Page 38 of Claiming Sarah

Giving him a satisfied nod, she sheathed her knife in response to his apology.

Crius said, “I will call on Helios to greet you. I am sure he will be swift. You may wait over there, if you wish,” he said, gesturing to an empty space near the gate and the guards. “Be well.” Then, he darted to the messenger post.

Deacon turned his back to where Crius had been to subtly and quietly ask under his breath to Sarah, “What the fuck was that?”

She jutted out her chin. “Rex, and his people, need to know I am no one to be trifled with.”

I nearly smiled at her stubborn bravery, even if it could have gotten us all killed. “She scared the crap out of me, too, Deacon, but she’s right.”

“We’re here, so come on,” Omen said impatiently, then left for where Crius had told us to go.

We followed, and it was better than being in the crowd, but the open position also left us vulnerable.Is that why he sent us here?I kept my eyes on everything around us for any sign of trouble, and within minutes, I found it. “Leda, is that Helios?”

She seemed to recoil as her gaze landed on the man I was referencing. “Yes.”

I instinctively gripped the end of my weapon. “You don’t like him?”

She shook her head. “No one likes him.”

Helios was nearly as tall as Deacon, but not as muscled.I can take him,I thought to myself, knowing it was really not an option considering it would undoubtedly incite a riot. I needed to follow Sarah’s lead in Faithless. We were here to support her return of Leda and that was all. Once we were done with that business, we were getting the fuck out of there.

I forced myself to remain calm as he smiled smugly at Sarah. His navy blue uniform was made of fine silk, his shoes of cina hides.Expensive duds on a cheap excuse of a man.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he gave her a thorough once over. “I understand you nearly gutted one of our finest,Contra.” He said her title like he doubted either her, or it.

“Are you Helios?” she asked.

He smirked at her. “Forgive my manners. It is not every day a human comes unannounced to see my master. I am Helios Vestig, minister of foreign affairs. You are Sarah Hollinger, the human who killed Mother Portend, an enemy of our city. On behalf of all the residents of Faithless, I thank you.” He bowed at the waist to her before he stood once more. “You may leave now,” he said dismissively, and spun on his heel to turn away.

“Vestig!” Sarah hollered fearlessly, impressing me once again with her gumption.

Nearby ghosts stopped what they were doing and stared at our group.

Helios whipped back around. “You barked?” he said in a snide tone.

“I did not come here for your thanks,” Sarah said, holding her own. “I came to see Rex Terian.”

He arched a brow. “But you did not send an envoy.”

“No, I did not.”

“You dare presume—”

“I am Sarah Hollinger, the contra, the Mother of conduits,” she said valiantly. “You will make arrangements for me to see your master in person myself.Now.”

His feathers were ruffled, being yelled at by a human in front of all those witnessing the exchange. “I am not your scout, Contra,” he sneered. “Tell me why I should bother with any of you.”

Shoulders tense, she glared at him but said nothing for a beat. Then she smoothed the anger from her face and calmly said, “I have a gift for Rex.”

Helios’ lip curled with disdain. “If you wish to see him despite this ghastly breach of decorum,Contra, then you must fight for the right to see him.”

She looked completely taken aback, while my own stomach churned with unease.

“You want to fight me?” she asked, confused.

He laughed. “Certainly not. You will fight one of the champions of Faithless in the arena.”

No fucking way.I immediately stepped forward before she could agree. “I will be her champion, Helios.”

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