Bad Ass Moms by Mary Fan

Author:Mary Fan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crazy 8 Press
Published: 2020-07-07T14:50:22+00:00

“You wasted a lot of time up there,” Cassie said, quietly, as she followed Morna through a low-ceiling drainage tunnel that smelled like mildew and dead things. “Any particular reason?”

Morna didn’t look back. “They were kids.”

“Kids with stabby things. Did you miss the stabby things?”

“But they didn’t stab us, did they? They wanted money, not blood.”

“And that makes it better… how?”

“An empty belly makes a person do foolish things.”

“Oh!” Cassie stage-whispered. “So it’s fine to rob and stab people if you’re hungry. I’ll remember that!”

Morna smiled as she walked. Cassie didn’t understand why the kids up there resorted to mugging. Morna had sacrificed much to ensure Cassie never understood desperation like that, and she’d sacrifice it all again.

“When we get to the Punch Pit and locate Kell,” Morna said, “have you considered what you’re going to say to her?”

“Oh, I dunno. Maybe ‘Don’t be such a dipshit, Kell.’”

Morna suppressed a chuckle. “I don’t know if that’s the best approach. She seemed committed when she stormed out.”

“Which makes no sense at all.” Cassie huffed. “She should have let you pay off her father’s stupid debt. Instead she has us trekking halfway across Ceto, dodging muggers and stomping through ick, to literally keep her from signing her life away. I mean, what the fuck?”

“Language.” Morna remembered another time, another contract, and another woman whose pride blinded her to those she hurt. “And a fighter’s pride isn’t always logical, honey.”

“Mom!” Cassie protested. “Can you stop with the honey business when we’re out doing heroic stuff? It’s kind of hard to act like a badass when your mom acts like you’re five.”

As they stepped into a larger storm drain tunnel with other people, the laughing, drunk, and raucous salt of Ceto, Morna pulled her hood close. “I’m sorry, Cassandra. I certainly wouldn’t want to embarrass you while we’re doing heroic stuff.”

It was a short walk to the Punch Pit’s southern entrance, which was, quite literally, a hole in the wall. Only one person guarded that hole, but she was enough. Raze was a redheaded gladiator who stood over two meters tall. She had a heatsword strapped across her back as long as Morna.

She was also a very old friend.

Morna pulled a purple, skull-faced bandana from her front pocket. As she tied it around her face, obscuring all but her pale blue eyes, the smell and feel of cloth summoned memories. The ache of her knuckles after a good brawl. The salty taste of blood in her mouth. The heady rush of pride after every win.

The gut-wrenching regret when she realized it was all a lie.

With Cassie at her side, Morna approached Raze and lowered her hood to reveal her hair and skull-faced bandana. When Raze spotted her, the other woman gasped. “Holy shit! Ruiner!”

Morna smiled behind her bandana. “Hello, Raze.”

“Ruiner?” Cassie offered a significant amount of side eye. “That was your fighter name?”

“It was a long time ago.” Morna stared up at Raze. “Have they announced the roster for tonight’s fights?”

“No,” Raze said, “but

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