“Nice ass.”
“Stop that!” Nova glances over, meeting Asher’s eyes in the full-length mirror of the hotels gym. “Why did I agree to have you come and do this with me again?”
“To be your spotter. And I’m spotting.” he leers.
“Ah.”
“That and you took a later flight than you usually do, leaving me wallowing in the doldrums of deep depression because I was denied the opportunity to lay eyes on your sublime face for as long as I would have liked to.”
“Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“In the bathroom, usually.”
“Fits, because it’s a load of...”
“Nova!”
She chuckles as she turns back to her task, dropping low into a squat while holding the kettlebell out in front of her.
“Do you really have to go through with your next match?”
“Hmm? Why wouldn’t I?” her brow creases.
“You said your next match was first blood right? And let me tell you, the idea of anyone renting the flesh of such an innocent angel...”
“Asher.”
“Sorry... I don’t see how you would want to do that.”
“The reward.” Nova places the weight down and turns to face her friend. “I would do anything, even walk through fire and brimstone to get a chance at one of the belts. And instead all I have to do is make another woman bleed for it.”
“Oh, is that all?”
“I said anything.” He makes a face at her. “It’s not like I have to slice her from belly button to throat, and rip her intestines out and use them like a jump rope.”
“............................. that was morbid.”
“I watch a lot of horror movies.”
“Clearly.”
“You still coming to watch?”
“I wouldn’t miss you trying to water the ring with blood if my life depended on it.” he pauses. “It doesn’t, does it?”
“You’re an idiot.”
“You tell me that an awful lot you know, and yet... I’m still head over heels in love with an axe murderer.”
She snorts. “Let’s go before you become practice for Cano.”
As they turn to walk out, Nova’s phone goes off. She glances at the screen where the name Jolie Vexx is flashing in bold lettering, then holds a finger up to Asher. “Hold on, I have to take this.” She flicks her thumb across the screen and raises the phone to her ear, offering a greeting as she moves out of view.
______________________________________________________________________
“Hello again Cristina!
We are getting close, aren't we?
Were you as excited to see what came up on that little wheel as I was?
I sure do hope so.
Maybe you are thinking I’m one of those girls that would be horrified at the notion of spilling a little blood, yours or mine... I’m not. I would willingly give an entire bucket if it meant I would get to where I want to go faster. But it’s a good thing I don’t have to, right? Because it's going to be you making that donation for me.
We all have to sacrifice, this is yours.
Rest assured my dear, it is for a very good cause.
Mine.
You will spill your blood, so that I may rise up and get my chance at that belt.
Never you fear though, I am more than willing to get down and dirty in that ring before we hit our climax. No need to rush it, am I right? Unless you want to jump right into trying to made the crimson flow freely, I suppose I could do that, but where's the fun in it?
No, you and I... we will get to spend a little bit of time together, testing our limits, seeing what we have learned in our time here, and beating the crap out of one another until I put a stop to it and end it all with your blood spilling.
There is no other way this is going to end Crissy dear.
The era of Nova started at Malevolence, and it has rocketed onwards, gathering steam until it now streaks through the roster like an asteroid, blowing away everyone in its path. I’m sorry to tell you, that you aren't going to be the one to stop it honey.
It's not you.
And once I'm through with you, I’m setting my sights on Casie, and that beautiful piece of gold that she is keeping warm for me.
It is only a matter of time now, and those grains of sand are slipping faster and faster through the hourglass. I hope Casie can feel it looming over her, gripping the Championship as hard as she can, knowing that she has precious little time left with it. The days she can call herself the top of the First Class roster are numbered, because I am coming to claim that throne. Just like I said from the moment I walked though the doors.
From there Cris?
I’m going to start breaking records.
I’m going to start making myself a legend.
Because I won’t be satisfied until I am the damn face of the IIW.
That it is me that everyone pictures when the name of the federation is even mentioned.
It won’t be Casie’s. It won’t be Solace’s. It won’t be Steph’s.
And it certainly will not be yours.
Mine.
But you can take comfort in one thing, sweet girl... You can at least say that you played a small role in making the legend that will be Nova Skye. You can claim your place as one of the ones that boosted her among the stars where she shone like a diamond, perhaps a little of that stardust settling on your shoulder. Your singular claim to fame during your stay, because while I’m around, you won’t get a taste. You’ll always be in my shadow.
A stepping stone.
Nothing more, and nothing less.
That is all you will ever be to me.”