“Fuck that. It’s just another way to discriminate…”
Brynleigh moved away from the women, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping on their conversation. Her interest was piqued, though. She made a mental note to ask Ryker about the Registration Decree.
It wasn’t long before she heard a similar conversation. Then, a third. Soon, Brynleigh started to understand why Jelisette had sent her here.
The conversations varied, but hatred of the Representatives was a common thread through them all. This was a place where being associated with the upper class could get someone killed.
And Brynleigh was married to a future Representative.
Talk about potential problems.
Then she noticed something else. People were complaining about the Chancellor, but no one said a word about Jade Academy.
How could no one be bringing it up? Didn’t they care that people had died a few days ago?
Part of Brynleigh wanted to scream at them and ask why they weren’t talking about it—after all, it had been all over the news—but the other, wiser part of her knew drawing that kind of attention to herself was dangerous.
Then, it was too late.
The air in the warehouse shifted. Hushed whispers ran over the crowd like a wave, starting in the far-right corner and rippling through the space.
“Dimitri’s coming.”
“He’s here.”
“He’s early. I thought…”
“Hush.”
The last word was a murmured command, repeated until silence blanketed the warehouse.
Brynleigh stood on her tiptoes, trying to glimpse the mysterious Dimitri. After all, he was the reason she was here.
The crowds parted, and then she saw him. Her breath caught in her throat.
Dimitri was incredibly beautiful in a violent way. Black hair streaked with red flowed to his waist. He was nearly a head taller than most of the crowd. A strong jaw and crooked nose lent him a fierce appearance. Like Brynleigh, he wore all black, although his outfit was somehow refined and casual at the same time. His orange eyes glowed.
A werewolf.
Not just any wolf, judging by the power radiating from him. If Brynleigh were in a betting mood, she’d say he was an Alpha. She hadn’t met many other werewolves, save for Trinity, who had also participated in the Choosing.
Dimitri reached the empty stage. Instead of using the stairs, he leaped onto the platform with the grace of a predatory animal. He turned in a slow circle, a smile creeping over his lip.
Anticipation thickened the air.
“We have a good crowd this evening,” Dimitri declared, his voice booming through the warehouse. “Welcome to Horizon.”
The assembled group cheered.
“Who’s ready for a fight?”
This time, the crowd’s roar was deafening. Feet stomped. People yelled. Fists pumped.
A wicked smile graced the werewolf’s lips. “Wonderful. Then, without further ado, may I introduce our first contestant?”
Another wave of cheers went through the warehouse. Each was more frenzied than the last, and Brynleigh’s shadows swirled in her veins.
Then Dimitri caught her eye. He raised a brow, a devilish smirk dancing on his lips.