Page 57 of Filthy Royal

Her gift needed time to recharge, and it didn’t matter that she needed it now more than ever.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to leave, Scarlett.” He pulled something from his leathers, and she flinched.

But it was only a vid maker.

With a click of a button, he recorded Egan’s lifeless body, then her. “More to add to my collection. So delightful.”

His smug smile made her ill.

“You’ll want to see the others I have as well. There are some nice ones of your brother too. He truly looks like a male in love.”

Her stomach churned. “Wh-what do you want?”

“So much. Death, destruction, revenge. But for now, I’ll settle for a little pain at your expense.” His gaze flickered to Egan. “You actually did me a favor with that one. Unfortunately, I can’t repay it with kindness… I can, however, give you a chance to save those you love.”

The dread inside her grew, the blackness eating away at everything but unable to come out—no matter how hard she tried, leaving her as helpless as ever.

Nothing more than a colorless, flimsy toy all too easy to break.

The Alpha took another step into the room, blocking out the light at his back, and quietly shut the door behind him. “You and I have much to discuss.”

14

DAMIEN

Rotation five of the tournament: theElite 100,the main event

Cheek pressed flat to the ground, Damien came awake with a splitting headache.

What in the fuck? He dabbed at the back of his head. Blood.

He was flat on his stomach in the underground tunnel.

Someone had gotten him good.

Screams and boot-stomps echoed above, followed by horns and drums.

Fuck.The tournament.

Those were the sounds of the Consortium’s opening ceremonies. It was about to begin.

How long had he been out?

“Scarlett!”

He scrambled to his feet and promptly staggered into a nearby wall.

Whoever had sucker punched him hadn’t held back.

But figuring out who he’d be killing would have to wait.

If they thought this would keep him from Scarlett, they were wrong.

He was already feeling better by the time he reached the locker room and shoved his way through the sea of fighters preparing for combat.

The stench of sweat, bloodlust, and nerves hit hard.

Out of the one hundred fighters gathered in the locker room, only one would emerge the ultimate champion.

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