I Write Sins, Not Tragedies
an excerpt

The dagger, aimed at Rass’s shoulders, flew through the air. But before the blade could pierce armor, Rass made a clean swipe at the hilt, effectively changing its course. Vrin’s eyes widened, not because his opponent had so easily redirected his weapon but because the dagger was now hurtling towards Ergo.

“No.” the pale-haired man whispered before making a mad dash for his blade. He hadn’t even intended to avoid the tackle Rass had halfway positioned himself in; all that mattered to Vrin was that Ergo would remain unharmed.

“Come back he- oh fuck.” Rass realized just why the pale-haired man suddenly turned tail. Grunting, he took chase, not after Vrin but the weapon. He wasn’t about to let the pale-haired man upstage him by saving Ergo twice in one night.

Those seated near the brunette gasped and scrambled out of the way. Except for Ergo herself. The same intense concentration Rass and Vrin had been openly displaying to the spectators was now clearly seen on her face.

And while the rest of the crowd was watching Ergo, Blank found himself curiously looking at Rid. The scribe shivered at the manic glee on the woman’s face. It was obvious earlier that evening that Rid despised Ergo, but still, shouldn’t she show some measure of concern for another human being? Then again, compassion and mercy seemed such unheard of concepts when you were seated in an arena watching two people beat each other senseless. He stared at the bright-haired woman until the stunned gasps called back his attention.

Three hands had reached out to grab at the dagger, two grasped the hilt, one the blade itself. Blood seeped from the wound, down to the razor sharp edge and dripped thickly onto Ergo’s skirt. A gauntleted hand drew back, unharmed, unbloodied.

“Vrin...” Ergo whispered, relinquishing her grip on the hilt to reach out to the carmine-eyed man. “I can’t believe you’re using the blade I forged for you.”

The liaisons officer chuckled and pulled his arm to his side, “My apologies for placing you in danger.” He murmured.

Before Ergo’s fingers could brush against his face, Rass’s fist beat her to it. His punch sent Vrin flying back into the center of the ring.