Winning the Legend Read Online Free PDF

even
though there was only one person that was able to sneak around the
house so silently. Gabriel was sitting across the room from the
bed. He smiled at Arianna as he looked up from his book. He had
been there for a while. Arianna blushed, knowing that her uncle saw
her kissing Andrew. Andrew’s hands moved back up her arms over the
skin that was still sensitive from a moment ago. Arianna sat up and
smacked him. He had known all along that Gabriel was there, and was
still tempting her.
    “At least I’m glad to see that even asleep
you realized the threat of all the extra people in the house,”
Gabriel commented as he stood up. Arianna jumped up and hugged her
uncle. It had been a month since he dropped her off at the wurdulac
estate. Gabriel and his immediate family were her last living
relatives.
    “Then they are all here now?” she asked into
his chest. She already knew the answer but still hoped that her
senses were wrong.
    “If you mean all your people, then yes. I
brought Nixon and Nelson along with Turner and myself. Thomas just
arrived.” Arianna pulled back and smiled at the older man. He
continued to age. He looked older than the last time she saw him.
“If you mean the competitors, there are still two not here yet, and
they only have five more minutes. We better get to the meeting room
soon. Everyone is waiting in the dining hall, and it is time to
greet all your unwanted guests.” Gabriel offered her his arm, and
she reluctantly took it. This was no longer something that was
going to happen in the future. This was happening now.

Chapter 5
     
    Arianna stared at each of the men before
her. The oldest was the dragur Jan Larsen, at thirty-two. Arianna
cringed inwardly that he had arrived on time. It was bad enough to
be forced to marry someone in the room, but someone fifteen years
older than her who had already been widowed with children of his
own was a stretch. Arianna was thankful that at least none of the
leaders over thirty-two had come, just their sons and grandsons.
The youngest was Loan Durand at eighteen, only a year older than
Arianna. Arianna looked back to the clock hanging above the opened
doorway arch leading into the hallway. Two more minutes and the
uruku night human, Nate Childs, would be late and disqualified.
Everyone waited in anticipation for Arianna to begin talking. She
sat still, watching the clock. As the hands converged and struck
midnight, Arianna nodded to Thomas who proceeded to close and lock
the gate.
    Twelve competitors lined up before Arianna
with their retainers right behind them. Each man participating was
allowed one person on the grounds to watch over the event, and to
help care for them. These men ranged even more greatly in age from
the youngest, the vrykolakas Nik Katsulas’ younger brother Polo
whom Arianna had helped a month ago, to the oldest, Arianna’s great
uncle Gabriel who was there as the retainer for both Devin and
Turner. It helped to not only have Turner and Devin there, but also
Gabriel, his son Patrick, and Patrick’s tengu Ken. Of the
twenty-five men in the room at least five were already on Arianna’s
side. While not good odds if everyone else ganged up on them, it
would work to their favor since everyone else wouldn’t get along.
Traditionally, the clans had always fought and were in disagreement
on every issue. She could easily see that the lines were still
drawn between the men.
    “For the duration of the games, there will
be strict security—including the need for permission to exit and
enter the property. Nate Childs didn’t make it by the appointed
time, and thus the first contender is eliminated.” Arianna walked
back over as Thomas entered the room. The men all stood and watched
Arianna like a piece of meat. Her every movement captivated
them.
    “He is about two miles out and should be
here soon,” Thomas added. “Would you like to greet him or would you
like us to take care of it?”
    Arianna looked over to Andrew, and he