His eyes fill with unshed tears and his cheeks turn pink, “I love you, Hermanita.”
He runs through some drills with me and helps me tape my hands. Vin walks in with Travis and Emmett not too long after.
“Where’s Adri?” I ask quickly.
“She’s watching the other fights happening before yours. I think she’s trying to desensitize maybe?” Travis grins. “Trent is sitting with her.”
I look quickly to Vin in question, do we trust him? He nods once and I let myself relax. I know Vin would never let anything happen to our family.
“Are you nervous?” Emmett asks, worry plain as day in his eyes.
“A bit.” I admit. “Mostly I just want this done because I have a lot of shit to get to at home.”
Carm and Emmett chuckle while Travis comes up beside me. He pulls me into his arms and tucks my head under his chin. I can feel the tension thrumming through his body and I try to rub soothing circles into his back. I know he hates when I fight and out of everyone, he is the most prone to overthinking.
“Tell me to whisk you away right now.” He whispers into my hair.
“I have to show people what happens when they mess with us.” I whisper back, “I could never leave you guys vulnerable.”
“Okay.” He replies sounding sad.
“Look at it this way,” I pull back and look up at him with a grin. “I am going to enjoy kicking that scumbag’s ass. He has had it coming from day one. I will not lose, Travis.”
“There’s no option, Ember. You don’t have a choice. You have to win.”
I get on my tippy toes and kiss his cheek, “I will never leave you.” I promise him.
He crushes me back into his chest and I wrap my arms back around his waist.
“Hey, stop monopolizing my fiancée.” Vin’s raspy growl bursts our little bubble.
“Fiancée?” Carm looks to Vin and then me.
“Si Mano, our baby sister is getting married.” Emmett holds his hands to his chest.
“You don’t know that you’re older!” I stomp my foot, “I can bet I am because you still act pubescent.”
“What? I trim that shit. Manscape baby!” He gyrates his hips.
“You’re a fucking idiot.” Carm slaps the back of his head as he makes his way to me and Vin. “Congratulations.” He holds his hand out to Vin, “brother.”
Vin takes his hand and Carm drags him in for a hug, “in this family we are touchy as fuck.” He chuckles when Emmett jumps on the both of them, hugging them tighter.
This overpowering feeling rushes my chest and I look to each of them and sigh in contentment.
My family.
The energy in this place tonight is molten. I have no other way to describe it. It’s moving slowly but once it hits someone, they are completely covered by the rush. The hot burn to move and filled with a restless energy making it hard to sit still. People pace the aisles and my family paces the perimeter of the cage.
Molten lava.
When I admitted to Emmett that I was nervous, it wasn’t about me fighting Wade. It was about them watching me again. I worry about Travis who is so empathic, he can feel everything and Adri who is innocent to this side of my life. I know I will take some hits tonight, I am prepared for that. But I worry that they aren’t.
I look at my reflection in the mirror and the grin that climbs across my mouth and creeps into my eyes is fucking scary. This Black Slaughter makeup is no joke, I look demonic and I fucking feel like it, too. I have let my anger simmer now for days, and after learning what I have recently, it’s brimming over. I almost feel sorry for Wade, almost.
I told Carm my portion of tonight’s winnings will go to his wife and child. I refuse to completely ruin their life, and who knows, maybe I am saving it by eliminating him. He agreed and will send a portion of his as well.
I pull on my sweater and open the door to find Emmett and Carm waiting. “How much longer?” I ask them. I’m eager to have this done.
“They’re bringing him out now.” Emmett hushes and closes my door.
I can hear the crowd quiet down. They are probably watching the guy knowing he is Blur’s opponent. But tonight, I’m not Blur. I’m not fighting to the death to settle a score. I’m fighting to protect my family and I from a threat, I’m Black Slaughter.
I begin to hear a slow chant for Blur and grin because I know they’re bringing Wade to the cage. I’ve given my new name to the MC along with new music. Blur came out to Bodies by Drowning Pool but the Black Slaughter needs her own identity.
“Welcome back!” The MC booms over the mic. “Tonight we have your favourite fighter in the building!” Chants for Blur grow louder. “Tonight, she’s not Blur.” The crowd falls silent. “Tonight… she is Black Slaughter!”
The goosebumps I feel breaking out over my skin cause a surge of adrenalin. I am Black Slaughter, I will do anything to protect my family. I can be the monster needed and then reign it in on command. I can do this without losing myself.
I really hope I can do this without losing myself.
Skillet’s Monster melody begins over the speakers and the door in front of me opens. I look into two sets of eyes, one so dark they look black and another like the Caribbean ocean but both shining with pride. They turn and begin to lead me towards the aisle. As I pass, people either gasp at my appearance or try to reach out and touch me.
By the time I get to the cage, Skillet’s screaming about feeling like a monster. Ditto dude. I look inside
