The Arena novel Chapter 36

After Ishir contacted Avani, he and I went to look at it again. When we got there, all the lights on the ground made it look like a spotlight on the arena. From high above the ground, we could see that there weren’t four but eight harpoon launchers. We could also see exactly how thick the walls are, and we were able to see down into the as-yet uncovered hole in the ground where the supernaturals were being housed. Those cages are going to be nearly impossible to get open.

I had landed with Avani and instantly smelled Cedric’s scent of a spring rainstorm. I immediately put my finger to my lips, so Avani knows not to say anything. And, of course, he has to antagonize Cedric.

Afterward, we flew to my penthouse. We sit down at my dining room table with Ishir and begin drawing out what we saw and make a plan.

“Were you serious about contacting Kaylani and Zephyr?” I ask Avani.

He looks at me, his eyes narrowing. “We need them. At least one of them. Eight harpoon launchers is a bit much, even for the two of us.”

Zephyr and Kaylani are sisters, and their elements, air and water, work well together. Avani and I aren’t related, but our elements, fire and earth, also work well together. Having all four of us would definitely give us the advantage.

“However, I need to check with Kaylani. She wanted a pure dragon baby, and I accommodated her request,” he says with a self-satisfied smirk. I just shake my head at him.

“I’m a great lover, Tana. You wouldn’t be disappointed, and I bet I could make you forget about a certain grumpy Lycan.”

I lean in, looking him in the eye. “Not interested. Not today, not tomorrow, and not any time in the future.” I tell him before sitting back.

“Maybe we can get back to what’s important, you know, the arena?” Ish says, redirecting Avani. The man is utterly ridiculous.

Just then Kenna comes running out of her room. “Momma!”

I turn and stand in one motion. “Sweet girl.” I open my arms and swing her up. She’s been having nightmares since I told her about the arenas.

She hugs me for a moment before pulling back. “What’s he doing here?” she asks, looking at Avani.

Surprisingly, he gets up and comes to her. “Hello, beautiful.” He holds his arms out, and I’m amazed that my daughter goes to him immediately. “It’s good to see you again,” he says, taking her back to the table.

He sits, seating her on his lap.

“Why are you here?” she asks him again.

“Your mom, Ishir, and I are making plans to take down an arena.”

“Avani …” I growl at him. I hadn’t planned to tell her since she was already having nightmares.

“Don’t you think she’s conjuring something worse in her head, Tana?” he asks, kissing the top of my daughter’s head while she looks at what we’ve been putting together.

“Is this it?” she asks. He looks at me, waiting for me to agree that we can tell her. I nod.

He wraps his arm around her and leans in. “This is the arena. And see here?”

Kenna nods.

“This is where they hold the supes that they force to fight.”

“Why do they force them to fight?” she asks, but she’s looking at Avani, not me or Ishir.

“Because they don’t understand us. And humans fear what they don’t understand. So, rather than get to know us, they try to destroy us.”

I’m amazed at how paternal Avani is with Kenna. And she has taken to him almost instantly. It makes my heart hurt. Not because I want a child with Avani but because I want Kenna to have this with her real father. If only Cedric hadn’t ruined everything.