Chapter 5

Grace

I watched the first fight of the elf hybrid and the Alpha from Nevadi. It ended in the elf winning. He was strong, making the wolf submit by breaking his arm. I imagine if I had better cell service everyone would tell me how worried they were, but I watched in confidence. It would take more than that to hurt me.

As a demigoddess, only another demigod or higher would even be able to break skin…

I was next, and I’d already made my way to the entrance of the ring. Security here was tight, but I’d never Seen so many people in one place, screaming and cheering. It was so bright too compared to the dim lighting of the lounge. It was actually a little disorienting.

It was apparent though that my opponent was Surprised by my height. Up until this point, I’d merely sat but we shook wrists anyway.

“Weighing in at 260 pounds, 6’5, Lord Godfrey, The Silent One of El Angel Coven.” Said the announcer. The vampire looked pretty impressive, being undead. Usually their people were pale, thin, and lanky, though he was somewhat tan with a stout build, and muscular. “Weighing in at 270 pounds, 7’1, Gamma Grace, the Charred One of OpalMoon.”

“You should submit.” I warned with a smile, glad that they left out all the royal blood titles….

“I’d never live it down. Don’t expect me not to go easy on you either.” He bared fangs with a smile. I could tell he was excited, and this was going to be good.

When the bell rang, he came at me almost as fast as my uncle does. It surprised me as much as impressed me. I countered, barely dodging.

I punched him square in the gut with my left, and he got me pretty good in the leg with a kick. He was using whatever his power was to be competitive with me. We danced around each other since he was so fast, though I was stronger.

But he was faster with his powers. His blows also made no sound. He attempted to end this quick by grappling me, but I used his momentum to flip him. He smacked the concrete soundlessly, but even still, the crowd roared.

“Your ability is impressive.” I said, letting him know that I knew.

“It isn’t the only thing I can do.” He said with a determined glare.

He jumped up quickly, and we paced around the large circle. I could see him calculating. He probably thought that this was going to be easy since I was a woman. What he didn’t know is that I didn’t use my powers, and I could still compete.

“Still think I should Surrender?” He grinned.

“If you don’t want any broken bones.” I grinned back.

He came at me almost as a soundless blur, and I blocked gripping his arm with a good amount of force, but it didn’t break. This time there was a small thud when I pinned him. I had him by both his wrists, having his hands behind his back, sitting on him. It was one he couldn’t get out of, and he would either submit or I’d have to knock him out. I wasn’t against killing him, but if there wasn’t a real reason… there was no point either.

“…I submit.” He said begrudged, and the bell rang. “I didn’t think I’d lose my first match.” He said as he got up.

We shook wrists, though I was gentle on them. I had a good hold on him, and I could see even though he was undead, they looked pretty raw.

I went back to the lounge, and I watched the other fights. With five left, the minotaur won against a male fairy, though I almost felt sorry for him. He had to surrender in the first five minutes. A werebear got defeated by a full blooded unicorn, the elf hybrid beat a centaur who had to fight in human shape, and I got something to drink.

I Swear a stray scent caught my attention, but it was too faint with the full black dragon waitress smoking.

My second fight was with a witch, who I accidently broke his jaw…. Their people are Very weak, and I assume he thought that he could use magic.

My powers as a Charred one is a natural ability. It gives the royal family an elemental flaming bite… and for us triplets, the addition of flaming breath. He saw the vampire use his powers of silence and speed, thinking that he could cheat as well, however the circle painted on the concrete made sure he couldn’t cast spells. Had it been a natural ability, he’d have been able to cheat his little heart out.

It was then that the announcer came back. He looked fired up, He looked almost as excited as the crowd.

“The Champion wishes to enter the ring!” yelled the dragon. “This hasn’t been done in over 35 years everyone! Are there any who wish to challenge Lord Aureus, the Fallen One?!”

“I will!” Roared the minotaur. “On the condition that I get to shift.” He snorted.

There was a pause as the announcer held his hand over his earpiece. “We’ll allow it.” He smiled.

It was then that the minotaur shifted, becoming a mighty, shaggy beast of black fur. The champion looked so confident. He didn’t shift if he could, holding a fierce, intimidating gaze when they panned to his face.

He was dwarfed standing in front of a monstrous bull, leaning slightly to the side as if he were waiting in line running an errand. “Do you want a weapon?” He asked.

The minotaur nodded a yes. I doubt the champion could speak bull. He was tossed a massive chunk of wood, wielding it like a club.

This was a fight I wanted to see in person… He was a bull at least 10 feet tall, with shaggy black, musky fur.

I don’t know why I almost ran to see this.

I don’t know why I was legitimately excited…

I don’t know why the dragon allowed it. I didn’t catch the announcer saying the details of their height and weight comparison… only how he looked so fluid and calm as he fought.

I didn’t even hear the bell ring.

He was a honey-golden skinned man, with hair that looked to be made of literal gold as well. He was in only shorts, choosing to be barefoot, choosing to have as little defense as possible. He held his head like a confident Alpha, but I could tell he wasn’t a wolf. The announcer said he was his lord, or Alpha, and he certainly smelled it.

His scent was more like an expensive cologne than one of a dragon to me…. A deep musky one that wafted around the edges of the ring… like amber gris and Dominant male… the same scent I smell off kings…

The dragon’s hair glittered as he moved so fluidly. He dodged the swing of his opponent’s club as if it were in slow motion, countering with a punch so hard I could hear the bull’s ribs crack. I was impressed. It was as if he’d trained with professionals his entire life as well...

His eyes were a strange, almost electric bluish green, but before I could see more, the fight was over. They bowed respectfully to each other while the minotaur held his side. He shifted, revealing a smiling naked man. I don’t know what words they shared, but they were pleasant by the looks of it. Death was an option it seemed no one was willing to take. Honestly, I was a little glad for that. I’d killed people before… but it just didn’t sit right to do it for sport.

The other fights didn’t matter to me… I wondered what was so important about him. I wondered why I found myself silently rooting for him when he held his arms in the air.

“Who now wishes to face me?” He asked at the far left of the ring. Everyone was silent. If they were wolves, their heads were bowed; if they were any other, they showed their respect in their own way. “I will raise it to 30 million.” He roared.

Still the arena and the crowd above was silent, allowing only the ambient noise of the building to speak for them. But I found my legs moving on their own. It was almost as if an invisible force had pushed me.

His intense gaze directed at me, and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t care about the money. If I win you take me out to dinner.”

“And if I lose?” He smirked. He stood there, adjusting his posture to a lazy lean, one that showed he thought he’d already won.

“Then you get the pleasure of being a nice guy and taking me out.” I grinned, taking steps into the circle.