Shadow's Chosen (Dark World Mates Book 3) Page 18

  "Back when you trained?"

  Nezka tapped his ear.

  Elise nodded, her eyes dropping from him. "It's not just what will happen to me if you lose that I'm worried about..." She looked back at him as if she wanted to say something more about it but decided against it. "I know you will win."

  Nezka stared down at her. He wasn't concerned about him losing either. What truly worried him was what Elise might see. What she might think of him after. Would she distance herself from him? Would she hate him or be afraid of him more than when she first met him? It bothered him to think it just as much as it bothered him that he cared.

  Elise went to reach for his hand, and he let her take it if only for a moment. He felt the dark waters of his psyche stir, and he gently pulled away, making for the other room. "Don't worry about me. Take advantage of what we are given but stick to the plan, no matter what happens, no matter how I must act. Remember, I'm not your friend here, Starling."

  He thought he saw sudden hurt in her eyes, but it passed quickly. "Of course," she said.

  He looked at her one last time, almost tempted to move back over and pull her to him, then he turned and entered the other bedroom, closing the door between them.

  Fifteen

  If there was one thing she could at least appreciate given the situation she was in, it was the chance to have a hot shower. And by god, did she need it. Even the wash she'd given herself a day ago hadn't been enough to completely dissolve the smell of sweat and grime. She took her time in the water, bitter that such a luxury given the circumstance had to come from such a foul being.

  She knew Krow was crooked, and she didn't trust him one bit. She couldn't put aside her worry for the deal he and Nezka had made. Unlike the thornbacks, that unsavory pack of thugs that had been as close to barbaric as one could get in the city, Krow and his kin worked on a deeper, more secure level. They were smarter, more cunning. A criminal organization disguised as a business for entertainment and indulgence. She'd seen it many times before. Sad to think nothing changed in the outer worlds. A city always held its demons.

  But despite what she thought of Krow and the others, she wanted to be optimistic about her and Nezka's escape. She didn't think Krow would pull something like the leader of the thornbacks—that he would be true to his word and let them pass without a chase. But she couldn't pretend to think it would be that easy. He was just as deceitful as the rest of them. He'd get his entertainment, his fights. And he'd milk every last drop of his and Nezka's deal, maybe until Nezka broke.

  After scrubbing herself raw until she was without a speck of dirt, Elise shut off the water and stepped out of the black box that was her temporary shower. She went over to the black mirrored wall and dried herself off, staring at the shadowy reflection of herself with a tight frown.

  Krow never said how many fights.

  She shouldn't be worried for Nezka. He'd shown her more than enough times that he was undoubtedly capable of holding his own. But still, she couldn't brush away her anxiety. All it took was one bad fight. And what then? And even if he did win them all, she'd seen how brutal, how violent they'd been. Could she stand to watch him lose his humanity? Because even she knew fighting could go too far. And despite what she might have thought of him before, she'd learned now that he wasn't a complete monster.

  And Krow just might tempt him in every way he could to make Nezka forget why he was here. If the fights didn't do it, something else might. Some other temptation. She didn't touch the drugs laid out on the bar of her room, but she saw Nezka eyeing them. She thought of Jona's offer of sending someone to the room for his pleasure, and her stomach twisted, making her feel nauseous. She didn't know why it bothered her, but it did. He could do what he liked, but if he found himself too wanting of what Krow had to offer, he might just be enticed to stay longer than necessary and give in to such indulgence. Maybe it was a stupid paranoid way of thinking, but she couldn't seem to clear away such thoughts. He'd said himself he'd need to play the role, and Elise had no doubt he would. But she wondered if she could stand to play her part before she felt she might snap.

  Elise turned to her suit laying out on the chair. It was filthy still, and there was no way she was going to put it back on after washing herself, so she started the water in the large basin meant to be a tub and threw it inside. As she watched the tub fill, she felt herself tense. She didn't like it here one bit and suddenly wished they'd tried a different route. She didn't want to go downstairs and act the part of a quiet, submissive captive. She didn't want to see Nezka tearing someone a part in that ring just because some psycho found it entertaining, and she didn't want to see the eyes of those men glaring at her hungrily nor the women eyeing Nezka, wondering if he'd take them to his room and screw their brains out after he'd split someone's head open. Already, she missed the broken down museum and their time in it together. She missed the stillness and the sounds of just their voices. But it was too late to go back, the bridge had been crossed. They had to keep going.

  She just hoped it was worth it.

  ***

  Nezka came back to her side of the room as night fell, ready to return down to the fighting lounge and give Krow a good show. She let him bind her again with the metal coil and pull her out to the hallway where two guards were stationed. They led them down to the club which was now packed, filled with all manner of people dancing to loud thumping music. They passed through the crowd, Elise having to shrug off a few hands, and stepped into the red lounge where a fight was just finishing up in the hexagonal ring. The winner ripped into the loser's throat with his teeth and tore a hole. The body fell, and the crowd watching cheered. Krow stood from his black leathered throne and, seeing Nezka, smiled, gesturing for him to approach.

  "You see, now, that's a fight I can appreciate," Krow said as they came to stand before him. "But I anticipate you'll surprise me." He offered Nezka some 'liquid courage' which he declined then pointed to Elise. "You didn't have to bring her down. Could have kept her tucked safely in your suite."

  "Where I go, she goes," Nezka replied.

  Krow smirked and ordered one of his men to bring over a chair. "Then she can have the best view from here."

  Nezka plopped Elise down in the seat next to Krow’s and left without looking at her. Elise watched him step over to the ring, ready to enter.

  "Hold on now there, tough guy." Krow laughed. "No shields, suits, or weapons. You can keep your pants if you want, but the pads go. This is a skin only sport."

  Nezka hesitated for only a moment then began to shrug off the Red Blade chest shield with the arms pads followed by the inner long piece shirt. When he peeled it off and revealed his naked torso, Elise felt herself shiver, thinking back to when she saw him washing in the room. She turned her gaze away and saw the others watching closely, including a few women who whispered to each other, eyes lingering on his body. Nezka's spines rose across his back and the crowd "oohed" and "aahed" at the sight. Krow waved his hand to someone in the throng, and a very large, badly scarred lizardman—a grex Nezka called them—entered the ring.

  Elise considered closing her eyes and just not allowing herself to watch, but she knew it would be a futile attempt. She sat up straight as the pair circled each other, waiting for Krow to give the word. When he raised up his arm and made a cutting motion downward, the crowd leaned in and so did Elise.

  The grex hissed as he circled once more, venom dripping from his mouth. He struck fast, going for the jugular. Nezka was quicker. He swerved to the side and hammered his fist into the side of the grex's face. The grex turned to bite him, missing by an inch. Nezka landed blows on the lizard, but he didn't falter. Not like the others. His skin was tough to break and his bones too thick to crack. The lizard came at him like a savage beast, trying to rip and tear and bite. Nezka was backed into the wall. Even as his strikes hit, the grex kept coming. The lizard opened his jaws wide, ready to clamp down, and Nezka took hold of the skin and muscle around his snout and jaw, keeping his mouth fr
om snapping shut. The grex tried to back up, but Nezka already had a firm hold on him. With strength Elise had yet to witness, he opened the grex's mouth wider, forcing him on his knees, and pulled his jaws apart. Elise heard the crack of his jaw breaking as the grex fell to its side on the ground. The crowd laughed and howled, and Krow clapped beside her.

  "Not a bad first run," Krow said. "A little short for my taste, but I imagine many of them will be with you." He grinned. "No matter. I'll have to challenge you better."

  Nezka's spines flexed before they lowered along his back. He didn't acknowledge the grex on the ground as he stepped closer to the rail by Krow.

  "I'm ready for the next," Nezka said. Elise almost shook her head but stopped herself.

  Krow looked him over for a long moment then bobbed his head. "All right." He smiled. He waved his hand again, and another fighter entered the ring.

  Elise watched Nezka take out two more opponents before Krow decided it was enough for the night. The ring was colored red, pieces of fur and hair and teeth scattered along the edges. Nezka had taken a few bad blows, but they had barely slowed him. Krow whooped and hollered so much, leaping from his seat, shouting at Nezka to hit harder with each match, that he looked more tired than the fighters, sweat trickling on his brow.

  "You are a treat. A real treat to watch," he said, slicking back his hair. "Best I've seen in a long time. And I'm bettin’ many here made some good credits off of you. Yes, you are something."

  "Good," Nezka said, barely out of breath. "I will take my leave tomorrow then."

  "Oh, now, why the rush, huh?" Krow waved over a bar girl with a few glasses. "Your mistress can wait. You can tell her I kept you for my own benefit, I don't mind. Let us celebrate. Come on, have a drink and sit. The others are dying to meet you."

  Both she and Nezka knew he'd not let them go so soon, but Elise was grateful that Nezka had at least tried. As he exited the ring, a slender, dainty drogin female came up and said something to him Elise couldn't hear. The woman whispered in his ear, and he tilted his head and said something back. The woman used a towel to wipe the blood off his torso, letting her hand move across his chest and stomach in a slow, seductive manner. Nezka didn't pull back, watching her with curiosity. They spoke a few words and Elise, realizing her hands were clenched tight in her lap, opened them.

  Much of the crowd dissolved back into the club with smaller groups lingering at the various tables and bars. Krow had a table situated back by one side for him and those most loyal to him, including Jona. Elise dared not move from her seat, knowing if she got up, Nezka would be forced to put her back in her place, likely with a short cuff to the face for good measure, just to be convincing. She watched as Krow made room for Nezka, pouring him a drink and, as Nezka sat, the drogin woman made herself comfortable on his lap.

  Elise turned her eyes away but kept a sharp ear to their conversations, most of which were Krow stroking his and Nezka's ego. Nezka said very little save to answer a question. From the corner of her eye, she could see him drinking heavily, his arm wrapped tight around the woman on his lap.

  The night dragged, but Elise refused to let her patience thin out so quickly. When it was near dawn and the men and women had drank themselves stupid, Krow finally ordered them out. Nezka took Elise back up to their suite without so much as a glance her way. The drogin woman, who called herself Sona, had offered to come back to his room, but he had declined, saying he was too tired. Elise felt some relief in that, knowing she wouldn't have to listen to them pounding at the walls, but the relief was short-lived when the woman pressed herself against him and said, “Another night,” and he smiled back with one of his wicked grins, tracing a finger across her neck like it was a promise. Then he took Elise back into their suite and didn't say a word as he unbound her and went to his bedroom, closing the door.

  Elise sat up till morning, annoyed and wired. The fights had been as brutal as she feared. Worse than the ones he had fought in the pit which she hadn't thought possible. She didn't know if she could take another night of it, but she told herself she had to endure.

  Eventually, she slept, and when she woke up, she was alone in a chair, her mouth dry and her stomach growling. She forced herself to eat what food Krow's men had left on the bar and drink water from the bath tap as they'd left nothing but booze. The day went by as she waited, pacing her room, trying not to knock on Nezka's door. When night finally arrived, his door opened. She started to say something but seeing his dark expression silenced her. Knowing there was nothing she could really say to better the situation, she gave him her wrists, and he took her back out.

  The night went nearly the same as the last. Elise watched Nezka violently destroy his enemies in all manner of ways while Krow shouted beside her, rousing Nezka to be faster, deadlier. Elise felt sick after but kept her composure. After the matches, Nezka made another comment that he should be going, but once again, Krow shot him down, too intrigued by this lethal fighter to give him up so soon. Once more, they sat around and drank, Krow even offering Nezka some of the red haze which Nezka took without complaint; even, dare she say, gladly. Sona returned to take her place on his lap, giggling and whispering in his ear, and Nezka, in turn, trailed his fingers over her slender waist and back, making Elise glance away as a strange ache settled in her chest. Other girls fought for his attention, but Sona kept them away with a snapping growl, reminding Elise of one of those toy poodles her aunt had when she was a kid. Elise didn't so much as move from her spot though she was ignored well enough that she wondered if anyone would even notice if she left. Surely Nezka would.

  Besides an occasional glance in his direction, she kept her gaze straight ahead. By the conversations she eavesdropped on, she could tell Nezka was warming up to them, especially to Krow. He talked more and—when she chanced to look—noticed that he smiled more, made himself more at home as he lounged back in his seat as if he were suddenly on a vacation. He was so relaxed, unlike her, but she supposed that was part of the act. Though she hated how easy he made it seem.

  Once more, they stayed up till near dawn until Krow ordered them back to the suite. Thankfully, Sona did not ask to return with them, feeling too sick from drinking, so they entered the suite alone together. He unbound her hands like usual, but before he could leave her without a word, Elise grabbed his arm.

  She opened her mouth to say something but was again frozen by his expression. His cold stare made her shudder, and she let him go. She stood staring at his closed door, her fists clenching and unclenching. She wanted him to talk to her, to tell her what he was thinking. She wanted to ask him how much longer, but she could guess the answer.

  "As long as it takes."

  ***

  Another day and night passed in Krow's domain. Elise remained in a corner as Nezka sat drinking with Krow and his group, grinning and talking as if they were close friends. He brought Sona close to him as she nuzzled his neck then bit his ear, her hand slipping down his bare chest. He'd elected to leave his gear off after the fights, and Elise found it increasingly hard not to stare. She wished she could say she was numb to watching him get touched all over, but she wasn't. If anything, she felt a sort of red-hot pressure growing in her head. She told herself over and over it was an act and that she felt nothing as she continued to untighten her fists and unclench her jaw.

  She was just concerned for him, that was all. Though it was stupid to think he needed her concern. He was having a swell ass time by the looks of it.

  Meanwhile, Elise had been dodging a pair of eyes on her all night from a drogin with a jet-black stare. She hoped he'd not be tempted to come near her if she didn't look his way, but when she did let her eyes pass over in his direction, he remained watching her intently. Thinking it couldn't be helped, she looked his way and locked eyes, hoping her glare told him enough that she wanted to be left alone.

  No such luck.

  He smiled at her and came over, seating himself beside her.

  "You look so lonely over here
by yourself, pet," the black-eyed male said sweetly. He had a sly sort of appearance about him, like a fox. He moved close to her, his hand lifting to graze knuckles against her shoulder. "I figured you could use some company."

  Elise said nothing, uncertain whether she should. The man clicked his tongue as he brushed a finger along the side of her face, across her cut, making Elise flinch.

  "That must've hurt." He dropped his hand. "That scary ass guy do that to you? What an asshole."

  Elise was ready to tell him to fuck off when her eyes flickered upward and locked with Nezka's. As the others around him laughed and drank, he wasn't smiling as he stared over at her. Elise shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with this stranger so close, and Nezka looking like he might leap off the table and kill him for touching her.

  Elise turned her head, pretending to ignore Nezka's dagger stare. "I'm not supposed to talk to anyone," she said. "He might hurt both of us if we talk. You should just go."

  "I'm not afraid of that guy," the fox-like male said, rather stupidly. She could smell that he'd been drinking and was probably too far gone to realize the danger of his words. Even more idiotic, he put an arm around her and nuzzled into her neck, and Elise grimaced, pulling away.