Fight Club

Ring, ring, ring, "what?"

"Hello to you too," Poppy's voice greats from the other end of the line.

"Amapola," I growl, "there better be a reason for waking me."

She clicks her tongue, "so impatient but before you bite my head off. I looked into that matter of yours," I hear shuffling than a door closes.

"And?" I sit up and look at the clock I have two hours before the fight club opens.

"Young girls are disappearing from neighboring towns and cities, from what I've gathered they're being dragged into Spica."

"Elena?"

"It would appear so, as far as I know, she's the only one who uses huntsmen."

"Fuck," I shove the covers away and walk over to my duffel, "where are you now?"

"I have a job, figured I'd get what you wanted before heading out," she pauses before saying, "whatever your up-to, be careful."

"You too," I say and hang-up.

"Who was that?" Zheng's behind me within seconds.

I whirl around and come face to face with his toned-chest, "Why the fuck are you in my room?"

"Bathroom."

"Really?"

Zheng leans down, "Really," he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear with a smug smile," so who was that?"

I push him away, "My matters concern you not," and head to the bathroom slamming the door behind me.

"Considering I'm helping you they do," Zheng says through the closed door.

Ignoring him I dress in black and tie my hair up, too bad I can't wear my red hoodie.

Zheng's sprawl on my bed hands thrown back, "what's wrong with you?"

He sighs several times before sitting up, "why?"

"What?"

"Why don't you want me?"

"We just met."

He tilts his head eyebrow raised, "I meant, why don't you want my help."

I set the duffel down and pull out two masks one porcelain the other a half mask that only covers the eyes and nose, "I know," I toss him the half-mask, "we've never worked together."

He turns it around, "that's not true," he tosses the mask on the bed and stands, "helped you get the wolves out."

"That was different," I zip up my black hoodie, "this is more complicated."

"How?"

"It just is, okay."

"Isn't it too hot for a hoodie?"

"It's an underground fight club I'd prefer if no one notices us."

"Because we won't stand out wearing a mask?"

"Just get dressed."

He picks the mask up and heads back to the living room mumbling, "So bossy."

"You're more than welcome to stay," I shout, "or better yet go home."

"You'd love that wouldn't you!" Zheng shouts.

I debate arguing with him a bit more but what's the use. He's not going anywhere and some part of me really dip down the abyss is glad he's here.

"Ready when you are," Zheng says.

"Close the door."

"Why?"

"Just do it," I walk over to him and take his hand, "go inside my head and winnow us there."

Understanding, he does as told, once he sees our destination, we're standing outside a concrete building at the loading docks.

"Mask," I put mine and pull my hood up.

Zheng does the same summoning a leather jacket, he follows me down the corner and onto one of the ships. The guard gives us a once over before nothing us in.

Zheng follows me up the steps down the deck and into the narrow passage that leads to the cargo area where the fights are held, "I take it you've been here before?"

I don't answer instead we walk past onlookers in masks or robes. No, one wants to be recognized it's too risky.

"What makes the fights illegal?"

"Mortals pay to fight," I scout the sea of people in search of Cora, "most places won't allow mortals. They're too fragile some try to use the fights as a way to gain immortality."

"I see."

"You've never been?"

"To this sort of fight," he points at the cage before us, "no. If everyone's wearing mask how will we find your contact?"

"Leave that to me," I hand him my phone and walk over to the cage, "I'll fight," I tell the bruiser standing guard at the cage.

He looks me over and laughs, "you're in over your head," he runs a thumb over his lower lip, "how about you and I...

Before he can finish his sentence, my knee connects with his crotch and my blades at his throat, "you're not my type," I whisper, "quite honestly I don't see you being anyone's type."

"Should I gut him," Zheng asks, "or do I leave you that pleasure."

I let the bruiser drop and wipe my hands clean, "a good husband wouldn't let trash look at me like I'm a piece of meat."

Zheng places his foot over the bruiser his heel digging into the guy's kidneys. I lean down and press my blade against his throat, "I suggest you find your Master before I fuck this place up. You have exactly ten seconds before the poison reaches your heart," I make the smallest cut and stand Zheng steps back but not before kicking him on the side.

Zheng turns to me, "I think his time ran out," the bruiser's skin turns black and blue foam forms around his mouth and blood drops fall out of his nostrils.

The scent of orange and vanilla wafts over, "Was that necessary," I don't need to turn around to know its Cora.

"You should train your dog's better," I say.

Zheng looks between Cora and me the side of his mouth curves into a grin. Idiot.

"You should have called," Cora waves a guard over and points at the bruiser, "take care of it." She turns and we follow down the narrow passage and up into her office, it overlooks the arena.

Once she kicks the guards out and closes the blinds, I take my mask off, "I need you to find someone for me."

She looks Zheng over, he's still wearing his mask and stands behind me, "You look different," she says eyeing me with caution, "what's he's deal?"

"Do I?" I shrug, "Don't worry about him."

"You bring him into my territory and tell me not worry," she holds her hands out, "at least give me his name."

"Cora Agustina Valencia," she flinches at the full name, "I don't have time for this. Tell me where I can find Maya Eliza Berrow?"

Cora's expression becomes guarded had she a heartbeat I would wager it'd be staggering, "I don't know who that is."

"Don't fuck with me," I move towards her, "you where her mother's friend. If I recall you're her godmother. So, tell me where is she because that puppet Queen on the Isle of Armonia isn't it."