Bitter Brambles (The Ivy Institute #2)

Chapter 6

brIAR

I look away when the male’s lids grow increasingly heavy. It may make me seem weak, like I let him win, but I’d rather be thought of as a weak prude than be party to their intimacy. I even think about getting up and trying to find another hole to camp in, but that would really seem like a coward’s move.

The female’s muffled moans get even louder. I can’t tell if she’s even enjoying it anymore or if her whimpers are from pain. Something tells me it wouldn’t matter to the male either way.

“Damn, Hawk, can you shut her up already? Some of us are trying to sleep.” The gripe is accompanied by the squeak of a nearby bed, but I don’t catch exactly where it came from. I snort in agreement. The female is getting obnoxious at this point.

“Come,” Hawk barks, and on cue, the girl lets out a yowl in response. It makes me think she really was faking, but I don’t voice that. I don’t think Hawk would like that pointed out very much. Within a few seconds, the male stops his erratic rutting. Thankfully, he doesn’t make any loud declarations to hint that he got off.

When he climbs out of the bed, naked and unabashed, I rise slowly to my feet, anticipating his approach. There’s no way I want to be eye level with his junk. Though my back is to the corner, I don’t feel safe. I’m in a room with countless strangers who might be as good as enemies.

Hawk saunters toward me, his semi-erect dick swinging. I have to swallow the bile creeping up my throat, but I try to appear unaffected.

“Interrupting won’t get you to the head of the line any faster.” His voice is smooth, lacking the agitation I assumed would be present.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, and I’m not in line for anything but sleep.”

His dark eyes roam over more than my face. It almost seems as if he’s trying to place me, but I know we’ve never met. I would remember him. There’s something slimy about him, or maybe I just feel that way because of our introduction. I’ve never witnessed someone having sex before I met them. “You might be a little sore after I’m done with you, but I’m sure you’ll fall asleep like a baby,” he taunts.

“I’m not looking for a fight or a fuck buddy, but thank you for the offer.” My harsh tone takes out some of the diplomacy in my rejection, but I can’t help it. The thought of him touching me makes me want to hurl. Ziv would kill him for even being this close to me naked—well, at least I think he would anyway. I’m a little shy on conviction, since he and Kage both pretty much abandoned me.

“Most don’t start out willing, but I don’t mind.” He moves a little closer, and I straighten my back, pushing deeper into the corner. All the things Ziv taught me about combat start going through my head, but I can’t force my body into an offensive stance. I just want to recoil. Maybe he’ll try to use his ability on me, and I can disappear. Wandering around this place for a few hours or days even like a ghost would be welcome at this point.

“It’s not happening,” I tell him, wishing I still had the blades Ziv made for me.

“Oh, it is, and everyone here is going to watch you beg me for it.”

I want to take my eyes off him, to look around to see if they are all watching like he says, but I’m not that dumb. Besides, it wouldn’t do me any good to see the faces of the people complicit in his attack.

With a speed I should have anticipated but didn’t, he reaches out and grabs my wrist. A current of useless magic prickles under his touch, and my body reacts to the threat like I wanted it to before he even got close. I twist with my hips and slam the palm of my hand up into his nose, rocking his head back and catching him off guard.

His head jerks back roughly from the blow. When he looks back down, his eyes are wide, and there’s blood seeping out of his nostril. Still, it doesn’t cause him to loosen his grip. I send another strike at his throat, my fingers pointed and as stiff as I can manage.

He makes a satisfying choking sound and releases me to grab his neck as he stumbles back, gagging. The shock only lasts a moment before he snarls and lowers his head to bum-rush me. I could try to run, but I’m at a disadvantage. I don’t know the layout of the room or if I could even escape. It’s better to fight now than tire myself out by running.

I duck into a ball, and he’s forced to reconsider his attack strategy. “That’s enough,” a male voice yells, but I don’t take my eyes off Hawk. Instead of slamming into me, he kicks out with his leg, going for the side of my knee while I’m curled into a ball. It’s a flawed assault and won’t do much damage other than bruise, but that’s why I tucked in and turned to the side to protect my most vulnerable parts. If he were a good fighter, he would have gone for my head or ribs. Maybe there is hope for me to survive this.

“I said that’s enough,” the same voice bellows. Hawk shoves his fist at me, and it lands sloppily on my upper shoulder. It hurts, but when I feel the evidence of him using magic against me again, I know the strike wasn’t the objective, especially when he doesn’t pull back to protect himself or deliver another attack.

I shove his hand away and spring up in one fluid movement, then I sweep his leg out from under him. When his back hits the stone floor, his now flaccid dick flops like a dead worm. The confusion on his face would be funny if I was confident I could withstand a beating from him if he was serious about it, but he has a size and strength advantage, even if he doesn’t know how the hell to use it.

“What the fuck?” he voices in bewilderment while lifting himself up on his elbow to get up. I should pounce on him now and slam his head into the floor—that is what Ziv would want me to do, since I don’t have a safe retreat—but I hear whispers around me and see movement in my peripheral vision. One figure is familiar, and he’s also the voice telling us he’s had enough of our fighting—Mick.

I put myself back in the corner as the new threat approaches and take a moment to scan the rest of the bunks. If they all attack, I’m done for, unless they reach for their magic to subdue me.

“This is why you shouldn’t just rely on your ability.” Mick gives Hawk a scathing glare when he passes the male to get closer to me.

I put my hands out in front of me—not fisted, but ready to strike if need be.

“You can relax, Briar,” he instructs, but I don’t put my hands down. I don’t trust him or anyone else. “Go strip his bed. You just earned a place upstairs.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? It was a fluke,” Hawk exclaims, clearly pissed off.

“I’d rather go without than be surrounded by his scent.”

“You fucking bitch.” Clearly, I offended Hawk with the refusal, which is dumb, considering he gets to keep his shit.

“Stop running your mouth, or I will make you swallow your blanket just like you made that girl swallow her cries, you fucking sicko.” The venom in my tone surprises me, but I have a good idea where Hawk’s magic lies. He’s some kind of monster who takes people’s wills away. I have never been happier that magic doesn’t work on me.

Hawk lunges for me again, but Mick stops the would-be attack with a look.

“He won’t always be around to protect you.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I can take care of myself then.” I keep my voice calm, even though I’m freaking out on the inside. I just hope I can make it out of here before my legs give way and I collapse to the floor from exhaustion.

“You should be thanking her for letting you keep your blanket, Hawk. You know damn well she earned it,” Mick chides.

“No, she hasn’t. I wasn’t finished with her. You stopped it.”

My gut tightens at Hawk’s words. “The only reason she didn’t make you submit instead of leaving your bare ass on the floor is because she doesn’t know the rules of the dregs,” Mick argues. “Take it as a lesson not to just rely on your magic. You have fifty pounds and a clear height advantage, and she kicked your ass.”

“She didn’t kick my ass.” Hawk looks around. “She got lucky.”

“Sure, let’s go.” Mick motions for me to move, snapping his head to the left. I’m still cautious, but it would be stupid to argue. He’s getting me out of here.

I don’t like having the male at my back, but it’s a little better than being completely unprotected. I’m not dumb enough to think Hawk or anyone else follows the rules here.

When we clear the door, Mick moves to stand beside me. “I had a feeling my evening would be eventful, but fuck if you didn’t surprise me. I suppose you do have thorns.” He’s looking at me in a new light. I still don’t like it, but there’s a scant amount of respect in his gaze that I can appreciate.

“I was trained by the best,” I say without thought.

“Who is that?” Mick turns his head, eager for an answer.

“That will cost you.”

He snorts and shakes his head. “Smart and tough. I’m not sure you’re ready for the shit storm that’s going to come for you, Briar, but at least I won’t be bored. Between you and me, information is only valuable if it isn’t widely known, and everyone knows that Ziv is the combat instructor at the Ivy and the best.”

But they don’t know he was mine. The thought is sharp and unbidden. I want to look away and blush from either the pride or foolishness of the notion, considering he’s not claiming me as his anymore.

I shrug. “I don’t know who the instructor here is. How was I to know his reputation preceded him?” I defend truthfully.

“Our tutor isn’t a fallen god who disappeared for a hundred years only to resurface rather recently and end up at the Ivy.”

“When’s rather recently?” I question, wondering how I didn’t already know this.

Mick looks down at me. “You mean he doesn’t walk around singing his own praises? I figured he was trying to recruit a bunch of new devotees in a bid to regain his godhood.” He walks toward the stairs in a huff, as if he’s annoyed by the thought of Ziv regaining his power. I didn’t even know it was a possibility. What would happen if he did? Gods don’t have mates. Would I lose him then? Haven’t you already?

My legs want to give out, and I pretend it’s the notion of climbing the stairs again that has me feeling weak.

Mick looks back expectantly, but I’m still rooted in the same spot, trying to get my head on straight. “Twenty years,” he answers. “And now you owe me one.” A grin curls his mouth as if he thinks he got one over on me.

I make no sign to acknowledge his assumption, and instead, I question, “Where am I going now?”

“That little stunt in there earned you a place in the nest. It isn’t quite the upper echelon, but it’s a step closer.”

“The nest?” I question, wondering if the image that pops in my head of a bunch of people piled together on pallets on the floor is where he’s taking me.

Mick ignores my inquiry. “There should be some free space in there, so hopefully you won’t have to fight for a bed tonight.”

Climbing the steps to the next level is easier than I thought it would be, as if my body has realized it can’t fight the inevitable and it’s much simpler to go along with what needs to happen. “Try to keep a low profile for the rest of tonight. While I admire your boldness, I think we both know you’re exhausted.” Mick keeps his words of advice low, even though I don’t see anyone around. With a smooth jerk, he hauls open a door that looks identical to the one downstairs, expecting me to enter. I give him one lingering look before plunging into the dimly lit space.

My first observation is how quiet it is, much more so than the dregs. I don’t even hear any snoring. The door closes soundlessly behind me and steals a little of the light that was penetrating the room. I give my eyes a few precious moments to adjust, allowing me to see the single beds spaced throughout the room, no bunks in sight. If I had to guess with my limited view, I would say there are only half as many beds as there were bunks in the dregs, which means there would only be a quarter of the number of residents. Interesting.

I take a deep breath, and the air seems to come easier just knowing there aren’t as many threats present. When any hope of my vision getting sharper fades, I start scanning the cots for an empty one. All of the outer beds are filled, at least on this side of the room, so I begin my slow tiptoe through the aisles, searching.

The moment I spy a bed that is free of lumps and seems empty, I make a beeline for it. As carefully as I can, I lower myself to the thin padding, hoping it doesn’t squeak. When the bed accepts my weight without complaint, I let out the breath I was holding and curl up on my side. More than once while I lie here, I regret not taking Hawk’s bedding, but I doubt I would have been able to use it without puking anyway. I feel like his scent is still coating the back of my throat.

I squint when bright light flares. Fear grips me hard and fast, forcing me to open my eyes against the vivid assault. It takes several blinks before I can make anything out, but when I do, I wish I was still sleeping.

My bed is surrounded by several people, all wearing various expressions that range from confused to wary. I sit up and lick my dry lips. I don’t even remember falling asleep, but once I did, I must have slept hard. My mouth is thick and parched, while my body feels sluggish, even under the threat of attack.

“What are you doing here?” comes a deep voice from behind me. I turn my head, looking for the speaker. He isn’t as large as Ziv, but on the scale of what I would consider normal, he’s at the top. His dark hair is shorn close to his skull, only making his dark features even more pronounced. His eyes, while squinted with a shrewd stare, don’t seem menacing—yet.

“I…” I clear my throat after croaking the single word. “I earned this bed.” It’s only now that the room is lit up that I realize the placement of the cots. They are formed into a concentric circle, with him in the middle and me in the row closest to him. I’m guessing I’m the only one stupid enough to be this close, since the three other beds in my row are flat and bare. Too bad I didn’t notice that in the dark.

He rises to his full height, and I tip my head back to watch him. “I’m guessing you’re the reason Taggert is gone,” he notes.

“I don’t know who Taggert is, but I was told I was traded,” I admit.

He nods once. “How did you wind up here?” He moves closer to me, close enough that I know he wouldn’t have any problem spanning the distance between us to attack. As hard as it is, I hold my ground.

“I bested Hawk in the dregs.” I don’t take my eyes off the male in front of me. It’s clear he’s the leader of this floor. There’s no chance of me challenging him and ascending to the next level, which brings an even more sobering thought. If he’s the top dog here, then what the hell are the elites like?

A slow, nasty smile curls the male’s lips. “I would have liked to have seen that.” His dark gaze sweeps over me, maybe seeing me in a new light or assessing what power I may possess. Little does he know, I have none. “We have rules in the nest.”

“I’m listening,” I tell him, though I’m not willing to commit to anything before hearing it.

“No attacking anyone while we’re here. If you want to challenge someone, you do it outside these walls or in the ring.”

It’s more than I could have ever hoped for, and it seems too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”

“The minute you walk out the door, all bets are off.”

I’m still skeptical. There’s a part of me that thinks he is only telling me this so I’ll lower my guard, but if he’s telling the truth, then it’s a rule I can accept as long as no one else attacks me first. “Okay,” I agree.

“If you use your powers on anyone to get them out of the nest, or break the rules in any way, all bets are off.”

“We’ll all take turns cutting you up, so none of us can take the blame alone for killing you,” a female chimes in.

“I’m not going to challenge anyone,” I say, but I know they don’t have a reason to believe me.

“I bet Hawk would argue.” The voices are coming from all around, so it’s nearly impossible to know who’s speaking. Besides, I’m not all that eager to take my eyes off the leader of the group.

“He came for me. I was just trying to find a dark corner to sleep in.”

“Nah, you must have caught him by surprise.”

Arguing won’t get me anywhere, so I don’t bother. “Whatever you say. Am I good to bunk here, or do I need to find somewhere else to sleep?”

“You chose your bed, so now you can sleep in it.” The sentiment is met with sounds of agreement from several people in the group. Clearly, they think there is a reason to keep their distance from the big male and I made a poor choice in location, but I’m not so sure I agree with them. For one, I’ll be able to keep an eye on him, and I’ll be able to benefit from his separation. If there’s a reason to be afraid to break the rules, then he’s one of them.

“You better get moving. Our time in the tavern starts in about five minutes, and you’ll want every minute you can get to eat,” he warns.

“Is that your way of getting me to leave the nest?” I try to make light of the situation, but I’m not sure it resonates with him or anyone else.

“Just because we won’t attack you here doesn’t mean you’re safe. The tutors don’t take too kindly to us when we miss lessons, and missing a meal, especially for someone as small as you, would be stupid. There are quicker ways to self-destruct that don’t risk getting the rest of us in trouble with the tutors.”

I can’t argue with that, not that I would anyway. Self-destruction isn’t usually my style… for the most part. “My name is Briar. What can I call you?” I rise from the bed slowly so he doesn’t think I’m a threat.

“Tank,” he supplies without pause.

The only thing I can do is hope he isn’t planning on stabbing me in the back the moment we walk out the door.