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Many people are watching the fight going on in the center of the caged ring.
There are two men inside, facing off, circling each other. I don't recognize them, but I do
recognize the tattoos they each sport: the infinity triangle. Mari and I glance at each other to see
if these two are either of our guys, but since we both don't react to them, I hazard a guess that it
must be Hyde and Seek paired against each other.
White gauze surrounds the slightly smaller man's head, though he seems to move normally.
I recognize that they aren't really fighting each other, more like they're acting out the practice
routine Orion and Tobias did earlier this morning. The crowd boos at them for not going in to
kill each other, and I have to wonder whose lame idea it was to pit friends against each other.
The man with the gauze is dark haired in comparison with the other's red-gold high and
tight. But when I say smaller, it's like comparing a Hummer to a Chevy Suburban. The red-
haired man easily outlumbers Orion and Tobias. His are the kind of muscles that bulge and make
one think of trees for biceps. His partner is built of smooth sinew and sturdy brawn.
They keep glancing over their shoulders, and I follow their gazes to see a muscular
Hispanic guy holding court, watching over the fight, a gun aimed loosely at a very pretty blonde
88 Beth D. Carter
girl seated next to him. Her wide, frightened gaze is glued to the two men in the ring, and it
dawns on me that she is with them and is their reason to give at least a half-decent show.
Ringo and Thor set Mari and me down side by side but keep hands on our shoulders to
hold us still. And really, we're too glued to what's in the arena to think about escape. I realize
now that if Hyde and Seek are here, captured, then the others will be showing up soon.
That's El Toro, Mari whispers to me. His real name is Hector Basilio. I've always
thought he looks a little like Tito Ortiz.
Who?
The old MMA fighter.
I have no idea who she's talking about, so I just shrug. El Toro has a shaved head and sits
bare chested with large muscles ripped and popping. His head is kind of egg shaped, with dark
eyes and eyebrows contrasting sharply with pale skin usually acquired by only the truly
nocturnal.
It's odd putting a name to someone I've always thought of with fear. But this is just one
man, not a legend or a monster. Just someone who was in the right place at the right time and
grabbed a chance to be something more than he ever would have been in a regular life.
And then there is Amber, leaning down to talk to him, and his gaze jerks from the two men
in the ring to where Mari and I stand. My heart leaps into my throat when I see the vicious
satisfaction shining brightly in Amber's eyes.
Spirals 89
Chapter Thirteen
Everything becomes vague as I'm separated from Mari and led through the stands toward
the arena. People stop what they're doing to look at me as I'm led forward, but I don't look back
at them. I'm also slightly aware that Seek and Hyde stop sparring, but I keep my focus on the one
person who has me trapped like an animal.
Watching me like I'm some tasty treat for her sharpened teeth to gnaw, Amber puts her
hands on her hips as I'm escorted forward. My feet start to slow, because I know this is going to
become a duel, and one of us won't be walking away. Thor, who holds my arm, jerks me, and I
stumble the rest of the way, falling to my knees right at El Toro's feet.
I raise my face and lock eyes with him. His lips are twisted in an unflattering smile; his
eyes are cold and hard. I actually shiver from their flinty inspection. Fear washes over me, and I
wonder if he plans on raping me right in front of everyone.
So you're the one who pissed her off, he says, unknowingly repeating the very words
Mari spoke to me earlier. She is our fiercest fighter, unbeatable in the arena, and she wants to
fight you.
He laughs, but I don't find anything very funny.
She has earned certain privileges, he continues. Fighting and surviving in the octagon,
and I find I'm very curious to see her fight her demon.
I risk a glance over his shoulder to look at Amber. She smirks at me.
At that moment the ground shakes a bit, throwing all of us off balance slightly. Not enough
for me to actually escape, but enough for apprehension to register with everyone. El Toro laughs
lightly to ease the sudden tension, but even I can tell it's forced.
Then El Toro raises a finger, and I hear Hyde and Seek being moved out of the arena. The
blonde jerks her head, straining to follow the two retreating figures with her eyes. I want so
badly to reassure her, to tell her who I am and that Mari is with us too, but I have to be careful
90 Beth D. Carter
not to reveal anything too important. The three of us together can surely find a way out of this
situation. Orion and Tobias and the brothers are also out there. And from what I can conclude of
how much time it took me to get here, we have maybe three hours to get the hell out of here and
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