Page 56 of Eboenia

Crash Out was more slender, still growing into his body, but his markings were just as wild—swords etched across his back, crisscrossing like the bars of a jail cell. The other warlocks followed suit, five of them now standing on the battleground, including War.

Suddenly, a gigantic hole split open in the center of the stadium, swallowing the light. Shadows swirled inside, thick and oily, and then a giant hand—skin the color of midnight, fingerstipped with claws like knives—reached up and gripped the edge. The ground trembled as a massive figure pulled itself out, standing at least ten feet tall. Its skin was a mottled gray-blue, rough as stone, with veins that glowed faintly purple beneath the surface. Its eyes were small, burning red, set deep under a heavy brow. Jagged tusks jutted from its lower jaw, and its teeth looked like broken gravestones.

It wore a tattered loincloth made of animal hide, stained with old blood and streaked with gold paint in strange, ritual patterns. Bands of hammered metal wrapped around its wrists and ankles, etched with runes that shimmered every time it moved. Across its chest, scars and tribal tattoos told stories I couldn’t even figure out.

Blair grabbed my arm and squeezed so hard I almost lost feeling in my hand. Jinx clutched her chest, eyes wide, but I couldn’t look away. I was too busy trying to figure out what kind of monster War had summoned.

A second creature crawled out, then a third, fourth, and fifth—each one bigger and meaner than the last. They all had those same broad chests, shoulders like boulders, thick calves that looked like tree trunks, and claws that could rip through steel. Their skin ranged from storm-cloud gray to deep forest green, some with patches of scales or bone plating. One had a necklace strung with teeth and knucklebones, another had a helmet made from the skull of some beast with curling horns. Their canines were long and sharp, at least ten inches, gleaming wetly as they snarled at the crowd. One of them pounded a massive fist into its palm, the sound echoing like a war drum.

Jinx’s voice was shaky. “What are those things? Are they… ogres?”

“Never seen anything like that before,” I said.

“Yes, that’s what they are. They told us stories about creatures like that at the bonfires when we were young,” Blair whispered, still clutching my arm.

Right then, War’s top garments vanished, his chain materializing in his hand. Butterflies swarmed my stomach as I watched his back muscles flex and rippled. Jinx let out a low whistle. “I understand, Eboenia. I totally get it.”

The creatures lined up, looming over everyone, their eyes fixed on War. He spoke to them in a language that sounded like thunder and broken glass—harsh and melodic at the same time.

“What are they saying? Shit, tell me, Eboenia,” Jinx hissed.

“I have no idea. War speaks different languages,” I said.

“Demons do know all languages,” Blair muttered, her eyes never leaving the monsters in the ring.

The ogres charged with a sound like thunder, shaking the stadium. War hovered above the black stone, chain spinning in a silver blur. I clutched my knees to my chest, eyes twitching as I watched, pretending not to notice the flecks of blood already staining the arena floor.

“This is insane. Hoax and his warriors train without weapons and magic,” Jinx said.

Surrounding us, the warlocks seated in the stadium had their spellbooks open on their laps. Quills scratched furiously as they jotted down notes, eyes darting between War and the monstrous ogres he’d summoned.

“This is like school to them. War and his top warriors are showing them how to fight. He’s a great teacher. He taught me a lot in a short span of time. Y’all should’ve seen me defeating a gang of nymphs. I murdered them all,” I bragged, and Blair shook her head.

“Ouuuuu, I wish I was there. I would’ve taken off their heads,” Jinx replied—and I believed her.

“War is exposing you to danger,” Blair said.

“Anyone who uses magic is exposed to danger. It’s always going to be that way for us, no matter what. We’re fairies and we’re females. We’re fetishized by everything with a dick. We were born into danger,” I replied.

“You do have a point there,” she said.

I focused back on the fight. War had deep slashes in his body, but he moved unfazed. His chain snapped out, wrapping around the first ogre’s wrist. With a savage tug, he yanked the beast off balance, then spun and whipped the chain across its throat. Blood sprayed, flying into our faces.

“The gore is magnificent!” Jinx clapped.

“Don’t tell me they got you too,” Blair said, and I laughed.

“I am a little aroused. I’ve been aroused since I arrived here. Wait, what if they cursed me through the food they gave us?” Jinx asked.

“Blair ate the same food, so that’s debunked,” I said.

Jinx nudged me, whispering, “Is it big?”

“I can’t tell you what War is working with. You’re crazy,” I giggled.

“I just want to know if the sin is worth it. I’m sexually frustrated—I want my head licked and wings pulled,” she said.

“He’s massive,” I said, and she gasped.

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