Page 71 of Glutton for Punishment

“He takes it. But then?” Kael shrugs, grinning. “A few months later, he can’t pay.”

I stare at him, eyes narrowed.

“Surely,” I say, each word controlled, tight, “there are other options than forcing him into a fight he can’t win.”

The bell rings and my head snaps back to the ring.

It’s too late.

Behind me, Kael’s voice drifts, amused. “Are you sure your bonded has the stomach for Gluttony?”

I don’t react. I press my nails into my palms instead, grounding myself in the sting.

We need him. I remind myself.

We need him on our side.

We—

The fight starts…. if you can call it that.

The experienced fighter doesn’t rush. He circles, slow and deliberate. Riling up the crowd with taunts and jokes.

The old man swings first. It’s unsteady in his weak arms, and the crowd erupts in laughter.

The larger fighter dodges. Smiles. Plays with him. Lets him try again. And again.

The bigger man sighs like he’s bored. Then he moves like lightning.

A single hit.

The sound cracks through the air as the old man’s body lifts off his feet and slams into the ground in a heap. He doesn’t move.

The crowd roars as the bell rings.

I turn slowly. I’ve been on the receiving end of an unfair fight plenty of times in my life, but never like that. My hands are shaking.

“You are a barbaric lunatic,” I say, the words breaking out of me before I can stop them.

Kael grins.

“Hey, hey,” he says, lifting his hands like I’ve just offended him in the mildest way. “That’s no way to treat your new brother, is it?”

His eyes gleam.

“Especially a new brother you want something from… right, little sinless?”

Something snaps inside me. Fuck needing him.

“I want absolutely nothing from you,” I fire back. “You call yourself a king?” I step forward before I can think better of it. “Your people are nothing to you but objects.”

My voice rises.

“I don’t see a leader. I see a child playing with toys he can break.”

Kael’s smile widens, apparently pleased by my outburst. Like this is exactly what he wanted.

“Come on, we’re leaving.” Maddox’s voice cuts in.