Apparently, this particular game had been played at the last three bi-century competitions. Rumor was, Tag could churn on for days, but even then, there were no breaks allowed. Not to drink or heal or use the bathroom.
Rumor also was, the winner was sometimes declared simply by waiting to see who woke up first.
As the fight continued, other team members tagged in and out. Like the first group had done to Neeka, the new ones swarmed Gwen en masse. She was fast, though, dodging with the speed of a bullet.
You can do it, baby! Sabins proud voice boomed through the gym, louder than everyone else.
Bullhorn, Kaia thought.
The member of Team Skyhawk managed to grab Gwens arm as she passed, swinging her in the opposite direction. Gwen used the action to her advantage, knocking down several of her opponents bowling-ball style. Practically vibrating with the need to retaliate, the fallen jumped up and turned on her. When they realized who they had in their sights, they dove on her. For a moment, all Kaia could see was her sisters flailing legs.
Sparks of rage heated Kaia. And guess who played dirty, leaping in there and going for Gwens wings? That same member of Team Skyhawk. Worse, the bitch was laughing. The sparks grewspread
Get off her! Sabin shouted now. Or I swear to the godsthere you go, baby! Yeah! Thats the way.
Gwen roared with pain and rage as she kicked a few of the girls off her.
That just happened, Sabin blasted arrogantly.
Of course, the girls came back for more.
Kaia had never felt so helpless.
Another roar, and then Gwen was clawing her way out. Tension had whitened her face, making the blood splattered there stark and obscene in comparison. She managed to fight her way to the sidelines and tag Taliyah, who sprang in with a vengeance.
First person she attacked was her mothers soldier, tossing the girl to the ground and grinding her face into the wooden planks.
You okay? Kaia asked Gwen.
Theybroke mywing, her sister panted.
Oh, shit. Kaias hopes plummeted, her body cooling down. A Harpys wings were the source of her strength. When those wings were disabled, she weakened unbearably. Gwen would have to go back in and fight at least two more times, but how effective would she be when she would hit and move as feebly as a human?
Before the question formed completely, Kaia had begun to strategize. They were warriors; they could deal. Gwen would go in a second time toward the end of the match, remaining in the ring for only a few seconds, and then tag out. Then, when every other team had been disabled, Gwen could go in for her third and final time. Boom, done. Easy.
Win.
Kaia blinked in astonishment. Okay, that hadnt been her inner voice, but a mans. Familiar, and yetnot. Only one personor creature?craved victory as much as she did. Automatically, she looked up. Strider was no longer situated between the pale-faced Sabin and the stoic Lysander. He wasnt in the stands at all.
Red flickered in her line of vision as she returned her attention to the battle. The wolves had descended on Taliyah in unison, pinning her in as they punched and kicked her to the ground. Only, they couldnt hold her down. She was there, the center of their fury one moment, but gone the next, a cloud of black smoke in her place.
Confused, the combatants looked around. Another cloud of smoke appeared behind them, and Taliyah stepped from its center. She twisted, giving herself an unstoppable momentum, and lashed out. Heads banged together, and bodies fell.
When those who were standing realized what was happening, they once again descended on the tall, slender Taliyah. And once again, Kaias older sister disappeared in a cloud of smoke, reappearing elsewhere.
The same scene repeated itself over and over again. Taliyah was merciless, slashing and biting before dancing away. But the Harpies she felled soon made their way to their feet and tagged in another team member.
Like Kaia, the ones on the sidelines had been watching her, and theyd learned to anticipate her moves, to watch for the smoke. So the next time Taliyah appeared, they were waiting for her. A fist immediately met her jaw, propelling her backward. No one approached her, because they knew. And yep, when she righted herself, she disappeared as expected. Another fist met her jaw when she reappeared, once again sending her flying.
She shook her head, probably seeing stars. They didnt jump her this time, either. They simply waited.
Taliyahs ice-blue gaze sought Kaia.
My turn, she thought, eagerly holding out her hand. Come on.
Taliyah raced forward, enduring pummeling fists and jackhammering boots to reachNeeka.
For a moment, Kaia stood frozen with shock. Then reality slammed into her like a strong right hook, and she snarled with affront. What the hell, Tal!
Better this way, was all her panting sister said.
What, her sis doubted her skills? Oh, that cut. You know I have to go in three times.
Yeah, but itll be better if you go in at the end.
When everyone was bruised and battered and at their weakest. Oh, that cut deeper. Gwens wings are damaged. She needs to go in at the end, not me.
She will. Shell just go in before you.
This time, she wasnt cut. She was destroyed. Her family loved her, yes, but like her motherlike Striderthey had no faith in her. Youre not the leader of this team. You gave that right to me.
Do you see what theyre doing to us, baby sister? Warring teams are working together to destroy us. But you, you theyre going to try and massacre.
I know. She raised her chin. Im prepared.
Win.
There was that deep, raspy voice again. Not Strider, not his demon as shed hoped. How could it be, when the warrior was nowhere to be seen? Butwho did that leave?
Taliyah sighed. All right. Fine. You want in next, youll go in next. But the loss will be on your shoulders.
The loss. As if defeat was a given.
Tears burned Kaias eyes as she concentrated on the fight. The swelling in Neekas face had gone down, so her vision was no longer obscured. Still, every single one of her opponents knew she was deaf and opted to use the infirmity against her. They called out instructions to each other, outlining a demolition she couldnt hearor defend herself against.
You take the left and Ill take the right.
Ive got middle.
Ive got rear.
Neeka lifted herself into the air.
Grab her ankle!
The girl in the middle did as commanded, swinging Neeka around and tossing her away from her teammates, ensuring there would be no tagging out. Breath gushed from her parted, bleeding lips when she landed. Someone was there, waiting, and kicked her in the stomach. She curled into a ball, trying to suck in a breath.
The red dotting Kaias gaze darkened to black. To her knowledge, opposing teams had never worked together before. That they were, that Kaias demise was the goal that united themthat they still hated her so muchshe felt scraped raw inside.
Shed been a kid when shed inadvertently destroyed their families, for gods sake.
Well, she wasnt a kid anymore, and it was past time these women learned she wouldnt lie down and take their shit. As her determination increased, the black dots wove together, nearly obscuring her vision completely, leaving only the haze of body heat.
Calm down before you forget where you are and what you can and cannot do.
Inhale deeplyexhale sharply That didnt help. Kaia pictured Strider, his fall of blond hair, those navy blue eyes, that wicked smile. Finally the black faded, and her sight returned to normal. She watched as Neeka battled her way from the midst of the violence and scrambled toward Taliyah.
As promised, her sister kept her hands at her sides. Kaia reached out and gently tapped Neekas obviously broken fingers. The girl collapsed on the sidelines as Kaia stepped into the ring. As one, everyone stilled and glared over at her. They were bleeding, sweating, panting. And clearly, theyd been waiting for her.
My sister died because of you.
I lost a daughter.
We never sought revenge against you out of respect for your mother, but she has at last disavowed you.
No reaction. The burn started up in her chest again, but she willed it away. Locked it up tight. No going Harpy. Or whatever else. Good. Now lets see what I can do to each of you.
I have a feeling Ill be disappointed in your skill.
They chuckled, and her cheeks flushed. And then, as one, they turned and tagged in a new team member. She recognized the woman on her mothers team. Had once trained with her.
Like Kaia, these women had yet to fight. They were at full strength and utterly determined to use it. Against her face, no doubt.
Youre strong. You can take them.
Win!
Yes. She would.
That was her last thought before her opponents descended. Kaia ducked and spun, going low and slashing. Someone managed to nail her in the temple with a hard rasp of knuckles, but that didnt stop her claws from slicing into several Achilles tendons. Grunts of pain sounded, and then the crash of knees hitting wood.
Thats the way! Strider shouted.
He was here. He was still here. Dizzy pleasure rushed through her, but she didnt have time to stop and focus. The Harpies again rushed her. This time, she allowed them to surround her, arching her spine as they punched, swinging her elbows forward and backward, kicking, every motion fluidly blending into the next.
WIN!
Pluck out their eyes! Bianka screamed.
The dance never slowed, even though she did not remain unscathed. She was punchedeverywhere. She was kickedeverywhere. Soon her muscles were knotted and bruised, her limbs shaking. Strider was up there, watching, and the knowledge kept her strong. A few times, the burn tried to work free of its cage, but she maintained a sturdy enough grip to keep it hidden.
With an elbow to the trachea, she finally took out one of her opponents for good. That left ten more to go. Then another one went down as Kaia took a page from Neekas book and broke a neck.
This enraged the nine remaining, and they attacked with greater fervor.
Kaia darted out of the center of the horde, intending to run and gain enough momentum to leap and kick someones teeth into her brain. But she was grabbed her by the hair and jerked backward. She crashed into a hard wall before multiple fists battered at her.
Come on! Strider roared. Youre better than this. Fight!
Eat their tongues for dinner! Bianka shouted.
Though she fought with all of her might, they managed to pin her with embarrassing ease, holding her arms and legs to the floor. Those who didnt have a grip on her rose above her and rained down their damage. She felt bones breaking, organs rupturing.
They laughed. Then, thankfully, she couldnt see their smug expressions, the world around her fading to black. And not the good kind of black that might have saved her. Before her Harpy could come out of the shadows swinging, before the burn could spring from the cage, she was flipped over, her wings receiving equal punishment.
So much painagonylossfailure
Damn it, Kaia! Strider.
No! Noooo! Bianka.
Snap out of it. Taliyah.
Just move, Kye. Just get to me. Gwen.
Win! Win!
A warm flood in her throat, spilling out her mouth. Maybe blood filled her ears, as well, because the noise level dulleddulleduntil there was only silence. Then a fist hammered into her temple, again and again, and she was no longer aware of the silence.
Only oblivion, such sweet oblivion.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
STRIDER WAS READY TO COMMIT cold-blooded murder. Hed start with Sabin and Lysander, who tried to force him to remain in his seat. They might not realize it, but their actions challenged his demon and Strider face-planted them both. They released him, but rather than bolt for the basketball court, he stayed put. Barely.
Hed tried to leave once before this, determined to reach the Eagleshields on the other side. Then Kaia had been tagged into the ring. Hed found himself racing back to his seat.
If he allowed himself to act, he would slaughter his way through those women. Game over. No first prize awardedand if he failed to find the Paring Rod himself, he would need Kaia to win. Also, Kaia would be humiliated by his interference. But just then, he didnt really give a flying fuck about first prize or humiliation.
Was Kaia okay?
Shed gone limp, and an eternity seemed to pass as she was beaten. And beaten some more. Thankfully, the Harpies soon lost interest in her unconscious form and turned on each other. When Strider saw her, he nearly leapt from his seat again. Blood covered every inch of her face. Her clothes were ripped, and just as bloody. Her hands were swollen, her chest motionless.
Sabin straightened and dusted the dirty popcorn from his shoulders. Shell be okay, he said. Look at Bianka over there. Shes pissed, not frightened.
Funny that the keeper of Doubt was trying to reassure him, but Strider obeyed. He looked. Bianka paced the top of the bleachers, and everyone around her had long since moved out of her way. She stomped so hard the wood was probably cracked underneath her.
He scrubbed a handa trembling hand!down his face, his attention returning to Kaia, where it remained for yet another eternity. She needed to drink from him. He wanted her to drink from him. She just had to move, just had to finish this.
Come on, baby doll. You can do it.
Her team could still pull through and win. And even if they didnt No. He wouldnt let himself contemplate that. What mattered, surprisingly, was Kaia. Shed been doing so well, fighting with a skill that had aroused him. Yeah. Hed watched her while sporting a hard-on. Then theyd gang-banged her.
What the hell had she done to warrant such hatred?
Next time they were alone, she would tell him. No more lies, either. No matter how sexy she was while she spun them.
Finally, movement. She twitched. Every muscle in his body tensed. No one noticed her as she blinked open her eyes. He knew the exact moment clarity struck her because her teeth flashed in a crimson snarl. But broken as she currently was, there was nothing she could do to hurt those who had hurt her. So she did the next best thing. She crawled to Taliyah.