CHAPTER TWELVE: DEATH
1299 Words
Lila POV
He sits back once Caleb pledges his allegiance and walks away. The moment the male glances at me, his smile disappears, and he returns to his former bored state.
“And why do you wish to enter the trials?” he asks, contemplating the emerald ring on his finger.
This guy couldn’t look more disinterested even if he tried.
As much as I’m dying to say, “I want to enter the trials so I can kill your dad,” I reply instead, “I want to avenge my parents.”
He peers up at me, his body bathed in the sunlight streaming through the courtyard.
“What happened to them?”
I swallow the lump of emotion swelling in my throat.
“They were… killed.”
The corner of his lip twitches.
“I gathered that. Why?”
Caleb’s words echo in my mind. Don’t be yourself.
What would Ava Foster say?
Lifting my chin, I look at the prince dead in the eye—crimson, just like his dad’s.
“Because they refused to give up what was valuable to them,” I answered boldly. “I want to become the strongest demon bounty hunter there is, and when that day comes, I’ll kill the bastard who took them from me.”
Even my dad, although we never bonded, didn’t deserve to die because of me.
I must avenge them.
“Spoken like a true Stormfire,” the prince drawls, tilting his head at me.
He studies me for a moment, and I notice how he’s stopped drumming his fingers against the armrest.
“What skills have you got?”
“Enough to put Caleb on his ass, that’s for sure.”
Behind me, leaning against one of the pilasters, Caleb bursts out laughing.
The prince smirks.
“Oh, yeah? Now that’s something I’d like to see.” He motions to Caleb. “All right, Caleb. Let’s see if she’s all talk.”
Caleb bows dramatically low.
“It would be my pleasure, Your Highness.”
Prince Levi grits his teeth.
“f**k off.”
Obviously, he doesn’t like being addressed with his royal title. How interesting.
Caleb laughs and walks back over, his boots muffled by the soft grass. He tosses me a dagger. I catch it, then shake my head and throw the blade into the soil.
“How about the old-fashioned way?” I ask, a playful note in my voice.
Caleb raises his brows and glances at the prince, who merely shrugs and motions for us to proceed. Reluctantly, Caleb unhooks his weapon belt, his holsters, and places all of his weapons on the ground.
“I never raise a hand to girls,” he mutters, getting into a combative stance. “You sure you want to do this, songbird?”
“After everything I’ve been through these past few days? Yeah. I’m f*****g sure.”
In all honesty, I can think of nothing better than fighting. It’s a great way to let off some steam.
Caleb bows again, a wry smirk pulling at his lips.
“Then I won’t go easy on you.”
“You’ll only embarrass yourself if you do,” I reply with a grin.
This is where all my training at the academy and my personal training should come into use.
Caleb charges for me. I dodge to the side and pivot on my heel, missing him by a hair. He nods in admiration. I tighten my fists, preparing for his next attack.
This time, he charges with determination. He’s definitely not going easy on me.
I block his attack and lift my right elbow, using it to hit him—somewhat lightly—in the face. A little bit of blood drips from his nose.
“Right in the schnozz!” he shouts.
I burst out laughing, remembering the time we watched that Home Alone movie together with my brother all those years ago. It feels like yesterday Caleb used to come visit my home. I’d been like a love-struck puppy, watching him from my bedroom window.
He kicks his left leg, and I duck as it sweeps over me. This position brings me eye level with his most vulnerable asset.
I smile a wicked grin and aim for his groin with a clenched fist.
Caleb stops me with one hand wrapped around mine and the other on my throat.
“You play dirty, babe.” He squeezes my windpipe just a little to show his superior strength—not enough to really hurt me. “Your brother would be so proud.”
“He taught me to seize every opportunity,” I gasp out.
The prince chuckles behind me, and damn, it’s sexy. But no time for distractions.
I punch Caleb in the gut with my free hand. He lets out a puff of air like a deflated cushion, and my attack winds him for a moment. He has no choice but to release me.
Gasping a lungful of air myself, I tackle him to the ground and lock his head between my thighs. He stares up at me in what I think is amazement, and the color rushes to his face while I cut off his air supply. His complexion reddens, and he struggles to breathe underneath me.
“You—know—this is actually—quite—delightful—” Caleb chokes between gasps, grinning at me.
How can he still manage to be an ass when I’m literally squeezing the air from his body?
Rolling my eyes, I disentangle myself and stand on my feet. I offer him a hand.
“Looks like I won.”
My triumph is short-lived.
The air seizes in my lungs, and I’m thrown off my feet and onto the ground. Strong, powerful hands pin me down and force my face into the dirt.
What in the name of f**k?! How did I not see that coming?
I flail underneath him, but his strength far outmatches my own. The sound of him chuckling tells me the fight is over.
Caleb won.
Damn it.
Now it’s his turn to hold out his hand.
“Told you I wouldn’t go easy on you.”
I accept his hand, and he pulls me up.
“Asshole,” I mutter.
“Well done.” The prince applauds us slowly, his eyes trained on me in particular. “Not bad, but you’ve got a lot to learn. Caleb will show you to your room.”
I blink at the prince.
“You mean… I’m in?”
A slow, lazy smile stretches over his lips.
“You’re in.” He nods to the stone. “Pledge your soul to the stone and give it your blood.”
Picking up one of Caleb’s daggers, I approach the rock and slide the blade over my palm, trying not to convey my excitement. I squeeze my hand and let the blood drip down onto the wet stone, still fresh with Caleb’s blood.
The prince makes a gesture with his hand.
“Welcome to the Trials.”
I did it.
So long as I keep my real identity hidden and the bracelet on my wrist, victor will never be able to find me. I’ll be the one to find him once I’m ready.
I incline my head and follow Caleb across the courtyard.
“Hey, Caleb,” the prince calls out, “keep your eye on that one. She is less wolf and more fire.”
Caleb chuckles and nods.
Before we disappear entirely, I sneak a glance over my shoulder, only to find the prince still looking at me with that contagious, sexy smile of his.
It promises that if I’m his fire, he just might be my downpour.
I’d better watch him… closely.
- Writer
