13. Sarod

13

SAROD

I stand in the center of the zyrphix arena, sweat dripping down my chest as I face off against Grul. The ball bursts from the ground, and we lunge for it simultaneously. My mind's not in the game, though. It's back at the mansion, wondering what Josie's doing right now.

Grul slams into me, knocking me flat on my back. "The fuck, Sarod?" he growls. "Get your head outta your ass!"

I scramble to my feet, shaking off the hit and feeling the sting of embarrassment burn through me. Shit. This isn't like me. None of this is like me. "Sorry," I mutter, trying to refocus on the game, but my mind keeps drifting back to Josie.

Kargath steps in, his massive form blocking out the sun. His shadow falls over me, and I can feel the weight of his concern. "What's goin' on with you lately? You've been off your game for days. It ain't like you to be this distracted." His voice is gruff, but there's an undercurrent of worry that makes me uncomfortable.

"It's nothin'," I snap, but the words sound hollow even to my own ears. I can't meet his eyes, knowing he'd see right through my lies. My gaze drops to the ground, and I shuffle my feet. "Can we move the fuck on? Damn, you guys are on my ass like I've committed a crime or something."

Grul snorts, a knowing smirk playing on his tusked face. "It's that human girl, ain't it? The one you brought home? She's got you all twisted up inside." His words hit too close to home, and I feel my jaw clench involuntarily.

I scowl, feeling a surge of anger at his words. "Mind your own fuckin' business," I growl, clenching my fists at my sides. The familiar rage bubbles up inside me, threatening to spill over. I want to lash out, to shut them both up, but I know it'll only prove their point. Instead, I stand there, seething, caught between denial and the truth I'm not ready to face.

"It is our business when our captain can't keep his head in the game," Thokk retorts, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "You goin' soft on us, Sarod? 'Cause if you are, we need to know now before we get our asses handed to us in the next match."

Their words hit harder than any tackle. Am I going soft? I think about Josie - her defiance, her spirit, the way she looked at me last night when we talked. It's not just about power anymore. It's... something else.

"Look," Grul says, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "We've all seen how you look at her. It's more than just wantin' to fuck her, ain't it?"

I clench my fists, wanting to deny it, but the words won't come. They're right, and I know it. My feelings for Josie have changed. She's not just a prisoner anymore, not just a human I can order around. She's become... important to me. Ever since I beat the shit out of Grokus, it's become more and more apparent. The way she looks at me, the way she stands up to me - it's doing something to my insides I can't explain.

"Shit," I mutter, running a hand over my face. "I don't know what to do with this." I've never felt this way before, not even with Connie. It's like Josie's crawled under my skin and set up camp there.

Kargath claps me on the shoulder, his meaty hand nearly knocking me off balance. "Figure it out. 'Cause right now, you're lettin' it mess with your game. And we can't afford that." He's right, of course. The team needs me focused, ready to crush our opponents in the arena. But how the fuck am I supposed to focus when all I can think about is her?

I nod, shaking off Grul's last hit on my body. But as we line up for another play, I can't shrug away the realization that's hit me. My power over Josie is slipping away, replaced by something far more complicated - and potentially far more dangerous.

When the day's done and I finally arrive home, I drag myself through the front door, my muscles aching from the brutal zyrphix training session.

As I step into the living room, my eyes land on Josie perched precariously atop a ladder, reaching up to clean the massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

I step into the room, my eyes immediately drawn to the precarious scene before me. Greta stands nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, watching Josie with an intensity that speaks volumes. "Be careful up there," she warns, her voice tinged with genuine concern. I can hear the worry in her tone, and it mirrors my own sudden unease.

I'm about to announce my presence, to let them know I'm here, when suddenly everything changes. Josie's foot slips, and it's like time decides to slow down just to torture me. I watch in horror as she loses her balance, her body twisting in the air like a leaf caught in a gust of wind. Without a second thought, my body moves on its own. I lunge forward, my arms outstretched, every muscle in my battered body screaming in protest.

By some miracle, I catch her. She lands with a startled yelp in my arms, the impact sending a jolt through my already aching muscles. Immediately, she clings onto me as if her life depends on it, her fingers digging into my shoulders. And then, as if the universe wants to play one last trick on me, I find myself staring into her face. Her pretty, flushed face, now mere inches from my own. I'm struck dumb, caught off guard by the proximity, by the warmth of her body against mine, by the rapid beating of her heart that I can feel through our pressed bodies.

For a moment, we just stare at each other, both of us too stunned to move. Her brown eyes are wide with surprise, her breath coming in short gasps. I'm suddenly aware of every point where our bodies touch, the warmth of her skin seeping through my clothes.

"You okay?" I manage to croak out, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears. My heart is still racing from the sudden contact, and I'm acutely aware of every place her body touched mine.

Josie nods, a flush creeping up her neck, spreading across her cheeks like wildfire. "Yeah, I... thanks," she stammers, her eyes darting away from mine. I can feel the heat radiating off her skin, and it's doing strange things to my insides.

She scrambles out of my arms and lands back onto the floor with a soft thud, and I immediately miss her warmth. The sudden absence leaves me feeling oddly bereft. What the fuck is wrong with me? I shouldn't be affected like this by a simple tavern girl. A thief.

But she's more than that. So much more.

"That was quite a catch, sir," Greta says, her voice cutting through my confused thoughts. She's helping Josie dust off her uniform, her efficient movements a stark contrast to my frozen state. "Are you alright?"

I grunt, rubbing at my sore muscles from training. The ache grounds me, reminding me of who I am and what I should be focusing on. "I'm fine," I mutter, then add, "Just... be more careful next time, alright?" The words come out harsher than I intended, my frustration with my own reaction bleeding into my tone. I see Josie flinch, her brown eyes widening slightly, and I feel an unexpected pang of regret.

"I will," she mumbles, not meeting my eyes. "Thank you."

I want to say something else, something to ease the tension that's suddenly thick in the air. But the words stick in my throat, choking me with their intensity. My chest feels tight, constricted, as if I can't draw in enough air. Instead, I nod curtly and head for the stairs, my movements stiff and jerky. I'm desperate to escape the stunning realization that is materializing before my very eyes, threatening to shatter the carefully constructed walls I've built around myself.

I like her. I fucking like that girl.

As I climb, I can't shake the memory of Josie in my arms, the way her body fit against mine. It felt... right, in a way I'm not ready to examine too closely. I've gotten used to her presence in the house, her quick wit and stubborn defiance. Shit, I even look forward to our arguments sometimes. The way her eyes flash when she's angry, the slight flush that creeps up her neck - it's intoxicating.

But this? This is precarious territory. I'm treading a dangerous line, and I know it.

I pause at the top of the stairs, my hand gripping the banister tightly. My gaze is drawn back down to the living room, where Josie's back on the ladder. Her movements are slower now, more hesitant. It's like she's hyper-aware of my presence, just as I am of hers. Our eyes meet for a brief moment, a jolt of electricity passing between us before she quickly looks away, busying herself with the decorations.

Fuck. I'm in trouble. Deep, serious trouble. The kind that could upend everything I thought I knew about myself. I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the feeling, but it clings to me like a second skin. This isn't just attraction and I don't even think it's lust—it's something more, something that I've never experienced before.