Gigi reluctantly let go of Drake’s hand as she stood to face her destiny. He joined her side. Her body was racing with questions, and her mind could do little but steel itself in anticipation. Had she really almost kissed him? Was Lili going to leave either of them alive? The thought of his lips being so close flashed in her mind. However, it was quickly erased as the black door opened in front of them.

Before Gigi was the vampire and promoter’s office, it was not what she had been expecting. It was lavish and dignified in a way that seemed to match, but there was less…death than she had anticipated. No bones, weapons, or corpses could be seen anywhere—only a plush maroon carpet, with a finely polished wooden desk in the center. Lili sat behind it, cutting off the end of a thin and neatly packed cigar. She shut the lacquered case with a snap and threw it on the desk.

“Come in,” she said, placing the cigar between her lips. The pair did as instructed. Gigi noticed that her golden armor had been tossed to the side of the desk. She wore only the exquisitely tailored white dress now. For some reason, this scared Gigi more. She had never seen Lili act so casually. The goblin wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad omen.

“Take a seat,” the vampire ordered, torching the cigar with a golden lighter before snapping it shut. The couple sat in two of the high-backed chairs that stood before the desk. Gigi knew better than to speak without being spoken to when she was in this much trouble. She braced herself for whatever was to come. The goblin studied Lili’s face, searching for a hint of her fate. The vampire seemed significantly less angry than when Jörg had entered. However, she had a stern composure, like she was about to administer a test.

“You created quite a stir in the pit tonight, Gigi and…friend? I’m sorry, I don’t think we have been introduced.” She snapped her fingers and pointed to Drake.

“His name is Drake,” Gigi said, trying to stop him from speaking, unsure if Lili would tolerate the human talking out of turn.

“Now, now, let him speak. I’m curious to see what he has to say for himself,” she said, blowing out a thick cloud of musky tobacco smoke. Drake stiffened and sat straight.

“My name is Drake…she won me in a card game.”

Gigi frowned. Now is the time you remember how to lie?! Lili smiled.

“Did she now? Tell me, human, then who was your master before Gigi?”

The goblin blanched. There was no way Drake would get this right. He went silent for a moment.

“A very angry arachne,” he said finally. Lili laughed.

“Nice try, but they don’t take human servants. Now, I don’t like being lied to, so if you wouldn’t mind…the truth.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “My name is Drake, but I used to be a soldier until Gigi saved my life, so now I’m done fighting, and I owe her a great debt. She…means everything to me.”

Gigi’s head swiveled to stare at Drake. She was slack-jawed as he finished speaking. Had he just said that she meant everything to him? They barely knew each other, but she was sure from the hard look in his eyes and the resolute tone in his voice that he meant every word.

Lili took in the words, her golden eyes assessing the man before her as if he were a piece of prey. “A soldier who can pull a bit of magic, perhaps?” Lili asked, flashing her fangs in a smile. “That little trick with the lights was no simple matter. Powerful spells hold them in place.” She ashed her cigar. “Yet, you were able to override them. I imagine if you hadn’t, our Gigi would be in a far less talkative mood.”

“I did,” he admitted solemnly. “I am sorry for interrupting the show, but…”

“She means everything to you, yes, yes. Drake, the human, is a love-sick fool who has more magic than restraint. I think I’m beginning to get the picture with you.” Lili turned her predatory gaze to Gigi. “Now, I’m not particularly interested in your romantic affairs, but as they happened to have interrupted my show, you have made it my business,” she said icily.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Gigi swallowed hard in a dry mouth. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him here.”

“No, you shouldn’t have…but here we are,” she said, placing her hands on her desk. She smirked. “Why did you? What is he to you?” Lili drummed her fingers on the polished wood.

It was a question Gigi should have been more prepared for than she was. The goblin looked to Lili and then to Drake. She wasn’t sure what he was to her…he was just Drake. He was a well of constant surprises, both good and bad. She had learned only hours ago how beset by tragedy his life had truly been, what he had been forced to do, how alone he was. Yet, that hadn’t made him a villain. He had shown her and her village nothing but kindness. He had been there for her and believed in her. She was starting to think he was making her a better person.

“He’s…he’s…a very close friend. I trust him with my life.” She finally settled on—every word of if it was true, even if it didn’t truly capture her feelings. Lili nodded.

“I see, he’s your lover.” Lili crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat. Gigi felt the urge to correct her but held fast, realizing it would make little difference. “Gigi, you know that interfering in a match is grounds for expulsion from the league and potentially dismissal from this mortal coil, correct?” Gigi nodded her head. “Correct?” Lili repeated.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Yet, you did it anyway, and after I so graciously allowed you to join the league. After so many fighters tried to tell me, it was a bad idea. I ignored them and gave you a chance. Now, here you go and prove them right. What I want to know is why.”

“Because Jörg was going to kill Mai!” she protested. If she was going to get kicked out, she might as well tell her side of the story. “I would rather die than watch the woman who made me want to fight get strangled to death by a cheating snake. None of the fighters deserved to be treated so shamefully, especially not Mai!” Gigi could feel tears beginning well up again. She fought them back. She wouldn’t cry, not in front of Lili.

The vampire nodded and took another drag from her cigar. “Tell me, do you regret what you did?”

Gigi didn’t say anything for a moment. “I am sorry for ruining the show, but I’m not sorry for trying to save Mai. My only regret is that I didn’t hit Jörg harder.” Her fists tightened at the memory of her idol on the ground.

Lili cackled. “Oh, I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

Gigi’s eyes widened, and her ears twitched in confusion. “You’re not mad?”

“Oh, I’m furious,” she said as she stood, “at Jörg.” She pointed at Gigi. “You, on the other hand, did what my idiot officials should have done.”

“So, I’m not getting expelled from the league?” Gigi asked, stupified.

“No, actually quite the contrary.” Lili stalked over to a display case brandishing titles of days past. “I see big things in your future.” Lili turned back to the goblin and smiled. “The loudest reaction from the crowd all night, by far, was when you punched Jörg. It sounded to me like gold in my coffers.”

“Is Jörg going to be punished?” Gigi asked.

“In a manner of speaking.” She walked to a small bar that dominated the corner of the office. “You said you only regret not hitting Jörg harder, yes?” She asked, picking up a crystal decanter filled with a dark red liquid. “Well, both of your punishments, or rewards, depending on how you want to see it, is a match.” She popped open the container and began to pour the ichor into a tumbler. “I wish you could have seen Jörg’s face when I told him,” she laughed.

“A…match?” Gigi whispered.

“I’ll need a few weeks to promote it, of course, properly. I can see it now, the protege of a fallen champion with a punch that can shatter stone. Against the unstoppable monster heel that ended her idol’s career.”

“Ended her career?!” Gigi shot up from her seat.

Lili frowned. “I suppose I didn’t tell you that, did I?” Lili took a sip from her glass. “Mai is done. She still hasn’t regained sight,” she said, shaking her head. “It really is…a shame. I always liked her,” the vampire said wistfully.

Gigi could feel herself trembling with rage. No, that was impossible. Mai’s career couldn’t be over, not just like that, not to an asshole like Jörg. The unfairness ripped through her like an axe chopping a tree. She couldn’t let this stand. She wouldn’t let him hurt anybody ever again.

“I accept,” Gigi said grimly.

“I knew you would,” Lili snubbed out her cigar. “As for your human friend, I want him pit-side, but under no circumstances is to get involved, understand?”

“Then why have him there?” Gigi asked, tilting her head.

“I want the crowd to think he might get mixed in the fight, but if he gets involved again, you’re out, understand?”

“I understand,” she nodded.

“Great, now get out of my office,” she said, flicking her wrist at the door. “Oh, one last thing,” she said, grinning. “If your human ever wants to get into the pit, I’m sure I could make him a great success. You two could be one hell of an act.”

Drake looked at Gigi for help. “He’ll think about it!” Gigi interjected. Before, she grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him to the door.