Page 6 of Medusa

He was saved from Pollux’s reply by his name being called by the announcer.

“Please welcome to the ring, Jaden “J-Star” McKellen! Top heavyweight in his class!” the announcer’s voice rang through the amphitheatre.

Jaden entered the ring with his arms in the air to cheers from the crowd. He smiled and blew a couple kisses, shaking a couple hands from the front row, before joining the announcer on the far side of the ring.

“Tonight, J-Star is up against Pollux “Demigod” Begrond. Pollux has been in this class for a while, but hasn’t managed to make it up the rankings, always knocked down by one or another of the brothers. Put your hands together for Pollux!”

Jaden was pleased to note that the enthusiasm was slightly less for his opponent.

Pollux didn’t work up the crowd the way he had, and the fight started quickly.

Jaden led Pollux in a slow dance across the sands, drawing out his left until he was off balance. Jaden saw his chance and tackled Pollux down to the ground, straddling his torso and raining down blows around Pollux’s head. The demigod had to keep his hands up around his ears to protect himself, but his legs were free.

Jaden saw the hip flip coming from a mile away and sighed internally. He had to make this look like Pollux had won fairly, after all. He resisted the first hip toss, but pretended like it knocked him enough off balance that the second threw him on his side. Pollux followed up on his apparent advantage, hooking his leg around Jaden’s to pin him to the ground.

He’ll never learn if I don’t keep him on his toes.

Jaden executed a twist and backward somersault that had him free in seconds. Pollux was still on the ground on his knees, looking shocked.

“Right where you belong,” Jaden said boisterously, making the audience laugh. He fisted a hand in Pollux’s hair and thrust his hips provocatively.

The demigod snarled, grabbing Jaden’s wrist and pulling himself up with it.

“I’d be happy to lend you a hand anytime you need it,” Jaden quipped, provoking more laughter. “The way you act, you probably need some stress relief sooner rather than later.” He caught a hard punch on his abdomen from Pollux’s right, and staggered a bit, bending over. Pollux followed it up with a blow from his knee to Jaden’s forehead.

The fight devolved from there.

* * *

Finley foundJaden sitting on the floor of the shower, leaning against the cool tiles in an effort to stop his head from pounding.

“You justhadto provoke him, didn’t you?” Finley said.

“Shhhhh,” Jaden murmured. “I had to make it look good, didn’t I?”

Finley rolled his eyes. “He knock you silly? You didn’t have to lose by this much.”

“It’ll make my comeback even sweeter,” Jaden said. “He still out there bragging?”

“Of course he is.” Finley scoffed. “And he’ll stay out there until you come out of here because he wants to humiliate you. Did you really say it?”

“I said a lot of things. Could you be more specific?” Jaden mumbled. Of course he knew what Finley was really asking about.

“Did you threaten to kill him?”

“He punched me in the cup, Finn.” Jaden flexed bruised knuckles. “I was pissed.”

“Yeah, well, I guess someone had to take that hit.”

“Fuck you.”

* * *

A changeinto his dragon had healed the worst of the aches and pains; there was still a nice purple bruise on his side. Jaden examined his eye closely in the reflection of the cafe window. Fortunately, the bruising there wouldn’t show up until tomorrow morning, he knew from experience.

Satisfied with his appearance, he opened the door, hearing the cheerful ringing of the bells over his head.

“Oh, perfect! Fresh meat!” said a sultry voice.

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