Burns of Indigo

Chapter 3

    "Ahem." It's Dash who breaks the tension. Looking to him I find him staring at the two of us and Jess looks down quickly, suddenly very interested with whatever it is she is doing. "Judging by the heat coming off you of you two, I think the food is officially burnt." I snap out of it taking a few clumsy steps back from Spade, the heat on my cheeks only getting worst. 

    "Shut up Dash" is all I can muster, schooling my face into a scowl before quickly making my plate and leaving to my room, anywhere but here. I here Spades low chuckle as I make my way out.

    Fallon's shopping spree was definitely not what I had in mind I think as we make our way back to the condo later in the afternoon, listening to whatever is playing in her sleek, black Ferrari. After doing a quick trip to the mall, Fallon unexpectedly pulled up in front of a tattoo parlor. I follow them in, Jess going to speak to one of the artists in Japanese, her pink streaks in her double ponytails bobbing every time she nods. I assume one of them are getting a tattoo as the artist leads us to the door at the back of the shop. To my surprise, the inside was filled with weapons of various types, one wall filled with guns, the other filled with blades from small knives to long swords. Jess immediately makes her way to a glass case containing unique devices. I tried to contain my excitement as I purchased two new blades, one 19-inch and the other a slender black katana. Fallon on the other hand goes all out almost buying one of each.

    I found that Jess is actually twenty-three, making her the oldest. The others are twenty, making me the youngest. They had met at the same compound and after graduating they decided on leaving, jumping from spot to spot completing any assignments they find. I also learned that Spade hasn't shifted yet but his ability was fire. 

    Jess drills me almost the entire car ride with questions and I try my best to avoid those about my form. Fallon finally speaks when Jess pauses to think of something else to ask me, "You got anyone special in your life Lex?" I hadn't really dated. My last relationship was with a boy from compound but that lasted all of three miserable weeks.

    "Nope." I answer. "What about you two?"

    Fallon answers first. "Not for me, men get boring after a while. Jess on the other hand..."

    "Me, I'm waiting for my fated." Jess says, looking all day-dreamy.

    Fated mates. I've only known a few people who've met their mates, as it isn't too common. A bond formed by destiny between two people way before they are born. I haven't given much thought to the idea of me possibly finding my mate one day. I've heard that some bonds are barely recognizable, needing time to grow stronger. 

    "What do you think about Spade?" Jess asks. I think about it for a while.

    "I'm not sure what to think of him." Other than the million times I walked into him.

    "I know he can be a little intense, but he's really caring. His parents passed away when he was really young."

    "Does he go out a lot." I ask, thinking back on when I saw him near the bar.

    "Most nights he goes out, it's either a bar or a club. It was hard when his parents passed, then his shift never came. I think he feels like he let his parents down because he can't shift." Jess explains, Fallon just purses her lips.

    The rest of ride back consisted mostly of Jess's curious questions. The sky is just beginning to darken as we pull up in the driveway of the condo. My ears pick up on the boys talking somewhere in the living room when we get in the house.

    "You going out tonight?"

    "Yeah." Pause.

    "Bro, when Jeremy told us we'd be working with someone, I didn't expect her to be that hot... or young." 

    "Cut the shit."

    The boys are lounging on the couches in the living room on their phones when we enter. Dash looks up, the usual cocky grin on his face. "Hey boys!" Jess greets, her and Fallon dropping there shopping bags.  

    Dash makes a show of checking an imaginary watch. "I'm guessing you two took Lex shopping and to your uncle's place." I'm assuming the tattoo artist Jess was talking too is her uncle.

    "Oh shut up Dash, we didn't take that long and besides, we needed to restock on some supplies. Also, we brought an offering." Jess gestures to Fallon who sets a large duffle bag on the ground. Rummaging through it she finds what she's looking for, pulling out a black case and placing it on the little table in front of him.

    He sits up quickly as Fallon opens it. "Whaaat!?" "Yeeeess!" he exclaims like a little kid opening his presents at Christmas.  In the case, neatly laid out is a row of very fancy throwing knives. Jess gives me a smirk while Dash carefully takes out each blade, testing it's weight and sharpness before c*****g his arm back and making throwing motions.

    "So what did you say you were again Lex?" It's Spade who asks, I hadn't realized he was there watching us the entire time.

    "Wolf" I answer. 

    "And your ability?" comes his smooth voice.

    "I don't have mine yet, nor do I like to shift. So, I make up for it in combat." I reply to him, trying not to look down, as he still hadn't found a shirt to put on.    

    "Then we'll have to go a few rounds tomorrow, just to make sure you're on your game." he stares at me, a glint in his eyes, a challenge I notice. Huh.

    "Sure." I hold his stare, not daring to look away. I'll make sure he gets his challenge.

    I'm not sure how long we stay like that until someone speaks. "Well that should be entertaining." Dash interrupts our little staring contest. Spade smiles, then looks at Dash, breaking eye contact. Win for me.

    Looking down I check my phone for an update form Jeremy, nothing. "Shit." I curse myself for not paying attention as I look at the time. I'm gonna be late. I hurry to my room while the girls start to brag about their new things. Leaving my katana on my bed, I strap my other blade to my hip before quickly changing and heading out the door. 

    The Pit is a little more crowded tonight as the crowd roars, people leaning over the railings above. I had told the team I was going out to meet a friend, hoping they don't see through my lie, as I know I have no friends in the city.

     I land a hard punch to the she-wolf's face, her head snaps to the left, dreadlocks flying after it. Blood sprays the wall, painting it a crimson red. My opponent tonight is a wolf-shifter. Easy. A shifter's senses are many times more sensitive then a humans, so is our speed and strength, but this shifter hasn't trained all it's life relying on them. The audience bellows while shoving at each other to get a better look at what happened, craving to see blood being spilled. 

    See, The Pit is run by a warlock and the rules are simple, a fight to the death, no shifting or using your ability, but you're allowed one weapon. If one chooses to beg for mercy or breaks the rules then they are in debt to the warlock. 

    She turns slowly, wiping the blood from her face with her forearm while giving me a smile full of blood. Arms crossed, I stand back waiting for her to gather herself again, even leaning a little to the side. She attacks quickly, raising her spiked club above her head before bringing it down with both hands. One quick side-step is all it takes for me to dodge her attack, bringing me to her exposed side. Swiftly I reach for my blade at my hip, unsheathing it and bringing it across with smooth force. The crowd goes silent. She reaches for her throat, trying to hold in the blood that seeps through her fingers. Falling to her knees she gives a strangled croak then lands flat on her face. The crowd erupts while I walk from the center of the pit

.

    A few men carry the dead shifters body from the center of the pit as I collect tonight's winnings. Someone shoves me hard from behind. Looking, I catch a glimpse of the man who shoved me before he disappears in the crowd, going in the direction of the exit. My gut tells me somethings off with that man, stuffing away my cash I follow him towards the exit.

     I've heard of a few fights that took place away from here, those who didn't want to go by the rules of the warlock. Stepping into the alleyway I take a deep breath, sifting through the smells to find his scent. A different couple stands in the dark this time, and the usual smokers gather near the wall at the entrance to the alleyway as I follow his scent. If this man wants a fight outside then so be it. Turning right I continue walking away from the bar, past my bike parked at the curb, there isn't much traffic in this particular part of the city and it's late. The dark of the night casts shadows over the side walk, each alley I past is pitch black darkness. The only source of light comes from a few dim light-posts that looks as if they were never bothered to be fixed. I finally stop a few buildings down on the right at a large abandoned warehouse by the looks of it. The metal walls are rusting, a few areas with peeling paint and the roof has large holes in it. The man's scent disappears through the small metal door in front of me. The night is humid as a few cars rush by, the only other people around are those at the bar.

     If this man wants a fight then I must be ready for anything that may await me on the other side of that door. My blade gives a soft ring when I pull it from it's sheath and tightening my grip on its handle, preparing to go in.

     I'm about to open the door when suddenly I'm yanked hard enough to get whiplash, strong arms pull me into the dark alley next to the warehouse, both my arms are trapped as my attacker squeezes them tight to my body with one arm. The other hand goes to my mouth, clamping tight, keeping me from shouting for help. I don't know how I hadn't heard or smelled them there.

     I curse myself for my stupidity as I prepare for death to take me.