Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

The Tournament

RAFF

"You sure about this?"

Raff stopped hopping from foot to foot and leveled a hard stare at his Beta. "What's there to be sure about?"

"I mean, I know what you're capable of, but this isn't going to be a fair fight."

"Valencia said they would make accommodations for fighters who weren't selkies."

Lincoln's amber eyes flashed. "Really? Can they help you breathe underwater? Because any fighter worth his salt is going to focus on getting you under the water. It doesn't matter how hard you can hit if they hold you under until you drown."

"I forgot how much of a pessimist you are," Raff snarled, returning to his warm up.

All around them, men and women did the same, and he watched each individual, measuring their strengths and weaknesses. Some he dismissed immediately. Their movements were too slow or their bodies too weak. But the list of true contenders was bigger than he cared for. Selkies were not a small people group. Most were almost as large as he was, and a few, like Caspian, matched him inch for inch.

Thinking of the man turned Raff's head towards the ledge where Valencia was standing. He'd caught a brief glimpse of Meribella before being dragged away with the other contestants, and it hadn't been long enough to ascertain if she was whole and well. But Caspian had been at her side, and that fact alone was enough to make his wolf claw at his human shell.

"My pessimism keeps cocky assholes like you alive," Lincoln continued.

"Why are we still going on about this?"

"Because, I didn't cross an ocean to watch you die, and you're not thinking this through. This isn't a fight against the enemy you know. They might look cute and funny in their seal forms, but those are some vicious motherfuckers. And fast."

"In the water, sure. But on land, they're easy prey for me as a man or a wolf."

"How long do you think they're going to let you stay on land?"

Raff clenched his hands in frustration, but before he could rebuke his friend, Thorne pushed through the crowd carrying a jar. "What are you doing down here?"

"Guys, we've got a problem."

"Good, we were running short on those," Lincoln said as he closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

"What is it Thorne?"

"I might have cast a spell to help with some eavesdropping, and I overheard a few of the men talking about how easy it was going to be to take you down. Apparently, male Selkies are armed with some pretty nasty venom. One touch can kill or paralyze depending on their intentions."

"Can I say I told you so?" Lincoln asked.

Raff narrowed his eyes but said nothing as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. All the concerns he'd been trying to keep pushed back spilled over, making him sweat as he looked at the fighters in a new light. Now, even the smaller men concerned him, their speed a huge asset in a fight where a single touch could defeat him. And he couldn't fight in head to toe armor. It would make him too slow and too heavy if he fell in the pool.

"Why didn't Valencia say something?"

"I'm not sure it crossed her mind. When I said something to her, she looked surprised and muttered something about dishonorable dickheads. She sent for this and told me to give it to you."

She offered the jar, and he took it, opening the lid and studying the salve inside. "This is going to help?"

"Rub it all over. It will act as a barrier to the poison. It's waterproof, but she said you'll need to reapply after a few fights."