Steel and Fangs

Chapter 3; The Proposition

"Still no luck?" Hyde yelled over the machinery.

Sophie opened her mouth to respond but alog made its way into the saw. She shook her head. After taking the advice from the city-slicker, she had decided to avoid the Saibhar and continued on her search for an apartment that wasn't pushed on her magically or by handsome vampires. Thankfully the week had flown by thanks to the hard work at the factory Sophie put in.

Hyde had started teaching Sophie a lot, more than just how to split wood. She was surprised to find out that even in the big city, as progressive and forward thinking as it was, not a lot of people knew about paranormals. Or at least, they didn't acknowledge them. Not yet. Hyde swore there was a big revolution coming. An underground political movement was happening.

Sophie wasn't sure about any of that. She just wanted to live more freely and experience new things,as far away from her family as possible. Hyde had offered to help with experiences, but they worked two jobs which left little to no free time. Still, they made time for a drink or two after work with Sophie.

Hyde switched off the machine after the last split log went down the chute while Sophie took the empty cart over to the loading bay. She felt exhausted and longed for a shower. At least during the weekend she could explore the city while checking out apartments.

"Sophia."

Sophie raised a brow and looked behind her. Timothy Dolt stood beside a few empty carts. "Yes? Sir?" She didn't like the way he sized her up before answering.

"I've been watching you work."

"Oh," was all she managed. This guy was seriously creepy. And it didn't help that she couldn't get a scent off of him. "I'm doing my best, sir."

He nodded. "I can see that. I can also see that despite being so young, you are mighty strong. I have a proposition for you."

She didn't like the sound of that but said nothing.

"A weekend job, of sorts. You could make up to eight hundred dollars a night, if you're good." He crossed the distance between them and set his hand on her shoulder. Squeezed and grinned. "Ah, yes. Strong indeed. If you're interested, be here tomorrow at 8 pm." He released her and left before she could ask any questions.

'That was weird,' she thought. But her curiosity got the better of her. What sort of job could he have for her on the weekend, when the factory was closed, that could make her eight hundred dollars? Whatever it was, she needed the money for a down deposit on a place when she did find one.

--

The industrial area was deserted most of the time, but night time, without Hyde, seemed even lonelier and darker than usual. Sophie had gone back to her hotel, washed up, and put on one of the three outfits she had, particularly something as unappealing as she could. Her gut didn't say this was a bad idea, per say, but she knew that the sound of 'late night work for extra cash' sounded really shady. And if it ended up being the sexual kind of work, she was ready to jet out of there and never look back. Money be damned.

As she neared her work, a crack in the door bathed her in light and the distinct sound of hollering leaked out. Immediately her nerves were shot and she was on high alert, but her curiosity pushed her farther in. What she saw once inside shocked her.

A large metal dome with chicken wire had been built, all the materials and push carts gone from the floor. People surrounded it along the floor, sitting on some portable bleachers, and along the staircase to Mr. Dolt's office. The people higher up looked rich in their fine, tailored suits, and gold jewelry that glinted off the spotlights that had been erected. Standing at the top was Mr. Dolt himself with a cigar in his mouth. His dark eyes landed on Sophie as she stared at him, locking her version down, and he grinned. Clasping his hands together, he stood and descended down the stairs.

Growls came from the cage, distracting Sophie for a moment and she tried to look past the group of people yelling. Suddenly something large banged against the cage right in front of her, causing the people to shout more and move away in excitement. Sophie could not believe her eyes. Two of her own kind, wolf-shifters, stood inside. Their fur was raised, paws light, and mouths raised in snarls as they circled each other. The one that hit the cage was limping, blood dripped as he kept circling.

'What is this?' Sophie was horrified.

"Ah, there she is! Sophia!" Mr. Dolt's hand slammed onto her shoulder, locked, and pulled her close beside him. He reeked of an unearthly oil like smell mixed with the sour tang of cigar smoke. His hair was slicked back perfectly. His grip on her was surprisingly strong. "Well, what do you think?"

Sophie had no idea what to say. She was honestly so stunned and still wasn't exactly sure what was going on. Her eyes never left the cage, despite the crowd surrounding it again. "I...I...I don't know... What is this?"

"Why, cage fighting, of course!" He said with an air of laughter. "And you could be my next star fighter."

"Me?!" Sophie paled.

"Yes, you," His hand squeezed her arm and he led her towards the back of the stairs, to what was normally their break room. Once inside, the sounds of the crowd lessen so they didn't need to shout anymore. "What do you say, kid? You want to try? I've got some of my best clients here, ready to bet against you. When I told them I had a new fighter, they rushed to the bank!" He snickered.

Sophie's head swam. "...You mean, fight my own kind, my brethren, for... for money?"

"Not just money! For glory! For the thrill!" He released her and walked over to a locker, then proceeded to turn the lock dial. "I have turned many a werewolf into some of the best fighters this world has seen... And it's made them very, very rich."

She rubbed her hands and chewed on her lip, nervous. She had fought for fun before, at home with her pack mates, and they had sparred for training. It would be a lie if she denied enjoying it. It felt good to stretch her limbs, to sink her teeth in scruff, to use her brain tactically. But for money? And against a wolf she didn't know? What would her father say?

What would her father say?

A slow grin spread across her face, though she was still nervous, and she nodded. "Sure... Why not? But if I don't like it, I won't fight again. I don't care how much money you offer me."

Mr. Dolt walked up beside her and draped a black, silk robe over her shoulders. "Of course. But if you do..." His grin was wider than hers, more wicked, more greedy. But she didn't care. This was her choice, this was her new life, and she was going to make an adventure of it.

"When do I start?" she asked.

"In five minutes."