Page 45 of Ava: Part Three

“You have to fight.”

They had said that anyone who didn’t make an effort would be dealt with accordingly. She suspected the punishment wouldn’t nearly be as easy as detention. If they threw Emily into Isolation, she would never survive that.

“I can’t,” Emily whispered. “I can’t calm down. I’m so scared.”

For a moment, she thought she could actually hear Emily’s heartbeat. It was pounding so hard that it was a wonder she couldn’t see it breaking out of her chest. But that was only for a moment, as the coach’s voice disturbed her concentration.

“You need to fight,” he said. “Please, ladies.”

She heard something in his voice as if he was also desperate for Emily to fight.

“All the Omegas are under a spell. They can’t do anything in this state; you know that,” she whispered to the coach.

“Are they?” Alpha Lupei said. “And who would do such an awful thing to innocent students?”

Accusing the Council of any wrongdoing was treasonous. She swallowed and avoided looking at the councillors again. If Emily couldn’t do it, she would just have to do the work for both of them. But what would happen to the other Omegas?

She advanced and raised her fists. Her first punch landed on Emily’s shoulder, and the wolf staggered back. She didn’t even try to defend herself or block her.

“Emily! Hold your hands in front of your face.”

She didn’t. And it became so apparent that Emily wouldn’t do anything at all. This wasn’t a sparring match. And if she didn’t fight, she would also meet the same fate.

“Slow learner, but I think she’s got it, ladies and gentlemen,” Councillor Iulia said loudly with a slow clap.

This time, she imagined she was holding two middle fingers. She was going to die, anyway.

They wanted respect, but they were forcing her to hurt a defenceless student for no reason. She shook her head and advanced again. She got Emily’s other shoulder. The wolf’s tears were running down her cheeks unchecked, and the Councillors weren’t going to even attempt to stop the match. It was obvious that this was part of their plan. Maybe to bring more fear to the students. To make them more pliable so they would be more receptive to their plans.

She punched Emily again, and this time, the Omega fell to her back. This was nothing like the evaluations. Though she had thought them barbaric, the rules and consequences had been clear, and anyone could yield if they wanted to.

Could they yield here? She looked at the coach with her eyes wide.

“You said the same rules as the mock evaluations?”

The coach nodded, and she felt relief wash through her. Emily wouldn’t last a day in Isolation, but she could.

“I yield,” she said loudly.

There were gasps and a few whispers in the room. She looked at Zeke, who had been silently watching the pathetic match, and he sighed. She felt his frustration. He had to see that there was no other option. Her decision wouldn’t help the other Omegas, but maybe other students would do the same for them.

She looked back at Emily and saw her smile through her tears. She mouthed, 'Thank you.' She nodded and smiled back. Everything was going to be okay. She would speak to the other students. No one had to be punished because of her.

A rush of wind past her blew her ponytail into her face. Something warm splattered on her face and her t-shirt.

She sucked in a breath when she saw the vampire standing right next to Emily. His eyes were black, and blood dripped from his fangs and chin onto his expensive suit.

Her body started to shake uncontrollably as she looked down at her T-shirt and wiped her cheek with her hand. When she looked at it, her fingers were red—blood red.

She looked up at the face of the monster again and saw a smile on his face as he licked his lips.

And Emily...

She still had that smile on her face when she fell face-first onto the mat, and blood gushed from her throat.

Chapter 27

Wasshedreaming?Wasthis another nightmare?

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