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I raise my arm to block, but I’m too late as she jabs her tiny fist into my side. I grunt at the strike, not wasting time to brace the injury, I push her back, following with a swing of my own. My fist connects with her ribs, and she lets out an oomph at the impact.
Her chin drops to her chest in reaction to the pain, but I won’t let her fool me again. I let her act of kindness overshadow our purpose for being here, but she didn’t, no, the cunning girl used my distraction against me. Had me lower my guard to let her get an easy hit, it wouldn’t happen again.
I lunge forward, my fist aiming to her upper abdomen when her head snaps up, with a maniacal grin splitting her lips, and a crazed look enters her eyes. I barely make out the sparking of electricity in her gaze before my fist makes contact, sending a small shock of electricity through my body.
My body seizes as the jolt of electricity spreads through my body, searing along my nerves. Pain lances through my limbs, spreading to my fingers and toes. I wince in pain, but the shock still radiates through my limbs. I close my hands into fists, trying to get the feeling back into them. The few seconds my body is frozen either from the bolt or from shock allows her to get a hit in on me before darting away.
My fist swings, meeting thin air, my mind still jumbled, trying to reconcile what exactly just happened. I bring my hands up in front of me, readying myself for her next move. My brows crease in confusion as I hurriedly dart my gaze to the surrounding ring before glancing back at Abigail warily.
The ring should have gone off. If what Helene said was true, the ring should have sensed her powers and disqualified her. This must be what their true plan was, that crafty bitch, let me lower my guard with douchebag William and sweet Abigail, until the kindness leaves her eyes, replaced with blue lightning and vicious delight.
“You couldn’t just make this easy now, could you?” she asks with a wicked grin, only then does she let the malice show in her gaze. Despite her words, her expression shows just how overjoyed she is at the opportunity to use her powers against me.
“You really thought they’d let you have a fair fight? Stupid girl.” She shakes her head in disappointment, an evil giggle bubbling up past her lips.
I grit my teeth, unsure what I should do. Did they disable the ring from all magic or just hers? And even if I use my powers, what exactly would I use? Strength would have little to no effect against lightning. I have the flame burning inside of me, but—I jerk at the thought. Sure Abigail is a class A bitch that deserves to rot in the pits of Hell, but could I live with myself if I’m the one to send her there prematurely?
I sidestep her next move as my mind sifts through the penetrating thoughts, unsure what to do next. No, I can’t risk it, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I couldn’t control the blistering heat as I had to burn Titus’ hand on my throat. I’d need to work through the pain, try to get as many hits on her as possible, and hope for the best, because obviously no one else was going to put a stop to this.
I duck her next blow, aiming one for her abdomen as she leaves it open. I must catch her off guard since I’m able to pull my fist back fast enough that only a faint tingle vibrates through my knuckles.
“Bitch,” she snarls, lunging towards me. I jump out of the way at the last moment, and she goes careening into the edge of the ring. A sheen of golden magic flashes up before her, causing her to smash face-first into the barrier. Okay, note to self, don’t go near the edge of the ring. I’m glad Abigail was the one to learn that lesson the hard way.
“You’ll pay for that,” she grinds out as she turns to face me. I wince at the aftermath of her collision. Blood oozes from her split lip and trickles down her chin. She grits her teeth, lips parting to reveal her red-stained teeth. The sight sends a chill straight down my spine. The blood mixed with the unhinged look that twists her face turns my blood cold in my veins.
“I have to pay for your clumsy mistake?” I scoff, choking back my chuckle. Good, let her get angry. I need whatever help I can get right now.
Despite my words, my keen gaze appraises her, shifting to the side just as she lunges for me. I move to sweep her legs simultaneously, using her momentum against her, but the moment my foot makes contact with her leg, a jolt of electricity runs through my body, causing my body to freeze. The shocks run through my body, seemingly never-ending, my muscles seizing. She played me, I realize belatedly, as she makes contact, her momentum causing us both to sprawl to the ground.
She keeps the lightning flowing through me, landing blow after blow to my abdomen and my ribs. I struggle to even pull in ragged breaths through my cracking lips. Dryness pricks at my eyes as I’m unable to even shut them, the jolts of electricity running through every inch of my body, rattling down to my bones.
I hear a faint ringing, and her weight leaves me, my legs and arms still spasming with the aftershocks of her power. My lips open and close, my eyes unable to make out anything past the afternoon sun burning through my retinas.
“Olivia.” A deep, unmistakable growl reverberates through my body, the burning light replaced with a cool shadow as a figure looms over me. Maximus. A sob racks my body, an ache radiating through my eyes with the need to release my tears of gratitude, or pain, I’m not sure, but the cool relief remains absent. My eyes are too dry to even release the faintest drop of moisture.
Hands smooth over my body, and I sigh at the warm, comforting touch, making the deep bone aching pain recede from my body.
“What did she do to you?” Kyros asks in disbelief, his magic still working to repair my muscles and nerve endings.
I gulp in a deep breath of air, but no sound comes out. A muttered curse leaves Kyros’ lips, his hands moving up my body, healing my ravaged throat and mouth. I repeatedly blink, attempting to get some moisture back to them now that the pain is more bearable. My sight is blocked as Kyros moves his hands over my eyes, helping heal the damage caused to them.
“Lightning,” I gasp, attempting to sit up, but Kyros places a hand on my chest, keeping me lying down.
“Don’t get up just yet,” he instructs, reaching behind him for a bottle of water. To my surprise, Maximus’ hulking form moves in behind me, easing me up to lean against him. I relax into his powerful presence, taking comfort in their nearness.
The cool liquid runs past my lips, and I let out a moan as it coats my tongue. Seemingly too soon, the bottle is removed, and I groan in protest, only to realize I finished its entire contents.
“What about lightning?” Maximus grits out behind me, his chest rumbling against my back at the words. His words bring me back to reality, and I blink, glancing around the arena. A crowd has formed around me in a circle, too far back to make out our words, I presume. The form so perfect, I can only imagine either my father or Adrian has created a barrier around us to keep the nosy bystander away.
My chest tightens as memories of the match flit through my mind, the shocks, my muscles spasming helplessly. I breathe a deep sigh, looking up into Kyros’ honey-brown eyes, his hair laying haphazardly around his face, uncaring of the unkempt waves. His brows are creased with concern as he reaches out a hand to me, gently cradling my still numb fingers in his.
Maximus lets loose an impatient growl, and I look back at him, seeing the fear chilling his emerald gaze. I give him a small, reassuring smile, needing him to know I'll be okay.
“Lightning. Now,” he demands, and I can tell from the tension radiating off of him he's barely keeping it together right now.
“She used her powers. The council rigged the ring somehow to let her use them against me. Lightning,” I explain, coughing out the last word. Kyros’ hand squeezes mine, and I tighten my fingers against his, slowly regaining my strength.
My other hand grips Maximus’ leg, keeping him grounded as he glares out into the distance. His legs shift against me, his corded muscles bunching as he moves to stand, but I clamp my hand harder against his thigh—barely making it a quarter of the way around—drawing his attention back to me.
