The Scumbags Guide to Enslaving Demon's

By nightfall the district had transformed into a stadium.

Demons filled the charred rooftops around Grand Meridian. Lesser lords and scavenger packs lined every shattered windowpane. Contract brokers lounged atop hidden ledges while Malrec’ soldiers staked positions nearby. Word of the territorial challenge had leaked through half the city quicker than wildfire. One rogue human devourer had challenged a registered lord to public law, and neither had blinked.

Austin stood in the hotel lobby while Seven rechecked the root gate for the third time.

"The challenge seals at first blood," the enforcer stated. "No army may enter. No outside contract may enter and alter the combat ground."

"May," Austin echoed.

Seven’ palms ignited. "Malrec will attempt it anyway."

"Then we make him regret it."

Elena leaned against the reception desk, arms folded. She hadn’ spoken much since the ram attack. Austin could smell her nerves beneath the gun oil and smoke.

"You don’ have to do this alone."

"The rules clearly state I must."

"The rules were made by demons."

"Then I study them before they kill us."

Rin sat perched atop the barricade, scraping one talon against the handle of a leash-riders knife. Her claws dug deep grooves into the wood as her long-term pact took effect differently than her temporary bonding with Austin. He didn’ feel tethered by leash or hook. Instead, a thread of shared purpose wound around his spine, thin as a flagpole cord but blazing bright.

She looked up. "You planning on eating him."

"I’ thinking about winning."

"Weit are not mutually exclusive."

Austin leveled his glare at her. "Maybe for you, they are."

Maelis stepped forward from the stairwell balcony, ember flame held low in her palm. "Malrec’ issued challenge contains three clauses beneath the publicly stated terms."

Elena straightened. "Isn’ that illegal?"

"It’s clever." Elena hissed. "Learn your enemy, fool."

"Not uncommon for a territorial dispute."

Maelis slid a piece of black skin across the counter. "I recommend memorizing them."

The words were inked in green fire on A patch of black skin. Austin skimmed them. Winner takes territory. Second: prisoners held under either side’s claim are immediately released according to declared terms.

The third clause was written smaller.

**Failure to best your opponent by first blood results in your bloodline becoming forfeit to the victor’ registry. **

Austin grinned.

Maelis frowned. "Do you understand what he just proposed?"

"I understand that he’ trying to take more than just this hotel."

"He wants your Devour trait chain reacted and stripped away from you."

"Then I’ma take his bloodline first blood."

Elena slid between them, hands pressed against the glass. "Stop treating this like it’ a recipe discussion."

Austin’ entire demeanor cooled. "If I lose, everything in this building becomes Malrec’ to collect. You want me to act like that don’ turn him into food?"

Complete silence filled the lobby.

He knew the moment she looked away that he regretted saying it.

The old Austin would have apologized right then and there. This new Austin considered the apology and weighed it against the fight he had coming. It was too expensive.

He was more scared of that realization than Malrec’ entire army.

Outside, the horn blew.

Seven opened the root gate.

Austin strode out into the street alone.

The challenge ground sat between their armies: an enormous ring of black stone, glittering runes tracing the circumference. Green and violet script slipped across the face of the circle like sap. Malrec waited on the other side, black coat and the twin hems of his sleeves tucked neatly behind his back.

"You came," he said.

"You sound disappointed."

"I didn’ expect you to comprehend the difference between courage and appetite."

Austin stepped across the boundary line.

The circle sealed behind him with the sound of duct tape stretched too thin across glass.

[Territorial Challenge accepted.]

[External involvement prohibited.]

[Declared stakes acknowledged.]

[Hidden clause detected: Bloodline forfeit]

[OPTION: Contest clause before first blood.]

Austin screamed. "Before we begin I contest your bloodline clause."

The crowd murmured. Demons leaned closer. Malrec’ smile faded. "On what basis?"

"Public announcement was declined."

"Every lord learns to read his terms."

"No every lord hides extra stipulations in smaller font."

Malrec hesitated.

Then shook his head.

The hidden clause evaporated.

The crowd roared.

Austin allowed himself a small, violent thrill. Before the first blow was struck, he had already wounded Malrec. Stripped some authority away.

"You’re turn," Malrec growled quietly. "What rule are you concealing?"

Austin had one.

He just couldn’ announce it here.

The root network underneath the street was listening already. It couldn’ penetrate the sealed ground but it could react once the circle broke. If Austin lasted long enough, he could trap every demonlord in this district beneath one end of Tier Primordius’ roots.

He bit back that thought.

"No secret rules."

"Liar."

"Of course you are."

Malrec laughed, harsh sound that died when the first bell chimed.

Green flames blossomed across the circle. Malrec stepped through them without moving. One second he was twenty yards away. Next, his hand was pinned against Austin’ throat.

Austin’ root armor exploded in response. There was barely enough time to react before Malrec’ fingers slammed through blackened plates instead of Austin’ windpipe. Even then, the force shoved Austin backward. He smashed into the stone floor hard enough that stars exploded behind his eyes. Before he could right himself, Malrec’ boot kicked him sideways across the circle.

Austin rolled to his feet on one knee. The Flesh- Garden Form writhed beneath his skin again, eager to tear open a dozen throats.

Not yet.

Malrec raised a single hand. Green chains erupted from the ground beneath them.

Austin bit through the first with Command Bite.

"Break."

The chain disintegrated. The second snapped around his ankle. The third hooked around his wrist before Malrec began hauling.

Austin coughed up blood as Malrec dragged him across the ground like prey.

"You stole fragments," Malrec spat. "Pieces of muscle and scent contract and core. You think stolen fragments make you whole?"

Austin grabbed the chain biting into his wrist and typed DEVOUR.

There was more than enough command word feeding Malrec’ lust for victory and bloodlust that Austin could taste both on his tongue.

He swallowed enough for Malrec to choke.

The lord in green stared blankly at the ceiling.

Austin tugged forward through the chain, clawed hands ripping into Malrec’ chest.

Fabric shredded.

Skin gave way.

For the first time in decades, Malrec stained the ground with blood.

Green.

Elena slammed both hands into the root gate behind the circle. Seven hovered behind her, unmoving. Rin sat up from behind the barricade, knuckles white against the wood.

Austin couldn’ hear them through the challenge seal but he understood their message. Do not die.

He wanted to promise them all that much. He wanted to swear to them he’d carry Malrec’ heart through that root gate when he won. Instead, his instincts filled his lungs, and Austin bit down hard on his tongue.

Malrec stared at the hole in his chest. He lifted his head to study Austin then nodded to himself, once, twice, slowly.

His lips curled back into a smile.

"So kind of you," he breathed. "Now I don’ have to be polite."

The second bell sounded.

The circle began compressing around them, stealing the fight away from any and all witnesses.

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