Chapter Seven

My cheating ex boyfriend stands in front of me with the audacity to smile as if we're on good terms. Only if he knows what I'm capable of doing to him, he wouldn't be smiling.

I eye Jason up and down in disgust. "This is Hayes's opponent." I say, crossing my arms with a short laugh. "Nito you're better off giving us our information now. He'll be gone in a shorter time it'll take you to tells us the location."

"I wouldn't be so certain about that, babe." Jason replies. "I'm not the same guy you saw all those months ago."

"Don't call me babe and you're right about that. You got heavier. Don't tell me you've stop burning calories with all those flings for my sake?"

He chuckles. "I see you still haven't gotten over me cheating on you."

"Oh, trust me, I've been over it for some time now. I've found someone ten times better than you."

Jason's eyes goes over to Hayes. "Let me guess—him?"

"Yeah and he's gonna fucking murder you." I say with a sweet smile.

Jason rolls his eyes. "I doubt it. I told you, babe. I'm different. I'm faster, stronger, than you could ever imagine."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Call me babe one more time and I'll kill you myself."

"What are you gonna do, huh?" He mocks me. "You're a girl, a princess, that did nothing when you saw your boyfriend cheat on you with your best friend."

He's right about that. I did nothing back then but now I'm a whole nother person with a darkness inside of me. And he doesn't know but his words just cost him big time. Before anyone can do anything to stop me, I make a move towards Jason. I quickly punch him in his face twice before doing a low roundhouse, sending him to the ground.

I produce the dagger, one of many I have in my boot, out and place it directly on his neck, breaking skin.

"Now what were you saying again?" I ask. "I couldn't quite hear you."

Jason swallows hard as he looks me in my eyes.

I take my eyes off Jason when I hear clapping. Turning my head to the where the sound is coming from, I see Nito sitting in his throne, clapping as he watches the whole thing.

"Now that's a show I'm willing to pay to see." He says standing up. "The battle of the exes. Jason, my boy, she's gonna give you a run from your money. I would stay away from her bad side." He looks at me. "Millie that was bad ass. How about you guys take it out to the ring and start from the very beginning?"

I get off Jason. "I'm not here for your entertainment. Give me my information."

Nito seems to remember the real reason why Hayes and I are. "Oh, yeah. Okay. Richie come get the guys ready for the real fight."

Richie, the host I saw earlier in the ring, walks over to Hayes. "How do you want me to introduce you?"

"Hayes."

"Just Hayes? Not, Hayes the Killer? Hayes the Ripper? Hayes—"

"Just Hayes." He interrupts Richie.

Richie nods. "Okay. Jason you know where to go."

Before Jason leaves the area, he turns to look at Hayes. "You're a goner."

"I wouldn't sound so cocky, when you just got your ass handed to you by a girl, a princess."

"She took me by surprise." He says, shrugging. "But, I know everything about you."

"Hayes come with me." Richie says.

Although he didn't mention my name, I still follow them to the dressing room. He tells Hayes exactly where he can find spare clothes and whatever else he needs. As Hayes is dressing, I think about Jason.

He does seem different. The first time he met Hayes, he was afraid of him but tonight he seems conceited. During the whole encounter, Hayes didn't say anything as if he knew something I didn't and that seems to be a case lately. Jason said he was faster and stronger and before Nito described him a undefeated. He said Jason was getting used to his new abilities and powers.

What does that mean exactly?

"What is Jason?" I ask Hayes as emerges from the connected bathroom shirtless and in black shorts.

He sighs. "I can't be too certain because it has never happened before but I think he's a Morche."

"How?"

The Morches are capable of reproducing within their own species. They can't reproduce out of their own kind. It's physically impossible.

"He's not exactly a Morche but made to be similarly like one. When he walked into the balcony, I sensed he wasn't human anymore but not a Morche either. It's hard to explain but if what Nito says it true about him, I have no idea what I'm up against."

"Does that scare you?" I ask.

"No." He answers a moment later. "It doesn't. He's still a newbie and doesn't have any control of his new powers. He might think he does with all the fights he's won but he doesn't know me. I've been doing this way longer than he has."

I nod. "Good. Then there's no reason I should be worried?"

He gives me a small smile. "None at all. But—"

I roll my eyes as I groan. "You just had to say that."

"It's Nito. He can't be trusted. If things don't go his way, it will get ugly. I know the deal I made with him but I don't know what deal he has with Jason. If for some reason, I don't walk out that ring, get out of here and head to Emerald Isle."

I shake my head. "No, Hayes. I'm not leaving this place unless it's together."

"You don't have a choice. If you don't leave when you have the chance, you won't ever get the chance to again."

I let out a shaky breath. "You better walk out that ring, Hayes. Promise me, you will."

He pulls me closer to him as his arms wraps around my body, tightly. "I promise." He mutter against the top of my head.

There's a knock on the door. "It's time to go."

Hayes lets me go and opens the door. I intertwine our hands as we head out the door. The guy, who knocked on the door, hands Hayes a black and gold silk rope which Hayes puts on.

We walk out the tunnel and a path is cleared as we head towards the ring. Jason is already in the ring, getting ready for the fight. He makes eye contact with Hayes and smirks as he mouths, "You're dead."

I look at Hayes and turn his head in my direction. I kiss him for luck or maybe because I'm a little scared I won't be given the chance to do it again.

"Kill the bastard." I tell him before I'm rudely yanked away from him. I turn to see who grabbed my arm and it's one of Nito's guards. "Hey! What the hell are you doing? Let me go!"

"I'm sorry, Princess." Not sounding sorry at all. "Nito's orders to have you upstairs in the balcony."

I glance back at Hayes and he gives me a slightly nod. "Remember what I said." He says.

I don't have the chance to respond back before the guard leads me away from the ring. He takes me to Nito and I cross my arms.

"Why am I up here?" I ask, irritated.

"For precautions."

I arch an eyebrow. "Precautions? Explain."

"I want everything to go perfect. I don't need anything to go south."

"You think I'm gonna sabotage your show?"

He shrugs. "Yes, if things aren't going in your favor."

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. Hayes can handle himself without my help."

"Are you sure about that, dear?"

"Yes."

Nito straightens up. "You remember when I told you, anything goes?" I nod my head. "Well I meant it—anything goes."

I already didn't trust being here but Nito's giving off a vibe of uncertainty and untrustworthiness. He told me not to try anything but if he tries anything, he'll be dead before the sunrise.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask.

Nito smirks. "You'll see."

I drop my arms and head to the ledge to see the fight. When I place my hands on the ledge, my fingers aren't allowed to go over it, fully. Something's blocking me. I frown as I lift my hand up and hold up, extending it forward, slowly until it comes in contact with an invisible force field.

"It's for protection." Nito explains. "Nothing outside of that wall can harm me as well as inside. So don't try anything." He warns me.

Now I see why Hayes told me to not trust him. If Hayes were to need help, there's no way I could help him with the force field being in the way. Maybe my powers are stronger than the field but that's a big maybe.

The lights goes off as one spotlight is pointed to Jason. Richie introduces Jason as the beast and the crowd cheers loudly for him before Hayes is introduced. The lights are on the ring and the bell rings as the fight is commenced.

"You've got this, Hayes." I say to myself.

Nito comes to stand beside me and I glance at him through the corner of eyes for a second before turning my attention back to Hayes.

Hayes and Jason circle each other, looking for any weak point or waiting for the other to make the first move. Jason makes the first move going on offense. Hayes dodges his blow with ease and with each move Jason makes, he couldn't seem to land a hit on him, making him frustrated.

Hayes sees he's angry and takes the opportunity to throw a punch to the side of Jason's face. Hayes continues to attack Jason landing blow after blow. I should say it's pitiful to watch but to be honest, I'm enjoying it. I glance at Nito and I see for a split second how irritated and disappointed he is before that look disappears as I speak.

"Wanna give me the information now?"

"Not just yet."

I face back to the fight and the tables have turned. Hayes was doing great then Jason does the unexpected. He must've gotten tired of Hayes hitting him because he turns into a tiger—not fully. He has the sharp teeth, the claws and the long tail.

That's what Nito meant when he said I would see. Jason has the power to turn into a tiger halfway.

Jason attacks Hayes, cutting his bare abdomen, I press both of my hands against the wall as if I can get to him. I see Hayes hiss from the pain but manage to dive from the next claw.

I shut my eyes as Hayes takes another brutal hit.

"Keep your eyes open dear. You wouldn't want to miss anything, now would you?" Nito says.

I listen to him and open my eyes. This fight seems to be going on for ages. Hayes is looking worse by the second and I can't get to him—I can't help him. And believed me I've tried to use my ability to use water to cheat a little but it's useless in here. I even tried to compel Nito into letting me leave the balcony to get closer to the fight but he told me no.

I don't know how my powers aren't working. I know Nito said it's for his protection but it shouldn't effect my powers that he doesn't know I have. He might knows everything but me being the siren is something he doesn't know.

He can't possible know, could he?

When Jason bites into Hayes' neck and he yells out from agony, I had enough and I reach for my dagger and point it at Nito.

"Let me out of here, now." I say, sternly.

Nito simply moves my dagger down at his face. "My dear, the show isn't over with. We've just got to the good part."

"I don't care. I don't want to be in here."

At the rate, Hayes isn't walking out that ring and it's going to be my fault. He isn't dying for this stupid information I can get another way.

"Just wait." Nito says, looking out the balcony to watch the fight.

I turn to look at Hayes, who's on the ground, half dead. I don't need to be earshot to know what Jason is telling him. Hayes has cuts on his abdomen, his neck is bitten and he has countless of bruises on his body.

Why he is thinking? Why is he allowing Jason to harm him. I know he is better than this. He wouldn't let Jason of all people end him. He has to have game plan. I just need to figure out what it is.

After one more last word, Jason makes a move that will end Hayes for good and in that moment, I'm absolutely broken. I don't know what to think or do. All I can do is watch the love of my life die because of me.

No! I think, quickly reaching for my bow that's clipped to the back of my pants and a arrow from my boot. "You're not dying."

I aim the arrow at Jason, and pray that somehow it will go straight through the force field and pierce Jason's heart before it's too late.

Yet, before I can release the arrow, Hayes makes his move right before Jason can kill him. He shifts into a wolf and his teeth rips through Jason's neck. He bites down hard as Jason struggles to get free. Hayes lets Jason's body drop like a bag of flour once his body stops moving.

The crowd is silent in shock because their champion is dead but then the cheers erupts through the whole building for the new champion.

Richie runs into the ring and goes to Hayes, declaring him as the new champion. Once I realize Hayes is alive, I lower my weapon and nearly cried. I turn around to run to Hayes but Nito's guards blocks the way.

"What are you doing? Let me through." I say, trying to get past them.

"I'm afraid you're not leaving, dear." Nito says, darkly. "Bring me our new champion and make sure no one leaves until I say so." He says into his earpiece.

I frown, confused. "What are you doing Nito? What's the problem? Hayes won."

"I know. I'm gonna make sure he gets his reward."

The way he says it makes my guts unsettled but I have to be smart about this. Nito is, without a doubt, untrustworthy and Hayes knows this. He just didn't know why he shouldn't be trusted only that it was a gut feeling but I figured it out. I can't let Nito know I figured it out until the right moment.

A few seconds later, Hayes walks into the balcony, wearing new clothes, looking at me for a moment before looking at Nito who greets him with a big fake smile.

"I know you could do it, man!" He says. "You scared me in beginning but at the end you pulled through."

Hayes smiles. "Fooled you, didn't I?"

Now's the time to let Hayes know about Nito's plan. I play the role of the crying girlfriend again.

"Oh my gosh, Hayes!" I cry as I rush over to him. "You scared me. Don't ever do that again!" I know he must've been confused because he knows the darkness is in me and he knows I wouldn't been crying as I hug him.

"It's okay, Boo." He says trying to comfort me. "I'm fine. My wounds will heal in a few days. There's no need to worry."

He's wrong about that.

"I know, I know." I glance up at him before stepping on the tip of my toes to kiss him. "Nito is going to kill us." I mutter against his lips, hoping he can understand what I said.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and turns me so I'm beside him.

He smirks at Nito. "So, Nito. I heard you have a reward for me."

Nito nods. "I do, I do. Along with your information."

"Great. You know I really thought Jason had me there for a second. I thought I was a goner."

What the hell?

Did he not understand what I told him? We need to get out of this place—not have a conversation with the person who wants us dead. Leave it to him to get distracted from a kiss. It's up to me to get us out of here once Nito tells us the location.

I glance around the balcony trying to figure out my best option. Going over the ledge isn't an option. The best way out is getting past the guards which is going to be harder since three more man showed up when they brought Hayes making it a total of five guards.

"Yeah. I did but you didn't so I'll tell you where you can find Dante." Nito says, pouring himself a drink. "You can find him in New Orleans, Louisiana."

There's our locations but the only problem is, we're going to be dead.

"Not the place I had in mind but okay." Hayes replies. "Thanks for the location even though you have no intentions of letting us walk out those doors alive."

He did understand what I said.

Nito frowns. "What do you mean? Of course I do. Why would you think that?"

"Because Hayes wasn't supposed to win." I say letting him know he's caught. "Jason was supposed to kill him but since he didn't, your plan is ruined."

His plan was to take Hayes and me out in hopes that Ramadi would be grateful that was one less problem he had to deal with. Nito would hope to rule beside Ramadi as his reward. I don't know how Jason was apart of it and I'll leave that problem for other day.

Nito eyes goes dark. "You should've just died and save us all the trouble. I know exactly how this is all gonna end and it's not in your favor. Kill them." He orders the guards. "And make sure their bodies are never found."

"Before you kill us." Hayes says. "You should know one thing."

"And what's that?" Nito asks, uninterested.

"You don't know shit about us." I reply before swinging my arm back and attacking the guard behind me.

I might not be as fully trained as Hayes but I know the darkness in me isn't something to mess with. I do whatever is necessary and feels right in the moment.

I keep attacking until the doorway is clear and I yell to Hayes, "Let's go!"

He follows behind me and I know we aren't escaping that easily but at least my powers can work. I summon water and turn it into icicles. I aim it towards the guards chasing us and it slows them down.

We get to the exit and the man from earlier is blocking the door. Hayes isn't in the state to take him down and he's way too big for me to handle hand to hand. I use a lot of my energy to make a big pile of froze hard ice and slam it against the side of his head three times in hopes it will knock his ass out.

It doesn't exactly knock him out but it gives us an opportunity to slip past him and out the door. We hurry to the car but we're stop by Nito.

"I said you guys aren't going anywhere. I meant that."

I narrow my eyes. "I'm tired of everyone getting in my way. You either move willingly or I will end your life right here, right now."

"You're not going to New Orleans."

I run toward him and wrap my body around him, bringing him to the ground. I pull out my dagger and aim for his heart.

"You will not follow us or warn anyone we are coming to New Orleans. You will tell no one where we are going. Do you understand?" I compel him.

"I do." He says.

"Good. Now forget we were ever here and go back inside and enjoy the fight."

I get off him and he walks back to the club. Hayes and I head to our getaway car and I drive away from the building.

"This is probably this wrong time to say this," Hayes says. "But you're sexy as hell when you're determined. I didn't know you could fight like that."

I glance at him. "Neither did I." I shrug. "It probably has to do with the darkness." I look down at his wounds. "We need to fix you up."

"Don't bother. It'll be healed in a few hours."

I frown. "You can self heal?"

"Yeah." He says as if it isn't a big thing.

"Why haven't you before?"

"I only do it when I'm seriously messed up. A few bruises and small cuts aren't what I considered serious."

"You honestly scared the hell out of me." I say. "I thought Jason was going to kill you."

"I'm offended, Boo. You really think I would let that asshole kill me?"

I nod. "Yes! If you saw the fight in my viewpoint, you would've thought the same thing. What were you thinking?"

"I wanted Jason to think he could beat me just so I could have the satisfaction of seeing his face when he lost."

"You didn't know we were going to die?"

He shakes his head. "No. I knew Nito couldn't be trust which is why I told you to get out of there if I didn't walk out that ring. I had a feeling something was going on when Nito's guard took you away but I couldn't worry about that during the fight. My plan was to figure out exactly what Jason was capable of and then destroy him."

Thinking about it, Hayes pissed Jason off in the beginning which cost Jason to reveal his true self. He harmed Hayes and tasted blood, thinking he would win. Hayes wanted him to think that so when the time came, Jason wouldn't expect Hayes to beat him.

"After I saw you crying, I really know something was off. You confirmed it when you told me about Nito's plan."

We are so close to getting to Dante, only hours away, but all I want to do is sleep. Hayes isn't in the right condition to do anything else but heal. Instead of driving to New Orleans, I pull into another hotel that hopefully will be our last before we reach Ramadi.

I check us into a room for the night. I take a shower before getting into the bed and when I shut my eyes, eight words plays in my head like a broken record.

When the first snow falls, seven will rise.