Page 52 of Calico Descending

Brows pinched tight, I finally lift my gaze to his. “Training?”

“Yes, it’s important to test their strength, endurance, focus. One slip means death, and could cost a significant number of valuable lives.”

I wonder what he considers to be valuable life. Certainly none of the subjects he’s poked and cut apart. And, in spite of the importance of the Alphas, I doubt very much that he puts much value on their lives, either.

“I’m tired of the games. Just tell me what’s going on.”

“I could explain, but what would be the fun, when I can show you?” Lips stretching wider, he reaches out for me, flicking his fingers. “Come, I suspect they’re almost ready.”

The clearing in a fenced-off section of the hospital grounds is what everyone refers to as The Pit. Not that any of the others, in the main part of the hospital, have seen this hidden stretch of yard, but just about everyone has heard stories about the fights that take place here. Brutal fights, where only one contender walks away. I know this, because I’ve heard the guards exchanging cigarettes and peyote, or alcohol, for bets.

Chairs line the perimeter that’s sectioned off by a fence, like a cage. We enter through a door, which I imagine is the only escape, if those fighting in the pit are ambitious enough to attack the audience.

Doctor Ericsson takes a seat smack in the middle of the row, gesturing for Medusa and I to sit beside him. On the field beyond the fence, I catch sight of Valdys, sans helmet, snapping on leather cuffs that extend from the base of his hand to his elbow. Some kind of leather vest covers his chest, making his shoulders look massive. The moment his eyes find me, I have to hide a smile, for fear Doctor Ericsson will take notice and do something cruel.

Across the pit, Titus and Cadmus are stretched out on a bench, Cadmus with his head tipped back as though basking in the heat, like a lizard. When he tips his head forward, eyes on me, there’s a smugness to his smile, a knowing sort of grin, and when he drags his fingers over his jaw, as though rubbing at the under side of his nose, I flinch at the reference to the day before, when his fingers were down inside my panties.

Thankfully, Valdys doesn’t seem to pick up on his subtle gestures. That, or he doesn’t care, as he stands, rolling his shoulders back, arms flexed into massive cords of pure iron.

The sight of him draws my legs together, and I have to press the heels of my palms against the sudden ache between my thighs.

I turn to see Doctor Ericsson’s gaze there, and I clear my throat, shifting in my seat.

“I imagine seeing Valdys this way is very exciting. There’s nothing quite like watching a strong, robust male preparing for a kill.”

“What kill?” I can’t imagine he’d sacrifice two Alphas for training, so unfortunately, I don’t think Valdys will be fighting Cadmus.

The answer comes marching in through a door on the opposite side of the Pit, where Legion soldiers lead a half dozen men, dressed in the signature, navy blue uniforms of cell block B. Not boys, but no more than thirty years old, I guess. They stand in the center of the pit, looking confused, their expressions sweeping over the surroundings.

Grin plastered to his face, Cadmus leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Watch yourself, Valdys! Some strapping young lads in this group.” Titus chuckles along with him, but I still haven’t quite caught on to this.

“He’s to fight them? How is that fair? It’ll be a slaughter.”

A clang draws my attention to where objects are being tossed down behind the men, and they part from each other just enough that I see shovels, an axe, and hammers scattered about the ground.

“We like to balance the scales sometimes,” Doctor Ericsson says, crossing his legs like he’s completely at ease.

“A man with a weapon is still no match for Valdys.” I’ve seen him take on one of the mutations, whose single claw could do the same damage as an axe.

“That’s why he’ll fight all six of them at once.”

“What?” I swing my gaze to Valdys, who slides on his helmet, taking his place in the center of the pit.

As though on cue, all of the men scramble for a weapon, fighting over the shovel and axe, until two of them manage to swipe them up from the others.

“He …. He can’t fight all six. Not at the same time. Maybe two, or three.”

“He’s been briefed what he’s to do. And if he fails, he knows all too well what’s at stake.”

My heart sinks at that, and perhaps Valdys sees it written on my face, when he drops his gaze from me, his focus now on the men who stand hunched and ready to attack.

The first brave soul rushes forward, axe raised in the air, but his efforts are stunted, as Valdys reaches out for the handle of the weapon and gives a hard shove that sends him flying backward, onto his butt.

A merciful defense, as far as I’m concerned.

“What is he to do?” I ask, my stomach twisting, as another sounds a battle cry, and two of the men rush toward him.

“Kill them all.”

---