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Frankie climbed into the center of the ring and glanced at each of us. “You two ready?”
Without hesitation, Bree nodded.
I couldn’t fight her, not like this. Something wasn’t right. Our feelings for each other were real. You couldn’t fake what we had, not even with magic.
But if I didn’t fight and win, Ichiro would kill me. Or try to, at any rate.
Either way, I was fucked.
“Frankie, tell me what’s going on,” I growled.
The fae woman looked me in the eye. “Whatever she told you, I’d believe it because ready or not, this is happenin’. Begin!” she cried out before ducking out of the ring.
Immediately, Bree raised her hands, drawing water from the pool at her feet. With a quick, fluid motion, she shaped the water into dozens of frozen shards and unleashed them. The water bullets flew toward me with deadly accuracy.
As the audience gasped and cheered on this new contender, I dove to the side. One of the razor-sharp shards tore through my arm, bringing a hiss to my lips, and Jou writhed against the tight leash keeping him contained.
I would find out what was happening with Bree, but I couldn’t if she killed me first. I unleashed my dragon.
The beast ripped away from my skin and darted toward Bree faster than a striking snake.
Except she was ready for him.
A torrent of water surged upward, knocking the dragon off course and dousing some of his flames. With a roar of fury, Jou spun to the side and circled over the crowd’s head, stoking his fiery scales back to life.
Bree called the water to her, wrapping the torrent around her body until it clung like a second skin. Its shimmering embrace accentuated her lithe figure as she moved. The water danced with her like a suit of armor, rippling and flowing with an otherworldly grace.
I stood mesmerized as the ever-shifting patterns of light played tricks on my eyes and the sound of tinkling water followed her steps. She was powerful and stunning, a goddess incarnate.
Water streamed down her arms and wrapped around her fists, which she raised in a boxing stance. “Let’s dance, dragon.”
I couldn’t fight her, and it had nothing to do with our contrasting abilities. The fight would be difficult, and she could very well win again. Hell, she deserved to win.
But I couldn’t fight her until I knew the truth. I dropped my fists, ignoring the angry jeers and boos directed at me.
Confusion swept through Bree’s gaze. “You’re giving up?”
“I have to know the truth.”
She narrowed her eyes and took a step toward me. “I told you the truth.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Said every narcissistic man ever.” Her scathing words cut deep to my core. “You guys never seem to believe a woman may not actually be into you. It’s pathetic.”
Rage flared to life in my chest, and Jou roared behind me, ready to strike. But I held up my hand to stop the beast. “Tell me why you’re fighting.”
“Because I enjoy bringing the mighty Red Dragon to his knees.” She darted in, jabbing at my unprotected middle.
Instead of the softness one might expect from water flowing over her fist, her punch felt like a battering ram that sent shockwaves through my body and might have broken a few ribs. I inhaled sharply as an intense and immediate chill spread.
A deluge of water rapidly engulfed me as if I’d been caught in a relentless downpour, but one that originated from a single, powerful point of impact. I gasped for breath and struggled to maintain my footing.
Whether from Ichiro’s or Bree’s hands, I knew I would likely die that day.
CHAPTER 28
Bree
