Page 9 of Champion of Cards

“This is your call,” Kingsnake said. “I want nothing to do with it.”

“I—I don’t know.” Larisa swallowed, visibly uncomfortable.

I told her it’sss okay. We don’t need to do thisss.

“Fang says it’s fine,” Kingsnake said. “Let’s go home.”

“But I want him to have this…” Her arms crossed over her chest.

“He doesn’t want to be the cause of your sadness,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”

Her eyes dropped to the ground. “He deserves this. He deserves the chance to win.”

There’sss more to life than winning. Love isss more important. Alwaysss.

She lifted her chin as her eyes softened. “It’s okay…let’s do it.”

“Are you sure?” Kingsnake asked. “Because we’ll go home right now.”

“I’m sure,” she whispered. “But I don’t want to see it.”

Kingsnake gave a heavy sigh. “For what it’s worth, I don’t want to do this either.”

She stared at him, her eyes soft. “I know.”

He moved in close and kissed her, his arm circling her back.

My body wrapped around her neck, wrapping around them both as we all embraced.

When Kingsnake pulled away, I shifted to Larisa’s shoulders instead, knowing I would stay to comfort her while the feeding took place.

Kingsnake walked to the witch. “You have a deal.”

* * *

Larisa and I sat together under a willow tree, the brilliant fireflies floating around us and casting light upon our faces. There was a greenish glow from the color of the grass, the lake in the distance, loud with the sound of wildlife.

I stared at Larisa, feeling low. Thank you for doing thisss for me.

She smiled. “Of course, Fang.”

When we’re finissshed with her, I’ll sssnap her ssspine.

“As tempting as that sounds, it’s okay. I can feel Kingsnake, and unless he’s a master at controlling his emotions, he doesn’t feel anything. He never feels anything when he feeds.”

Of courssse he doesssn’t.

“I trust Kingsnake and know he’s nothing like Elias, but it’s hard to shake that feeling, no matter how much assurance he gives me.”

It’s underssstandable.

“It’s annoying being with a man whom everyone wants for themselves.”

Really? Kingsssnake is grouchy and moody…

She smirked. “Yeah, he can be.”

And annoying.

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