Page 49 of Monster's Obsession

“You are a guest in our home, so do us the honor of initiating the Red Battle.” The announcer stared at me, waiting for me to do something I had no clue about.

“Rub the sticks together,” Creed whispered. “It will ignite a barrier around the arena to ensure the fight doesn’t spill onto the audience.”

I blinked up at him. “But I don’t want Steele to fight.”

“Pet, what other way would you have him prove his innocence? If he’s right, then this is how we’ll find out. And everyone is waiting, so please do the honors.” He spoke tenderly, but there was firmness in his words.

Glancing up, I noted the golden monster had left the area where the two opponents waited for me. Steele was staring in my direction, giving me a tight smile, then he nodded for me to do it.

Reluctantly, I struck the sticks together, scraping them against one another.

Red sparks erupted from them instantaneously.

I yelped, flinching, yet managed to not drop them.

The red sparks jolted across the cavern and in seconds, a great red flame blew up, encasing the suspended platform.

My stomach trembled at the spectacle that had most in the crowd gasping.

The red flames died just as fast, though the perimeter of the platform glowed red. Ash collected the sticks from my hands and handed them to the guard who retreated.

Tempest and Seven both watched me intensely, and I couldn’t tell if they were enjoying the show or just as devastated as me.

Despite everyone’s excitement in the masses, to me, this was a dark day I’d never forget.

The gold monster stood between them, declaring, “If the accused survives, he’ll be found not guilty.”

I took Ash’s and Creed’s hands once more, a grip tightening around my chest.

“Fight,” the golden monster abruptly yelled.

My heart thundered, driving all the fear into my veins.

Steele and Captain Vero lunged at one another, clashing spectacularly.

The spectators bellowed and screamed out ways to finish Steele quicker.

Tears came, stinging my eyes. I couldn’t look away from the two of them, locked in a feral battle of growls, claws, and fangs. Steele suddenly flew across the platform, slamming into an invisible wall I’d set up with the sticks around the arena, then slumped to the floor. He sprung back just as fast, rushing into combat.

They pummeled one another, and it surprised me how powerful Vero was, when I’d seen Steele take on three of my monsters on his own.

But this wasn’t a fair fight, was it? He was facing off against an undead.

Steele slid across the platform, thick blood slipping from a gash across his forehead. Vero charged him, knife raised, unstained by blood so far.

“Steele, get out of the way,” I yelled, then swallowed hard to watch him roll out of the way at the last second.

Hate blazed through me, cold and boundless. Hate for this fucking fight, for the heartache that would shatter me.

Someone grabbed my arm, and I swung around to Creed guiding me to take a seat. But I shook my head. “This isn’t entertainment for me, but something that’s ripping me to shreds on the inside. I can’t sit comfortably while he’s out there fighting for his damn life and we’re just chilled out,” I cried.

Harsh tears blurred my vision, and I jerked away from Creed, clinging to the railing on the balcony, staring out at Steele. As much as it hurt me, I watched every strike, every scratch; it was the least I could do.

I wiped the tears that kept coming.Don’t die, Steele…don’t you fucking die on me.

Suddenly, four monsters came to stand by my side, and I appreciated their company more than they’d ever know.

The battle grew savage, the pair moving so fast, I couldn’t follow everything, but blood splashed on the floor and against the invisible wall.

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