Page 41 of Dragon's Revenge

Would he take the bait?

Dempsey hesitated, clearly expecting a trap somewhere. “No magic from anyone?”

“None. It’s an honest man-to-man fight,” Erwan said.

Adar cracked his knuckles. “Unless you’re scared to lose.”

Yup, as expected, that did the trick. “Bring it on,” Dempsey sneered. “As if I’d ever be scared of a wolf.”

Adrenaline rushed through Adar. This was the perfect opportunity. He could exact his revenge on Dempsey and create the necessary distraction for the omega group to do their job because surely a fight like this would draw everyone’s attention.

He whipped his shirt over his head. “Let’s do this.”

ChapterSixteen

Jermon had never been a fan of violence. In fact, even the thought of it often made him queasy. That was probably because of his upbringing and the terror his father and uncle had brought. But for the first time in his life, he was looking forward to a fight. If they could keep it an honest one, Dempsey would not only lose but be humiliated, which would be perfect on every level.

Not only would it be a measure of revenge for every evil act the man had committed—though nowhere near what he deserved—it would also cement Kerry’s position as the new de facto leader. Jermon suspected Kerry would be much easier to deal with than Dempsey, and while the former was no angel, he didn’t seem to have sunk quite as deep into depravity.

They moved back outside, where they all gathered in what used to be the town square, forming a circle around Dempsey and Adar. Dempsey had taken off his shirt as well, and on the surface, he was the stronger one. He had an inch or so on Adar and quite a few pounds, all of them hard muscle. The man was in prime shape, yet Jermon had no doubts about the outcome of the fight.

“Who’s gonna watch Dempsey?” Fallon asked under his breath. He’d taken up position between Jermon and Erwan.

“All of us?” Jermon responded equally softly, frowning.

“We need to watch the others as well. Dempsey may have supporters that could come to his aid when they see he’s losing.”

Oh, good point. Jermon hadn’t considered that. In that case, the one with the strongest abilities should watch Dempsey. “You and Erwan keep an eye on Dempsey, I will watch Kerry, and Nadiv and Valdis can track everyone else.”

“This is a bare-hand fight until one party surrenders or is incapable of continuing, as decided by me,” Blair announced. Apparently, he’d been chosen as the referee. “No weapons of any kind may be used, including magic, and you may not step outside the circle. You can use any part of your body to fight, but you can’t aim at the groin area. Do you swear to abide by these rules?”

“Yes,” Adar said when Blair looked at him first.

“Yes,” Dempsey repeated when it was his turn. Jermon sensed no magic flowing from him.

Blair took a few steps back. “Gentlemen, you may start.”

Dempsey immediately swung at Adar with a swift and forceful punch, catching him off-guard. Adar was just a second too slow to react, and the blow landed squarely on his jaw. Yet, Adar barely flinched, absorbing the impact as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. With calculated precision, Adar retaliated with a punch aimed directly at Dempsey’s shoulder. The strike was powerful, evident from the vivid red mark it left behind. It was a clever tactic. Instead of targeting Dempsey’s face, Adar chose to hit him where it would directly impact his ability to fight back.

Dempsey seemed to realize it as well because he released a rapid-fire volley of punches. His fists moved with swift precision—jab, jab, a powerful uppercut, then a swift hook. Yet, Adar was unyielding, his defense impenetrable as he deftly blocked each attempt. Then, in a brief lapse when Dempsey’s hands dropped for the slightest fraction of a second, Adar seized the opportunity, delivering a precise and forceful strike directly to Dempsey’s nose.

Jermon winced. Fuck, that one had to hurt. Dempsey grunted in pain as a crimson stream trickled down his face. Yet, he was undeterred, advancing toward Adar with a relentless resolve. Despite Dempsey’s impressive strength, his movements were less swift, lacking the nimbleness Adar possessed. With fluid grace, Adar darted around him, landing precise hits that seemed to come from every direction, exploiting Dempsey’s slower reactions.

Crimson spots blossomed across Dempsey’s skin, some deepening into a darker shade like bruised plums. Adar circled him like a predator, landing punches with precision and throwing in the occasional swift kick—who knew the man was this skilled at kickboxing? His agile footwork kept Dempsey on edge, always on the defensive. Adar was methodically wearing him down, and it showed. Dempsey’s movements gradually lost their sharpness, becoming sluggish and labored.

Thwack!Adar landed a powerful kick against Dempsey’s muscular thigh, and the dragon alpha staggered backward, his balance faltering as he teetered dangerously close to stepping out of bounds. He inadvertently turned his broad back to Adar, exposing a vulnerable target. Seizing the opportunity with ruthless precision, Adar unleashed another massive kick, his foot connecting with a force that seemed to vibrate through the very core of Dempsey’s being. Oh fuck, that must’ve blown out his kidney.

Dempsey cried out in pain and lowered his hands, but Adar slowed, giving Dempsey a chance to catch his breath and take up a defensive position again. Adar got another jab in, but it lacked power because Dempsey stepped back at the last moment. The dragon alpha had been waiting for this moment, his countermove poised and ready. He spun on his feet, his arm swinging in a flawless arc, delivering a powerful hook that connected squarely with Adar’s cheek.

Jermon winced. That one had hurt. Adar spat out blood…and something else? Had he lost a tooth? It seemed like it. Jermon had to look away, so he checked on Kerry, who was watching the fight intensely. Jermon carefully sensed the area around Kerry, but he didn’t pick up on any magic.

He refocused on the fight. They were both getting tired, which was no wonder, what with how vicious the fight was. Adar’s once-rapid strikes had lost their vigor. Despite getting several hits in, his punches lacked the force they wielded before. Dempsey, having regained some composure after enduring a relentless storm of blows, began to retaliate with newfound energy. His fists connected with Adar’s body, leaving a tapestry of bruises blossoming across the wolf alpha’s chest. Was that why he was moving slower and more cautiously? Jermon narrowed his eyes.

“Do you sense anything?” Fallon whispered.

“No, why?”

“Adar is too slow. It’s not like him.”

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