Page 123 of On Wings of Blood

“You could have been my second. You could have been right by my side through whatever happened next. You unbelievable idiot. How could you have been so shortsighted? Here I always thought you were smarter than me.” I gave a mocking laugh.

“Theo would always have been your second,” Coregon growled. But I heard the doubt in his voice.

“Theo is a hopeless romantic with a flair for drama. He doesn’twantto be anyone's second. But you’re right. Now he’ll have to be. He’ll have to step up when you’re dead,” I shot back.

My eyes darted upwards as the platforms moved in closer, the gnashing of stone upon stone echoing through the massive chamber.

I saw an opportunity.

I ducked just as Coregon swung again, dodging the blow and using the momentum to shove him backwards–right into the path of the descending platform.

Coregon stumbled, his eyes widening as the shadow of the platform loomed over him. He twisted, trying to escape. But I was faster. I grabbed him by the throat, forcing him backwards.

“We sparred with each other almost every day,” I snarled at him. “Yet never once did you realize I was always holding something back.”

It was a strategy I’d been taught early on by my father. Never show your opponent what you’re really capable of. Even if your opponent is one of your best friends. Even so, it hadn’t been enough to save him.

Coregon’s hands were like claws, nails raking down my arms with the desperation of a drowning animal. The stone platform above us continued its slow, inevitable descent.

“You think I’m weak?” My voice was filled with cold fury. “You have no idea what I’m capable of, Coregon. Now you're never going to find out. You won’t be around for any of it.”

I leaned in closer to him. “You’re right about one thing though. I was weak. But not when it came to Pendragon.”

Coregon’s eyes were wobbling with panic as the platform lowered, now just feet above our heads. I held him firm, using all my strength to pin him against the stone.

“I was weak when it came to you,” I continued. “You went behind my back when you attacked Vaughn Sabino. That’s when I should have put you down.”

“Theo is a fucking menace. A coward. He’s an embarrassment to our house,” Coregon managed to choke out. “Marcus came to me. I did what had to be done.”

Marcus had come to Coregon? That was another betrayal that would have to be dealt with. But it could wait for another time.

I leaned in closer. “Theo ismycousin. He’s my friend. That’s all that matters. It’s called loyalty, Coregon. Maybe if you'd shown some, you wouldn’t be in this position.”

“I know what you really are. If it isn’t me,” Coregon gasped, my hands tight around his throat. “It’s going to be someone else. Someone else will take you down.”

“Let them come.” I glanced up as the platform lowered. “As for you, you won’t have long to wait.”

Coregon's eyes widened with fear, as the sound of grinding stone filled our ears.

“Blake–wait!” he gasped, his voice strangled. “I’m sorry. Please. Don’t–”

But it was too late. The platform lowered, its descent slow and deliberate. I held Coregon's gaze. He knew there was no escape.

It was over in seconds.

The platform dropped with a sickening crunch.

I stepped back, breathing heavily as I watched the stone platforms all begin to grind to a halt.

The arena was silent.

I was trembling. I curled my hands into fists, trying to stop the shaking. The reality of what I’d just done was still sinking in.

Then the silence shattered. The crowd erupted. A wave of frenzied cheering and applause rolled through the stands.

I wiped a smear of blood from my face and straightened up, trying to look happy with my victory, my eyes scanning the crowd.

Everyone was on their feet, cheering for me. Highbloods loved bloodshed. They loved a brutal triumph. I’d added excitement to what they’d been expecting to be a dull school assembly. Even the blightborn students had been carried along in the frenzy.

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