Page 118 of Fall Before Her Throne

“Give up, Volpe,” Obi said, just as he jabbed at me again. My forearms screamed in pain as I blocked the punch.

“No.”

“You’re going to lose,” he added, kicking. I just barely braced myself before the blow landed against my side.

“I know,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’re toying with me. Just end it.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he sent two more punches flying my way, but after the second, I timed mine perfectly and knocked against his jaw. It was a lucky hit, and it might have knocked out a lesser man, but Obi barely seemed phased.

When his next kick knocked me to the grass, it sent a wave of pain up my spine. Fuck, my ass would be bruised.

I had to get up. I had to move. But my arms refused. My lungs were burning. My legs were jelly. My lip was split. Nothing worked. Nothing answered my silent pleas to get up.

My body had decided it had had enough.

Obi stood over me, pulled his arm back, and then his fist came flying at my face.

Everything went black.

36

MAX

My eyes blinked open, and I stared at wispy clouds floating through the blue sky.

Well, fuck.

I definitely lost.

Blood trickled from my nose and over my lip. Obi’s face hovered over mine. His hand gripped both my cheeks, and he moved my head from side to side.

“Ouch,” I said with a grimace.

“Your pupils are responsive,” he said. “You might have a concussion, but I didn’t punch you that hard. You’ll likely be fine.”

Likely. Once again, I was beaten to shit. Why did I keep doing this to myself?

“Is he okay?” Her voice was quiet and small, coming from somewhere over my shoulder.

Oh, yeah. That’s why.

“He’ll be fine.” Obi stared down at me as he stood, and I waited for the verdict to come through. I didn’t pass their test. If I wasn’t already lying down, I might have fallen over with how my gut twisted.

“Well?” Ryuji’s head popped into my vision. “Are you going to get up?”

“Give him a few seconds,” Cas said. “Let him catch his breath.”

Thanks, Cas. Always looking out.

Ryuji shook his head. “Are you going to get up?” he asked again.

“Yeah,” I wheezed. My limbs felt stuck to the grass. “I’m getting up right now.”

My body ached, spent from six fights in a row, and my head throbbed, but they hadn’t done any lasting damage. At least from what I could feel. All my bones were intact, and I wasn’t bleeding besides for my lip and nose. I’d had worse. No big deal.

The worst part was knowing that as soon as I sat up, it would all be over. I meant what I said last night and this morning, that I would not leave her, but I didn’t know exactly what I’d do if they tried to make me.

“Are you?” Wynn urged.