Nightbound

Chapter 13- Rage of the Moon

"Are you mental?" I recoiled back from the cage even though it was way away, "That thing looks like it's out for blood!"

Cal gave the minotaur an absent glance, large predatory teeth grazing his lower lip, "Lady Smoke isn't known for her forgiving nature."

I turned to Nik in hopes that he would say something but instead, he crossed his arms and darkly informed, "Lady Smoke's a big-time mob boss. Tried to run the city once few decades ago and went on war with Nighthunters. While her Mafioso is made up of humans, she buys mercenaries from other species. Annnd herself is cursed bitch."

"Cursed?"

Nik gave me a cautionary look, indicating this wasn't a suitable place to talk, "She runs the dirtiest deals and acts as the clean-up crew. People who get on her bad side have a nasty habit of disappearing. Or dying horribly."

I threw my hands up in frustration, "Isn't there anything on this side which isn't hell bent upon running for blood?!"

In the darkest depths of Persephone, Nik made absolute sense. Terrified would be a small word to describe what I was feeling for Cal Lowell. I might not know him well but I knew he was a good man—er wolf, who cared for his brother strong enough to engage himself in a deadly cage fight against a minotaur which was scraping its burly horns on the bars, wheezing drool from its mouth. Plus Cal was our only source in getting Hunter's Sage and without it; the bloodwraith couldn't be summoned or killed. Most notably if that thing came back once again, running for life was an option but for how long, god knew.

The crowd around me grew agitated by the second, their excitement starting to slide towards anger. As if they'd got a lot riding up in the fight. I seriously wanted to slap each of those faces which waited for one of the fighters to lose its soul and other to win them money. But most importantly, I felt utterly useless since I entered Persephone.

Sensing the crowd's movements, the fight promoter wiped a sweaty brow and glared at Cal, "You goin' or what?"

Cal ignored him and instead looked in our direction, eyes trained on Nik, "I'll be fine. I grew up in pack remember." Briefly flicked to an unconscious Donny, "Every day meant a different battle, another way to cut my teeth. My dad made sure of that. Then my alpha made sure of that."

I looked nervously up at the cage where the minotaur paced, bellowing savagely. Beside me, Garrus was tensed and conflicted. His blue eyes barely masked resentment which was perhaps directed to his kind. And I guess before I arrived, Nik and Garrus were drinking buddies with Cal.

Fae couldn't fight because of iron. Their own kind made sure of that.

"Be careful....okay?" I said in a timid voice, knowing nothing else to do.

Cal gave a reassuring smile to me, dark amber eyes glowing. He held me for a moment as if judging and then said, "If something happens...will you take care of Donny for me? Take him back home. The pack will do the rest."

It took a mighty effort to return that reassurance and Nik's hand on my small back lend me some support to reply, "I will do whatever I can to make sure Donny is safe. I promise but you need to come back here so that we can burn a bloodwraith."

"Will do." Tossing me a last glance over his shoulder, Cal shrugged out of his jacket and shirt and stepped towards the cage. Each step almost made him bigger, angrier and bolder. His shoulders were straight, silken hair brushing on his shoulders framing a handsome but deadly face. And within that skin, lingered the beast.

When Cal came into the view, the crowd exploded into a deafening cheer. Jeers and curses carried on over the voices, people and creatures pushing against each other like wildlings. My stomach revolted at the display. The metal enchanted bars of the cage entrance hinged open and Cal ducked inside, squaring against his opponent. In turn, the minotaur looked up to challenge and let out a roar, pawing at floor with his hooves.