Disgusting, he muttered.
And youre a traitor, she spat in the language of the Dragon Kings. A language she hadnt used for nearly a decade.
Since meeting Caleb, she hadnt given much thought to the old ways. Her happiness as a human wife had been too easy. Too good to last. But long ago, the ways of the Dragon Kings had been her entire lifethe ritual and the covert power.
No matter her ostracism from her clan.
Years of rage came rushing back. The coiled ferocity in her legs exploded. She leapt. The cage door swung open on hinges that squealed a rusted protest.
Not even the momentum of her leap shifted the man from his kneeling stance. He only grunted. Audreys quick instincts brought that chunk of concrete up, up, in a violent arc. Her aim was true. The jagged edge struck the side of his face. Another grunt.
Then Audrey was thrown across the room.
Her shoulder hit the ground, followed by her head. A cry ripped from her throat. She slid three feet. Agony stabbed down to her marrow, as if pain had always been a part of her body.
Hed simply . . . hurled her.
The big man needed only two strides to cross to where Audrey was sprawled. He stripped the chuck of concrete from her hand and tossed it down the tunnel.
Can you hear me, lab filth?
The old language rattled in her brain. Words passed down from the blessed Dragon. Nothing quite worked. Her lungs wouldnt take in air. Something ground painfully in her hip socket. She nodded out of pure reflex.
If you ever attempt to strike me again, I will snap your spine in two. Think you could recover from that? Our kind can endure a great dealmuch more than humans. But were
not immortal.
Where is my son? Only a rasp now.
Hes better off dead. Now get up.
He yanked her up under both arms and thrust her against a wall. Shots of fire spiked her joints. She gasped as panic set in. She wanted to fight. Wanted to. Yet just as when Dr. Aster had drugged her, or when her brain short-circuited because of his torture, she could not.
That didnt stop her from snarling and spitting.
Because he spoke the language of the Dragon Kings, he belonged to one of the sacred Five Clans. But to actually work for that madman? He was the filth. Bile surged into her mouth.
Youve still got some spirit. His muscles were tense, holding her immobile, while his breathing remained calm. I can see why Old Man Aster has plans for you. Were going to have quite the time.
The flashlight had rolled across the ground until it illuminated her captors face. Blood streamed down from where shed gouged a ragged hole in his cheek. He was smooth-shaven, and his black hair was shorn close to his head. Eyes the color of teak were fathomless, unreadable. Dark lashes cast shadows along his sharp cheekbones. A scar on his upper lip told stories of past battles. A damping collar encircled his thick, muscular throat.
A tattoo of a serpent wrapped around the back of his head. The tongue hissed toward one temple and the tail flicked toward the other. The Aster family symbol.
Realization settled ice in her belly. He was far deadlier than a brute from the laboratory.
Part boogeyman, part mythhe was a Cage warrior.
The Aster cartel owns you now, lab filth. But theyre done with experiments. His scarred lip curled into a snarling smile. Youre here to fight in the Cages.
Leto had not expected so much resistance from the woman. The prospect heated his blood. For too long hed only found satisfaction in preparing for the annual Grievancethe ultimate prize for the most dedicated warriors.
Warriors like Leto.
Performing in monthly Cage matches was essential to keep his skills sharp. Training Dragon Kingscalled neophytes until they won their first fightfor those monthly matches was a drudgery. Most were volunteers who had debts to repay. They rarely possessed the true courage that deserved combat. Some were as weak and sniveling as humans.
Yet others went on to greatness. Leto had trained such victors.
His cheek was bleeding profusely. This nasty castoff from Dr. Asters lab had surprising spark.
Youre insane, she snarled. Im not going in there.
Have you ever seen a Cage fight?
She shuddered. Of course not! Theyre for barbarians.
With a swift movement that had nothing to do with his Dragon-given gift, Leto spun her. Now is the time you listen. You believe me a barbarian, then believe my threats arent idle. Your suffering wont weigh on my conscience.
Because you have none. With her cheek pressed against the damp cave wall, her words were muffled.
Leto loosened his grip. If he pulled any harder he would dislocate her shoulder. The goal was not to impair his charges but to ready them. Instead, he added another incentive for her to obey. With his free hand he grasped between her legs.
No conscience, he repeated coldly. I will have my way.
She stiffened. She stilled. But Leto realized his heart was beating far too fast. Need had gathered in him for three weeks. Cage warriors were permitted female flesh only after a victoryunless they chose to violate their charges, as he threatened now. Some mentors indulged too often. Their neophytes became submissive, not resilient and strong. Leto had never needed to use such crude methods. He had other means, including stores of patience.