AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His gaze locked on Nikolas’ a few rows away and he inclined his head. With their mating bond fully repaired, it was easy to dismiss the instinctual jealousy toward a male who’d spent so much time with his mate. Nikolas returned his gesture and looked away on purpose. The other male always had too much frigid control for Felix’s liking. Perhaps that was the reason they had not killed each other during Gabby’s absence.
Nikolas had decided to leave Haven to join a new team Julian was establishing to fight against the Hunters and the Organization. With Leah’s kidnapping and the recent vampire disappearances, the Houses had all agreed they needed a centralized unit and response.
Though Jiaren, and not the Organization, had been behind the vampire disappearances, if Haven and Eden had traded information, or if there had been a focused vampire team to investigate the disappearances, could they have stopped Jiaren before he blew up the Ruin?
Jiaren’s crazed vampires hadn’t only been from Haven and Eden, either. Some belonged to House Mahal. It was difficult for three Houses to work together, but this new team would gather information from every House. If something like this happened again, they would not be caught unaware.
Another reason for Nikolas’ departure was Felix’s renouncement of his position in Eden. He joined Haven as Gabby’s mate to lead Haven together, while Nasir replaced Felix as Head of Eden. Even though they could’ve combined the two Houses, neither of them wanted the pressure of running. The days of constant wars and violence were long behind him. Felix would much rather spend his time with his mate in peace.
Gabby slid into the seat next to Nasir and exchanged pleasantries. Felix had a mind to snatch her and put her in the empty seat on his other side.
Stop being ridiculous.She shot him an irritated look.
He slung a possessive arm over her shoulder and pecked her on the cheek.I can’t help it, but I didn’t do it.
Gabby scowled, but their attention turned to Malika, who turned to face them from her seat in the row ahead of them. Felix’s jaw tightened at her feline smile.
“Wasn’t sure you’d join us. I heard what happened in LA.”
“Why would I miss this? Blood, gore, pointless fighting. How exciting,” Gabby said.
The other vampire laughed, a deep throated sound that suited her open and sometimes hostile personality. “How did you become the Head of a House?”
“If you’re lucky, you’ll find out today.” Gabby’s smile hinted at the tip of her fangs. Felix wanted to kiss her hard. They should’ve stayed in Haven until they had their fill of each other.
“I can’t wait.”
As they settled down, cheers reverberated through the stadium. Alistair stood up behind them. The Vampire King was back to his normal self, no sign of the exhaustion weighing on him. Power emanated from him in waves. Felix had not talked to him since he left Haven. Where had he gone? What had happened to Jiaren? No Chinese vampires were in attendance as far as Felix could see.
“Welcome!” Alistair’s voice boomed from the arena’s four corners. “I know we’re all eager to begin, so I’ll keep it short. The rules are simple and remain unchanged. The terms of the challenge shall be laid out before the fight. The fight will go on until one combatant surrenders or is unconscious. Reminder, I will not tolerate any killing. If you kill your opponent, either on purpose or by accident, you will be staked to the ground for a century.” Alistair let the words sink in before flashing a vicious smile that displayed the vampire’s violent nature. “Let the bloodshed begin.”
A deafening roar met his announcement. When it died back, Devon, who’d had the misfortune to pick the short straw to act as judge this time, swaggered to the middle of the pit.
“Now, let’s see, who’s first?”
A door on the side of the arena opened and out came a dark-skinned male who looked like he’d been a body builder as a mortal.
“I challenge Mistress Gabriella, Head of House Haven, for her position as Head of the House.” The body builder grinned up at them with the depravity of someone who delighted in violence.
Gabby tensed beside Felix.Here goes nothing.
Felix squeezed her hand. A part of him needed to protect her. Hissed at him to destroy any threats against his mate. That will always be there. But stronger than that voice was his belief in her.
Though the challenger towered over Gabby and was almost twice her width, he knew she would have no trouble.
Go kick his ass.
Gabby dashed down the steps with vampire speed and jumped into the arena. She ignored her opponent and drew up her favorite twin sabers from the weapons rack. Felix grinned. He would never get enough of watching her with those swords.
Once her challenger picked his weapon—a large hammer he lifted with one hand—Devon signaled them to begin.
The fight ended in less than a minute. Gabby broke the vampire’s arms leaving him face down on the ground with her feet pressed against his back and his blood and guts spilling out under him. She cut off his right arm for good measure when he didn’t surrender fast enough.
Stunned silence in the stadium, before thunderous cheering erupted. Defeated, Gabby’s opponent limped away, carrying his severed arm while holding his insides together.
You’re beautiful,Felix said.
Gabby’s grin was wicked and fiendish. Adrenaline pulsed into him from the mating bond.
