Hellixs sycophants believe him a god for having dragged up from that low beginning.
Her mouth drew into a crooked smile. And here you made me think all Cage warriors held hands and sang Boy Scout songs.
Leto scowled and arose. He didnt consider Hellix a warrior. When he thought of the men and women he respected, he never included that monster.
Stay, then. I regret that you wont fare well.
She held out her hand. Please, sir.
Surely a trick.
They were still inside the Cage, with their collars deactivated. He did not relish taking two huge blows in such a short span. From a neophyte, no less.
As was common practice among their people, he assessed her bodys unspoken language. Shaking legs. Unsteady fingers. Sweat-slicked short strands of hair against her nape. Their gazes met, where her icy pale blue eyes revealed her fatigue.
She was in earnest.
He pulled her to her feet. Walk or be carried.
Steps ragged, she followed him out of the Cage. She scratched at her forearms as if energy bristled inside her body. A glimmer of that electric explosion still raced through his veins, too. She was a wild creature hewn of untapped potential. Hed witnessed her unflinching determination. The memory of it stirred him in disturbing ways.
He reached the training facilitys exit, having cleared his unwelcome thoughts, when Hellix barged through. Three arrogant shits followed like puppies after scraps, although they matched their idol in size and training.
Hellixs hair was bright red, which contrasted with his darker skin and piercing blue eyes. He bore scars on his facefrom combat, of course, but also a brand in the shape of a dagger on his forehead. Only the brand marred the otherwise handsome features of a Dragon King.
Leto. You look worse for wear, brother.
Standing chest to chest, Leto dared not assess his own appearance. He hadnt considered the effect of Nynns powers on his armor and would reveal no such weakness now.
You are no brother to me, he said.
The monsters keen appraisal of Nynn raised Letos hackles. And who is this? Your new project? I should fight harder in my matches. Whores and wealth are satisfying. Still, Id like to train a neophyte of my own. Imagine the possibilities.
Leto needed to get Nynn out of there before things got ugly. She was barely able to stand, let alone fight. Free of the rules of the Cage, Hellix never played fair.
Yet Leto couldnt resist a pointed look at the puckered scar on Hellixs forehead. Too bad. Forever banned, knife-branded scum. No neophytes for you. He looked down at the man he despised. Now get the fuck out of my way.
Audrey watched the men square off. A primal shiver dusted her limbs with goose bumps. Fear? Curiosity? Or worse, anticipation? Shed never seen such a contest in the making. That she could respond on such an instinctual level was a surprise.
But then, everything inside her felt changed. She couldnt remember what had happened in the Cage, only that she still ached. Her body was jittery. Her lower jaw trembled. The ends of her fingers tingled as if shed stuck them in a light socket.
Why do I feel like theres a tiger in my skin? And what the hell happened to his armor?
But how to demand answers from a man who had more in common with a brick wall than a sentient creature?
Any interrogation would need to wait. This contest was more immediate. Audreys senses were supercharged and buzzing. She took in every nuance.
Seems youre in my way, champion, Hellix said, sneering the last word.
I suggest you step back.
I dont think so.
So rude. What of your legendary honor?
Hellix really was repulsive. His body and his features were as appealing as any of their people, but his lips twisted in a way that set off her defensive reflexes. He exuded a cocky, malevolently violent nature.
And that brand. What did it mean? Audrey couldnt look at it without cringing.
Letos expression was a hundred times more condescending than hed shown her. Maybe it was a small mercy to know he held some people in even lower regard.
My honor doesnt apply to men who have none, he said.
Yet you work without question for our master. Hellix flashed an arrogant smile. Youre none too smart, my friend.
Leto unleashed a low growl. His fists bunched like hunks of steel at the ends of his corded forearms. Audreys view of his back was impressive. The leather straps holding his damaged armor did little to conceal a patchwork of old scars across rippling, tense muscles. Those muscles made her stomach watery. Taut tendons at his nape were all the more impressive because of his closely cut black hair. She could practically see him twitching with eagerness for the standoff to explode.
The effect of witnessing a commanding man on the verge of savagery was undeniable. Her breath was strong and fast, just like her heartbeat. Her own fists were at the ready. She would back Leto if matters came to blowsbizarre, considering their inauspicious start. The odds werent in his favor, and she was smart enough to recognize any ally. She squeezed her fingers even tighter, hardly daring to exhale. Her only desire was to leave with her body and brains intact.