Page 23 of Hellfire

I rubbed a tired hand down my face, holding back tears of frustration. I needed to apologize. Feeling determined, I jumped down from the bleachers and strolled across the room before I could talk myself out. Snake and Steele were off to the side, talking in hushed voices as I approached.

“Hey, Snake.” Looking over his shoulder at me, he raised a brow but said nothing. “I’m sorry. I don’t-”

The words got stuck in my throat. My eyes darted back and forth between them. My heart plummeted as I stood there like an idiot. Steele shoulder-bumped Snake and gave him a look I couldn’t decipher. I stepped back, feeling dumb for walking over here without knowing what to say.

A slow smile crept across Snake’s face. “The kitty Kat’s got claws.”

Feeling the need to defend myself, I started again. “I–”

But Steele shushed me. “Katrina. What was it, Scar said?” His eyes darted to Snake as he smirked. “Don’t apologize?”

“Oh? He did say that!” Snake said with excitement. “Does that mean you need to be punished?” Snake took a step toward me.

What? Are they going to punish me? Then why were they looking at me like they would rather devour me instead?

“What?” I squeaked.

“Don’t worry, sweets. You’ll like it,” Steele said, his voice full of dark promises. My cheeks flushed, and my stomach flip-flopped.

How do they always make everything sound so dirty?

“What do you say?” Snake asked, tilting his head as he studied me.

Just then, a bell dinged, signifying the start of the round.

“Saved by the bell, kitty Kat.”

“Such a shame, sweets.”

My shoulders sagged in relief. I wasn’t sure I was ready for whatever it was the “terrible two” had planned for me.

Tank and Nate faced off in the center of the ring, slowly circling each other as the crowd roared in excitement. My heart pounded in my chest as Nate threw the first punch, which landed squarely on Tank’s jaw. He didn’t even flinch, just absorbed the blow. His tongue dipped out, and licked the small gash on his lip.

Nate followed up with a second punch. I winced, rubbing my hand across my face. The crowd erupted in cheers.

A slow smile crept across Tank’s face, his bloodied teeth on full display. “You’re getting faster, prospect,” he praised, signaling for Nate to strike again.

I wiped my sweaty hands on my jeans again as I watched. I had seen my fair share of violence, but I couldn’t seem to look away.

This time Nate didn’t hesitate, his movements quick and precise. After several more exchanges, Nate stepped back to catch his breath and assessed his opponent. My pulse pounded in my ears.

“Fight back,” I muttered, shifting my weight from foot to foot with nervous energy.

As the fight wore on, I couldn’t help but notice Tank getting more and more worked up. His dark eyes glowed red with his Cerberus. The intensity behind his stare was powerful and wasn’t even directed at me. I shivered as his nose began to elongate, and his muscles rippled with the energy of his beast.

A golden glow emanated from Nate’s body. I watched in awe as giant wings burst free from his back, ripping his shirt as they expanded. The golden feathers ruffled, sending shimmering dust around the ring. Nate fluttered his wings wildly, and I felt the intense energy in the room begin to calm. It reminded me of his small touch to calm me earlier on the porch.

Tank fell to all fours, his body twisted and deformed, bones snapping as he transformed. I winced at how painful it looked. The force from Nate’s wings pushed Tank’s hair away from his face, coating him with the shimmering dust. Tank’s body began to relax. While he was vulnerable, Nate had Tank down on the mat, his head in a viselike grip.

“Gotcha,” Nate said, grinning like a madman.

Tank laughed good-naturedly. “Nice move, prospect. You were able to stop my shift this time. I’m impressed.”

The tension in the air dissipated as Nate helped Tank to his feet. I let out a sigh of relief.

Nate’s eyes found mine in the chaos, a wide smile on his face. I grinned back at him, proud of how he handled himself. I still had no idea what he was.

Maybe an angel?

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