Vengeance (The Prince's Games Book 1) by Rebecca Grey (electric book reader TXT) 📕

But I refuse to be talked to like that. Refuse to watch as they laugh in my face.

With an open palm I slice through the air with the intention of slashing my hand across the fucking king’s face. Inches away from my target my hand is jerked back. A flash of movement and my arm is pinned tightly behind me.

"Don't you dare do that, Nilsa," Marcello growls.

King Caspar doesn't flinch. His eyes flick up then down my body and settle on Marcello's face behind me. "Make that one thousand legends that she dies in the first event. And an additional five hundred claiming that it's in a painful manner." He stares at Marcello, who exhales heavily into my hair. "I'll assume you're the leader of this group."

"Yes, My king," Marcello responds.

"Keep a hold of your pet and make sure she doesn't lash out at any more of my guests. That’s an order, or I'll have her taken to my platform and punished for her actions."

Punished... the nicest way he could say put to death.

Marcello's grip on me tightens as he holds me against his chest. "Yes, My king."

Those honey brown eyes fall back to me. I have to fight the way every cell in my body screams to bolt from the room to hide from the dark way he glares at me with the promise of a torturous end. "Enjoy your last night, Nilsa." He seethes before gliding away with a haughty attitude. The small group of spectators follow him wordlessly, welcoming a new set of eyes to our team.

"Do you wish to die so quickly?" Marcello whispers. "I thought I added you to my team because you have a knack for escaping death, not because you wish to commit suicide!"

I lean into him letting him feel the thrashing beat of my heart pounding inside my chest. "Honestly, I thought that I would be dead by now anyway."

"If you die tomorrow then you won't be able to kill me in the end, and won't my death be oh so satisfying?"

His death. The king’s death. The fucking prince's death. Whoever he is, I'll have to find him within these teams and make sure he comes to an end before the games are over. There are enough Elves participating this year it may take a little bit of dwindling the options down. Or maybe I could just kill every Elf, then I won't have to worry.

"Killing you will be one of many pleasures to come." My jaw is clenched so tightly, my mouth hardly opens as I speak. My shoulder aches at how tightly he has my arm wrenched behind me. More Hybrids come and go, betting low amounts on my winning and high amounts on my death.

Occasionally, laughter comes from Davison's group and I know he's enduring the same sort of torture. Meanwhile, other creatures happily bet well on Marcello, Juilliard, both Vampires, and even Hedda. My position on this team is a mockery to all of them.

Tears burn in my eyes as face after face marvels at my humanity just to spit at my feet with the hopeful joy of my death. I hold my eyes open as long as I can, refusing to let the tears fall from my eyes. These aren't sad tears, though there is much to be said that this entire evening isn't a particularly happy one. But fury boils inside of me. My emotions skyrocket with no means of escape.

I yank at Marcello's hold, wishing for one more attempt at hurting someone. Anyone. His clutch only tightens when I try. At some point I try to resign myself, receding to the deep dark place of numbness, but someone has already shaken and removed the cork that contains my rage, and now it can't be capped. No matter how I try.

A Vampire with a twig-like girl on his arm strolls to a stop in front of us. "Look, another Human!" He looks back to Sloane and Finnegan. "A snack for later. What a poor lamb they've brought to the slaughter." He drops the arm of his companion and inches closer, taking in my scent. He draws a finger over the white scars on my neck and shoulders from Joss. Amusement dances in his eyes.

I take in a sharp breath and stiffen as he grabs a hold of my cheeks, pinching them together as he turns my head from side to side. My hair catches on Marcello's suit behind me.

"The king said no touching." Marcello reminds him. I'm certain I'm imagining the sharp edge to his voice that makes the statement sound like a threat.

"I'll do as I please and you'll remain still." The Vampire grins, showing off his long fangs. He meets my gaze. "These bites aren't just from feedings are they? They're from fucking." His voice falls to a lower octave. "Perhaps they didn't bring you as the lamb, but as the whore. A body to relieve the tension from the Games. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened."

I growl, pulling away from his touch. His fingers slip from my face, but he stays close enough to me. I bare my teeth at him. "Fuck off, before I pry your eyes from your face and eat them like grapes."

The Vampire releases an airy laugh and claps Marcello on the shoulder. "Fuck her good for me before she dies, won't you?" The girl at his side giggles and takes his hand again.

"You heard the girl. Fuck off!" Marcello moves behind me so I don't know what sort of expression he wears, but it's enough that the Vampire rolls his eyes and walks away. He chats quietly to his companion about whatever pitiful betting they'll place on me, but it's lost to the roaring inside of my ears.

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