Page 57 of In Prey We Trust

My words have the intended effect because she leaps into motion, lunging for me in a smooth move. But I dance away, letting claws slip from my fingers as I whirl behind her. As soon as she hits the ground, I take a swipe at her leg and she snarls as blood drips down her tanned leg. She’s rolled over to sweep the uninjured leg out within seconds, catching one of my ankles. I stumble, barely keeping my balance as I try to get out of her reach.

Jaiyana has an advantage on the ground, like in water, but I have the edge on my thumpers.

When she doesn’t knock me down, I hear both clapping and booing from the peanut gallery. I don’t let it bother me as I crack my neck and start circling again. I’m not sure how I’m going to tap her out; she’s much stronger than me and I can’t slit her damn throat. Pushing that thought out of my head, I take a breath and let my bunny fill me more, knowing my eyes are red and I’m probably sprouting fur. I know I can’t open the cage entirely because I’m prohibited from the ending she wants, but I need her strength to defeat this chick. By the time I’ve got my brain settled, I feel the hairs on my neck stand up and I know she’s coming.

My legs flex as I leap out of the way of the charging crocodile. As soon as I land, I turn and send a spinning kick at her face. It connects, knocking her almost out of the ring with the force. My face gets redder as I remember how much more psi I have in my legs when the rabbit is loose. I need to be careful. Sucking in a breath as Jaiyana comes at me again, I duck to the left to avoid her right hook. An uppercut from my left rings her bell again and she screams in frustration.

Anger makes you sloppy.

Fitz’s voice in my head helps me stay present as the stocky shifter grabs my arms. Suddenly, her clothes tear and she’s half-shifted, just like Bruno. Fear makes my heart race and my eyes widen as ears, tail, and more fur pop out. I’m losing control quickly and I have to take her down before I get myself in serious fucking trouble. I grip her arms back, digging claws into her scaly skin. Mine are much longer and sharper, so she lets out a loud growl of pain.

“You bitch! That will scar,” Jaiyana hisses.

My eyes narrow at her and I keep my expression calm as I grit out, “You’ll live. You’re a fucking alpha and the heir to your family. Why weren’t you at Apex?”

She gives me a toothy grin and I’m reminded that crocs have the strongest bite of any animal on the planet. “Small pond, big name isn’t how the Faezs roll, appetizer. Plus, Cappie has the best Games team. Now, where do you want it?”

I snarl back at her, letting go with my left hand to whip it out in a backhand to her jaw. She didn’t expect that, so she reels back and I’m able to scamper back enough to break her grip. “I think you should be asking me that question.”

“My father—”

Fuck that. I spent my life hearing that from my ex-friends.

Ignoring her sentence, I plant my back foot, readying for her to spring forward as she drones on about her stupid parent. When she gets within range, I lift my leg and kick as hard as I can. She goes flying across the ring and lands in a crumpled heap before she can even finish her list of shit her dad did. Wiping my forehead with the back of my hand, I mutter, “... is not in this fucking ring.”

Zhenga looks at me in shock, blowing her whistle and jogging over to the prone reptile to check on her. Whooping from the stands tells me my friends are going nuts, but I’m too numb to check. I let out a long shuddering breath, putting my hands on my knees and bending over. I barely got my fear of Bruno under control to handle this, but if I’ve really hurt Jaiyana my Games career is over.

I doubt that would have been so at Apex, but Cappie is so much softer than my old school.

Warm hands land on my shoulders and I whirl around, using my elbow to hit the person who touched me without permission. A groan and a soft growl get my attention, so I open my eyes, startled to find Felix and his yellow eyed tiger doubled over behind me.

“Shit. Shit. I’m sorry, Sir,” I pant as I stand up. I think my arms might be bleeding a little and I’m definitely bruised, but I’m not as hurt as Jaiyana for sure.

Felix gives me a heated look when he finally catches his breath. “That was a foul, Princess. No striking the ref.”

Giving him a sheepish look, I walk over to look up at him shyly. “Instinct. I was trying to come down from… this and someone touched me.”

“Fair enough,” he says as he grimaces. “We want you aware and fighting back, so I’ll let that one slide. You did well, Princess. Fitz will love the video I took.”

I wrinkle my nose and snort. “He’ll be putting it in the spank bank the second you hit send, you know. I’m surprised he’s not here.”

“He said ‘It’s your turn tonight, bro. Chess and I are reaping the spoils tomorrow when she kicks someone’s ass’ and then sent me packing from practice.” Felix looks amused, but we both know Fitz isn’t kidding. “So I came to see how you’re doing.”

“I did okay,” I say with a sigh. “But Jaiyana was sort of a bad first try. Her shifter form makes my bunny angry and scared because of…”

His expression darkens. “Your father. You know we’re going to kill that bastard, right?”

My eyes dance. “Only if you get to him first. Now help me hobble to the showers, Professor. As long as I didn’t cripple that bitch, I have to get these injuries healed for tomorrow night.”

“I suggest soaking in the big tub when you get home. You need to be mobile for tonight, Princess. I won’t take it easy on you just because you had a scrap today.”

Tilting my head, I arch a brow at him. “You still haven’t told me where we’re going, Sir. How will I know how to dress?”

He shrugs, his eyes dark as he wraps an arm around me. “Casual is fine. No jewelry, nothing flashy.”

“Mmmhmm. Shoes?”

“Walkable, not tottering nightmares.”

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