Page 20 of Monster's Pretty Bride

The smirk on the smaller gargoyle’s lips widens.

Then he lunges.

I barely sidestep in time, the rush of wind trailing behind his movement. He’s fast. Too fast. The moment I regain my footing, he pivots, sweeping my legs from under me.

The ground slams into my back.

Pain splinters through my skull. I grit my teeth, twisting before he can pin me, bringing the dagger up in a desperate strike.

He catches my wrist.

Catches it. And laughs.

The sound is sharp, mocking, meant to humiliate.

The crowd roars its approval, voices rising like a pack scenting blood. "Beat her down!" one of them snarls. "Break her!"

Rage blisters through me.

I twist, using his hold against him, kicking out hard enough that his grip falters. The moment his fingers slacken, I drive my elbow into his throat.

He stumbles. Just a fraction. Just enough.

I don’t hesitate. I slam the dagger into his side.

The roar that rips from his throat is not one of pain.

It’s pleasure.

He’s enjoying this.

His tail whips around, striking me across the ribs with enough force to send me sprawling. The impact knocks the wind from my lungs, black spots dancing at the edges of my vision.

The sand is warm beneath me. Too warm.

I roll to my knees, gasping, fighting, refusing to bow.

The voices around us rise.

"She’s still up!"

"Make her stay down!"

I brace myself, gripping the dagger tighter, but the moment I push up, a fist slams into my temple. The world shatters.

Pain detonates behind my eyes, my knees buckling before I can stop them. The sand rushes up to meet me, but I never feel the impact.

The last thing I see is him.

Naranus.

Standing above me. Watching.

His gaze unreadable.

Darkness envelops me before I can even curse him.

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