Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 116875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
“One.”
The Giant crashes to the ground.
The Bulls are on their feet, shouting foul play, but the rest of the crowd drowns them out.
Angel climbs on the ropes, pumping her arms over her head. She’s leading a chant.
It takes me a second to hear what they’re saying.
“Fraternitas! Fraternitas!”
Oh, hell no.
I put one foot on the fallen giant and pump my own fist into the air. “My name is Belladonna Bosco,” I shout. “I am the Poisoner. And this is what I do to my enemies.” I point to the fallen giant.
I notice the crowd has moved back from the sides of the ring, giving me space. Good. It’s about time people know how dangerous I am.
“Bell-a-don-na,” I shout my name until Angel takes up the chant. “Bell-a-don-na.”
“Bella, Bella, Bella!” the crowd screams.
“That’s right,” I whisper. “That’s me. Fear me.”
The Bulls are still there, but Dominus is gone. Fled. His champion is down.
I am the champion.
I open my arms and accept the people’s adoration and fear.
They know who I am. They know what I can do.
From now on, they will think twice about messing with me.
I am the greatest supervillain who ever lived.
Kaiser
* * *
Bella stands in the center of the fighting ring, beautiful and terrifying. The room is swimming, and my head is throbbing. She definitely poisoned me. And Jaeger punched me.
But I can’t tear my eyes from her. She’s got her hair up all cute again. Dyed bright pink. Her face is a bloody mask, her eyes wild. She’s propped her foot on a huge fighter, who is face down in a pool of blood.
It’s definitely her. That toxic combination of excitement and murderous glee.
“Let me go,” I growl to my brothers.
They hesitate, but Jaeger barks at them to do it.
“Secure the room,” I tell Jaeger. “Get everyone out of here.”
He nods, and I turn slowly to face the ring. I take a step and stumble.
Jaeger reaches for me, and I push his arm away.
I will crawl to her if I have to.
Jaeger shouts at the people, clearing them out. The rest of Fraternitas spreads out, shoving people to get them to leave.
I limp forward like I’m moving through mud. My body has healed—Atticus made sure of that—but whatever Bella drugged me with is still in my system.
But time slows, and everything fades out of existence when I look at her. If it takes me an eternity to get to her, I will count it a blessing because it means more time to bask in her presence.
I step up to the ring, and she sees me. “What are you doing? You idiot. Let me help you.”
I sag on the ropes and let her fuss over me. “You don’t have to be strong all the time. You can ask for help.”
She’s glorious. The ring lights are hot on my skin, but she outshines them all.
“You could’ve died,” I growl.
“No. Well, maybe. But I didn’t.” Her lips and chin are bright with blood. So is her chest. It might not all be her blood.
The swelling on the right side of her face, though, tells me the Giant got at least one good hit in. He hurt her. I’d kill him and desecrate his body if she hadn’t already destroyed him so thoroughly.
“I could kill my brothers for allowing this—”
“I didn’t give them a choice. And Jaeger and Atticus helped me. Atticus figured out a way to poison the Giant before he even set foot in the ring.” She grins. “We made a plan. It was dangerous, but I had help.”
My legs feel weak. I’m hanging on the ropes. She brushes her hand over my new hair growth, and goosebumps rise on my back.
“You fought for me.” My throat is closing. I have to force the words out. “It was supposed to be me, but you took my place.”
“Of course I did. Come here.” She helps me climb through the ropes, into the ring. I’m getting stronger just by being in her presence.
Her poison hums under my skin.
“Bella,” I reach for her, then remember she’s poison. “I wish I could touch you.”
“You can.” She wipes her face, cleaning some of the blood away, but the bare skin of her arms is still slick and shiny. “I used poisons you’re immune to.”
“What?”
“Atticus and I talked, and we think my blood did something to you. Not the sleeping potion—we made that up special. But… you’re immune to me, Kaiser. You and no one else.” She grins, showing bloody teeth. “Touch me, Kaiser.”
I let my fingers brush her jaw. Her cheek is red and puffy where he hit her. “He could’ve killed you.”
“Nah. I’m a supervillain.”
I fall to my knees. It feels right, being on my knees in front of her. “You fought for me. No one’s ever fought for me.”
She passes a hand over my head again. “You’re not alone anymore, my beautiful cauliflower.” Her lower lip juts out, trembling. “You were going to leave me. I couldn’t let you leave. You promised me a lifetime.”