I raced after him, intent on doing some damage myself, but I didn’t reach Bones or his friends before the guards got to us. Someone grabbed my arm before I even realized he was there. He grabbed so hard and fast that it nearly yanked my arm out of the socket. Judging by the strength of the grip, it was a vampire.
“You’re all coming with us!” the guard growled. “Captain’s orders.”
My shoulders sagged. If I didn’t want to get in trouble, I had to follow them. Answering to Captain was a hell of a lot better than facing the Warden.
Oberi, go find Ez. Make sure he’s okay,I instructed.
I’m going with you,he objected.
No, you’re not!I snapped in my mind. I hadn’t let Oberi get involved with the fight club yet. I wasn’t about to start inviting him along.
Oberi huffed, but he raced off before the guards could grab hold of him.
“Dear Goddess!” Alistair exclaimed with a gleeful laugh as a guard dragged him away. “Your friend ishot, Charlie! I’d eat Elf ass for that man.”
“You were quite impressive yourself,” Eddie replied shyly, before a guard told him to shut up.
Ancestors, these two had a crush. I already couldn’t deal with them.
The guards dragged my friends and me into the building. I didn’t know what they planned to do with Bones and his band of assholes, but I guessed they’d let them off with a warning, considering Bones’ status in fight club. My stats had fallen quite a bit over the summer, since I just didn’t care anymore. I didn’t get the same privileges I used to.
Which meant I was going to get my ass chewed out. A door creaked open, and the guards shoved us into a small room. I guessed it was Captain’s office.
“These three started a fight in the prison yard,” a guard said. “This Elf here broke Bones’ nose.”
“That’s impressive.” Captain’s deep voice sounded approving. “I’d like to have a little chat. Come in.”
The guards left us there and shut the door behind us, though not before tossing Alistair’s cat into the room like a ragdoll. The cat hissed as it landed hard on the ground.
“Please, take a seat,” Captain said kindly. The man could go from being your best friend to your worst nightmare in two-point-five seconds, but I’d gotten used to it.
Almost.
Eddie guided me into a chair, and Alistair sat on the other side of him.
“What’s the deal, princess?” Alistair asked boldly. “You gonna give us an infraction, or what?”
Captain laughed, and the chair behind his desk squeaked as he leaned back in it. “I may be head of security, but I didn’t invite you in here to deal out a punishment. I want to make you an offer. You two intrigue me— an Elf and a blind dwarf. It’d be a great show.”
Aw, fuck. The last thing I wanted was for Eddie and Alistair to get wrapped up in fight club.
“You’re offering us a place in the fight club,” Alistair guessed.
My jaw fell. “How’d you know about fight club?” Alistair had barely been here a month.
“Eh,” he said. “I’ve got my ways.”
“There’s a fight club?” Eddie squeaked, pretending like he had no idea. Of course, I’d been obligated to tell him, after he’d seen all the bruises on me.
“Yes, and I want you two on board,” Captain said.
“You can’t take the deal!” I blurted.
“Why not? This sounds great!” Alistair protested.
“Just trust me,” I insisted. “Fight club isn’t a place for either of you.”
“Oh, come on now, Charlie,” Captain practically sang. “You can’t truly believe it’sthatbad. You love it!”
