Rennata’sface scrunched in confusion, then flattened into understanding. “Idon’t care to hear about your exploits with Lord Falconetti.”She stood. “I say, Marissa, you’ve given the whole lot ofus a bad name and jeopardized everything we hold secret.”
Ignoringher, Marissa looked toward the door that would lead her into theballroom “Is Dominic out there?”
“He’llbe in there to observe as he was your witness.”
Rennata’smouth thinned. “And thanks to you involving him, so will theDominus of his house.” She threw her hands up. “Thiswhole thing has become a spectacle!”
“Sothat’s it, then? No words of encouragement in my last “Sothat’s it, then? No words of encouragement in my last moments,just more condemnation?” Marissa had had her fill of Rennata.“You make me sick. Al these years you’ve had it out forme and why? Because I was chosen for the breeding program and youweren’t? You’re a sad, small woman who will never seebeyond the bars of her cage.”
Achime sounded.
“It’stime.” Rennata’s eyes narrowed as her lip curled. “Maythe holy mother have mercy on your soul.”
Chapter Thirteen
Withonly five bodies in it, the ballroom seemed like a vast cavern. Everystep rang hollow as Marissa made her way to the middle where Arnaudstood waiting. Rennata followed her, but stopped an equal distanceaway from where Dominic and Dominus Zephrim were on the oppositeside.
Arnaud’seyes silvered as Marissa took her place across from him. From hisproud stance to his almost haughty disposition, everything about himsaid he expected to win. He hadn’t even changed out of hissuit, the pompous fool. She kept her shoulders rounded and her headdown like she was worried.
Scared.Out of her depth. She wanted him to think that. To underestimate her.That would be her greatest advantage in the beginning.
Oncehe understood she knew how to fight…everything would change.Which is why she had to kill him as quickly and decisively as she hadthe fringe vampires at Dominic’s.
Thinkingof Dominic, she slanted her eyes his way. He caught her gaze andnodded slightly, making a fist at his side and squeezing it insupport. She held her blank expression, but her spirit soared and inthat moment, she knew there would always be a place in her heart forhim. He could sustain her in the years to come, no matter what trialsthey faced.
Justso long as she made it through this one.
“Thereare no rules to libertas,” Rennata announced. “Only thatthe victor is decided by death.” Marissa raised her head towatch Rennata as she went on. “Lord Arnaud, are you ready?”
“Quite,”he replied, studying his nails.
“ComarréMarissa, are you ready?”
“Yes.”Marissa kept her voice soft. Almost timid. She slid her left footback and calculated the distance to Arnaud.
Rennatatook an audible breath. “Then let the challenge begin.”
Justas Marissa had expected, Arnaud lunged immediately.
Shedodged him, but not enough to keep the tops of his knuckles frombrushing her temple.
Shetwisted as he whipped around. Without pause, he went for her again,this time raking his nails across her side, tearing her tunic andbreaking her skin.
Thesoft scent of her blood filed her nose. She ducked as he swung, buthe was fast. For the second time, his knuckles made contact, catchingthe side of her head and spinning her around.
Theblow stung, but it was nothing like it could have been. In fact, he’dtouched her three times and barely done any damage.
fact,he’d touched her three times and barely done any damage.
Realizationdawned. Arnaud was playing with her. She turned and met the jackal’sgaze. The tiniest uplift in the corners of his mouth gave him away.She was right. Not only was he playing with her, he was punishingher. Drawing this out to show how superior he was.
Theinsight only made her want to kill him more. But the idea of lettinghim think he was superior for just a few moments longer appealed. Hemight get careless if he thought he’d been right about her,that he could finish her whenever he wished. He might even make amistake.
Sheallowed a little fear into her eyes.
Hetook the bait instantly. “Regretting your decision already, Isee.” His semi-smile stayed fixed in place. “What a hardlesson to learn. Fatal, even.” He struck with a closed fist.
Shemoved enough so that it grazed her ribs instead of her belly, but shebowed over anyway as though she’d lost her breath. She caught aglimpse of Dominic on the sidelines. His face was an angry storm, hisbody poised to move, even though they both knew he couldn’tlift a finger to help her.
Arnaudcircled. “Pity you’ll have to die, but then I’llget a new comarré, won’t I? Hopefully one withoutyour…issues.” He lifted his foot to shove her.
Playtimewas over. She grabbed his ankle and used his momentum to toss himacross the room.
Asecond later he was on his feet and charging, clearly A second laterhe was on his feet and charging, clearly unhappy with herretaliation. His hand went inside his coat and returned with athree-finger set of steel knuckles in place. A row of sharp spinestopped the weapon.
Somuch for Arnaud’s inspection. He swiped at her but she droppedto a crouch. A few strands of blond hair drifted down, sliced by therazor spines. Holy mother, that was going to hurt if it found herskin.
Kickingout one leg, she tripped him and sprang to her feet.
Thetactic gave her just enough time to free her Golgotha steel and hideit in her hand.
ButArnaud didn’t get up. He lay on his stomach, moaning softly.“Damn you, comarré,” he ground out.
Hadhe fallen on his own weapon? She inhaled. The pungent scent ofvampire blood tainted the air. So he had. This was her chance.
Sheapproached, dagger ready. An inch away and he leaped to his feet.Dominic yelled a warning. She twisted as Arnaud started to strike.The bite of the three spines across her low back told her she’dmoved too late. Pain radiated up her spine. Then her legs went numband she collapsed Dominic’s yell turned into a howl.
Stillgripping the wooden dagger, she used her upper body strength to turnover and prepared to look death in the eyes.
Arnaudpounced, pinning her
