Valerie and Hakon, along with Rainer and Wilhelm, were strong Grigori, but they were not leaders. And with Seth and Decima – along with their battle know-how and wisdom – they were increasingly absent … I didn’t like what I was seeing.
Unable to stop myself, I allowed my eyes to travel to where Lincoln stood, hands clasped behind his back. He had changed his top, now wearing a well-fitting white T-shirt, and appeared patient and attentive. But I could have sworn I saw a similar air of concern about his features as he looked over the Assembly members.
Will he become an Assembly member one day?
I hoped so. Maybe he would bring something to this place that it was sorely missing. The Lincoln I had known could make things right here. But the one who stood in front of me now? I didn’t know him so well.
Yes, you do.
No. He’s not the same.
Liar.
At that moment, Lincoln looked up and our eyes met for a flash. Just a minuscule moment was all it took for his piercing green gaze to cause the soul I had buried so deep to demand I move closer. Panicked, I looked towards the exit doors for a fraction of a second. When I looked back, Lincoln’s focus had moved to his feet. His shoulders dropped as if he had let out a breath or sigh and I caught the slight shake of his head.
Showing nothing outwardly, I turned my attention back to the Assembly, but having seen Lincoln’s reaction to me, his disappointment … my chest constricted and I had to work hard to keep each breath even and calm. The question was: had Lincoln reacted that way because I looked at the door or because I didn’t take the opportunity to leave?
I blinked away my scrambled thoughts as Drenson started to introduce the authority challenge between Lincoln and me. I saw Lincoln move towards the main sparring arena that had been left clear. He looked focused, strong and confident.
‘So, about winning this fight,’ Gray said discreetly from my side.
‘Yeah,’ I swallowed, suddenly nervous to be on display this way. Lincoln and me … and sparring. I cleared my throat. ‘About that.’
‘You’re going to have to play a little dirty if you want to beat him.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Because I’ve seen him in action. And with their big guy out,’ Gray said, gesturing to Hakon, ‘there’s a reason the Assembly defer to Lincoln and let him lead in combat. Even with your speed he’ll have strength over you. You’ll hold the element of surprise but only for a short time. Plus, he’s on home turf. So, you’ll have to take him down hard and fast or you’ll lose your window. You hearing me?’
I glared at him. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence, and your point is?’
He smirked. ‘My point is that pissing him off will be the best distraction you could hope for. Just make sure you stay focused afterwards.’
‘After what?’
I glanced at Lincoln. He stood in the fighting square, waiting for me. When I turned back to Gray to tell him I had to go, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me flush to his body, kissing me hard on the lips and holding me there.
I was so shocked it took me a moment to push him away. I heard people nearby gasp and then I saw Gray smirk. More than anything I felt an overwhelming fury.
Gray grabbed my chin, squeezing tightly to hold my attention as he leaned in and whispered, ‘Now, keep your shields locked tight, stay the hell focused and win.’ He winked.
I leaned in a little further, my hand gripping his shoulder as my fingers dug in – hopefully painfully – to the soft spot. ‘You’re going to pay gravely for that.’
‘No doubt,’ he said with a devilish grin. ‘But until then, use it.’
And I knew exactly what he meant and was already following orders, pushing my shields to the max.
It was underhanded, but Lincoln was the first person who’d taught me: you do what you’ve got to do to win.
I marched into the combat arena, not looking at Lincoln, and faced the Assembly. ‘Rules?’
Drenson looked at me for a long moment, clearly unimpressed by what he saw. I was sure he’d hoped he would go the rest of his long life without ever laying eyes on me again.
Yeah, well, the feeling’s mutual.
‘First to move into a clear kill position,’ he stated.
One round. Fine by me. Perfect, in fact. I nodded, turning to Lincoln. ‘Ready when you are.’
Lincoln’s arm shot out so fast I was surprised. But I dodged it, my speed beyond that of any other Grigori I’d known.
I smirked briefly when I saw the shock register on his face. But my optimism was quickly strangled when I glimpsed something else in those green eyes of his. Something almost like pride.
I didn’t have long to ponder this, though, since I was already moving into a full-force round kick. It was another flashy display of my speed, and Lincoln never saw it coming. As soon as my foot made contact, I spun a second time, coming at him with another kick.