Fallen Angels by Natalie Kiest Page B

I hid from her had been released, and it could only be released by her doing something with Devlin. “You said you loved me.”
    “How could you do this to me?” Kara yelled.
    “You lied,” I breathed then tossed the phone over the balcony. My anger bubbled, begging for a release, begging for Devlin’s head on a spike, and I knew just how to get it.
     
    I stood outside of the large black oval building known only as THE ARENA. A demon version of the coliseums of ancient times, but this was my modern version. The only thing similar to ancient times was the ring itself, a perfect circle with a powdery gravel surface; everything else carried a modern flare. Plush theater style seating along with box seating and a VIP front row section, it could hold five thousand. It had single-handedly made Seattle the demon capital of the world. It was my pride and joy.
    I was greeted by my many regulars as I entered, heading past the crowded bar before entering the Arena itself. The crowd roared as the scheduled battle began in the ring. I moved quickly to the enclosed booth at ground level, entering the door marked STAFF ONLY.
    My business partner and manager Jeanie greeted me with a smile as I entered. Today her hair was black with hot pink streaks in a short spiky mess, and her black eyeliner accented the pink contacts she wore. “Jeanie, how are we doing tonight?” I asked, kissing her cheek after taking note of the tiny skirt barely covering her fine ass. 
    “Hey sexy, I thought you were taking the night off?” she replied with a devilish grin.
    “On the contrary, gorgeous, cancel the remaining matches, announce my return to the ring. All takers, and I will be using the wheel of death.”
    Her grin faded as she stared at me. “Ravyn, what are you doing? You said you were done.  What will happen if—?”
    “The Arena goes to you if anything should happen Jeanie. I trust it will be in good hands.”  
    “Ravyn, please don’t do this. We have a good thing here. I can’t run this place without you.”
    I gave her an assuring grin and a wink. “Announce it Jeanie, then spread the word and make damn sure Devlin hears about it first. I will take on all challengers who enter, to the death. It’s going to be quite the show,” I said, leaving the booth and heading down the secret passage that led under the ring.
    I stood on the elevator platform, listening as the match above finished while wrapping sport tape around my hands. I slid my coat off and tossed it to the man working the elevator. He smiled. “It’s going to be a busy night, a good night,” he said, bowing his head. 
    Jeanie’s voice echoed from above, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce a very special treat for you on this night. Welcoming all who wish to challenge her presence in the Arena, using the wheel of death. It is time for the darkness to arise!” she announced like she had so many times before. 
    The lights went off and my theme song started. The floor above opened and the elevator rose into the darkness. The crowd instantly recognized the song that had always introduced me into the Arena, and silence fell. Red strobe lights flashed around the stadium while the tone of the music grew. I stood with my head down and arms at my sides, waiting for the song to announce my presence. “ARE YOU READY!” the Korn song screamed, and the red spotlight swung down to illuminate me. 
    The crowd went wild when they saw me standing in the center of the ring once again. Raising my arms I let out a tremendous roar, exciting them even more as the laser lighting flashed and danced like its own concert.
    Jeanie joined me in the ring, and the bright white spotlights swung down to follow her to the center. Lighting a cigarette I headed to the table of weapons and waited for her to announce the first challenger.
    “In her first fight in the arena, Serenity!” Jeanie’s announcement brought a round of laughter from the crowd. 
    It was a woman,