Page 93 of Flame and Fury

Atlas, Drake, Lark, and Nico are all behind me, but they haven't turned on their lights, so I’m still hidden in darkness. There's a blinking green light hovering at the top of the tunnel. Those fucking drones. They have night vision and have probably already seen my wings. Well, fuck. The clock just started ticking down. We don't have time to mess around with Preston.

“Turn on your lights,” I tell the others. They don't hesitate. Don't question me. The lights flick on, casting my silhouette in relief.

“What the fuck.” Preston's boots scuff against the dirty ground as he shuffles backward, shaking his head. “You were sold off to Nathaniel. You should be sucking his cock and licking his boots right now.”

I move slowly toward him, the tips of my black feathered wings dragging on the ground.“No Preston. I'm here for retribution. I see your sins, and they are many.”

“It's not possible. You're a fucking human.” Preston’s skin is even paler than usual. I don't know if it's because of the shitty flashlight-only illumination or if he's feeling a little queasy. Greer is back on her feet, scowling as she slaps the dirt off her pants. Well, some of it. A lot of it appears to be caked on permanently.

I close in on Preston, as he’s only a few feet away. “You have been judged. And you have been found wanting,” I state, my Fury casting judgment, letting the world hear our decree.

“And it's time to pay the price,” Greer snarls. She darts forward and has her hand wrapped around Preston's neck before I blink. Greer slams him into the ground. His face makes contact with the live rail just as Greer lets go. She runs over to Atlas and pulls the sword from his back. Atlas doesn’t even flinch. Greer spins the heavy sword like a damn warrior princess and then slices Preston’s head from his neck.

Nico finds a rock on the ground and whips it at the drone, hitting it head-on and sending the spy crashing to the ground.

“Even pieces of shit like him don't deserve to have their death televised,” Nico says in explanation.

It's a generous sentiment, but Nico’s too late. Preston was dead before the drone hit the ground.

The six of us stand around in the abstracted glow of the flashlights, looking like sweaty ghouls. Preston’s body is at our feet, but I don't look at him. I'm not necessarily squeamish, but I don't want to give that piece of shit another thought. My Fury only confirmed that he earned his death time and time again with his actions. I don't know exactly what he's done over the years, but it was bad.

“Where are the others?” I find my whip on the ground and wrap it up before securing it to the belt on my hip.

“I'm great, thanks for asking.” Greer snorts.

“You're obviously a mess; otherwise, Preston wouldn't have gotten the drop on you.” Atlas jumps in. Greer snaps her head in his direction, her eyebrows raised.

“Really?”

Atlas chuckles, and everyone turns and stares at him. Including me. I've heard him laugh a few times now, but it's always such a rare occurrence that I'm surprised by it every time.

“The others?” Lark gets us back on track.

Greer swipes her hands on her tank top to wipe them off, but it's just as filthy as the rest of her. “Jade took out Jasper before we even got started. She shoved him onto the track and then hit him over the head with a wooden beam. She probably would have killed him, but she slipped in all her excitement and landed on the third rail. Bitch did it to herself. I’d say RIP, but I hope she burns in Hades.”

See, I knew that third rail was a fucking problem.

“Is Jasper okay?” Lark has a fist pressed against her lips.

“He's alive, but he's not in great shape. I had to get the hell out of there because Preston started chasing me with a fucking flail.”

Jasper's mother is Athena. Not only will his divine blood help him heal, but I have a feeling Athena won't let Jasper get sold off in an auction of champions. He's probably in a safer place than the rest of us.

“Good. That's good.” I nod.

“You know what's not so great?” Greer asks, her hands on her hips as she stares at me.

“What?”

Greer waves her finger around, pointing behind me. I turn to see what she's talking about, and she slaps her forehead.

“Oh my gods. Your wings, dumbass,” she hisses. And yeah, I do feel like an idiot.

“She's right,” Atlas growls. “By now, the gods and for sure the clerics would have seen your wings on the footage. They'll know what you are.”

I pull my wings in as though the damage hasn’t already been done. My Fury is not happy, wanting to keep them stretched and ready for battle if need be. But some parts of these tunnels get tight, and I don't want to deal with them.

“We need to hurry and get the fuck out of here.” Panic I wasn't feeling until just this moment crawls over my skin like poisonous ants. “Are you...did you just win the games?” I swing back to Greer.

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