26

I often wonder if the world changed me,

or if that decision was my own.

Khalani jolted awake when the shrill screech of the alarm sliced through the white walls of her cell, shattering the only peaceful sleep she’d had in weeks. But her eyes remained stubbornly closed, preferring a life in slumber versus the awaiting anarchy.

“It’s okay, Kanes. I’ve got you.”

That resonant, deep voice penetrated her senses, and her eyes flew open. She was sprawled over Takeshi, lying on his chest. One of his hands rested on her lower back, while the other cupped the back of her head. His long fingers were gently entwined in her hair as he held her steady.

The blaring alarm faded into the background.

The throbbing pain in her head receded.

Takeshi studied her intently, an unfamiliar emotion sweeping through his dark gaze—concern, perhaps, or something deeper, drawing her in like a burning fire.

Something so captivating shouldn’t exist in a world that was colored in pain.

Takeshi scanned her face, his muscles clenching as the light gave him a better view of the deep cut on her lip and what was no doubt a bruise forming on her cheekbone. His hair was tousled and unkempt, as if he’d been running his hands through it all night.

“Are you okay?” she asked, the memories of the guards brutally shocking him still replaying.

“You’re the one who was brutally attacked, and you’re asking if I’m okay?” Takeshi’s voice deepened, staring up at her in brutal shock and awe.

“My face and head hurt,” she admitted. “But I’ll be fine.”

She felt his gentle hands imperceptibly tighten around her, his expression contorting like he wanted to say everything but didn’t know how.

“You need to get up,” an urgent voice called from her right. “I heard the Dealers are on the warpath today.”

Khalani turned to see Elise standing outside their cell. Her eyes swept over Khalani’s face, sucking in a harsh breath at the evidence of her assault. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.” Khalani stifled a groan as she stood, vertigo nearly sending her sprawling back to the ground.

A strong grip immediately steadied her waist.

“Maybe you should lie back down.”

But she shook her head. “I can handle it.”

Takeshi paused, a muscle in his jaw jumping like he was seconds away from locking her in the cell and leaving her there the rest of the day—just like he used to do every single night in Braderhelm.

But he bore witness to the determination in her eyes. The conviction to not show weakness or be a burden.

So, without a word, he released her, letting Khalani stand on her own.

Elise’s frown deepened as Khalani marched past, clearly not the only one thinking that the last thing she should be doing was leaving her cell and working in the mines.

But Khalani was used to ignoring pain and abuse, shoving it deep into her mind and pretending the trauma didn’t exist.

Not healthy, surely. But effective.

Prisoners lined up for inspection. Some winced at the sight of her bruises, while others shot her hard, accusatory glares. No doubt believing she was responsible for another prisoner’s death.

If only they knew the truth.

In line, Khalani noticed Takeshi’s stare become oddly fixated on something in the crowd.

His breath stilled.

His fists clenched by his sides.

She tried following his gaze…

“Stand up straight for inspection!”

Khalani’s head snapped forward as the Dealers walked through the line of prisoners. Several glared daggers in Takeshi’s direction, clutching their pads with white-knuckled grips.

The guards made them stand in line for much longer than usual.

Khalani continuously shifted her weight side to side, her legs turning numb as she blinked to stay awake. After an hour, she teetered, her legs nearly giving out, and Takeshi cursed next to her.

But one of the Dealers shouted, “Get on the ground for Dr. Strauss!”

It was the one time she felt grateful to sink to her knees.

When Dr. Strauss entered the area, his eyes were colder than normal. He scanned the lines of prisoners with a scowl, tapping his pen against the clipboard, the only sound piercing the quiet.

“Do you all know why you’re here?” Dr. Strauss asked calmly.

No one answered. Even the guards averted their gaze.

“No takers?” Dr. Strauss slowly walked down her line. Khalani stared at the ground, willing herself to stay upright.

“You’re here because you are impulsive. Disobedient. Rebellious. Like spoiled rotten children,” he spat. “You’re here to be guided into a better life. One with meaning. But some of you just…refuse to be saved.” He threw his clipboard to the ground, and everyone flinched, staring at the floor like their lives depended on it.

As if remembering himself, Dr. Strauss took a deep breath, picked up his clipboard, and straightened his white lab coat.

She lifted her head and suddenly, his cold gaze met hers.

Khalani froze, feeling like razor sharp claws had suddenly latched onto her. But for some reason, she refused to look away.

He placed a hand on his chin, slowly drumming his fingers as he studied the only prisoner who dared to stare back at him.

The audible sound of crying filtered through the space, breaking Dr. Strauss’ concentration. He turned to a younger girl with long, mousy brown hair, her shoulders trembling as tears streamed down her face.

“What’s this? Are you crying because of your sorry deeds on this earth, or do you want to be saved?” Dr. Strauss stepped in front of her.

The girl didn’t answer, she just sobbed harder, her back bowing and her limbs quaking.

“Take her,” Dr. Strauss commanded, and the guards quickly moved to action.

“No! Noooo!! Please!”

No one responded to her wails. Everyone seemed to bend closer to the ground, trying to disappear through it.

“Get to work!” the Dealers yelled as the girl was dragged further away, her cries slowly receding, never to leave the forsaken cavern.

Khalani shakily rose to her feet, wiping the gravel off her knees. Takeshi’s brows were drawn in a deep scowl as he strode over to her.

“You’re paler than normal,” he said, almost like an accusation.

“Thanks. I didn’t get much sun growing up.”

“Kanes.”

“Takeshi.” She met his dark stare head-on.

“You shouldn’t work while you’re still injured.”

“Because I’m sure if I ask for a break, they’ll happily comply and fetch me a rocking chair.” She rolled her eyes and turned to follow the prisoners, trying her best to walk in a straight line even though it felt like she was trudging through thick mud.

Takeshi gave her that look. The one that said she was insufferable and begging for punishment.

But he begrudgingly marched by her side, close enough to catch her if she fell.

“Not sure why you’re upset,” she remarked, inhaling deeply to ward off the nausea. “What would you have done if I asked for a break when I was your prisoner?”

“What do you think?” he deadpanned. “I would’ve fetched you a rocking chair.”

She laughed out loud, a sound rarely heard in the prison camp, and several prisoners shot her odd glances.

Even in the midst of pain and impending doom, the quiet and distant Captain who loathed her the first moment he set eyes on her was the one to make Khalani laugh.

The world had definitely gone mad.

She took a deep breath as she grasped the thick pickaxe, the guards watching every movement with sharp eyes.

To her surprise, she noticed Elise and Jack hovering close by.

Even Ryder nodded at her in solidarity.

It reminded her of an important lesson. One she’d been close to forgetting.

There were far more good people in the world than there were bad. It didn’t always seem that way because evil tended to be louder.

But hope resided in the quiet moments.

It was the subtle glances of unity from strangers. The gentle touch of Takeshi’s hand wrapped around her hair in the middle of the night. It lived in Serene’s laugh and Winnie’s conviction to make the world a better place.

That was why she lifted the pickaxe and started hammering away.

If others didn’t have a voice, she would scream for them. Because that’s what life had taught her.

To give all of herself.

Hours later, she nearly fainted with relief when the alarm sounded. She nearly puked on the floor when they left the tunnels. It felt like her head was banging against a brick wall.

When Khalani sat with her bowl of food, she put her head between her knees, trying to find stability on the solid ground.

Soft hands pulled the sweaty hair off her neck, tying it into a messy bun. She lifted her head and found Elise sitting back, nodding at her.

“Better?”

Khalani managed the barest smile. “Yeah.”

Right at that moment, Jack and Ryder appeared. And much to everyone’s surprise, they sat down with them.

“What are you doing?” she frowned, under the impression they were supposed to be keeping their distance in camp.

“We need to talk.” Jack stared pointedly at Elise and her mumbling father, who fiddled with the Prometheus ring on his finger. “Leave us,” he commanded.

“No,” Khalani shot back, fighting through the dizziness. “They’re staying.”

“They’re not a part of our group.”

“They’re a part of my group.” Her voice lashed out like the snap of a chain.

From the moment they entered camp, Elise was the only one to look out for them. Despite her reservations, she showed up for Khalani when she didn’t have to.

Khalani refused to leave camp without ensuring Elise and her father escaped as well.

Jack’s lips formed a pale, thin line as Elise cocked her head in confusion. It wasn’t until Takeshi gave a subtle nod of approval that Jack turned his attention to Elise.

“What’s spoken here doesn’t leave this group. Betray us, and I’ll bury your father’s limbs in every corner of Hermes,” he warned in a chilling voice that sucked the air out of the cavern.

“Unlike some people, I know how to hold my tongue, Jack,” Elise hissed, leaning forward. “But threaten my father again, and I’ll slice every artery you possess with your own deck of cards.”

“Good. Glad we have a mutual understanding.” Jack nodded, seemingly unfazed by her threat, as if her violent promise actually made him more comfortable.

“What’s the plan?” Takeshi cut in impatiently.

Jack turned to him, taking a deep breath. “Ryder and I have communicated with some of our members here in camp. They’re all in place and ready to act. Tomorrow, when the Aces arrive, we’ll attack the Dealers and take off these cuffs.”

“How are they going to break in?” Khalani’s stiff spine straightened, the pain and nausea momentarily forgotten as anticipation filled her veins.

“Spade is smart enough to know that a big distraction is needed to get us out. I’d expect something…explosive.”

Khalani and Takeshi tensed, unsure if they’d heard correctly, but Jack continued, “I don’t know exactly when they’ll strike tomorrow, but we need to be ready the second it happens. Once we’re free of these cuffs, we make a run for the tunnel exit. Don’t worry about anyone else. Got it?” He met both of their eyes with a serious look while Elise sat there with her mouth agape.

“Are you telling me we’re going to be rescued tomorrow?” Her tone was awash with disbelief.

“Yes.” Khalani grabbed her hand. “We’re going to get you and your dad out of here.”

“But you have to be willing to fight and accept the possibility that we could all die tomorrow by doing this,” Ryder added, narrowing his gaze.

Elise glanced at her father, who was lost in thought, continuously mumbling gibberish as he petted his ring.

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but a second passed and her expression solidified before turning to Jack. “Count us in. We’re not spending another minute in this godforsaken place.”

An unrestrained energy rushed through Khalani’s limbs as they finalized their escape plans. Like she could run for miles and take on the Dealers right then and there.

But they had to wait.

One. More. Day.

When they went back to work in the tunnels, the clanging of metal felt like a closing act. A final hurrah to what was hopefully the last time she’d ever have to see a pickaxe again.

Takeshi remained broodingly quiet, taking over most of her load. But she sensed a frenzied storm building within him.

When they finally got their last break of the day, Takeshi murmured to her, “Stay here.”

Before she could question him, he marched toward the fighting area.

Khalani frowned and followed him without a second thought.

When Ryder sidled up next to her, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “What do you want?” she snapped.

“I can’t check to see how you’re doing?”

“No.”

“You look like hell.” He observed bluntly.

“Thanks. I’m sure women back in Hermes are weeping over the loss of your irresistible charm.”

Ryder placed a hand over his heart. “I’m hurt. Truly. I just wanted to see—where are you going?”

Ignoring him, Khalani pushed through the crowd of onlookers gathering to watch the next fight. She craned her neck left and right, searching for Takeshi among the prisoners.

A few seconds later, she found him.

The crowd parted for him as he stepped into the center, eyes blazing as he scanned the audience with predatorial focus.

What the hell was he doing?

“Who are you fighting?” one of the prisoners asked.

Takeshi’s gaze halted on someone, his muscles visibly tensing.

“Them.” He pointed at two prisoners in the crowd.

The men he stared at glanced behind them, unsure if he meant someone else. But when his gaze didn’t waver, they puffed their chests.

“He can’t fight two people.”

“That’s suicide.”

Whispers rippled through the crowd as the two men stalked forward into the center of the fighting circle. Khalani’s green eyes flared when she recognized them. It was the same two prisoners who guarded the shower doors while she was attacked.

“Are you sure you want to fight us both?” one of the men laughed. “You can’t catch us unaware this time and we won’t hold back.”

The corner of Takeshi’s lips lifted, but his black eyes burned with a promise of violent retribution.

“That’s what I’m counting on.”

Khalani squeezed to the front of the crowd as the two men flanked him, moving in opposite directions. Takeshi remained preternaturally still, arms held loose by his side, waiting for the attack.

With a grunt, both men launched forward, simultaneously throwing punches at either side of Takeshi’s face.

He ducked so fast she barely caught the movement. He put one hand on the ground, swung his leg around, and knocked one guy off his feet.

At the same time, Takeshi twisted and punched the other man in the sternum, sending him stumbling back into the crowd, clutching his chest as if he’d been hit by a sledgehammer.

The first man shot back up, amusement completely wiped off his face. He held up his fists, dancing on his feet, and sprang forward. Takeshi dipped and dodged each punch aimed at him, anticipating every movement.

Takeshi moved like water, effortlessly and without restraint. His expression was a blank canvas, eerily calm as he faced his opponents, but the depth of fury in his eyes betrayed the thin control slipping away.

The other guy was still struggling to breathe as the prisoner fighting Takeshi was starting to labor in his movements. The wide punches grew increasingly desperate as none of the hits managed to meet their target.

Takeshi, on the other hand, didn’t slow. Didn’t lift his fists. Almost like he was toying with him. Making it last a little longer.

The prisoner growled when he realized the same thing and snarled, “I wish I was the one to fuck your little bitch in the showers.”

Khalani’s breath hitched.

Her gaze cut straight to Takeshi, whose cool demeanor shattered. He lowered his head, upper lip curling. His eyes didn’t flare with vengeance.

They were outlined in pure annihilation.

When the prisoner swung again, Takeshi caught his fist just inches from his face. The man barely had time to register the shock before Takeshi struck him directly in the jaw.

The prisoner’s head flew back, and in the next instant, Takeshi wrapped his arm around the prisoner’s elbow, bending his fingers back until they touched his forearm in the shape of a rainbow she’d once witnessed in Genesis.

With a loud crack, Takeshi snapped the man’s arm.

The man let out a terrible scream as he fell to the ground, cradling his elbow that was facing the wrong direction, tears streaming down his face.

Multiple prisoners around her covered their mouths, their faces scrunching in horror at the brutal sight.

But Khalani swallowed, refusing to look away.

Takeshi stepped over the man cowering beneath him, mumbling for mercy. Judging by the bloodthirsty expression on Takeshi’s face, there would be none.

But the second burly prisoner recovered and wrapped his arms around Takeshi, lifting him off his feet.

Takeshi threw his weight forward, flipping the man over his head, sending him crashing to the ground next to his wailing friend.

The man’s eyes widened just before Takeshi slammed his foot between his legs. The prisoner’s face went purple before he screamed.

But Takeshi wasn’t finished. He lowered himself to the ground, bracing his left hand on the prisoner’s shoulder and began to rain down punches with his right fist, each blow stronger than the last.

No one moved.

Everyone seemed frozen in awe. Khalani’s chest lifted in rapid breaths as splatters of blood flew onto Takeshi’s cold face.

“In another life, I think I would’ve simply enjoyed painting.”

Takeshi’s words played back to her as his fists colored themselves in red.

She visualized him as a child.

Drawing pictures with his mother. Smiling at her with those innocently beautiful black eyes. Watching the person he loved most disappear and being forced to guard a deadly prison.

That inherent need to protect had morphed into something unforgiving, and it was laid bare for everyone to witness and judge.

As splashes of red streaked across his face, she realized one brutal truth.

It wasn’t Takeshi’s fault for how he adapted to a brutal life he never chose.

Apollo stole his passions. Khalani refused to let this cruel world take away anything else.

“Takeshi.” She stepped into the circle, drawing multiple eyes. His fist froze midair at the sound of her voice, and he turned his head.

In that moment, she barely recognized him. Drops of someone else’s blood splayed across his face like war paint. His teeth were clenched like some wild animal she read about as a little girl.

A scared part of her wanted to let his demons take over and forget the dangerous Captain entirely.

But no matter how much they fought, or resented one another, Takeshi never ceased to protect her in the most visceral way possible.

Ruining himself so she wouldn’t have to.

Khalani lifted her head, anchoring her feet to the ground, refusing to walk away.

“Takeshi,” she said louder. “Let them go.”

“They hurt you,” he rasped. His grip around the man’s uniform tightened, ready to continue the onslaught. It was clear in his mind that their mere involvement in Khalani’s suffering warranted death.

“Yes. And they’ve learned their lesson. Please stop.”

Please come back to me…

Those words hovered on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them to the deepest pits of her heart.

Takeshi hesitated, teeth clenched, like the last thing he wanted to do was stop. But he didn’t break away from her unrelenting gaze.

She stared right back, letting him witness her belief that Takeshi was stronger than the deaths that forged him.

Just like her.

Takeshi inhaled sharply, rising to his full height as he slowly backed away from the two men on the ground. She sighed in relief when he moved toward her, but he paused, looking around at the crowd of prisoners, seeming to make eye contact with each one.

“Those two are alive for one reason, and that’s her.” His strong voice lifted across the circle as he pointed at Khalani, and even she held still at the force beneath it. “If anyone so much as looks in her direction the wrong way, you’ll resent your mother for giving birth to you.”

The tension in the air thickened, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, the high-pitched alarm pierced the air, and everyone flinched. At first, no one moved as they stared back at Takeshi with wide eyes and pale faces, but they slowly began to disperse.

A few prisoners helped drag the unconscious man away. The man with a broken arm quickly stood, practically running as tears streaked down his red face.

The sight shouldn’t have brought her satisfaction, but it did.

Takeshi stayed still as everyone moved around them, and no one dared to look in her direction.

She bit her lip, shifting on her feet at the renewed friction.

“Takeshi…I—”

“Kanes,” he interrupted, heaving in a deep breath, letting her know that his thin patience was a second from extinguishing. “Let’s go back to our cell.”