Page 46 of Claiming Sarah

“Who is your companion?” he asked in a smooth, deep tone.

“I have two, actually—”

“Two?” he murmured seductively. “You must be a woman of many talents.”

Heat rose up my cheeks. “I am.”

He almost smirked but seemed to think better of it, and it became an amiable smile. “Who are your companions?” he asked again.

Something inside of me told me to go, that this man-ghost wasn’t what he seemed, but my feet seemed rooted to the spot, unable to take a step. “Jacaranda Cozz and Deacon Ladrang.”

The light of recognition flashed in those mesmerizing eyes.Had he seen Jac’s name on the fighting roster?

“I would like to meet them,” he purred in a lover’s tone. “But alas, I have business elsewhere for now.”

The paranoid part of me said,good. But oddly enough, the rest of me didn’t want him to go. “What’s in the left gauntlet?” I asked, pointing to his arm. “That handle?”

He smirked fully this time. “You’re observant.”

“I’m shorter than most of you. It’s easier to see for me.”

He pulled the handle, revealing a gorgeous bone knife. Somehow, I didn’t feel threatened by it—I knew he didn’t want to hurt me. I wasn’t sure how I knew he was no threat, but I wasn’t scared as he held the knife out to me, showing off the glittering ruby jewels in the blade.

“I got it from…someone who no longer had need of it,” he explained.

He means he killed them and stole their fancy bone knife. Run, Sarah, run!My inner voice was loud, but my body felt as though it was drenched in molasses and wasn’t cooperating.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” He tucked it away.

Drums played in the arena, perking both our heads in that direction. “I guess the fight is about to begin,” I said, knowing that I’d already been gone too long. “I really should be going.”

“Not to worry,” he said, his tone exuding authority. “They would not dare start the fights until I am in my tower box.”

Everything clicked in my mind, and the question popped out of my mouth before I had the chance to stop it. “You’re Rex Terian, aren’t you?”

“Clever human,” he said, looking impressed. “Yes, Contra, I am. YouareSarah Hollinger, right?”

I tried not to gulp after all the horrid things I’d heard about this man. “Yes, I am.”

“Come with me.” He held out a hand toward me.

My insides clenched with unease. “That doesn’t sound like a request.”

“I don’t make requests in Faithless, but if we were in your territory, I would acquiesce to your wishes. It is a matter of respect.”

I was torn—everyone had warned me that Rex Terian was the enemy. The stories of him had made it plain. Yet he didn’t seem like the monster he was made out to be.A wolf in sheep’sclothing, perhaps?I wasn’t sure. Maybe he had turned over a new leaf. Though he did give me a slave girl, and that wasn’t okay.

His handsome face shifted into an honest smile, and I wasn’t sure if it was a show for me or because he was about to be truthful. Either way, I knew I couldn’t trust him, I thought with a small measure of clarity that wasn’t there moments before.Definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Maybe a whole pack of wolves.He was slick and smart and seductive about it, and he clearly wanted something from me. As sexy and charming as he was, I needed to watch myself with him.

“I see your hesitation,” he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. “My reputation precedes me, I imagine. Would you feel better if you had my bone knife?” He produced it again and held the handle out for me to take.

I arched a brow but didn’t touch the proffered knife. “What makes you think I don’t have one of my own?”

“I meant, because then I would be disarmed.”

“No, you wouldn’t be,” I said, giving him a once over. “I imagine you have more weapons stashed somewhere on your body and from what I understand,youare a weapon, so I am not naïve enough to believe you could ever be truly disarmed, Rex.”

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