Page 85 of Embriagado

“Why did you take me here?”

“You’ll see.”

“So you can kill me?”

With his helmet tucked under his arm, Ariyan began to walk along the fence, unbothered by my question.

“Fuck, just answer me,” I yelled.

“If you truly think I’m about to kill you, why not use the knife you’ve been carrying in your pocket since we met?”

I froze, eyes locked on his back, because how the fuck did he know⁠—

He glanced to look at me over his shoulder. “Nothing gets past me, Mr. Rivas. It’s about time you realize it.”

My mouth dried out, and I pressed my lips together, unsure of what to say when he went on.

“Now, then, let’s move. I’d hate to be late for the fight.”

Fight?

“What fight?”

“Has no one ever taught you patience?”

Annoyed, I jogged ahead to catch up.

“Fuck off, I’m just curious.”

“You really are a dog.”

“Hey—”

I shut up after the sounds of shouting reached my ears. No, not shouting, but cheering. The voices were muffled, but without a doubt, they were the sounds of a crowd, as if somewhere among these hangars, a football stadium was hidden. Now keeping quiet, I followed Ariyan until we reached a big hangar, with guards standing outside of it.

What the hell?

“He’s with me,” Ariyan said to one of the men before he opened the door for us.

He walked in first, with me still doubting my next step. Those men, they were all armed, and the shouting coming from the inside didn’t make me too eager to walk into this unknown danger.

“Mr. Rivas?”

Ariyan was staring at me from the doorway. With nothing but darkness around him, he shone like a lone star, dressed all in white. My heart stopped, thoughts all quieted down, and without realizing what I was doing, I went ahead and followed him in.

22

ARIYAN

“W-what is this place?” the clueless idiot muttered from behind me.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I said, not looking away from the cage. “It’s a fighting ring.”

Still lingering behind, he didn’t take the few steps forward to join me by the railing. Amused, I glanced at him over my shoulder. “What’s the matter, Mr. Rivas? I thought you, of all people, would be familiar with the sport.”

Only then did he snap out of his shock, his eyes meeting mine. “Sport? This isn’t sport,” he hissed, jaw rigid. “This is illegal fighting, isn’t it? Those people there, they’re⁠—”

“Criminals,” I cut in, lips stretched in a slight smile. “Same as you.”