Page 41 of Cruel Crown

“To fight.” She cast her eyes slyly at me.

After breakfast, Bas said we were meeting in the gym. It was time to test our skills against other members. No holding back, anything went, as long as you didn’t use weapons.

He also explained that if you were older they sent you elsewhere to get updated on other types of skills such as computing and engineering and all that other fun, brainy stuff. All members younger than forty were required in the gym.

The gym was in the upper levels with panels on the top, making daylight filter through. The place was state-of-the-art, the newest models on the machinery and black, cushy mats covering the floor.

“The question is, are they ready for me?”

Daphne walked into the room, and people cleared out of her way while others greeted her, and then there was the guy from earlier and Francesca, who weren’t fans. She was all in black with her hair braided.

“Paco,” Francesca said. “You should go in the ring with her, make her pay back for what she did to Johnny.”

I pretended to be interested elsewhere while they chatted. Francesca had said people weren’t happy about the kill, and she was instigating a fight.

“Ah, Paco, are you sad about your cousin getting his brains blown out?” Bastian taunted when he came to stand by us.

“Sooner or later, everyone will pay.” Paco spat and walked away.

“Hey, Bas,” Francesca purred. “Haven’t seen much of you. You’d think you’d be more accessible now that you aren’t wrapped around that bitch’s finger.”

“I’m always around. It’s you that’s wrapped around Damian’s cock like you own it.” Bas tapped her nose with a smirk.

I walked away, and that’s when I saw Paco walking to where Daphne was standing. Her back was to his, and I slowed my steps to see what he would do.

He reached out and grabbed the tail of her braid, pulling it back, making her head snap back.

Slowly I kept walking toward them, close enough that I could hear him.

“Before I kill you, I’m going to fuck you just like this,” he taunted, tugging at her hair more. My blood boiled, but then I saw Damian, and he was seated on a bench looking our way. I made my way past Daphne and Paco like I didn’t care.

“I heard guys with small dicks prefer doggy-style; otherwise, their dicklets don’t hit the spot,” Daphne said in a sweet voice, and I wished I could turn around to see the look of fire shining in her eyes as she told him off.

Damian rose from where he was on the bench. I looked at the fucker because he didn’t look like his usual self. He wore gray sweatpants, a white T-shirt, and sneakers.

“Before I pull random names, does anyone want to work out ill feelings on the floor?”

No one said a word. Then Daphne stepped forward.

“Daphne?” Damian said with an arrogant smirk.

She brought her nails up, pretending to inspect them. “I get the feeling Francesca is holding resentment towards me, and I don’t know what I could have done to offend her, so I want to give her a chance to work those feelings out.”

No one was buying her fake humility. I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. She was jealous. Francesca stood next to Bastian, who was talking lowly to her. If I had to guess, he was spurring her on so she’d step on the mat.

“Just thought I’d offer.” Daphne shrugged. “Everyone will understand if you don’t come up here.”

Francesca looked at Damian, and when he didn’t so much as acknowledge her, she took a deep breath and walked into the makeshift ring.

“Very well, then,” Damian said. “Rules are simple: no weapons, and you can’t kill your opponent. Do keep in mind we go hunting next week, so if you break, twist, dislocate anything, you still have to participate in all activities.”

With my arms crossed, I watched the fight that was about to take place. Daphne started to stretch her arms and roll her neck around.

“You may begin,” Damian announced.

Daphne and Francesca circled each other both with slow steps and determination. If I wasn’t looking so intently at Daphne, I might have missed the little smirk that passed over her features. I stood taller, knowing she was up to something.

She made the first move and punched, missing Francesca by a few inches when she moved out of the way. She took a step to the side instead of one back, allowing Francesca to punch her. Daphne’s face turned to the side, and when she turned to look at Francesca, she did it smiling.

---