The Arena novel Chapter 39

When we arrive outside the arena, I begin sniffing for Tana’s scent. When I get it, I also smell Avani’s earthy scent, Ishir’s exotic, musky scent, and a fourth scent that smells like the ocean. That must be the water dragon.

I begin walking in their direction, drawn to Tana but also wanting to make sure that they wait until we’re in position.

When we find them, my eyes are drawn to her. “Tana.”

“Cedric. I see you’ve brought Galen and other members of your pack.”

“Yes.”

Galen nods at her, and I can tell he’s pleased that she remembered his name.

“Lycan, did you bring your arsenal?”

I drag my eyes from Tana to look at Avani. “Of course.”

I nod at Ishir and then look at the beautiful woman standing beside them. “You must be Kaylani. I’m Cedric, and this is my pack.”

“Hello Cedric, I am indeed Kaylani.” Her voice is soft, like the sound of the water in a small creek, relaxing and calming. Her hair is long and blond with dark blue streaks in it. Her eyes are the darkest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. And her body moves in the undulating way that water does. She’s sexy without trying to be.

“You’ve got a bit of drool, Lycan.” My eyes jerk back to Avani as he mimes wiping his mouth. “Bad form.”

Ishir sighs audibly. “Are your people in position, Cedric?”

“Not yet. They are still making sure they have the launchers on the ground in their sights and that they are set with the rocket launchers for the four on the rim of the arena.”

“Alpha, we have a problem,” I get a mind link from one of my men.

I turn in the direction that I can feel him standing. “What is it?”

“The arena is filling up with people. I think they are going to have battles today.”

I snarl and relay the message.

“It won’t matter,” Kaylani says. “Tana and I will bring down the arena walls. If your men take out the harpoon launchers, that should be easy.” I watch as she turns to Tana, who nods.

“No offense, but have you seen how thick those walls are?” I ask her.

“No offense taken, Cedric. But you do realize we’re dragons? Elemental dragons. Tana and I have opposing elements. We will work together to bring the walls down while Avani and Ishir get the supernaturals out of their cells.”

I’m not sure what she means by using their opposing elements to bring down the walls, but I have to trust that they know their strengths better than I do.

“Okay, then the rest of my warriors will help release the supes.”

I’m about to fire the harpoon when a body slams into me, bringing me to the floor. I feel the needle enter my neck, and the wolfsbane floods my system.

“Nice try, little brother. But you’ve become a big problem for me. Time for you to die.” Troy. He’s here.

I can feel the wolfbane moving through my body, but it does not have the same effect it usually does on me.

I feel the ground and the arena around me shaking again. Avani was right; the dragons will bring this place down.

I stand and turn to face Troy. I see his eyes widen. “How?”

I shrug. I honestly don’t know, but I don’t have time to worry about it. This place is going to start crumbling to the ground, and I don’t want to be here when it does.

I go after Troy. He’s not a Lycan, but he did get some of my father’s strength. We’re fighting, ducking when Tana and Kaylani pass by with their fire and ice. I slip, and Troy tries to take advantage of my unsure footing, but I rebound quickly.

From the corner of my eye, I see Avani’s tail swing around and hit the walls of the arena. The stadium shakes, and both Troy and I stumble. This time, he jumps on top of me and injects me with silver. He’s about to punch me when a stream of fire comes blowing over top of him. He ducks just in time, rolling away.

I feel the arena beneath me beginning to give way. While the wolfsbane didn’t affect me, the silver definitely does. I’m forced to shift back to my human form, and I’m nearly powerless to move. I can feel the silver flowing through my body, paralyzing me.

I’m helpless to move as the stadium under me cracks. When the stadium floor finally gives way, I am going to fall to my death.