Devil Ash Disarray (Devil Ash Saga Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Aura’s lead, they moved into the competitor’s area to wait for the tournament to start.
     
    Marni’s hand landed gently on Lorin’s shoulder, signaling it was okay to let the girl pass. Lorin backed off, and the vibrant-haired girl moved in.
    “What do you say, huh? Am I finally in or what? Don’t make me wait any longer! Let me join your crew and start making some real skorch!”
    Marni locked eyes with the girl. “Aralia. Listen. I’m aware of your…situation. I like you. You even remind me of myself to a degree, when I was much younger. But in your case, youth is exactly the dilemma . I just don’t think you’ve developed the necessary skills to be of any use to me right now. I’m flattered that you’ve heard of how well-compensated my employees are, but until you can demonstrate something – anything – some kind of skill that sets you apart from the rest, I’m afraid there’s no place for you on my team.”
    Aralia didn’t look phased at all. “I’ve got plenty of skills! Watch!”
    The energetic girl produced a butterfly knife and flipped it open in her hand. Lorin almost drew her sword, but trusted that Aralia wouldn’t move to harm her master. Instead Aralia flicked the small blade up and down, whipping it around rapidly in her hand in a display of dexterity and talent. She traded it between hands, juggling the knife like a toy, confident in her skills.
    Aralia flipped the butterfly knife high into the air to catch it in a grand fashion for the big finale. The knife landed in her hand blade down. Her soft pink flesh gripped the sharp blade edge tightly.
    She let out a shriek and fumbled the knife, nearly dropping it on the floor. Blood trickled from her hand. The girl produced bandages that she was in the habit of carrying with her for just such an occasion and started wrapping the wound mechanically.
    “So, what do you say?” she asked as if nothing had happened.
    Ms. Marni sighed. She lost count of how many times the spunky girl had approached her asking for a job. She never failed to leave an impression on Marni, though not usually a positive one. The girl tended to annoy her.
    But today Marni was feeling generous.
    “Tell you what,” she said with a clever grin. “Did you see those two guys I was talking to before you arrived?”
    “Yep! One was a good looking dude with long black hair and the other was an average kid with brown hair. See? I’m observant! And that’s a skill.”
    “Do you know who those boys were, by any chance?”
    “No I don’t, but I will do everything in my power to find out for you.”
    “How about this then, Aralia. I’ll consider giving you a job. All you have to do is impress me.”
    “I’ll impress you any which way you want, Ms. Marni. Just tell me how to do it.”
    “You can start by knocking those two boys out of this tournament.”
    Aralia smiled and nodded, overjoyed to have finally been given her chance.

Chapter Two: Aralia
     
    The competitor’s entrance led to a small room connected to the main gaming arena. It was directly underneath the stands where spectators gathered to watch the day’s hot card game action. To Ash it sounded like a whole herd of demon elephants were stomping around above him.
    A varied group of competitors lounged on leather couches, tweaking their decks one last time before the tournament officially kicks off. Ash followed Aura to the end of the room where there was no dividing wall between the competitor’s area and the arena, like a dugout in a baseball stadium. There were even seats there for them to sit and watch each matchup if they cared.
    They stepped out into the arena, Aura’s eyes scouring every inch of their surroundings. Ash noted his friend’s uncanny ability to scope out an entire room and immediately locate the most beautiful women present, which was what he was clearly doing right now. While scanning the stands, Aura spotted a familiar set of faces, faces that he wasn’t expecting to see. He