Page 6 of Wicked Curses
“What is this pit?” she asked, distracting herself from her morose thoughts. There was no point in getting bogged down in misery when there was little she could do about it.
“It’s where the immortals in this realm go to solve their disputes,” Zeth replied.
She was so focused on taking in the town, she hadn’t realized the demon was still walking with them until he spoke. It also finally sank in that Orin was still holding her arm, and she tried to tug it free.
He held on.
Gritting her teeth, she glowered at him but didn’t try to extricate her arm again. Fighting with him on this would only make him happy.
He proved her point when he turned his head to smile at her. Her fingers twitched into a fist as she pictured punching those perfect white teeth down his throat.
His crow-black eyes sparkled with amusement before he focused ahead again. Sahira ignored him as she shifted her attention to Zeth.
“They fight in this pit?” she asked.
“Yes,” the demon said.
“To the death?”
“That’s the victor’s decision to make. They can allow their opponent to live or die.”
“Everyone who enters the pit is aware of this,” Orin said.
Brutal, but then most immortals were. “Do all disputes end up in the pit?” Sahira asked.
“If both opponents agree to it, they do. If not, they agree for the argument to end, but there is no fighting or attacks outside the pit. It keeps things in this realm more civilized.”
“I see.”
“Not all disagreements start in a fight in the pub, like you witnessed. Some immortals arrive and realize they have enemies here. They seek to end old disputes and take them to the pit.”
Sahira focused on Orin. “How often have you been in this pit since you arrived here?”
“Five, but I don’t start fights—I finish them.”
She wasn’t surprised by the number; he hadn’t been gone long, but Orin wasn’t exactly known for making friends.
“And how many of your opponents still live?” she asked.
There was that irritatingly obnoxious yet annoyingly striking smile again. She’d like that smile if it didn’t light up his handsome face and cause his onyx eyes to twinkle so enticingly.
Did he have to be so handsome? Andwhydid his hand suddenly feel so warm on her arm?
The worst part was heknewhe was gorgeous and used it to his advantage, which meant he was trying to use it against her and anyone else.
Everything was a weapon to Orin, including his looks. She scowled at him, which only made his smile grow.
“I don’t let anyone who threatens me survive,” he said.
She’d expected that answer. Orin had the morals of a shark, and plenty would prefer him dead… with good reason. If he let them live, they’d only try to kill him again.
And she didn’t blame them for trying.
They wandered through another street with more houses and buildings in all different styles, but none were as elaborate as the golden one.
“Who lives in the golden home with the moat?” she inquired.
“No one… anymore,” Zeth said.
