Page 50 of Reluctant Rebel

Z looked genuinely perplexed. “I wouldn’t. I admit to killing specific descendants, but that’s strategic. If extinction was my end game, there are far more efficient ways to go about it. I seekpower, dear brothers. Notdeath. They just so happen to go hand-in-hand.” He waggled his eyebrows and grinned. “What’s a demon to do?”

He was telling the truth, Mikhail realised. Feeling a tiny spark of hope, he swiftly explained what they had discovered about the Forefathers, including Loki’s words. Sabre’s arm remained up and steady, her focus never leaving Z—who appeared to find the whole situation entertaining instead of heartbreaking.

“So, I’m not just killing the body, I’m killing the soul?” Z asked.

“Eventually, yes. When the last descendant of any particular line dies, that’s it. The souls will cease to be, and no new being will be born,” Mikhail explained earnestly.

“Is this why you were given a super-secret angel? You’ve got some big ‘ole destiny to fulfil?” Z laughed sharply, slapping his thigh, a mannerism he’d picked up from their mother. “That is just like you. You couldn’t be content with being the firstborn and a king? Oh no, not Mikhail. You have to save the whole universe.”

“What the fuck? Did you hear anything Mikhail just said?” Brax snapped, taking an aggressive step forward. “This isn’t about him. This isn’t aboutyou.You’re destroying the world, Z! Literally! Not to mention, if you juststopped,then Mikhail wouldn’thaveto save all the souls!Youractions put this twisted destiny into motion. Not the other way around.Youare the catalyst.”

Z’s face shut down, turning cold and hard. He looked every inch a psychotic Ace. “Good. Mother was right.”

“Mother?” Mikhail questioned, sharing a confused look with Brax.

“She used to read me bedtime stories.” Z’s eyes became a little glassy when he said, “I miss her.”

Sabre’s finger twitched on the trigger. “This fucker looks like he’s about to snap. He’s not right in the head, Mikhail. Can I shoot him yet?”

“Z, I have no idea what Mother has to do with this, but now you know the full extent of your actions, will you stop?” Mikhail spoke quickly, knowing Sabre wouldn’t be held back much longer. He’d already given Z too many chances as it was.

“Stop?” Z’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “No. I don’t think I will. You’ve just told me I can be a God rather than a King. So, I think I’ll go ahead and continue to cross names off my list. It’s still rather long,” he added. “But I’m making progress. Unfortunately, yourfriendsaren’t on the list. But given how terribly you’ve treated me today, I’m inclined to add them. Who shall I start with? The pain demon? Or perhaps the odd zombiewith ties to the black market.” Z snapped his fingers. “I know, I’ll start with the pretty little weretiger.”

“Stay away from my mate!” Mikhail screamed without thought.

Silence echoed in the room for a few tense heartbeats before Z’s eyes lit with bloodlust. “Mate? Well, well, well …” And just like that, his body collapsed in on itself, and he became a bee, zipping through the keyhole in the door before anyone could react.

Sabre spun to Mikhail as Draven and Brax ran from the room. “What were you thinking?!”

Mikhail shook his head, feeling like he was trapped in a fog. “I don’t know.”

“You just told your greatest enemy your biggest weakness!” Sabre yelled, marching over to him.

Fear pounded through him, making him feel nauseous. “Where is Jinx now?”

“She went home a couple of hours ago,” Sabre replied, whipping her phone out.

“Where is home?” Mikhail demanded. His hands shook badly as he reached for his phone in his back pocket.

Sabre’s thumbs moved furiously over the keys as she typed out a message. “The warehouse.”

“Gage’s warehouse?” he questioned. “Where he holds the fights?”

“Yes,” Sabre confirmed, glancing up and bringing her phone to her ear. “She’s not answering. And Gage hasn’t replied to my message. Her room is on the second floor, last door on the left.”

Mikhail didn’t waste more time with words. He sent a message to Brax, then created a portal with nothing more than a thought and leapt through. He closed the doorway behind him, leaving Sabre in the dust.

21

The crowd was small but still roared as Jinx circled her opponent, her eyes gleaming with focus. She flexed her fingers, feeling the latent power of her tiger thrumming beneath her skin, itching to be released. She did her best to soothe the beast, wanting to stay in human form for the fight.

Hearing the grumble of displeasure, Jinx gave her a mental ear scratch.It will be over too soon if we shift,she reasoned. She received a chuff in response; it was the best she could hope for under the circumstances. After all, her tiger was frustrated as well.

“Come on, Stinger,” Jinx taunted, a wry smirk playing across her lips. “I thought scorpions were supposed to be quick. Or did you leave your speed in your other exoskeleton?”

The man across from her hissed, his skin rippling as chitinous plates began to form down his back. Jinx felt a thrill of excitement course through her veins. In a flash of movement, Stinger lunged forward, his arm morphing into a wickedly curved telson aimed at her midsection. With feline grace, she twisted aside and slammed her fist into his head with enough force to send him stumbling. He recovered quickly and retaliated with a swift strike from his other arm, this one nowelongated like a scorpion's pincer. But Jinx was already ducking under the attack, delivering a sharp kick to his knee that sent him crashing to the ground.

The crowd roared with excitement as they continued to attack and parry. Jinx could feel the heat building in her body, her muscles burning with exertion as she dodged and weaved around Stinger's continuous attacks. She could sense that he was growing frustrated—he was used to being the dominant predator in these fights, but she was giving him a run for his money. She grinned as she landed a hard blow to his kidneys, causing him to howl in pain.

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