42. Kami

42

Kami

I t's been long enough that my stomach is growling. I have no idea how long we've been down here, but we're not alone.

I've heard the others moving around, swearing, threatening.

Crying.

The light here is dim, bright patches of sunlight or moonlight – I can't tell which – stream through a small hole above us. I wouldn't call it a window, more like a crack in the wall.

I know we dropped into this pit, so there shouldn't be any natural light in here, but all the fucked up fae magic makes everything possible.

I'm still worried about Oz. He hasn't returned, and we've agreed he's been acting weird.

Malkar's fight with Crash makes sense at least. Malkar spotted Folas watching us with keen interest and didn't want to give off an impression of power, so he picked a fight with Crash and let him win.

Although to hear Crash tell it, Crash won fairly, strength over form.

They're still arguing about it in whispers while Ries sits at the iron bars separating us from our neighbors, a large group from Asrai.

I can't tell what he's been saying, but he seems to be making friends since laughter accompanies his deep voice.

Sitting in the corner of our large cell, I'm hugging myself for comfort and pretending I'm not at all bothered by this vicious monster I'm turning into.

Before the Radiant Trials, I'd never killed anyone. Ahza and I always ran when tensions rose high enough to involve blood. Then Rilitar caught us, and it's been downhill ever since.

I subtly wipe away a tear, not wanting anyone to see me crying. I'm in the shadows, but still. It's not good to show fear or vulnerability.

And the guys aren't acting as if they care anyway.

Bothered is not the word for what I am. Scared fits better. I had thought I had a bond with my group. But Oz left without making sure I was okay. Just jumped over me and kept going.

And didn't come back.

I can only hope he's still alive, that he is being held by those in charge of the Radiant Trials but not overly injured. Or even worse, dead.

I glance over at Crash and Malkar, taken aback to see them looking at me.

Crash appears introspective, but Malkar seems cold.

Perhaps turning my limbs into tree parts and not dying when stabbed has made them fearful of me.

The thought makes me sit up straighter, and I glare with all the malevolence I can muster at the pair.

Malkar's lips twitch .

Crash snorts, says something to Malkar, and the two snicker before arguing again over who really won their fight.

So I'm not as scary to others as I am to myself. Good to know.

I decide to see what Ries is up to, but he returns to me before I can rise.

He sits next to me, his back propped against a wall. "Glad you survived."

"Are you?"

He frowns. "What does that mean?"

I feel like an idiot but can't help sharing my hurt. "I feel like this battle is the beginning of the end for us, and instead of us acting like a team, everyone is out for themselves."

He scratches his jaw. "Well, you're not wrong."

I blink. "I'm not?"

"Kami, this is real life or death shit now. I mean, not like our entire time in this cesspool hasn't been dangerous, but the fights in front of the crowd get brutal. It's do or die time for real."

"I get that, but?—"

"Oz has some agenda of his own. He made a beeline for the monarch's box, and we both know he wants that guy's head." Ries sighs. "Poor bastard is gonna die trying, for sure."

I swallow the lump in my throat. "And you?"

"I'm afraid I'm going to jump ship." He shrugs, as if it's no big deal. "The Asrai guys have been filling me in on what the Godtown and Lancer shit-heads are up to. A lot of groups coming together with one goal—to take us out."

"What?" I squeak.

"Shh." He looks over at the bars where he was a moment ago. "Yeah. Enwiss, that fucker, has put a price on our heads. You're to be kept alive, but they can rough you up all they want. The rest of us are nothing but fodder. Apparently, Rilitar' s betting on another of his teams to take the entire games."

Malkar and Crash join us. "Say that again," Malkar orders.

Ries repeats himself, and Crash curses Enwiss to an early grave.

"So you're leaving?" Malkar tilts his head, considering Ries.

Ries nods. "Yep. I have no loyalty to you assholes. No offense." He has the nerve to pat me on the head. "The sex was fantastic, Kami. No doubt. But I need to live past these games. I can't do that with you guys."

"You can't leave us." I can't believe he'd just ditch us like that.

Though I should. This stupid competition has pitted fae against fae, monster against monster. What do we really know of each other? And why have I been so na?ve to equate sex with affection?

I add weakly, "We're a team."

"A team with no chance to win." Ries grins and chuckles, making no effort to keep his voice down.

A few from the adjoining cell chime in, and what they have planned for me doesn't bear repeating.

Crash shoots Ries an insulting gesture. "Fuck off then. We don't need you. I don't need anybody." He sneers at me and Malkar and stalks away to sit by himself under the sliver of light above.

I'm not sure what's happening, but Malkar is staring hard at Ries, looking for what, exactly?

"What Crash said," Malkar murmurs then raises his voice to add, "if I see you again, I'll kill you, merman. Go." He flicks his fingers toward the cell wall.

Befuddled, I watch as Ries walks away, not even a backward glance at us, and walks through the bars that waver before becoming solid once more .

Apparently, someone is pulling strings and keeping eyes on us.

Malkar is staring after Ries, an odd look on his face. "Hadn't expected that." He glances at Crash and sighs. "But that I could have predicted." Then he looks down at me, and I think – hope—his expression softens. "Don't worry, pet. You're mine now. I always take care of what's mine."

The possession in his eyes should bother me. And I'm sure it will later, when I can think clearly. But right now, this mysterious incubus is all that stands between me and hopelessness.

I put my head in his lap and can't help my tears while he strokes my hair and whispers in a language I can't understand.

But after I've calmed into a drowsy state, I turn and accidentally bump Crash's thigh.

"Ow. Watch it, dryad."

I curl my hand around his leg and hold him close.

He tenses but after a long moment relaxes under my hand.

I let myself cave to the weariness tugging me under, praying the demon and the fae are still with me when I wake.