Blood and Horsemen

The Game Begins

The heavy bass of music pulsed through the concrete walls of Bloodsport, blending with the dull roar of the crowd as River led Winter through the back hallways. The adrenaline from the fight still coursed through River's veins, but Will Grayson's challenge echoed in her mind. He thought he could rattle her. He couldn't have been more wrong.

Winter stayed close, her eyes scanning the rough crowd, clearly uneasy. It wasn't her first time at Bloodsport, but it was clear she wasn't used to the violence. River could feel Winter's questions hanging in the air, unsaid but palpable. Finally, Winter spoke up.

"What's his deal?" Winter asked, her voice hushed as if Will might hear through the walls. "Why does he want to fight you so badly?"

River exhaled through her nose, glancing at Winter. "Will Grayson doesn't just want to fight me. He wants to prove something—probably to himself more than anyone else."

Winter frowned, her steps faltering slightly. "Prove what?"

"That I'm beatable," River replied, her voice edged with dry amusement. "That someone like him, with all his power and connections, can put me down. He's in it for the ego."

They reached a quieter section of the underground maze, where the pounding music was more of a distant thrum. River stopped and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. Her mind flashed back to the Horsemen watching her from their elevated seats—Will's grin, Damon's cold stare, Kai and Michael sizing her up. It wasn't just Will playing games. They all were.

Winter seemed to pick up on the shift in River's mood, stepping closer. "Are you worried? I mean, they're dangerous, right? Damon's told me things..."

River's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Damon. She knew Winter and Damon had some kind of complicated relationship, though River didn't care enough to get involved. Damon was trouble, just like the rest of them. And yet, Winter seemed to see something different in him—something that made her stick around.

"I'm not worried," River said, her voice low. "I've faced worse than them."

Winter opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden movement caught River's attention. She turned her head sharply to see Rafe, the club's enforcer, approaching from the shadows. His face was set in a grim expression, and River immediately knew something was up.

"Dervishi," Rafe growled, his massive frame blocking the hallway. "We've got a problem."

River straightened, already on high alert. "What kind of problem?"

"Fight's off," Rafe said bluntly, his gaze flicking to Winter for a moment before settling back on River. "Grayson's making moves. He's pulling strings with the higher-ups. Looks like the Horsemen want to stir the pot tonight."

River's jaw clenched, her mind racing. Will wasn't just looking for a rematch—he was trying to shake things up, disrupt the balance of power in Bloodsport. And knowing the Horsemen, they didn't do anything without a bigger plan in mind.

"What's their angle?" River asked, her voice calm but deadly serious.

Rafe shrugged, though the tension in his body betrayed his concern. "Could be anything. But if I were you, I'd watch your back tonight. The Horsemen don't play fair."

River nodded, already processing the new information. If Will was manipulating things behind the scenes, it meant he was coming at her from more than just the ring. This wasn't about a fight anymore—it was about control.

"Thanks for the heads-up," River said, pushing off the wall and turning to Winter. "We're leaving."

Winter didn't argue, sensing the gravity of the situation. Together, they made their way back through the club, navigating the sea of faces and bodies. River's mind was sharp, analyzing every possible move Will and the Horsemen could make. They weren't just after her—they wanted to destabilize everything she'd built in Bloodsport.

As they neared the exit, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stifling heat inside, River felt someone step into her path. She looked up to see Kai Mori standing there, his dark eyes unreadable, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Leaving so soon?" Kai asked, his voice smooth, the kind of voice that made people nervous without even trying. "The night's just getting started, Dervishi."

River's eyes narrowed. She knew better than to engage in Kai's games. He was the most calculating of the Horsemen, always two steps ahead, always playing the long game. But she didn't have time for his mind tricks.

"Out of my way, Mori," River said, her tone icy. "Unless you want to end up like your boys in the ring."

Kai's smile didn't falter, but his gaze sharpened, a glint of challenge flashing in his eyes. "You might want to watch your tone, River. You're in our territory now."

River stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "Bloodsport doesn't belong to anyone. Not you, not Grayson, not Damon, and certainly not me. But if you think you can push me out, you're in for a rude awakening."

Kai's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You're bold. I'll give you that. But the night's still young, and things are about to get a lot more interesting."

Without another word, Kai stepped aside, letting them pass. But River could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her. The Horsemen were planning something bigger, and she had a feeling tonight was just the beginning.

As they walked out into the cool night air, Winter finally broke the silence. "What now?"

River didn't hesitate. "We prepare. If they want to play games, I'll make sure they regret ever stepping into the ring with me."

Winter nodded, though the tension in her eyes was clear. She trusted River, but even she could sense the storm brewing on the horizon.

As they disappeared into the night, River's mind raced with possibilities, strategies, and contingencies. Will had made his move, and the Horsemen were circling. But they had no idea who they were up against.

River Dervishi wasn't just a fighter. She was a survivor.

And in her world, survivors always win.