That meant leaving with Leto.
However, a very deep, surprising part of her wanted to see him pound the shit out of Hellix.
The allure of oncoming violence stuck a blade of betrayal between her ribs. Audrey was a thinking, civilized woman. She had valued logic, books, long conversations with Caleb about history and politics. Hed teased her for making her way through Shakespeares plays in chronological order.
This was fascinating on an elemental level.
Only then did she notice that Leto had angled his body between her and Hellix. Intentionally? She didnt dare believe it. Her tormentor-cum-ally had kicked her in the guts. Repeatedly. Hed dragged her by the hair and watched her dress. Only shards of his conversation with the Old Man helped make sense of his protective stance.
She was valuable to him.
Their postures coiled with menace. I await our next contest, Leto said, his voice impossibly low. Just as I await a repeat of the last outcome.
Hellixs mask slipped for only a second. Beneath the posturing was shame. Audrey wondered if shed have noticed it before what had taken place in the Cage. The acuity of her senses was amplified. Although Hellix hid it quickly, she was certain Leto had also caught that moment of doubt. No wonder he could stand in the face of Hellixs hulking body and fierce scowl. Shame could be as debilitating as pride or fear.
Leto seemed a master at exploiting weaknesses.
Hellix laughed, as if none of it mattered. One day Ill throw you down. Ill sever your head from your body and youll leave this world.
If you even came close to earning a place in the Grievance, I might take that threat seriously.
You arrogant
Ive earned my arrogance. Rather than push the physical tension, Leto stepped back. The gesture from any other man wouldve seemed like retreat. His condescending expression, accented by the silver scar on his upper lip, said otherwise. He owned the moment. You boys need the practice. Well leave you to it.
He took Nynns clasped hands in one of his and tugged her through the cluster of savagery. Oh, he added, meeting the eyes of each of Hellixs cronies. The Old Man is here today. Not a bad time to try impressing himunless impressing Hellix holds more meaning.
Hellixs men were surprisingly susceptible to Letos ploy. They broke into overtly masculine trash-talking and slapped one another like football players before a big game. Their interest in Leto and Nynn dissipated in a breath. Hellix remained a fuming, intimidating barrier, but even he didnt stop them from exiting.
Instead, he took control of what resources he had left: the men whod abandoned him. Come on, you shit stains. Get in that Dragon-damned Cage.
Audrey didnt look behind her as Letos grip was replaced by the guards manacles. Her exhale was pure relief. The incident added new layers to her situation. Being trained by a fool or a sadist would only get her killed. Now, she trusted Leto more
than she wouldve thought possible upon waking that morning.
Morning. What a joke. She had no idea whether the sun shone, or the moon instead.
How did you know he would back down?
Leto walked ahead of her with long strides. He cast an assessing glance over his shoulder. He seemed to do that most frequently when she used logic rather than mindless hysterics. Not the best first impression shed ever made, but screw it. Anyone whod suffered in Asters labs wouldve behaved the same way.
Ive lived in close quarters with Hellix for six years, he said. Ive never seen him strike first.
And the others? No concern?
His impressive back gleamed bronze beneath the corridors fluorescent lights. My skills are not limited to the Cages.
Ive seen that much. She ran a hand over her raggedly shorn hair. She wanted a mirror, if only to even out the damage hed done. Or maybe to see herself as he saw her. Brawn seems to be your lifeblood. Id like to survive, thank you very much. That means learning from you.
He chuckled so softly that his lips barely moved. The sound was as throaty and scarred as his voice. Im not going to need to break you.
You sound disappointed.
Maybe.
Something close to amusement hovered in his glittering black eyes. Even with the fluorescent glare and the strange brightness of her senses, she couldnt be sure. Shed forgotten how many subtle human emotions were cloaked among the Dragon Kings. Facial expressions were generally placid and restrainedthe better to keep the Five Clans from slaughtering each other millennia ago.
Living among human beings, she had learned to smile and laugh and cry with abandon. She had learned to express what she felt. Here, that was a dangerous weakness she would have to unlearn. Otherwise, every ploy and intention would scream across her features.
More thefts. Now I cant even laugh or cry.
I dont doubt youll find new ways to keep me in my place, she said quietly.
An invitation if ever I heard one.
His scant smile was Audreys first glimpse of the man behind the armor. She hid a smile of her own. Women possessed advantages that balanced obvious vulnerabilities. From the dawn of time, theyd latched onto the biggest and strongest males. Safety among alphas. Out among humans whod layered civility over old instincts, she wouldve been appalled at such a thought.