Page 9 of Savage Hunt

Thick arms wrapped around my middle. “She’s a fast one.” Benny’s laughter stirred my hair as he lifted me. “She’s so little, though. I could squeeze her to death.”

Esme rushed forward, but I kicked her chin. She cursed and wiped the blood dripping down her neck. “You little bitch.”

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I fought off the shifters, a few demons joining in. None of them knew I’d been trained as a raven, so they didn’t expect my level of technique. I was also a street kid who participated in organized fights. And won. A lot.

As Benny’s grip around me tightened, I slammed the back of my head into his face, bone and cartilage giving a satisfying crunch.

“Motherfucker!” He released me and staggered back, gripping his nose as blood gushed out.

Why were they attacking me! Were they bored or really not in the mood to do this filthy, disgusting work?

The air stirred behind me, and as I pivoted, I delivered a roundhouse to the approaching female demon. Her ribs broke and she screeched, tumbling on her ass. Benny and a male wolf charged me before I could even take a breath.

The wolf’s fist hit my cheek, pain exploding and hot blood dribbling down.

“Enough!”

Instead of a guard, a wolf inmate broke through the crowd surrounding me, his irises flashing between green and gold. “No more fighting.”

“She started it, Knox,” Esme said. “I only asked her for help.”

I spat blood on the ground and wiped my lip. “You wanted me to do your job.”

Benny straightened his orange jumpsuit. “We were only?—”

“Stop talking.” Alpha power throbbed off of Knox as he studied me. “Everyone, stick to your own assignments.”

The demons grumbled and drifted back to their stations without much protest. Maybe they’d just wanted a little violence. Esme pouted as Benny grabbed her arm and towed her away. I turned to the wolf who clearly held a leadership position in Heldrok.

“Thanks.” I shook out my arms. “But I could have handled them on my own.” I would have walked away with more than a few cuts and bruises, though.

“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for you. I just wanted to keep my pack from punishment for a stupid fight.” He jerked his chin toward the COs. “Sometimes they let a fight go on, and sometimes they stop it early and send the participants to torture rooms.”

“I’ve had enough torture to last a lifetime.” I shrugged. “I’d like to stay away.”

“487331, stop talking and get over here!” Gershan called.

So much for not getting in trouble.

I marched toward him, scowling. “I didn’t start anything.”

He gave a terrifying grin. “Warden Demarcus wants to see you.”

Gasps sounded through the room, even some from the occupied cages. Apparently, going to see the warden was not a good thing.

Chapter

Four

The warden stared at me from across his desk, looking so much like Ruin I had to blink until his face returned to normal.

What was with me? He didn’t look that much like the high lord of Savannah. Sure, they both sported piercings and tattoos and preferred sleek black suits, but Demarcus’s arctic appearance was chilling to the bone. His gaze could freeze me to the highbacked chair Gershan shoved me into.

Demarcus cleared his throat. “I heard you and Lord Ruin Bacchus are close.”

What the ever-loving hell?

“Can you read my mind?” I blurted.

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