Chapter 57: Mars, the God of War

Chapter 57: Mars, the God of War

Tristan folded his arms and glared at me; two of the Fourth Division Lieutenants sat on either side of him. One sported black and blue bruises across his face. He looked familiar. My jaw gaped as I realized he was the guy that Suzaki whacked over the head with a piece of lumber. He spat on the ground and stared daggers at our healer. I laughed, shook my head, then flipped the fucker off.

Captain Atkins sat beside the Viceroya person whose presence was surprising. But more importantly, Alex hid behind her, head bowed and shaking like a leaf. I took all I had in me not to rush out and grab him right thereif he werent between my captain and the Viceroy, I wouldve.

Lastly was the Knight, who wore a version of a Brass Kings jacket Id never seen before. The ladys long black hair had been pulled back in a ponytail, and there was a goddamn sword strapped to her back. Shed completed her look with leather pauldrons decorated in our gang colors. She looked less like a delinquent and more like a rogue-fucking-euro cultivator.

Nice to see yall. Excited to see me kick the shit out of a traitor? I smirked, taking a drag of my cigarette and boldly striding forward. The moment's thrill started to tug on me, and I balanced it with the concern for my younger brother; he wasnt safe yet. As soon as he was over on our side, I felt confident this would be fine.

Tristans expression didnt shift at all, Luca.

Asshole. I paused, gesturing for Alex. Cmere. Im sorry, Alex. Well get you home in no time.

Your brother isnt moving an inch until were done, Tristan said, and I sprang forward, driven by the flash of anger burning in me. Before I made it five steps, the Knight slid between us, catching my arm and twisting it in a smooth gesture. I gasped; I barely tracked her movement, but fighting back against her strength was impossible. Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Please wait until the duel begins! The Knight said with a smile on her face, my arm a single jerk away from snapping.

Alex has nothing to do with this! I yelled, trying to free my arm, but her fingers were like iron. Tristan shook his head.

The nerve to come in here and call me a traitor. Youre a rare breed of stupid. I came with the intention of working out our differences, and he just wants to take cheap shots and spew fake accusations. Id say I was surprised, but thatd be a lie. The Knight let me go, pushing me back a bit, before returning to the Viceroys side. That smile hadnt left her facebut it wasnt fake. She didnt even have a measure of animosity hidden in her eyes.

Conjecture of a thief with no basis in reality. Hand that back now. Tristan demanded, actually snarling. You promised to hand it over.

Whatever gave you the impression that I would honor words given to a murderer? You tried to ambush us oncedo you think Id go along with what you wanted?

Tristan worked his jaw but didnt say a thing. Quietly he folded his hands behind his back; the Viceroy gave the nod to Kayson, and like that, he brought the journal to our Captain. Tension and unease reeked in the air, accompanied by palpable hate. I now saw a caged animal replace his relaxed confidence. Hed realized dealing with me wasnt going to be the end to all of his problems. In a single move, Kayson had stripped his control over the situation.

He cracked his knuckles.

The Viceroy directed Tristan and me an equal distance apart further down the dock. It seemed shed rather deal with this before proceeding onward to sort out the more confusing aspects this conflict brought. The weight of Tristans evil eyes rested heavy on me as if it pinned all that went wrong squarely on my shoulders. I didnt buckle beneath that malice. I wouldnt cower before him; I straightened my back and returned the same expression. No matter how this went, for better or worse, Id get my fucking satisfaction.

Id made a vow. Id dreamed and had nightmares about this fight. No matter what happened, Id keep my head held high.

In an instant, his shadow snaked out of his eyesa mass of tendrils, flowing behind him and moving erratically as he Manifested his Soul. I took satisfaction in calling forth my Soula crack of red and blue popped from my shoulders. Two crows, this time, perched and cawing for blood.

They said youd broken through to the next stage. Tristan paced slowly around; we drew a circle while waiting for the Viceroy to call the fight to a start so we could tear into one another.

Yea and Im going to use these crows to tear your fucking eyes out.

Im looking forward to tossing your corpse into the ocean tonight.

The Viceroys voice cut through the airour observers giving distance as she began. My view of the world narrowed to this single bubble of space. A few seconds later, the fight started.