“And how do you suggest I do that?” he demanded. “You can’t leave a gang once you join it. They’ll hurt me. Plus, we need this. It’s our key into the Warden’s office, which gives us an advantage.”
I frowned. “Kallie’s right. This can’t go on much longer. Eventually, we have to find some way to get you out of the gang. Either Bones will kill you, or those other guys will.”
“I know.” Marcus sounded defeated. “It’s just not possible.”
“I’ll kill Bones in the ring,” I offered.
Marcus burst out laughing, like I was joking. I wasn’t. “That’s a great idea. Then the rest of the Dead Men Walking can murderyou, or even go after Ava or Oberi to get to you.”
My stomach twisted. Marcus was right. I couldn’t make rash decisions about this.
“We might as well give up,” Marcus said in defeat. “I joined the gang, I took the oath. I’m stuck in it now, till I’m fucking dead.”
“Bullshit,” Kallie spat. “This isn’t a death sentence.”
“Yeah,” Ava said. “We’ll get you out of this, Marcus.”
Marcus made a skeptical sound, but I agreed with the girls. I wasn’t going to give up. One way or another, I was getting him out.
I just had to be smart about it— or Marcus wouldn’t be the only one six feet under once the gang got done with us.
CHAPTEREIGHT
AVA-MARIE
Marcus was risking his life to get us more information on the Warden and the Infernal Underground. But I wasn’t sure it was worth it. Stopping the Warden was critical, but I didn’t want to lose a friend.
Orfriends, if this situation didn’t turn out well. With Marcus being in a gang, all of us were at risk.
I was walking to the music room on Monday, looking to get some practice in before class, when I heard a scuffle around the corner. It sounded like a body being thrown against a wall. Oberi started, her hooves slipping against the carpet. I hurried to see what was going on, and a lump formed in my throat at the sight in front of me.
It was Ivy, and he hadCharliepinned up against the wall. Ivy held Charlie in place with one hand, his fingers around Charlie’s neck. His fangs were on display, and his eyes were blood-red. He looked completely murderous.
Charlie didn’t make a move to fight back, just grasped at Ivy’s wrist and wrenched, like he was doing his best to defend himself, but couldn’t.
I froze in shock. What was going on?
“Breaking Ava’s heart was mistake number one. Beating the shit out of my boyfriend was mistake number two,” Ivy seethed. “Tell me why I shouldn’t snap your neck right here, right now.”
My heart pounded against my ribcage so quickly it nearly ached. This didn’t make any sense. Why would Charlie hurt Chancey? He would never. They were close. But something must’ve gone down; otherwise, Ivy wouldn’t be losing his shit.
I instantly knew what had happened— that bastard Captain and his damn fight club. This was his doing, making friends fight each other so the guards could get a kick out of it.
Charlie didn’t say anything, and Ivy slammed him against the wall again. I cringed as Charlie let out a gasp of pain.
Ivy leaned in to whisper, “You ain’t gonna get away with this. You forget, I ain’t your run-of-the-mill average whore.”
Ivy had a reputation for being a prostitute, but I knew full well he was deadly. His grip tightened on Charlie’s neck, and Charlie cringed.
Oberi lowered her horn, ready to charge at Ivy, but she was waiting on my say-so. I waved her off, telling her to stand down, before I tried to force my way between them.
“Ivy, stop it!” I demanded. I put a hand on Ivy’s arm and attempted to wrench him off Charlie. It was like moving a concrete statue.
“This one’s no good, precious. I say we deal with him once and for all,” Ivy spat.
I was worried he would use his vampire strength to pop Charlie’s head clean off his shoulders. “It wasn’t his fault,” I rushed to say. “He had no choice.”
“I don’t care what the reasons were. You should see Chance.” Ivy’s eyes narrowed.
