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Uncertaintyandregreteatsat me as I wait for Gus to join Elena in the arena. I understand why Gus wants to be the one to face her, and I know I’ve made the right decision by backing down. That doesn’t mean I like it. In fact, I hate every second I have to sit here and wait. Waiting for something I’m only a spectator for is beyond challenging.
My life is made up of so many uncontrollable variants, so I thrive when I am in charge. Until now, I’ve never given it much thought, but Gus was right when he called me out on my need to control things. I know he’s right, yet the knowledge doesn’t make it any easier to sit back and pretend everything is fine.
When I keep feeling like I’m being watched, I look around again. I can’t see anything out of the ordinary, so I force myself to relax as I look down at Elena. She’s wearing deep, dark forest green leather pants, and medieval breastplate armor. From this angle, I can’t see if it’s only protecting her front, or if it’s stretching to her back. Her long hair is gathered in a braid that’s draped over one shoulder. Compared to Gus, she looks like she’s ready for the fight of her life. She’s even smiling, her lips moving as she says something.
The finishing touch is the sword she’s lazily swinging back and forth with her left hand. Hmm, so she’s a lefty. I don’t think it’s an act, not when I really look at her stance, which supports my assessment.
“Elena Hatt, you have challenged the Drákon Heir. Are you ready to face your competitor?” Arthur’s voice booms across the arena, and everyone shuts up as the Hatt Leader gets ready to reveal the opponents.
Unlike Gus, Elena is blindfolded, so she doesn’t yet know I’m not the one she’s about to face. This was Morgana’s idea, and I have to admit, it’s quite ingenious. Kai told me that this is an old Hatt practice to even the playing field. The opponent who gets to enter the arena first is robbed of their sight. This is to guarantee that they don’t get an advantage by studying the area before the second fighter joins them.
“I’m ready. Bring out the bitch,” Elena’s voice rings out, clearer than I thought it would.
Liam chuckles, a low and dark sound, and I can’t help but smile.
When we arrived, we were flanked by Arthur’s men while they escorted us inside. After I said goodbye to Gus, they kept me and Liam hidden from prying eyes while we made our way to the spectator area. We haven’t taken our seats yet, instead hiding out of view until Gus walks into the arena.
Even though the only people in attendance are the Leaders, their respective partners, and the Heirs, Arthur and Kai have worked hard to not let it slip who’s facing Elena. On our way here, Liam caught me up on everything they’ve been planning while I was… gone, and though it shouldn’t take me by surprise, it did. With the help and cooperation of Arthur and Morgana, my men have everything planned down to every last detail.
That made me instantly forgive Morgana for alerting my guys to the fact I was in Kai’s house last night. If I’m being entirely truthful, I never really faulted her. I mean, I did at the time, but how can I when I know I would probably have done the same. And what’s more, I was wrong—so, so wrong.
“Bring out the Drákon Heir,” Arthur commands.
My heart skips a beat and my palms become sweaty as I wait for Gus to enter. A second before he becomes visible for everyone in attendance, the Hatt guard next to Elena removes her blindfold. She blinks, presumably to get used to the light.
My eyes are trained on Elena, and my heart fucking soars as I watch her face fall. Maybe it’s cruel of me to revel in the misery settling into her facial expression. If that’s the case, so be it.
Looking away from Elena, I focus on Gus. As soon as my eyes land on him, I can feel the wrongness in my very marrow. It’s visible in the robotic way he’s carrying himself, as opposed to his usual lithe, almost feline-like movements when he’s approaching a target.
I stiffen and claw at Liam’s hand that’s reassuringly squeezing my hip. “Something is wrong,” I whisper, frantically looking around as I try to spot any immediate danger.
Showing his intimate knowledge of my cousin, Liam agrees. “He’s too much on edge.” When I continue to look around, my consort squeezes me so hard I hiss in surprise and pain. “You need to stop looking around. If someone sees you, they’ll know that something isn’t right.”
“Augustus Drákon, you have accepted Elena Hatt’s challenge. Is that correct?” Arthur asks.
I miss hearing Gus’ answer when Mordred, one of the new Hatt Heirs, comes over and asks us to follow him. We do, and we take our seats with the rest of the Heirs and Leaders.
It feels weird to have Morgana sitting in the seat Nikolaos should be occupying, but it’s a hell of a lot better than having to be this close to Alexander. Not for the first time, I wonder if their titles somehow got mixed up. In my head it’s my dad who’s ruthless, and Nikolaos was great in every sense of the word.
“This isn’t right.” Elena’s scream of protest penetrates my thoughts, bringing me back to what’s happening in front of me. “Acacia Drákon accepted my challenge. Why isn’t she down here?”
Fabric ruffles as Morgana stands, one of her hands now perching on my shoulder. “Foolish girl,” she spits, not bothering to hide her contempt. “You challenged the Drákon Heir, not the Heiress. But if it will make you feel better, I’ll request that Arthur give Acacia a lecture on the traditions of the Hatt challenges. None of that will change today’s challenge, though.” Morgana looks like pure evil incarnate as she tilts her head to the side, eyeing Elena in a way that makes it clear how little she thinks of her.
“Acacia picked up the gauntlet,” Elena insists, cocking her hip to the side as she curls her upper lip in… disgust, maybe. “According to the rules, she accepted the challenge.”
Before Morgana can answer, Arthur interjects. “Since the title of Heiress isn’t within the bylines, the word Heir encompasses both males and females. You did not specify which of the two Heirs you wished to challenge. That allows for the Drákons to make their choice. An Heir accepted, and an Heir has met you in the arena. No rules have been broken.” He pauses to look at the Heirs and Leaders who are sitting near him. Each one gives a sharp nod. Lastly, he looks at Kai who’s sitting next to him, and he, too, nods. “The Society agrees on this. But just to make absolutely sure, so you can’t later accuse us of being unfair, I’ll ask that each Leader and Heir voice their agreement.”
As the Leaders, Remus and Morgana are the first to verbally agree. Then the Hatt Heirs, Mordred and Isolde, state that they agree with their Leader’s assessment. Finally, Lupa and the new Russo Heir, Flavio, say ‘yes’ as well.
The final yes barely rings out before Elena’s shoulders deflate. Then she grits her teeth and moves her head like she’s looking for someone. Marian, presumably. At least if Gus is correct in his suspicion that his mom is the one pulling the strings.
Wait… I haven’t thought about my treacherous aunt since Halloween. That was the night she was… kidnapped? I don’t know and frankly, I’m not sure I care. If someone else wants her, I’m all for that as long as she’s far, far away from me.
As though he can read my thoughts, Liam leans closer and whispers, “Arthur has ensured there are extra security guards manning the perimeters.”
The words should put me at ease, so why don’t they?
“So did Kai for Halloween,” I murmur, still carrying around the sinking feeling of wrongness. “And for the Claiming as well.” I don’t know why I’m listing those epic fails like they’re of great importance.
