Page 95 of Sin

I bounced on the balls of my feet and shook out my arms, attempting to keep my muscles warm and loose. Being amped up before a fight was nothing new to me, but tonight everything just felt... more. I could only assume it was due to the excess tension in the air. Likely a result of the earthquake just a couple of days prior.

The denizens of this underground world weren’t about to let a little something like the looming apocalypse keep them from their revelry. If anything, it only seemed to ignite their craving for dark and dangerous misdeeds.

I certainly understood the mindset. What better than a brush with death to remind you that you were still alive? These creatures held to the ideal if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. I had no doubt when the time came to join Lucifer’s ranks, they’d all jump at the chance. Angels, they were not.

“All right, you fiends. Are you ready for some bloodshed?” the announcer called, his thick accent betraying his Welsh roots.

The roar of the crowd made my ears ring, reminding me of my time spent in the fighting pits in my former life. Except then, I at least had a weapon and shield. Now it was bare skin, fists, and brute force. Which I had in spades.

The audience began chanting my name, stretching it out into three syllables and stomping their feet rhythmically in a way that made the floor shake.

“Air-is-ton! Air-is-ton!”

The announcer introduced my opponent, which was met by a wave of boos. No one was here for him. They wanted me.

The pulse of power within me was strong enough that I couldn’t stand still. If I didn’t release some of it, I’d kill the Minotaur I was set to fight with one punch. Closing my eyes, I unzipped my hoodie and placed the hood over my head to drown out my surroundings. Then I let my power spill from within, just enough to keep from losing control. The crowd’s reaction was immediate. The already frenzied audience’s shouts rose to a fever pitch, their lust for blood unparalleled.

“And though he needs no introduction, let’s welcome our reigning champ back to the pit: Ariston the Destroyer.”

Stalking down the tunnel, I kept my gaze trained on the cement floor in front of me before taking the few steps down into the pit. They didn’t get to see any reaction from me. I never acknowledged them in any of my fights. I was here for one purpose and one purpose only. Expel my rage and continue on my way.

The Minotaur waited for me, all snorts and heavy breathing, slime dripping out of his nostrils and down the piercing through his septum. His horns were stained red, eyes blazing with fury. But it was the scars that decorated his arms that caught my eye. Brands, perhaps? They were strategically placed and reminded me of runes. They also looked fresh and painful.

If it had been some sort of attempt to strengthen him for the match, it wasn’t going to do him any good. All it would serve to do was offer me a prime target as I took his ass out.

Not that I needed one.

I was War.

Period.

He could try all he liked, but he had no chance.

Lowering my hood, I slipped the sweatshirt off and dropped it over the ropes that denoted our fighting ring. Another ripple of power flowed out of me and into the crowd. If they were wild before, they were feral now.

The Minotaur pawed one cloven hoof, huffing in warning as he lowered his head and aimed his horns at me.

A soft feminine gasp pulled my attention away from the beast before me, abject shock hitting me full force as my gaze connected with Merri’s brilliant blue eyes.

Before I could do a damn thing about her being out of the penthouse, alone, fucking unguarded, the bell rang, and the Minotaur charged. As eager as I’d been for this fight, all I wanted now was for it to be over. I had to get her out of here. Merri was a lamb in a den of wolves. There was no way she’d escape it unscathed.

Planting my feet, I met the Minotaur’s charge head-on, arm cocked back and ready to swing. I hit him across the side of his face hard enough that I felt his jaw shatter and heard the snap of his neck before he fell to the ground. With only one hit available to me, I had to pour all of my power into it, sending a shockwave of violence through the room.

The crowd roared, their shock and fury palpable. They’d come for a show and while I’d technically delivered, most only felt disappointment. I’d robbed them of their bloodbath, even as I gifted them a corpse.

“And the winner, in... ten seconds. Ariston the Destroyer!” the announcer said, trying to save some of the energy in the pit.

He failed.

Anger was written on their faces. Arguing broke out amongst them as they jeered and booed. We were trapped in a tinderbox, and I’d just lit the fuse.

Without a second thought, I jumped over the ropes and into the crowd, my focus locked on the woman who hadn’t so much as blinked since she spotted me. I was Moses parting the damn sea as I stalked straight toward her.

“Chao—”

Her utterance of my name cut off as I grabbed her none too gently by the nape and directed her up the stairs and back into the alley outside. What was it about this woman that could get me so heated? She spun me up, sent my blood boiling, and I’d had enough of it.

“What the hell were you thinking?” I bellowed, chest heaving as I crowded her against the brick wall. “Is this all some fucking joke to you? Do you care that little about your life, or are you just seeing how far you can push us before we fucking snap and forget that we’re supposed to be the ones protecting you?”

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