Page 22 of Heir of Darkness

“How do you know?” Luna asked.

Blair looked over at Gianna before leaning into Luna. “Because I may have had a dream or two about someone I deeply despise. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“What?” Gianna screeched. “Oh my God, I knew it.”

“You know nothing,” Blair cut her off. She huffed, crossing her arms.

“You just need to forget about him for the night,” Cecilia reassured Luna. “You were in an emotionally vulnerable place and then seeing Valerio’s juicy body sent you over the edge.”

“Literally, according to the dream.” Gianna laughed. Luna threw a pillow at her. She threw it back. “Even if you are attracted to him, what’s the issue?”

“That’s how feelings start,” Cecilia said.

“Not necessarily. Maybe if you did sleep with him, you would get him out of your system. You already think he’s a bad person. Once you realize he sucks in bed, you’ll be completely over him. Then the fight can continue,” Gianna said with a shrug.

“What makes you think he’s bad in bed?” Blair asked.

“He’s a virgin,” Gianna said as if it was self-explanatory.

Luna shook her head. “I’m done talking about this.”

And that was where the conversation ended, leaving her with too much to think about. A night out was necessary.

Gianna’s driver drove them to the arena because none of them were willing to make the trek out to the middle of nowhere in their own cars. The arena had to be off campus to ensure the school had no affiliations to it as they claimed no liabilities. It made it extremely inconvenient to get to.

The inside of the arena was dome shaped. The seats went up the walls so that even the nosebleeds had a view of the ring. It was already packed inside, people rushing to their seats with their drinks in hand. The girls always sat all the way up front, a way for Augustus and Finn to keep an eye on them.

The boys usually became too consumed by their fights to notice anything though, which meant the girls partied hard. By the time they entered the arena, Augustus was already waitingby their seats. He had a permanent smirk that only intensified when he saw Cecilia.

“Oh great, my night is ruined,” she muttered.

Luna placed a hand on her shoulder. “Act like he’s not there.”

“Easier said than done.”

Blair and Gianna ran off to go get drinks for them while Luna took a seat beside Cecilia who was trapped on the other side by Augustus. He whispered something in her ear that sent her off, putting them in their own little bubble. Luna turned toward the ring, wishing she had gone to grab drinks too.

The entire event was professionally set up. Security guarded the doors, the betting table busy and loud. Every Fight Night, Finn walked away with a huge pocket of cash because he always won. People loved betting on him for that reason. They got to watch a good match and make good money on it.

Luna had never actually bet money on any of the fights before, but tonight felt different. Maybe she could make a couple bucks betting on Finn.

The lights dimmed and the announcer came on. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Fight Night!”

Cheers erupted around the arena. Luna’s stomach filled with butterflies, excited for the night. The first few fights passed by in a blur. Quick ones that usually ended with a knockout or they fought until neither one was left standing. She felt sick when the latest fight ended and a mop and bucket were pulled out to clean up the blood in the ring.

Augustus’s name was called next. They were almost at the most anticipated fight of the night: Finn’s. Augustus practically ripped himself away from Cecilia, who huffed and crossed her arms. He blew her a kiss, entering the ring.

Luna sipped on her drink, looking over at Gianna and Blair who were already getting up again. “We’re going to get another. Do you want one?” Blair asked. Luna shook her head.

“Bring me a couple,” Cecilia told them, sinking into her chair. Luna could feel the anxiety coming off her as she bit her lip and tried to act cool. She placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, squeezing it before she let the girls go get the drinks.

Luna took her time to look around the arena. She recognized a couple of girls from previous classes, waving at them. So far, Fight Night was a success.

“Now give it up for the first time, Dante Vitali!” the announcer called out, dragging out his name. Luna’s head whipped around in confusion. What the hell was he doing there?

Dante walked out from the back and down the pathway, already shirtless. Bruises covered his body, and he sported one on his cheek. He high-fived people as he walked, winking here and there. Luna was turning around to ask Cecilia about it when a familiar warm body sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around the back of her chair.

“Who are you betting on?” Valerio asked. “Personally, I’m betting on Dante, but I’m not sure what his chances are after I trained with him earlier. He might still be sore, but I figured he could handle it if he was brave enough to threaten you.”

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