Hanoch towered over me, making our duel hardly fair. But, the exercise was not about fairness; it was about finding another way to make me bleed, and I knew it. The next moment, Hanoch pushed me back, and I could not keep my hold on him. His knee jerked up in the air and he connected the blow to my stomach. The impact took all the air from my lungs and a potent metallic taste filled my mouth. I fell, too stunned to continue. I was not so dumb as to think that it was over. I waited for the final blow. Hanoch turned to the stands with his arms raised as if the fight was already over, but I knew better.
“Finish him!” the cold voice ordered, and I knew there was no point in fighting back.
He was about to leave the arena, but those words made him stop. He paused before entering back into the circle. I watched him through the dark hair that covered my eyes and I caught the hesitation on his face. He swung his fist and got me right in my jaw. For a brief moment, a flash of light and then unimaginable pain exploded in my head. I fell to the ground feeling the clumps of dirt on my face and the sharp, excruciating pain in my jaw. I wanted to scream, but instead, my eyes flew open and I pushed myself back up.
“Stay down!” Hanoch whispered.
But I sat back up, not taking my eyes off him.
“Again!” the voice growled, and I could plainly hear the cruel edge to it.
Hanoch prepared for the next blow, and this time there was no triumph in his eyes. When he struck the side of my face for the second time, blackness swallowed me whole.
For a moment, I closed my eyes, trying to shake off the vision. The man who stood in front of me was older, wiser. He was not cruel, he never was. All of us were tainted by the clan, by all the rules, and expectations. The world was different back then.
“Did you have any luck with Sage?” Hanoch asked.
“He’s gone. I stopped by yesterday and earlier this morning,” I responded.
“The old drunk is onto something.” Hanoch sighed.
I looked down at the map, not intending to respond.
“Who’s the redhead?” Hanoch continued, and a possessive voice roared deep down in my chest.
“She’s a friend.” I forced my voice flat.
“She’s very pretty.”
“Stay away from her,” I could not keep my voice calm any longer.
“A very good friend then?” Hanoch smirked.
I only looked at him. In my mind, my hands wrapped around his neck and I lifted him up in the air. I knew that he was no match for me now. I had the advantage of height and combat experience.
“Don’t worry. I’m a changed man.” He raised his hand with the wedding band.
I watched him in silence, trying to calm my violent thoughts. My reaction surprised me. The way I felt about her was painfully obvious. It was strange and uncomfortable, and I had to get it out of my system.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
ALINA
Istood by the doorway still unsure of what just happened. Frid paced back and forth, her hand still clenching both golden chains.
“Why are you so upset?” I asked, pressing my back against the wall.
“‘I’m not upset. Why? Why would you say that?” She stopped and threw the jewelry back on the side table.
“What are those?”
“Those? Grace seems to think that one of us, or maybe both, will be...” she fell silent.
“What?”
“Do you really want me to say it?” Frid gaveme a heavy stare.
“I want you to say something because you’re scaring me,” I responded, stepping to the side table and taking a closer look at the chains.
