Sylas

SYLAS

V rex.

Vrex.

VREX!

My ears are ringing, and the air is filled with smoke and ash. I feel around for my weapon, but it isn't there.

"Warriors!" I bellow, but the dust is caught in my throat and the sound is cut off without ceremony. "With me!" I cough.

Pushing myself up onto my hands and knees, I flex my wings. Nothing is damaged, despite our enemies' use of explosives. They will pay for what they have done if any of my Gryn have been injured or worse.

We might have nothing to lose, but it doesn't mean I will lose any more warriors.

"!" Out of the gloom, I can see a figure. Not sure if it's small or far away, but it is calling my name. "! Come on!" it calls again.

I am drawn to it, even though my head seems to know it is not Gryn. There might be further incendiaries, and I need to move as it waves at me.

The swirling cloud sends my senses spinning as I stand. The scent of blood in my nostrils, the slamming realization.

"They're gone!" I choke as I reach the figure. "They're all gone."

I spin on the spot, wanting to go back to fight but wanting to protect those left. I will be made to surrender and see my bloodied comrades marched to their doom. My legs give way once again, and I'm on the floor when a hand drops to my shoulder.

With a snarl, I have my assailant in my lap.

Only it is not an enemy at all. It is my little mate, Alex.

"?" She reaches up a hand and cups my cheek, her calming scent surrounding me. "Where did you go?" Her pretty face is a mask of white, her hair peppered with debris.

"We need to get out of here," I reply, shaking off the grip of terror fogging my mind. "Before they come for us."

"We can't," she says. "My…master wants you."

"No one owns me," I growl. "Except you."

I toss her into my arms as I get to my feet. The clouds of smoke and dust are clearing, and I can hear voices calling. Fortunately, my fellow gladiators were in another part of the training arena, so whatever happened here won't have affected them, but given I can see sunlight, that is the direction I am taking.

My mate will be protected and the best way to protect her from whatever happened here is to leave. I'll deal with the consequences later.

Out of the hole in the wall, heat hits me, and I open my wings wide. Up above us is a selection of crafts, some of which I do not like the look of. I slam my wings back against my body and move us as quickly as I can until I find an awning to duck under.

"! Put me down!" Alex shouts over my ringing ears, her fists hitting my chest in a drumming beat.

I put her down.

She puts her hands on her hips, dust flowing from her as she glares at me. "What are you doing?"

"Not safe?" I suggest, completely confused by how her body stance makes me feel. My stomach is squirming with the desire to mate her and make all of this okay.

Alex shrugs, and more dust sloughs from her shoulders. "Yeah, okay, I'll let you have that one. Hanging around in an active explosion zone isn't good for the health." She coughs.

"You need water," I suggest.

"I have to…" She coughs again, thumping her fist against her chest. "Yes, w-"

Alex doesn't finish the sentence. Instead she drops to her knees, coughing.

"Water," I growl, checking the area, and finding a pale green Trefian trader staring at us like his eyes are going to pop out of his head. "Water." I grab his clothing and shake him. "Water for my mate, now," I snarl.

He shoves a water bag at me, and I drop him, gathering Alex in my arms and pouring the liquid into my hand so I can clear her face of the gunge covering it. I hold the lip of the bag up to her mouth and she swallows some. The coughing subsides and she shudders in my arms.

There are more shouts from the larger streets surrounding this one. Whatever happened at the dome, even if it wasn't aimed at the gladiators, I don't need any reason other than the little mate in my grasp to know lying low for a while will be a good thing.

"We have to go, little feather," I murmur as Alex's breathing returns to normal. "We have to get out of here."

She swallows another mouthful.

"I think I know somewhere we can go," she says, wiping her eyes and taking in the destruction around us. "But I don't know how long we can stay."

"Any time is better than no time," I say. "Show me." I help Alex to her feet and toss the waterbag back to the trader.

"You didn't see us, did you?" I growl. "Not when you're so close to the dome." I adopt a wide-legged stance, one of the favorites of the crowds.

"See who?" the trader gibbers. "I didn't see anyone." He waves his hand in front of his face. "Too much dust."

"Right answer," I reply. Alex tugs at my hand and I follow her.

I'd follow her into the heart of a black hole and beyond. There are no other options left to me now. My heart has been given over to our bond. Forever.