Rain POV
I slid my blade free, the metal gleaming under the dim light, still stained from earlier. My grip was weak, but my spirit wasn't.
Eric glanced at Batista, hesitant.
"Wait," Batista rasped, stepping forward. "Let me do it."
"You can't," Eric snapped. "You're half-dead."
"She's too strong for you, Eric," Batista said, coughing into his hand. "And don't worry. We both look like hell. It's a fair fight."
"Fair fight?" I spat blood at his feet. "What is this, a damn duel? I don't have time for this. Fine. If you want to fight me, let's finish it."
Eric hesitated — then stepped aside.
But his new woman moved in front of Batista. "No," she said. "She's a she-wolf. Let me face her."
"She's stronger than you, Mara," Batista warned. "And she's not herself."
"She's weak," she snarled. "I can subdue her."
"No, you can't," Batista growled. "There's dark magic growing inside her. You'll be dead in a minute."
