Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
The crowd looked down on the ring, where Sloan sat in one corner, with Christos taping up his gloves, and Alexander rested in the opposite corner. There had been no music or introductions. There was no hype. This wasn't sport here; it was war.
The faces of the audience members were somber, as this fight held serious consequences. If Sloan was unable to last three rounds with a fully-abled demigod, it was my understanding he wouldn't receive his own powers, and he wouldn't be able to stay in Olympus. If he did meet Ares’ challenge, I assumed there would be repercussions for Alexander as well. Ares was pitting his children against each other with no remorse.
“Okay,” Christos told Sloan as he readied him for the fight, “We know Alexander has the advantage when it comes to both speed and strength. The best course of action is to avoid his attacks as much as you can. Keep your feet moving, and try to only get within arm's reach if you can land a punch. Remember, you don't have to win; you only have to last.”
Sloan nodded his understanding of the game plan before turning his gaze to me. Wanting to encourage him, I cupped his cheek and told him, “I know you can do this.” I knew nothing of demigod strength or what he'd be up against, but I believed in him with all my heart. If it was an insurmountable feat, I wanted him to know I could never be disappointed in him. “Whatever happens, you will always be my champion.”
“Thank you, sweet Lyric.” He leaned in for a quick kiss before a loud whoosh captured my attention. I looked around to see that every member of the audience was now on their feet, and facing one direction.
I followed their pointed gazes to find Ares entering a box seat, which had a perfect view of the ring. Once he sat down, the crowd took their seats in unison, causing a shiver down my spine. The precision was unnatural. Events like this had to take place often to cause such emotionless accuracy.
“We need to step out,” Christos told me, motioning to the ropes. I nodded and gave Sloan one more kiss for luck before climbing to the outside of the ring.
Ares lifted a hammer into the air before striking it against a cymbal, signaling the beginning of the round. Sloan and Alexander both stood and stepped to the center of the mat without instruction; they knew how this worked. It had been ingrained in them their whole lives.
Looking at the pair, they appeared to be evenly matched; they were of similar height and build. Sloan had more ink tattooed onto his skin, but I also knew he spent more time on Earth than his brothers.
The pair lifted their gloves to guard their faces as they circled one another. The crowd was eerily silent as they watched and waited. I could hear every shuffle of their feet on the mat.
Quick as a blink, Alexander threw a punch, striking Sloan in the jaw. He spun and hit the floor, reminiscent of his earlier fight with Marco. But Marco's jaw didn't hang the way Sloan's now did. The single punch dislocated the bone. I'd never seen such strength. Tears filled my eyes as I slapped my hands over my mouth.
“Get up!” Christos yelled at his friend. “Don't let him catch you on the ground!”
I could only imagine what pain Alexander could inflict if Sloan was down. “Please get up!” I begged, and sighed in relief when he staggered to his feet. But it was only to catch another punch to the nose, causing blood to pour over his lips.
“Keep moving!” Christos reminded, and Sloan picked up the pace of his feet, dodging several strikes, while taking a few to the ribcage. Every time my mate tried to strike, Alexander moved away at lightning speed.
I gave another relieved sigh when the bell sounded again, and Sloan returned to his corner. Christos hurried into the ring with me on his heels.
“One round down,” Christos announced as he dabbed blood from Sloan’s face. “You're doing great.”
My heart sank when I reached my lover, and got an up close look of his injuries. His left eye was completely swollen shut, and his mouth couldn't close. I wanted to encourage him, but I was afraid if I tried to speak, only sobs would escape. I hated seeing him like this. All I could do was rub my hand over his sweaty back and hope the touch brought him a little relief.
“He's…too…strong,” Sloan slurred through his gaping lips.
“He's a beast, but so are you,” Christos replied. I was grateful he was holding himself together better than I was. He pulled a scalpel from his pocket, hovering it above Sloan's eye as he told him, “I need to slice it. You have to see.”