Earth(89)

"Faster," I huffed out, in between breaths.

"Start it now, Kaitlyn," he answered in reply.

"No – too soon."

"Do it, or I swear I'll stop."

I met his eyes. He wasn't bluffing. I opened a connection between us. The magic was mostly Earth, like the signal that went out to identify Elementals, only in reverse. The energy started to flow – I barely had to call it. I tried slowing it, meaning to take just a little this time. He probably couldn't stand to lose much more. It was a miracle he was standing at all.

"No," Micah said. "Take more."

Before I could protest, he bent lower and found my nipple again. The pinching sensation sent ripples of pleasure throughout my body. In a magnetic-like response, energy pulsated through the open connection. I rode the high until spasms froze me in place. In one final burst, energy shot through, and the connection closed.

My feet hit pavement – I hadn't realized I was in the air. I found Micah's eyes, using them to ground me while my orgasm subsided. Then he fell away.

I swiped, trying to catch the loose fabric at his chest. My fingers brushed cotton, but never caught hold. I watched in slow motion. His hands didn't move to protect him; he had gone unconscious.

The hard slap of skull against concrete never came. Soft, scarred hands slipped underneath just in time.

Natasha, good. Natasha…My eyes went wide with surprise. Oh, crap.

I bent, hastily tugging at my clothes. It wasn't just Natasha, it was her whole crew. They were all pawing Micah's unconscious body, trying to determine the best course of action. I narrowed my eyes at them while I zipped up my pants.

"Here, you lost this," Natasha shoved her hand in front of my face, holding out the blue armband.

My cheeks went red, half in anger and half with embarrassment. How much did they see?

"Psst, Kaitlyn."

I turned – Clay stood at the other end of the building motioning me over. How much did he see?

"Wait, I—"

"Go," Natasha interrupted me, practically pushing me toward Clay. "We’ve got this."

They already had Micah lifted, moving him away in the other direction. I caught a glimpse of his face. Deep scratches ran down his cheek. A new wound at his forearm was bandaged.

When did that happen?

The group turned the corner with their very handsome, very vulnerable patient in tow, and disappeared.

"Where have you been? The fight was supposed to start five minutes ago." Clay was at my side now, tugging me along.

I let him lead me away. I was riding Micah's high; it was hard to concentrate. Everything seemed cloudy and surreal. "Did you get the sand bags in place?" I asked.

He nodded. "Each bag has a few small holes poked in them, like you asked." We peered around the corner of the building at the main entrance. "You go through first. Contenders are supposed to arrive alone."

"Okay, wish me luck." I blinked, still a little dazed.

Clay raised an eyebrow at me. "You are practically glowing. I think I'm gonna need to wish the other guy luck."

I laughed, but it came out sounding strangled. I turned before he could see my cheeks turning red again, covered the distance to the brick steps in long strides, and marched up.

"Name," said the guard.

I cleared my throat. "Lucy."

"You're not on the list."

"Oh." This was…weird.

"Are you sure?" I tried again. "Lucy Evermore – I'm a contender." I straightened my back, hoping to heighten my appearance.

"Didn't anyone tell you?" He flipped his notebook shut. "You have to go in through that entrance." He nodded to a door down the length of the building.

"Why?" I squinted to see a dilapidated, rusted piece of metal barely hanging from its hinges.

He shrugged. "I guess because of the betting. Seeing fighters before the match gives the gamblers an edge. We have to close betting before you come into the ring."

"Makes sense, I guess." I had no idea others would have a stake in the fight. I tried running through how that would complicate everything in my head, when I caught the guard still looking at me. I went back down the stairs. "Like seeing the bride in her dress before the wedding." My laugh was nervous, and wholly unconvincing.

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and asked, "Just curious, who are you betting on?"

The guard looked me from top to bottom and back again, then said, "The other guy."





Chapter 55





The Dragon





I navigated the rusty door, wondering if my last tetanus shot was still effective. They had shoved enough needles in me the first few days I’d arrived at The Seven; one of them was surely tetanus.