CHAPTER SIXTEEN
An Arm For Luck
FLINT
Verity has near perfect adaptability. She mocks Bellwether's feet pattern and blocks his blows she anticipated. Compared to Verity, Bellwether is sluggish due to his stance. But he makes up for it with the brutal strength his body holds. Each strike of a blade hisses in the air. The two don't stop in the slightest. They dance around the arena with their bodies dodging blows from each other.
The healer, who introduced himself as Garnum, releases my jaw. He doesn't bother moving from me and stays at my side watching the battle play out. It's Robyn who says to me, "are you okay, Flint?"
I nodded. Bellwether did a number to my face, but I can feel Garnum's healing power exfoliate my skin. I'm going to knock his lights out the second I'm strong enough. "Yeah, all thanks to Garnum."
He doesn't bother looking over at us. Can't say I blame him. The students are eating this shit up. I've only been a student for a week and I can tell the two are breaking at least seven rules right now. They have no officiant, referee or clearing to duel to name a few. Robyn places her hand on my shoulder, sighing. "Heeler needs to step in before it gets worse."
She's not wrong. The blades clash before the two distance themselves from each other. Bellwether circles around Verity with his sword shining in his hands. He looks tense with heavy breaths building in his chest. Meanwhile, his challenger is unfazed in the middle of his prance. Verity teases her opponent by perching herself on top of the handle to her right sickle. She points to him with the other, and offers a blinding smile. The red ribbons at Verity's feet drift in the wind revealing the embellishment of her late brother. "Getting tired, big man? You can brumate if you need to." Verity pouts. "I've got time."
A low growl erupts from Bellwether's chest. He raises his sword slightly, tightening the grip of his handle.The red ribbons at Verity's feet drift in the wind revealing the embellishment of her late brother. "I can't wait to claim Callum's blades from your scrawny hands."
She sucks her teeth, releasing a 'tsk' sound to show her disapproval. I don't understand how she's able to balance herself on the thin blade semi-effortlessly. My feet ache from watching hers balance on the small stub handles. "You're just mad that a woman can do everything you do better. These are my babies." Verity cooed, "I'll be leaving here with your sword, Bells."
Bellwether lurches at her with his blade raised in the air ready to strike her. Maybe even end her. Verity rolls her eyes and shifts her weight on the sickle's handle. He swings his blade at her body. The motion is harsh with brutal strength aimed for her neck. Yet Verity seems unphased by it. She leaned back and pushed her body forward into the air. Clipping his sword with the blade she had in the ground. The crowd cheers as Verity spins effortlessly around Bellwether. She holds her blades to her back when she settles behind a slow Bellwether. Verity kicks his spine with immaculate force, sending him to the ground.
"What's the matter, old friend?" She purred. "Can't hit a moving target?"
Bellwether lifts himself from the floor. Blood trickles down his temple from where he grazed the ground. She walks around the arena to match his hobbled pace. She could strike now to draw blood, but she doesn't. Right now- in the prime of her attack- she's savoring this moment. The sheer face of panic on him, the way he scrambles to his feet after every blow, his blood. Verity is toying with her prey before she rips him apart despite if she has an audience tonight or not. Her wrists flick the sickles and the blades cry out in a splintering hiss when it collides.
"Or are you only worthwhile if your opponent is still?"
Robyn leans against the wall. I think she's the only one who appears worried. Everyone else is screaming chants of encouragement to Verity and Bellwether. A few students slap my shoulders cheering on what they believe is the rising Mythicae couple. I don't bother telling them they're wrong.
"She's going to rip him apart." Robyn whispered, "limb from limb."
I'm surprised when Garnum speaks up. His voice is low and the shake in his voice confuses me. "Can't say I don't agree with it. Someone needs to put him in his place."
I look ahead and wipe the drool from my mouth. Streaks of red are joined in my fluid. I suck in a deep breath and watch the two clash against each other. Bellwether evades Verity's attack with a swift block. His blade hums, sending a pulsating wave of electricity. Verity crashes into the wall knocking the breath out of her. The crowd gasps when she lifts her gaze to a proud Bellwether. Blood is oozing from the top of her head. The crimson laps over her blue roots. Verity balances herself with one hand and straightens herself. A wicked grin overtakes her fixtures. Her voice is coated in pure repugnance.
"I don't remember agreeing to magic."
Bellwether steps away from her with wide eyes. This is where Heeler should step in and end the duel. By default, Verity won. Their agreement was first to strike blood by blade. Not magic. Heeler is off to the side watching his students in a dazed expression.
"I'm sorry Ve," he said, pleading with an unforgiving devil. "It was a reflex. I didn't mean to-"
She laughs, wiping the blood from her bow. Her blades kiss at the flick of her wrists once more and she drags them into the ground. A thick wall of fire begins to grow at her sides as she makes her way to him. "Then let's test them, shall we?"
The ground splinters violently. Sharp clusters of the ground rupture the surface abruptly. Bellwether is overwhelmed with the uneven arena and growing heat from the fire. His skin begins to molt with emerald scales overtaking him. The crowd is overtaken with exhilarating shriels. His uniform adjusts to his staggering size and provides him an opening for his spiked long tail to be freed. Bellwether's human-like features shift in seconds until he's been replaced with a reptilian all around. Smoke fumes from his snout as he bears his teeth at his promising opponent.
"He might've had a chance with just weapons," Garnum mumbled under his breath to us, "but he's as good as dead now."
I rub my aching horn and sighed. I wonder if my transition- if I had one- would look like that. Can a half human transition to their half dragon form? It's something I'm unsure of. Ayron's face when my horns formed comes to mind. That's one more question to ask Lucian in private. A pile of Bellwether's molted skin burns in the flames leaving a horrendous smell.
Robyn nods, taking a seat beside me. "Verity can cast things from her mind. Bellwether still needs chantment in order to do his. She'll always be one step ahead."
I smiled at that. She's right about that one. Verity seems to be a step ahead of everyone. Except I'd say three. The students around us are whispering about the fight among us. I tried to drown it out with the sound of biting metal, but Robyn leans into my shoulder.
"It's true. They used to be close. Bellwether was Callum's best friend."
Interesting. I'm starting to get the inkling that she was close with a lot of people before her life went to shit. One thing we have in common.
Bellwether mumbles something about strong winds that send Verity into the air. She catches herself with the hook of her blade on the railing of the stadium's ceiling beams. We watched her when her cool expression shifted into a genuine smile. She aims a sickle to Bellwether who has to look up at his opponent.
"Feeble minds carry sharp blades, reppy." She teases, swinging herself onto the beam. Good thing too because the male students were climbing each other to get a peek at her skirt. She caresses her sickles in a loving manner, "a blade is useless if its master is a fool."
The crowd is overtaken with surprise when a familiar voice growls across from us. Even Bellwether looks over his scaly shoulder.
"Get down from there!" Wrath shouted.
Verity huffs, ignoring the man who captivates the female students with his looks alone. "I'll drop to my death before a man tells me what to do in battle or bed." She leers at Bellwether with her chin resting against her wrist. The sickle's hook is inches from her face. Fucking insane. "So what's your call, Bells? Are you ready to lose by the hands of a woman?"
This earns a rich laugh from her opponent. He holds his sword pointed to her and bellows in himself. He glances at his buddy who has stepped into the arena. Robyn informed me that's another mark for failure. No one is allowed to step in unless they are dueling. But Heeler seems unphased, watching Verity perched on the beam. The bastard is probably trying to get a look as well. I know I'm not the only one who sees him getting too close to the girls seated in the front row.
She jumps from the ledge. Fucking nosedives, sending herself falling to the ground. The crowd gasps at her actions, and Bellwether casts another gush of wind to break her fall. I sit up straighter, watching Verity stalk her prey and use his character against him. She takes his kindness to strike, and slams her body into his. Bellwether shoots across the arena and collides into the wall. It begins to crumble until it shatters around him. Verity is behind him. She's moving at incredible speed until she's hovering over his body with the blade of her sickle inches from his nose. Bellwether's sword is scattered a few feet away from them and he remains weaponless beneath a demon of her own kind. Her chest is rising heavily with fast-paced pants.
The students around us begin to chant. Some slam their feet against the ground to mimic an anthem of "finish it". Others are exclaiming it to the top of their lungs. Bunch of bloodthirsty asshats. Heeler needs to step in now or there might be nothing left of Bellwether.
I find myself watching their duet fizzle, almost mesmerized by the strength and speed she carried. I know fae are powerful mythicals with a wide range of species, but I know very little about high fae. I can safely assume that's where she gets her strength in magic. Verity seems to be more advanced than Piper or Sasha. Magic might be a loose concept for me. However, I know when to not fuck around with someone that could snap my mind into thin soggy fragments.
Somewhere along in my thoughts, Bellwether managed to get back on his feet. He places his feet to charge at his maximum speed. Garnum mumbles something and I feel Robyn pinch my arm. She squeezes it tightly as well as her eyes the moment a cold swish blade makes contact with flesh. Heeler is charging for the arena, but it's far too late. Dark crimson splatters across the arena, spilling into pools of loss. Loud belted cries sting the air. Students behind me gasp at the sight of a large lizard-man sliced into two by a vicious Verity.
…
VERITY
"Cal's secrets are with me," I hissed into his ear. The blade inches from his face. I hold it there despite his struggles. Bellwether cries out with heavy pants and our eyes meet. He stares at me wide-eyed. I'm beginning to believe that's just how his eyes are. "And so are yours."
He thinks I'm bluffing. Trying to distract him so I can pierce his flesh with my blades. I may be set on finding Cal's killer, but I also need to uncover what my brother entrusted with this fool. I nearly have all the pieces to decipher what Call was warning me about, but I'm still missing a piece. I have to figure it out before the human progresses any further. I'm running out of time and patience. Bellwether was the last person with my brother before he died. I don't have time for games. So when he attacked a clueless beginner- who just happened to be the human- I jumped at the window of opportunity. I clicked my tongue and growled into his ear, "May the bells sing even in the harshest of weather."
"Verity," Bellwether's hands shot up to fight me off. I won't let it happen. "Please tell me you're lying. Cal wouldn't want you-"
"Care to share what my brother left for you, Bells?"
I release my hold and watch him stumble back. Bellwether takes a moment. He looks like he's outweighing his options as the crowd's curiosity grows. His expression dims when he realizes his outcome is bleak. "The truth will come out in the end, Verity. Leave it alone."
We've flung each other around this arena long enough. Our blood is clotting into the snow and dirt. It's a poetic thing in the end. Truly.
Bellwether places his feet in the ground firmly, readying himself to charge at full capacity. I remain at the broken wall. A crowd is forming outside of Kiner stadium due to our commotion. I know Grimm will be displeased and a smile finds its way to my scathed lips. Heeler will have a rude awakening from the headmaster and I. Now that's delightful to think of.
Heeler begins to shout at us, making his way onto the platform. But neither of us care. We don't respect him. Bellwether and I both know his recent employment to the coven is no coincidence.
Bellwether charges at me with casts of winds in an attempt to overthrow my balance. Instead, I go along with it as the winds lift me. I hit the hilt of his blade, hooking its long body of glorious steel and pulling from his grasp. The blade is caught in the wind and finds its edge to knick its master's cheek. Bellwether gasps, cupping his face and escades into the ruble. I find myself inches behind him, and hook the flesh bicep of his arm with my blade. Heeler is approaching us fast.
Callum would hate this. He'd plead us to go back to the way it used to be when he was here. But that's the thing. When you lose someone you love, you have to let them go. Otherwise you turn cold and a part of you leaves with the dead. Warmth never feels the same. The joys of life- light itself- is lost. Because the person you loved the most took it with them when they left for good. Callum's been gone for three years. At this moment, Bellwether and I are the same. We're both an outer shell of what we used to be thanks to my brother's demise.
"That's the thing, Bells. I am the truth. And you're in my way."
"It's a ring," he pleads as my blade digs into him. "It opens the munitions. Cal said-"
It's too late to start talking now.
Loud abrupt screams escape Bellwether when his flesh is severed. His thick limb collapses on the ground beside him. I watched his tail spasm in rolls of agony at the disconnection. I've been dying to cut off an arm lately to ease my frustration. Lucky for him, it'll grow back in no time.
But Mr. Heeler isn't so fortunate. It'll take him a bit for his skin to heal. I nicked him above his ear by the time he reached our side. His hair won't grow as fast as he'd like to hide his marking.
My blades collide once more to shake the blood and torn flesh that clings to its beauty. A booming voice overtakes the cries from Bellwether and the crowd. I don't care that Heeler joined us in the arena. It's too late for him to try to do his job.
Heeler's dark hair is covered in rich crimson hues. I turn to him with an apologetic smile. I find myself laughing at this. I can't wait to ruin this man. Above his right ear, I see a deep scar in the shape of an m. Murderer.
"I guess you're right, Heeler." I sighed, kicking the ground in false irritation. "My swordsmanship isn't precise like it used to be. I might not be at the top of class anymore."
"Go see Headmaster Grimm immediately," Heeler barked.
A smile overwhelms the rest of my senses. That's a lovely idea. I bowed to Bellwether and thanked him for the duel. He doesn't bother looking at me. Blood pools around him, lapping at the edges of my slip-ons, and flowing slowly from his severed socket. His body is naturally working to preserve the rippled flesh and grow a new one in the near future.
Things could've been different between us if he wasn't a coward. I shrugged it off and summoned the nearest Farouts member, Maverd Clennings, to pick up my winnings. He ducks his head, moving through the swarm of bodies clinging to the edges of Kiner. I watch him as he waves to the girl beside the human who clings to the bruised thing's arm mewling. Maverd picks up the golden longsword and follows behind me. I make my way to the exit when Heeler calls out behind me, "I've decided who you're going to mentor, Ms. Denik."
I stopped in my tracks, not bothering to look behind. He takes forever to form his sentences. He's either trying to build tension for dramatic effect or just a dimwit. I can just picture two wires in his peanut brain trying to spark. Such a lost cause.
"Your apprentice will be Flint Anderson." Heeler calls out with the students mumbling in hushed tones.
He's a dimwit.
The voices fill the room and my mind. I run my fingers over my earmuffs. The insufferable noise is growing. I can feel a multitude of eyes carefully watching my every move. Wrath is fuming minnowless. Serves him right. The human on the other hand is on the ground calmly watching our display of idiocy play out. He has horns on his head establishing his dragonling thanks to Ayron's attack. I have to bite back a scowl at the sight.
I peer over my shoulder to look at Heeler. I left my peers in a stunned trance with Heeler foaming at the mouth. I flash my teeth in a bitter smile, "how kind of you to give the human an adequate teacher. He might stand a chance."