Fire in My Veins

1| Don't Blink, or You'll Miss

My hooded robe billowed out behind me as I walked down the dim tunnel, the cheering throng of people on the other side growing louder with every step I take.

"Ahh, I'm finally home."

The keys on my keychain rattled as I unlocked the door. I had just returned from an amazing training session, tired, hungry, and sweaty. The apartment I shared with my fiancé, Ace Wilder, was dark, and the unease started to set in. I shut the door behind me and cautiously walked inside, hanging my jacket on one of the coat hooks. I slid my shoes off and placed them on the rug, the light of my phone screen illuminating my face as I checked the time. That's when I noticed an unfamiliar pair of stilettos near Ace's running shoes.

"I don't remember owning a pair of stilettos."

I found solace in the roughness of the brick walls of the tunnel, the jaggy surface my only company as the memory vividly replayed in my mind.

I disregarded the dubious feeling, assuming Ace had gone out to buy me those as a present. I hated high heels of any kind, but it's the thought that counts. I placed my bag on the sofa and trudged to the kitchen cabinet to grab a protein bar. Suddenly, I heard a noise come from Ace's room down the short hallway, and my heartrate jumps up. I grabbed the nearest thing off the kitchen counter, a chef's knife, and head in that direction. The noise was followed by voices, one of them being the smooth, swoon-worthy voice of Ace. My heart seemed to drop as I heard an unfamiliar female's voice come from the room as well.

"Ace, I heard the door. Isn't your fiancée supposed to be training late? What if she finds us like this?"

"Don't worry, babe, it was probably just the neighbors coming home from a night on the town. This is a college neighborhood, after all."

Moans from the girl followed the brief conversation, and my grip tightened on the knife handle.

My right hand clenched into a fist.

I turned the knob of his room door and flung it open. I dropped the knife in shock, the blade just missing my foot. The scene I'm greeted with made me grit my teeth, every fiber of my being throbbing with rage. There was Ace, his shirt mostly unbuttoned, straddling a busty, blonde girl, whose skin-tight, black dress was halfway down her body. His ebony locks were tousled, and there were hickeys decorating the girl's neck.

"On the right side of the ring, we have a newcomer! Don't let his appearance fool ya though!" I heard the emcee, Jay Walker, announce. "He may look all angelic and innocent, but he can pack a wicked punch before you can say 'OH, DAMN'! He can sneak up on ya, and he's got energy and endurance to spare. Give it up for the newbie, LLOYD 'THE GREEN NINJA' GARMADOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!"

"WHAT THE HELL?!" I screeched. "ACE, YOU TWO-TIMING PRICK!"

The emcee finished introducing my opponent and the roar of the crowd grew louder.

"Aaaaaaaand on the left side of the ring, we have our defending victor! She's got energy, she's got power, she's got smarts, and she's got endurance. She's a raging wildfire with a gaze so hot, you'll feel the heat. Don't screw with her, unless you want a serious burn! Everyone let's put our hands together for the one and only VERONICA 'FIRECRACKER' SMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITH!"

"BOOM, BOOM, FIRECRACKER! RAH, RAH, HOORAH! BANG, BANG, FIRECRACKER! RAH, RAH, HOORAH!"

Ace got off the girl and started towards me, his stormy grey gaze showing no sign of remorse as he simply looked at me.

"What is the meaning of this, Ace?" I snarled, my amber eyes burning with hate as I menacingly entered the room. "Why is that bitch in our apartment, on your bed?"