Looking in the mirror is strange, especially when I see Micah’s face staring back at me. If I had to pretend to be Micah for the rest of my life, I’d do it just to have time with Faith. It killed me knowing she was just next door to my room, and I couldn’t be in there with her. At least, I knew she was safe. I haven’t left her side the entire day.
“When do you think we’ll find out?” Faith asks as we sit down at the dining room table filled with all sorts of food. It’s closing in on seven o’clock, and no one has heard who is fighting who.
Colin grabs a plate and piles it high. “Obviously, Vilkas likes to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.”
Two seconds later, Killian strolls into the dining room with Tia. “I do, actually. It keeps things interesting.”
Tia gives Faith a reassuring look and joins us at the table. I stand close to Faith as we fix our plates. With Micah being her protector, it gives me an easy excuse to stay by her side. Faith sits down and I next to her while Killian takes the chair across from us.
“The fight starts in an hour. It’ll be against Dixon.”
I can feel her relief through our bond. She nods and picks up a piece of asparagus. “Think you’ll win?”
He bursts out laughing. “Of course, I do. I’m hoping you want me too as well.”
“Are you still going to let me go?” she asks.
The genuine look on his face is fake as hell. He’s not fooling anyone. “If that’s what you wish.”
She snaps off the edge of her asparagus with her teeth. “That’s all I wanted to hear.” Her disappointment is palpable. One of the things I love about her is her willingness to help others. She was ecstatic when Orin backed out of the fights. A part of me wonders if she’s hoping she can help Killian with his rage, but even I know he’s too far gone. There’s an emptiness in his eyes from the darkness. I’ve seen what the rage does to unmated males. It eats away at you until there’s nothing left.
Roman walks into the dining room and pockets his phone. “Just told Grayson he’s fighting his second-in-command tomorrow.”
Killian chuckles and gets to his feet. “That’ll be one hell of a fight. I wish I could sell tickets.”
“How did you get him to turn against Grayson anyway?” I ask. It’s strange hearing my voice sound like Micah’s.
He smiles over at Roman and then laughs again when he turns to me. “Money and power. How else? You wouldn’t believe all the people I’ve seen turn on those they love because of it. I was just about to give up searching for Faith when I end up at the same bar as Anson. He was babbling on and on about how his alpha wouldn’t share a certain royal he had in his grasp. I knew then it was fate.” He turns his gaze to Faith. “I approached him with my plan, and he was all too willing to disclose where you were. It was his idea to do the video at his house.”
So that’s how it happened. “Does Anson think he’s going to beat Grayson?”
Killian snorts. “Their technique is similar, but Tate’s a much better fighter than him.”
“What about you? Do you think you’re a better fighter?”
He shrugs, but I can see the evil glint in his eyes. “Don’t know. Guess we’ll find out.” He smiles over at Faith. “You could always use your influence with Tate. He’s your friend, so I know he’ll listen to you. You can tell him I’m going to set you free. There’s no need for him to die senselessly.”
Faith narrows her gaze at him. “You’d let him leave unharmed?”
“Of course. He can be put on a plane tomorrow night if you want.”
“He wants me far away from you,” I say to Faith.
Faith keeps her eyes on him but answers me back. “I see that. It won’t surprise me if he tries to send Colin and Micah away. Not unless he plans to incapacitate them while he has his way with me.”
Faith takes a sip of her wine. “I’ll see what I can do. If he wins the fight tomorrow night, I’ll talk to him.”
Killian’s grin widens. “Perfect. I should probably start getting ready for the fight. I’ll see you down there in a few minutes.”
As soon as he’s gone, Faith glances over at me, but there are still wolves around within earshot. We have to be careful what we say. “Do you think Tate will give up?” she asks me, knowing damn well what I’m going to say.
“No,” I answer. “He doesn’t give up on anything.”
Tia grabs a grape off of the fruit tray. “I just want to get through tonight. I’ve seen enough blood to last ten lifetimes.” We all finish our food, and Faith latches onto my arm as we walk outside to the underground pit. Tomorrow is my day, the day I have to kill a man who’s been like a brother to me my entire life.
It has to be done.