by Jess Petosa
Where they stood now, there were two tables set up with an Exceptional seated at each. A line of Exceptionals formed on either side, waiting to sign up for a fight. As they approached the table one by one, the Exceptional seated there would ask them a few questions and punch information into the porta-comp.
A familiar voice filled the space behind her. “What’s this Tighe, you’ve come back for more? I’ve already beaten you three times. Are you sure you want to make it four?”
The ease in Luke’s voice told her that he hadn’t noticed her. She started to turn and felt Tighe hold her in place. One of his friends had stepped in front of her, blocking her from Luke’s sight.
“Fourth time’s a charm,” Tighe responded. “And this time I’m bringing a deal to the table.”
“I don’t have anything on me,” Luke responded. “Are you prepared to lose whatever you brought?”
Luke’s voice sounded so cocky and confident. It was a side of him she had only seen once or twice since she had arrived in the City, and she wondered if he always acted this way when she was not around.
“Are you?” Tighe said.
At that moment his friend stepped out of the way and Tighe spun Ally around. Her eyes immediately met Luke’s and she watched his poised demeanor fade for just a moment. He regained his composure and she he watched as his jaw tightened, his violet eyes glowing with fury.
“No way,” He spat. “She isn’t yours to barter.”
“Well, I found her wandering around in the outer suburbs of the City, not anywhere near your home, so I’d have to say that she is mine.”
Ally didn’t like being talked about as though she was a possession, and it was just a reminder that she would always be viewed as lesser than the others. Another Ordinary to be owned and passed around.
Luke’s gaze flickered down to her. “Is this true?”
His tone was accusatory and the effect of his glare forced her to stare at the floor. She managed a nod and flinched as Luke cursed under his breath.
“So, as I see it, you have two options. Fight for her, or lose her.” Tighe shrugged like it was no big deal.
“I’ll do it,” Luke growled, his hands clenched into fists at his side. Pax and Maver stood on either side of him, their expressions just as threatening.
Ally realized he didn’t have much of a choice. Well, he could say no and leave her with Tighe, but he wouldn’t do that. Not Luke.
A satisfied smile fell on Tighe’s face and he pulled Ally over to the registration table, knocking another Exceptional out of the way. The person seated at the table, a younger female, opened her mouth to tell him off but then saw who was standing in front of her.
“Oh, Tighe. Opponent?” she asked, grabbing the porta-comp next to her.
“Luke.” He grinned, not bothering to finish the name. They had done this enough times to be considered regular competitors.
The girl paused for a second and then pressed the screen a few times. She handed him the porta-comp and he pressed a button on the screen. Luke stepped up beside her and took the porta-comp, touching his finger to the screen in the same way that Tighe had. He took a moment to glance at Ally, a somber look in his eyes, and then turned to rejoin Pax and Maver.
“We want Arena One,” Tighe demanded.
The girl nodded. “The last fight in One just finished so they are clearing it out now. I’ll send this e-comm to the Ref while you go prep.”
Tighe began to pull Ally away but she struggled against him. “Can’t I go with Luke? I’ll sit with Maver and Pax during the fight.”
“Yeah, right, and risk them running off with you,” he shook his head.
“Isn’t that against the rules?” She sneered.
“You’ll be coming with us,” he said as he pulled her roughly, forcing her through the crowd. Was Luke watching their interaction, or had he already gone to prep for the fight?
She was led along the back wall of the warehouse, passing the ring closest to the registration table. Two shirtless Exceptionals circled around the concrete slab, hands facing out. One’s hands were pulsating with a bright, green light. He pushed his hand forward and the green light shot at his opponent. Ally was sure the other Exceptional was going to be blown to bits but instead he blinked and disappeared from sight, reappearing after the green beam had passed. She also noticed that there was some sort of invisible wall around the ring to prevent anything from happening to the crowd. It had flashed blue for a moment when the green beam hit it.
The crowd of Exceptionals pushed toward them, struggling to find a seat from which they could watch. This fight must be the fight to see today. The air pulsed around her, filling with the excitement of the crowd. The back of her neck tingled and she could almost feel their adrenaline coursing through her own body.
Tighe led her to Arena One and motioned for her to sit on a wooden bench just a few yards from the circular ring. After making sure his friends had secured a seat on either side of her, he pulled his shirt over his head and jumped around on his feet, stretching his arms above his head.
His top half was hardened with muscles and not a single ounce of fat jiggled as he moved. Ally couldn’t take her eyes off him, still finding herself in awe of the strength the Exceptionals exhibited. Tighe turned and looked at her for a moment, a sly smile on his face.
“Like what you see?” He winked at her and she rolled her eyes.
He shrugged and stepped into the ring, continuing his odd, jumpy stretches. Across the room, Luke stepped into the ring, a determined look on his face. He was also shirtless, something Ally had seen before, but the lights above the Arena created deep contrasts across his body. He looked larger and more menacing, and the sight made her insides light on fire.
Luke had been here for several hours. Ally wasn’t sure exactly how many fights he had completed, but she could see he wasn’t at his best. His face already glistened with sweat and the glow in his eyes was dimming. A female Exceptional, most likely the Ref, stepped up to the Arena and pulled a lever beside it. A blue flash appeared around the circle, signaling the appearance of the invisible wall Ally had noticed in the neighboring ring. It also seemed to signal the start of the fight because Tighe and Luke began to slowly circle each other. Their hands faced outward, like Ally had seen the others do, and they kept their eyes focused on each other.
Tighe’s hands began to glow an orange light and Ally found herself bouncing her legs. She had no idea what his abilities were compared to Luke’s, but she could at least find comfort in the fact that Luke had beaten Tighe at least three times before.
“Tighe has been training,” the male to her right spoke. “He has been honing a new ability specifically for this.”
Ally wasn’t sure why he was talking to her. Maybe to make her nervous? If so, it worked. Especially as she watched Luke take in Tighe’s glowing hands. He was obviously startled by the sight, and therefore had never seen it before. Had Tighe lost to Luke on purpose previously, just to have a final win? Had he planned on having Ally to barter with? She shuddered at the thought and brought her hands to her mouth, biting at her finger nails. Her mother always discouraged this habit, saying it was a particularly nasty one, but she wasn’t here to give Ally disapproval.
The glowing in Tighe’s hands burned bright until finally, and quicker than Ally could follow, he brought his hands together in front of him. A giant ball of fire shot forward toward Luke. Luke was fast, but the initial shock cost him a small burn to the side of his arm. Ally let out a worried gasp and the male to her right laughed.
“Told you,” he said with a grin.
She elbowed him in the side, which probably hurt her more than it hurt him, but she felt some satisfaction in the action. He glared down at her, looking as if he might reciprocate, but then his gaze found it’s way back to the fight.
Luke was raising his hands up now, and in an instant Tighe was lifted off his feet, his body dangling in the air. He moved his hands to the right and Tighe’s body was throw
n into the side of the Arena, and then lifted into the air once again.
“Luke’s been practicing too.” Ally looked over at the same male and smirked.
“Tighe is still stronger. Their fights never last long, it should be over soon”, he grunted.
She felt like they had barely started, but the Arena next to theirs had already cleared out even though that fight had just begun when they were walking over. If one Exceptional was stronger than the other, it could be easy to win in seconds. But Luke and Tighe seemed almost evenly matched.
The Ref gave some sort of warning shout, a word Ally didn’t hear, and Luke set Tighe back on the ground.
“There are rules against holding someone in the air for a long period of time. Luke could hold him there all night and there would never be any action,” the male droned on. She wondered what the male on her left was thinking. Did he ever speak?
The scene continued back and forth for several long minutes. Tighe would send fire and Luke would lift him in the air, slamming him into the invisible wall. Ally was sure they had other abilities, but they seemed to be bent on annoying each other with these specific ones. Both of them glistened with sweat, and she could see their arms shaking from exhaustion.
If she hadn’t been so intent on watching Tighe’s glowing hands on their fifth go around, she might not have noticed it. Just before his hands reached their full power, he flicked his arm back toward them. It was slight, and barely there, but she saw it.
A signal.
Before she had time to react the male to her left grabbed a hold of her wrist and turned it quickly to the right. Not enough to break the bone, but enough to send a shooting pain up her arm. She was unable to smother the cry that came out of her throat. Tears filled her eyes as she clutched her wrist, which the Exceptional had now released. He stared forward as if nothing had happened.
It had been enough though. Luke faltered, his eyes snapping in her direction, and at that moment Tighe thrust the fireball in his direction. Luke made an attempt to move, but he wasn’t fast enough. The fireball consumed the entire right side of his body and he cried out in pain, his body crumpling to the ground. Ally screamed and jumped up. She tried to run to him but her Exceptional bodyguards took a hold of her arms. Tears rolled down her cheeks as they pulled her back to the bench, and a strange sensation tingled in her fingers.
“Luke!” she screamed out, watching as Pax and Maver entered the Arena. The Ref called the match, naming Tighe the winner. Pax pulled a bottle from a bag by his side and began to rub an ointment on Luke’s burns. Already he was looking better. Ally had forgotten how quickly Exceptionals healed.
It was five agonizing minutes before Luke was able to stand and meet Tighe in the middle of the Arena. They shook hands and Ally could tell by the expression on Luke’s face that this was not over. He glanced over Tighe’s shoulder at her, a sorry look filling his face. He had not expected to lose, not at all.
She was forced to stand and step into the area. Tighe’s hand slipped around her waist and she watched as Luke’s eyes filled with anger and then jealousy. She wondered what plans Tighe had for her, and felt bile rise in her throat at the notion. The Ref spoke out about how Ally was now under contract with Tighe since Luke had lost the fight. The deal was definitive unless they chose to have a rematch on a future date She kept her eyes on Luke’s, and he held her gaze as well.
“I’ll find you,” he spoke, not seeming to care if Tighe heard him.
Tighe started to pull her from the ring but she resisted, still trying to face Luke. “Please. Don’t let him do this.”
“I… can’t…” Luke’s face look pained. She wondered if he were fighting to control the urge to run after her, because all she wanted to do right now was break free and run into his arms.
Ally continued to pull against Tighe’s grasp, her whole body vibrating with adrenaline. A hot feeling coursed through her veins and her head was buzzing with pressure. She had never felt this way before, but bit-by-bit she found that rather than being pulled, she was doing the pulling. Tighe turned to look at her, a confused look filling his face.
“Enough,” he growled. He threw his arms around her and started to lift her off the ground.
The buzzing energy in her started to gather in her chest and her arms felt as if they were going to burst into flames. She gave one last push against Tighe and as she did, a blinding white light shot from the palms of her hands. Tighe was thrown backwards, flying through the air and landing against the sidewall of the Warehouse with a sickening crunch. The crowd around them grew quiet as hushed gasps and whispers spread up the stands. Soon the whole Warehouse was practically silent, as the news carried down to the other end.
Ally looked down at her hands and then back up at Tighe, who had pulled himself off the floor and was strutting toward her. Luke appeared at her side and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“He attacked me!” Tighe looked at the Ref and pointed at Luke, “Outside of the ring. He should be banned from this place.”
The Ref stared at Ally with her mouth hanging open, and then looked back at Tighe. “I was standing right here. Luke didn’t attack you, it was her.”
Ally glanced at her hands once again and then this time looked back up at Luke.
“What does this mean?”
Luke’s eyes met her own. “It’s means you’re an Exceptional.”
Chapter Seventeen
Luke acted fast, taking Ally’s hand and rushing her from the Warehouse. The majority of the crowed was still watching them with interest, and he knew he needed to get her out of there before Tighe could fully react to her attack. Pax and Maver caught up to them quickly.
“What’s going on?” Pax asked. “What happened back there?”
“I don’t know!” Luke said with a bite in his tone.
“This doesn’t make sense,” Maver added. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Luke ran his hands through his hair. “I need to get her home before others follow us out here, especially Tighe.”
He convinced Pax and Maver to head to their own homes, telling them that he would contact them when he could. He didn’t want to pull them into this mess, if it would even turn into one. He didn’t speak to Ally as they hurried through the streets. He had to assume she was in some sort of shock, and he needed to get her home before she either broke down or used her abilities again.
Once they were safely inside his house, he locked the front door behind them and dropped Ally’s hand, leaning his back up against the wall. His father had been practically living at the office these days, and his mother was most likely holed up in her bedroom. The last thing he needed was for either of them to take in the sight of Ally and started questioning what had happened.
“Luke—” Ally’s voice sounded strained.
“Ally!” Sabine came running into the room, fresh tears running down her cheeks. “Asher! Ally is here!”
Asher ran into the room, skidding to a stop in the foyer. Relief fell on his face, and when he caught a glimpse of Luke, he lowered his face to the ground.
“Oh Ally.” Sabine approached her, throwing her arms around Ally’s neck. “I’m so sorry. I wish there had been something we could have done. We sent Flint out to find Luke as soon as we got back, but it looks like you found him first.”
Luke watched as Ally took a deep breath and managed to compose herself. “Well, I’m okay now. Tighe took me to the Warehouse, and right to Luke. As you can see, I’m in one piece.”
He was glad that she was at least able to speak and respond to the others.
Sabine pulled away from her and smiled. “I knew one way or another Luke would bring you home. I’ll go tell Mazzi to get dinner started.”
Luke took a hold of Ally’s and pulled her towards the stairs. “Tell Mazzi to send some food up the chute to my room.”
He had competed in— and won— three fights before Tighe had shown up at the Warehouse. He was feeling more run down than usual, and
on top of it his side was still healing from the burns Tighe had inflicted on him. He had never lost focus like that in a fight before.
Once he was satisfied that his bedroom door was locked behind them, he turned to find Ally running her hands along the white comforter on his bed. She was looking much healthier these days, already gaining weight back from her time at the ORC. She wore her hair braided to the side today and it hung over the front of her gray shirt.
“We are going to need to get you a set of white uniforms now,” he joked.
Ally turned to him, a concerned look on her face. “We should talk about this.”
He nodded. “Yes, but there is something I need to do first.”
She clasped her hands together in front of her. “What’s that?”
With out another word he walked toward her, slowly at first and then with more purpose. He gently placed a hand on either side of her face and leaned toward her slowly.
“Luke—,” she whispered.
“I could have lost you today,” he said as he pressed his mouth to hers. The thought had run through his mind a dozen times since Tighe presented her in the Warehouse.
Ally broke from the kiss first, looking up at him. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t listen to you this morning. I should have trusted you and taken your words seriously. I risked everything we have just to run errands with Sabine and Asher.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. “I should have explained the why more. I shouldn’t expect you to heed to everything I ask of you. Let’s just be thankful it turned out how it did.”
“Can we really though?” She looked down at her hands. “What is happening to me?”
Luke took a hand and cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. Her large green eyes shown brightly, and as he took a closer look, he noticed twinkling, violet flecks.