Steel Rose

Chapter 26

Belle Pov

I get a front row view here in the King's box. The queen stands beside him on the right. Lord Volo on his left. Maven doesn't bother to address us, but keeps his eyes down below. On his brother and the red girl.

I stand beside Elane, the shadow girl living up to her name, and stays quiet. Although she says nothing I feel a strange tensness coming from her. Perhaps its due to her brother and lover being in the arena.

I watch with the entire kingdom as the large screen above the steam flicker to life, showing the prince and Mare, Maven called her, sneak out the palace, dance and kiss. Manipulation. Part of me doubts, and I glance at the queen. Not now.

As soon as they step on the sand, my eyes don't leave Ptolemus' figure. He's different from the man I know, a smirk on his face, that sides with a scowl. Harsh blades circle his fists and we wears armor, one would wear for war. Him and Evangeline match in nearly every way, and I feel my lips curve down. This is part of him, I remind myself. You know of his temper. But it doesn't mean I like it. Not in the slightest.

"Let them die," Maven growls and the crowds cheer.

I watch as the electric shield boom with strength and cover to top of the arena. Mare steps behind Cal, as they all spread out around the two. Like predators cornering prey. Ptolemus obviously enthusiastic, bangs at his armor, roaring with the crowds. The metal sings as they creep forward.

Cal makes the first move and excited flames burst across the sand separating the the executioners and exectued. A sad attempt to buy time, as sand doesn't burn, and Lord Osanos quickly puts it out. In return, white steam clouds the area bursting under the shield to fog my view.

Its harder to see, but Ptolemus is the first to make a move, charging out the fog knocking the prince to the ground. Blades rise, ready for an ending but only to meet the sand. They wrestle each other to the ground, but eventually Cal gets the upper hand, his hands glowing red with heat. I grind my teeth when I hear him scream, as the prince melts away his armor. More knives arise, but lose to the prince's intensity and melt in midair.

He struggles greatly but the prince holds firm. Ptolemus gets his chance as three small but effective knives, split through the air, stabbing the prince in the back. Not enough to level anyone, but he stumbles back stunned.

Ptolemus takes the advantage forming a large sword. He swings, slicing Cal across the belly. I feel my gaze waver as something catches my eye. Elane unconsciously moves her head forward for a better view. She bits the inside of her cheek. I follow her line of sight, and find myself smirking. I was right.

I turn my attention back to the fight, to see Cal dipping and dodging Evangeline's glistening blades. Mare watches running to avoid the slower strongarm. Both Ptolemus and his sister battle the prince, all three with matching extremity for entirely different reasons. Silver stains and grows on the prince's outfit with each passing second, as Ptolemus' weapon shifts. A sword, an axe. A razor thin whip cracks over the cheering of the crowd.

I shift my eyes away from Ptolemus to the scampering red moving across the sand. She moves quickly, but her head snaps back as the Haven boy sqeezes her throat. The strongarm edges towards them, his large hands clenching readily at his sides. She notices and claws for the Haven's hands, but he holds firm.

Somehow, the prince manages to throw a ball of fire her way, occupying the strongarm as he stumbles over his feet. I watch her as she takes the extra time to shove her thumbs into the Haven's eye sockets. He screams and lets her go cupping his face.

When I turn my attention back to the prince, I see that Ptolemus has wrestled him to the ground. The roll around, both fighting for dominance. Evangeline hovers over them her eyes looking for a place to strike.

She screams something deaf to my ears, and she raises her blade. The red girl acts quickly, and I watch as she collides head first with Evangeline. They fall together and when they pick themselves up, the camera zooms in close to the red girls face as she bleeds. Evangeline attacks with a fury, sending harsh knives her way.

Ptolemus flies back with a raging blast of flame, colliding with his sister. Her knives collapse moments before reaching Mare.

The dance continues and my eyes rush between them. I feel the ache in my jaw now, as the ground grumbles and shakes beneath us as the magnetron siblings conjure up more of their precious metals. I wince with the crowd as one stabs the Haven boy where he screams.

It happens quickly, my hand shoots out grabbing my left bicep and the pale hand there. Elane grips it, as she pushes back tears, her gaze wavering as she stares down at her dead brother. She doesn't even notice that she has grabbed onto me. I relax, noticing our encounter hasn't caught the attention of anyone else.

Except one.

Our eyes meet and my heart jumps despite my previous thoughts that I was somewhat comfortable around him. Volo Samos turns his head back around and I bit my cheek, swallowing roughly.

"Finish them off," Maven screams from his place in front leaning over the box so far one wrong move he'll be at the mercy of the shield.

I look to the red, and quickly unravel her plan. Its smart for a red, and I watch as hulking Rambos take his stance, his aim intending for the dusty red he snarls at. In the shadows, in his ever plain whites is Arven.

She drops, and the makeshift spear meets its destination. Mare stands. Stands ragged, tired, but alive. The shield ripples like water below us and thunder claps above.

The queen spins, her crystal eyes beaming through her mourning veil. "Out!" She commands with a snarl. "All of you."

The box clears quickly as we all take the stairs back down. People whisper between them, and despite the queens attempt to hide the truth, we've all seen. The purple sparks falling off her body. The shield falling under her command. A lie is what they are. A failed way to convince anyone that the red impossibility is indeed impossible. I make note to steer clear of Maven and his mother's whispers.