Sylas

SYLAS

S eeing Alex sprint away from me closed everything down save for the parts which hunt. My vision tunneled, my claws extended, and my wings felt the strongest they've ever been.

She ran, and my prey drive is everything. It takes no time at all to scoop her up and everything in me not to devour her in the air.

I need to mate. I need to mate her, and I need to do it soon, or I cannot be responsible for my actions.

"Let's get out of Tatatunga first," Alex breathes as we fly toward the shimmering field which denotes the city limits.

I've been here once before, caged and bound, unable to move or speak due to the vast quantities of narcotics in my veins. The amphitheater is nearby, I can smell it.

I never want to go there again.

"Yes," I respond to her. "We should go." My skin chills in the heat.

"I know where there's a transport hub," Alex says as we pass through the limits and are out on the other side.

Somehow the air seems sweeter than before. Or it could be I have her hair in my face and her scent in my nostrils. Either way, I feel better for not being in Tatatunga and to be flying away from the training amphitheater.

"Ixor and I came through it on our way here from the spaceport at Belgel."

"The tech city?"

"You've been?"

I land carefully, making sure I don't jolt my little mate, and put her on her feet, sliding my hands into her hair to inspect her injury.

The one which sent me so feral I couldn't see straight, let alone think of anything other than death.

"Occasionally we perform the games in other cities, providing the price is right for the procurator. Now hold still while I look at you," I say, grasping her chin as she winces and hisses.

There is crimson blood down the side of her face. It's dripped onto her clothing, but the cut appears to have clotted as I inspect it.

"The bleeding has stopped." I lean in and lap gently at the cut.

"What are you doing?"

"My saliva has healing properties."

Alex attempts to squirm away from me. "What?"

"I have some…changes? I'm not sure whether they are Gryn or not Gryn. We're all different in the dome. But I can heal minor cuts. I've been able to do it since I was on the farm."

"Useful when you're a stone-cold killer, I guess," Alex says, her jaw clenched.

"I wouldn't have killed the Oykig," I say, brushing her hair back from her face and giving the cut another lick.

Her blood is metallic and slightly salty. It makes me want to consume her.

"Didn't look like that to me," Alex mutters, but she stops trying to get away from my touch. "I'm not sure you even knew what you were doing."

"He was going to tell me who he was serving…" I suggest, but my little mate is glaring at me, and it makes me want to be very small.

I drop to my knees. She sighs and puts her hand on my cheek, thumb gently grazing my skin. My stomach uncoils.

"It doesn't matter. We're where we need to be, and you haven't left a trail of bodies. Although I guess there's still time for that."

I get a studied glance and it causes me to clamp my wings to my sides.

"I promise not to do any injury to anyone who doesn't deserve it, little feather," I croon at her.

Alex huffs. "Can we just get out of here?" She points in the direction of a distant set of buildings. These ones are shimmering due to the heat and the fact they're made from metal, not dirt. "The transport hub is over there."

"Of course, my mate." I open my wings and go to scoop her up.

"No." She puts a hand on my chest and the soft, subtle touch hits something deep in my soul.

I would die for her, right here, right now.

"No?"

Alex lifts her head up, and I want to kiss her, but I want to know what her ‘no' is.

"We've already attracted enough attention. We're walking."

I shake out my feathers.

"Don't tell me gladiators don't walk."

"You'll find gladiators do most things." I give her a flash of fang and get a head dip along with a quick smile in return. "Things you'll probably enjoy," I add.

Might as well push my luck.

Alex takes my hand, and it turns out it's not luck I need, but something to beat my cocks back into line because if I wanted to mate her before…I need to mate her until neither of us can move.

Together we walk in the direction of the transport hub. It's still early, and the heat of the day hasn't hit yet. Alex is contemplative, and I luxuriate in her presence, in being here, now, with her.

Not in the dome.

Not in the games.

My sword is sheathed. It will stay that way unless she is threatened.

My goddess, my mate, my reason for being. The star I will always follow. The creature whose body I will always worship.

"You do realize you're muttering, don't you?" Alex says, breaking into my thoughts. "And staring a bit."

"It has been a long time since I was in such company as yours, little feather. Or any company other than those who fight to survive. I am more than rough around the edges, my Alex. I'm not suited to any sort of society. I am sorry, my mate."