Page 55 of Baited

“You’re traveling with the most dangerous thing in the dome, save for the ziggurag,” the guard says. “And I don’t want to be on the wrong end of a set of Gryn claws.” He tips his head at her, his eyes glittering suggestively from under his mask. “Even if you do.”

A growl makes him retreat, and we’re surrounded by Zarvu who march us inside the dome and down the ramps to the living quarters.

“Change of plan.” One of the clerks, a slim Habosu male, pops out from a side passage in front of the guards. “Blayn is to be taken directly to the parade.”

Izzy curls her hand under my arm, her fingers tiny against my bicep. She looks up at me. “What is a parade?”

“It’s what got me into trouble,” I murmur.

“A parade, little female,” the Habosu addresses Izzy directly, ignoring my muffled growl, “is where the gladiators are shown to potential sponsors so they may determine where to direct their funds.” He steps up to me, and in a single movement, fast for such a species, he rips off the bandage covering my wound. “Our gladiator flesh needs to be in tip top condition, and compliant.” His small eyes narrow to slits. “You will be compliant, won’t you, Blayn, given all the procurator has invested in your…rehabilitation.”

He glances at Izzy.

“Do not look at my mate.”

The clerk shrugs. “It’s a change in your usual rhetoric, I suppose.” He turns to the lead guard. “Parade hall five. The female can accompany him as far as the entrance.”

One of the guards shoves at Izzy and immediately regrets it. Bindings or not, I have my hands around his throat in a flash.

“Do not touch my mate…ever.”

“Yes, Blayn.” He gibbers as I release him, and he stumbles back.

“Get moving, gladiator.” The lead guard has unsheathed his stun stick, and I don’t trust him not to injure Izzy, the way he’s waving it around wildly.

Things have a way of getting out of hand around me. I don’t quite know why.

With a deep, reverberating growl, I turn and start walking back the way we came.

“Where are we going?” Izzy asks.

“Hospitality center,” I rasp, doing my utmost to concentrate on her and not what I’ll face once we get to the parade hall. “There are games tonight and the sponsors want to see the gladiators.” My primary feathers rattle. “Including me, it seems.”

“I’m here, Blayn.” Her arm links with mine. “I’m not going anywhere.”

And my heart slows.

With Izzy by my side, I can do anything. With her, I am complete.

IZZY

The dome has a very particular smell, somewhere between many bodies in close quarters with a hint of rot. I keep close to Blayn, allowing the scent of his feathers to invade my nostrils instead. The spicy cinnamon drives most of the sourness out.

Surrounded by guards in a way which is most definitely overkill for a single gladiator, we’re marched through passages which are bleakly functional, walls covered in scratches and dents, until the decor changes, becoming more luxurious, with color changing walls and carpet underfoot. The wider corridor ends in a set of double doors, behind which I can hear many voices.

The muscle in Blayn’s jaw jumps, and his wings are set hard with not even a feather moving.

“The female stays here, Blayn,” the head guard says. “I’m going to undo your restraints and take off your tracker. One wrong move, and you won’t be able to protect her anymore.”

I can hear the snarl deep in his chest, but he holds out his wrists in a show of compliance.

“I warn you, Zarvu. Should my mate come to harm, I will come for you, and I will not stop until you are in pieces,” Blayn says evenly, as if he’s discussing what to have for breakfast.

Ahead, the doors open, and the voices get significantly louder. Blayn ignores his guard, and all of his being is concentrated on me as he sets his wings. He cups my face, dark eyes studying me as if he wants to burn me into his mind. I place my hands over his.

“I’m here for you. I’m not going anywhere. You can do this.” I daren’t look at what he’s going to step into because I know he has to be here, with me, and centered. “When you’re done, you can make me a new nest.”

It’s the right thing to say. Blayn instantly relaxes, his eyes shining with delight.

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