairs like they were debating running after Serene. Winnie muttered to herself incoherently about the “crazy effects of love.”