Rivalry by Charles E. Yallowitz

Author:Charles E. Yallowitz [Yallowitz, Charles E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-03T22:00:00+00:00

9

Titus fixes his chainmail shirt, which still has a few twigs stuck between the links and a spot of rust on his right shoulder. His claymores are in better condition, but he no longer has the scabbards to hold them. In their place, the warrior has had to fashion belt loops and keep his hands on the hilts to prevent them from dragging on the ground. Standing to his right, Clyde checks his own weapon, which is a perfect replica of the one Gregorio crafted for him upon his return. The toothed blade hums in anticipation of being used, but its desire to be donned is denied by the cautious vampire. He repeatedly gazes into the gauntlet to examine the crystal needles that will pierce his flesh and absorb his blood. Reaching inside, he snaps one off and watches it grow back in the blink of an eye. The Dawn Fang considers flicking the shard at Xavier, who is leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. With his claws scraping against the stone, the nobleman focuses on the gentle sound in order to drown out the roaring crowd. A few whistles are aimed in his direction due to him being forced to fight without a shirt. In its place is a sapphire harness that prevents him from using his magic and changing shape. Left with only his physical strength and metal claws, Xavier wonders if the odd contest is designed to eliminate him.

“Mab must be getting close,” Clyde whispers to his friends. Waving to Jewelz, who is on the balcony, he shrugs when she refuses to respond. “Something definitely has her upset. That’s the only reason we have a three-on-three fight in what I think is only the second round. She wants me under her thumb as soon as possible.”

“Couldn’t you create an illusion of the curse completing itself?” Titus asks before drawing his swords. Pretending to be examining the pristine blades, he keeps an eye on the door that their opponents are supposed to enter through. “That way, the fights stop and you can get close enough to take her out. You could even fake being obedient until Mab gets here. She’s got to be coming with Bob, Luther, and Decker at least. That’s enough power to easily break us out of here and escape to one of the teleporters.”

“I heard she made those entrance only yesterday,” the other Dawn Fang replies. A roar from the crowd stops the conversation, but nothing happens after the noise dies down. “I don’t think the illusion idea would work. She has to expect me to try and trick her, which means she has something in place to stop me. Could be that she sees through the illusion immediately or there’s a specific final shape for the crystals that I wouldn’t know. Besides, what do you think will happen to everyone else once I’m under her control? You two aren’t going to be released or given a room to wait for a rescue.

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