God of Malice (Legacy of Gods #1)(22)
It’s more of a challenge this way, but I get to remain hiding in plain sight and even be called noble for…saving lives.
I walk to the latest addition to my collection and pull it from between all the others.
My fingers run over the contours of her soft features splashed with tears, snot, and cum. I can still feel my fingers between her lips instead of seeing them.
That is the first time I’ve had such a strong release without my permission. I usually go to great lengths and extreme fetishes to release a sliver of what this clueless girl achieved without even trying.
And that pisses me the fuck off.
She’s supposed to be a mere thread whose sole purpose was to provide answers, and had no business shooting for a higher position.
As unfortunate as it might sound, I might have to break her for it.
Because I meant it yesterday. I still haven’t figured out what exactly I’ll do with her.
What’s for sure is that I’m going to recreate this look on her face. Again and again.
And fucking again.
One taste isn’t enough, after all.
It started with an investigation into Devlin’s death, but maybe that’s not as important as I initially thought.
7
GLYNDON
“Tell me why we’re here again?” I wince at the loud sound of rap music, chattering, and people.
So many people.
“Because we stan violence, duh.” Ava cheers while swaying to the music.
“You know, this unorthodox fascination with male violence could be a manifestation of unpleasant tendencies.” Cecily slides her glasses over her nose. “It’s kind of toxic.”
“Call me queen of toxicity then, because I get to stare at this divine beauty.” Ava nudges Annika. “Isn’t that right, Anni?”
She fidgets, watching the crowd surrounding us as if they’re aliens out to kidnap and enslave us. Like Cecily and me, she wasn’t keen on coming to the fighting ring, but democracy doesn’t win with Ava.
Besides, despite Ces’s psychological profiling just now, she wasn’t vehemently against it when the idea first popped up.
It’s good to get some air and change the scenery, is what she told me before the three of them dragged me to this underground fighting ring downtown.
And surprise, most of the fighting happens between our university and The King’s U.
It goes without saying that we’re rivals in every way. Each university encourages its students to take part in clubs, sports, and contests just so they can beat the other university.
Aside from the official sports such as football, basketball, and lacrosse, there’s this ongoing tradition of a neutral ground fight club where a championship is held.
It’s basically a gambling den about who gets to win in fistfights. Rumor has it, the chancellors know it’s going on and not only turn a blind eye, but they even bet on the championship.
The club is packed as hell, despite the fact that tonight is a normal fighting day where people get matched up randomly. On championship nights, both campuses pour into here like ants.
We’re currently waiting for the highlight of the evening—a match between two of the strongest fighters from our unis. The fighter from our side is Creigh, who’s having his shoulders massaged by Remi on the pedestal above.
While Remi is the captain of the basketball team and Bran is the captain of the Lacrosse team, they never fight.
When we asked Remi why he doesn’t, he snorted and laughed and mocked us. “Preposterous! Me? A fight? As in, putting my lordship’s nose in jeopardy? You’re out of your mind, you’re out of your mind, and everyone is out of their fucking mind!”
The hypocrite is totally fine with thrusting that preposterous act onto Creigh, though.
I really wish my cousin didn’t have such a strong inclination to violence. He could’ve been a silent nerd, but he chose to be a silent brute.
While I’m still watching Remi and Creigh, two tall guys stroll to their sides. The first is none other than my brother, Landon, dressed in shorts and a jersey—probably ready to fight.
Everyone in the School of Arts & Music avoids any manifestation of violence, and some even ditch sports altogether, to protect our hands.
But not my deranged brother.
He loves to draw blood with the same hands that sculpt masterpieces.
Life can be unfair like that by choosing to bestow boundless talent to undeserving people.
I love my brother, sometimes, but he’s not a decent human being.
Not even close.
The one accompanying him, however, is a surprise. My oldest cousin, Eli, Creigh’s brother, matches Lan’s nonchalant aura like a king waltzing to his throne.
Eli keeps a profile so low that my attempts seem amateurish in comparison. Even though he’s studying for his PhD at REU, we barely see him.
If ever.
No one even knows where he is at all times. So when Grandpa asks about how his eldest grandchild is doing, I give the most generic answer because my knowledge about Eli’s state is no different from his.
So to see him here tonight is as rare as a unicorn.
I nudge Ava, but in reality, I don’t need to.
My friend is already staring in his direction—or more like glaring. I’ve known Ava since we were in nappies, and nothing is able to completely wipe her good mood like Eli’s presence.