Page 91 of Hell on Wheels
I cover my mouth as the coach has to call Rogue out for the umpteenth time since practice began. She’s not aiming to hurt anyone, but she’s not pulling punches, either. I think she knows their next match against the Danton Diesel Chicks will be tough, especially if Mina is infecting teams other than the Sickos and the Mounties. Some of the ‘B-team’ skaters aren’t as skilled and if they get pulled in because of an injury or fouls, it could cost them the match.
Rogue curls her lip up as she skates by me, a sure sign that she’s irritated at the direction to hold back. I can’t decide if she shouldtell the coach they could face hostile players or if that would make things worse. The last thing she needs is to be put on some sort of ‘leave.’ It would make Sparkles crazy, and we’d all regret that choice in the end.
That is, if she and Reb didn’t kill one another by the end.
My pocket buzzes and I roll my eyes to the ceiling in supplication. I know who it is and I’m about ready to kill him myself.
BroodyBrother: Status.
FeatheredTwin: Calm down, it’s just practice.
BroodyBrother: That’s not what I asked.
HornyTwin: Man, you gotta slow your roll. D has this covered.
BroodyBrother: Forgive me if I’m worried given the stakes.
HornyTwin: There’s worried and there’s obsessive, Rebel.
BroodyBrother: So what if I am? You both know how long?—
FeatheredTwin: As long as the rest of us, bruh. And none of us are flipping our shit.
They both shut up and I shove my phone back in my pocket. I know Reb isn’t questioning my ability to protect Rogue, but if he doesn’t give her some space, she’s going to beat his ass. The rest of us would enjoy seeing it, but also, their truce is fragile rightnow. I don’t want to see him fuck it up and neither does anyone else.
Suddenly, my phone goes off again, and I almost ignore it, but being beholden to Luca prevents me from doing so. I squint at the message on the screen for a moment in disbelief. It’s not from Rebel—thank fuck—but it’s just as concerning. My father sent a link to a news story from the depths regarding the re-instatement of the Games. The last time the Games were held in Hell was centuries ago when the current King and his court ascended to power.
What the fuck is going on down there?
Following the link, I scan the article about the announcement being made at our alma mater, Discordia U. Lucian Darkstar is beaming at the cameras as he makes the fateful decree in the arena, and it sets every nerve in my body on edge. His presence at Luca’s meeting recently made me wonder what he was up to, but this is so much worse. They discontinued the tradition because the current rulers were intent on staying in the spots they wrested away in the war after their team won the Games.
Something tells me shit is about to get very interesting in demon-land.
“So this… Games… thing is like some sort of cross between the Olympics and the Hunger Games?” Rogue asks as she twists her damp hair into twin braids.
It’s cute as hell and it distracts me for a moment before I find my tongue. Nodding, I rake my hand through my hair as she finishes getting herself changed. “Yeah. It’s pretty ugly, and they banned them after the current rulers took over, for obvious reasons. The citizens of Hell get really into it, and it’s very easy to use that idolatry to make a play for the throne. In fact, that’s exactly what they did in the last Games.”
Her brow furrows, and she gives me a curious look. “Does that really matter if it’s all contained up here? I’m not being dumb, I just don’t get why it’s significant.”
“Because power grabs don’t exist in a vacuum, Sparkles. If the leadership there turns over because of a violent decades long war, the chances of refugees, squabbles, and shifting alliancenotrising beyond the surface is nil.”
Angelo will be better at explaining, whereas I’m gifted in seeing the picture; it’s why we work as two halves of a whole.
“You’re worried that because the dude in the article was at your dad’s party, Luca is involved, right?”
“That’s it on the nose.” I sigh and shake my head ruefully. “Luca has lived up here for a very long time because he doesnotget along with King Eversore. Something about an indiscretion with the Queen around the Renaissance.”
She snorts, shaking her head as she puts her skates away. Rogue is meticulous about her gear, and I watch her as she makes sure everything is in its place. “If men could control their cocks, the world would be a very different place—no matter what realm we’re in.”
I pretend to pout at her generalization, but I know she’s right. Luca’s acceptance of a position up here has been fuckingfantastic for Angelo and me, but I’ve also been aware that should we be called back, that would change quickly. He’s stayed on the King’s good side for long enough that I think that’s changed, but my father holds grudges like no one I’ve ever known. He very well could be conspiring with that dilettante Darkstar.
Which would make it more dangerous than usual to be our mate—that motherfucker.
“Damon, what’s going through your head?” Rogue asks as she slings her bag over her shoulder. “You seem a little pissed.”
Taking her arm, I smile crookedly as we head out of the locker room. “I am. If any of this supposition is true, it’s like a sixth layer of fucking problems. It makes me mad as hell that Luca could be double dealing and putting every demon allied to him in the crossfire, including Ang and me.”
Rogue pats my hand with a wicked smirk. “Don’t worry, little D. I’ll protect you from the asshole traitors.”