Page 30 of Us Dark Few

There was no physical match against Takeshi, and he knew it. But it was more than that. His onyx eyes were poised and calculating, like he could see through every wall she erected and every lie she strung by just staring at her.

“Decide now, or stay here,” he stated after she didn’t move. She swallowed and stepped forward, her body making the decision for her.

His head lowered, but he didn’t say anything. She quickly caught up to him, stepping double-time to keep up with his long legs. Everyone else was in the pit, so it was just the two of them as their footsteps echoed along the dark tunnel toward cellblock seven.

The silence between them expanded.

Khalani stared straight ahead, but Takeshi held her entire focus. She was keenly aware of his forceful presence beside her. He could crush her like a bug—an unceremonious end to an unceremonious life—but something about his steady, ruthless energy made her fingernails release their incessant digging into her palms. She didn’t feel the need to look over her shoulder, worried that someone would attack her.

Because no one in Braderhelm was more dangerous than the man beside her.

“He was the one who cut your arm,” Takeshi concluded, staring ahead.

“Yes.” No point in hiding the obvious. She glanced sideways at him. “You know he was lying, right? I was instructed to deliver the Ordinances. I didn’t randomly start attacking him.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you, Kanes. But I always know when one of my own is lying. I’ve had issues with him in the past and know of his tendencies. I believe you were defending yourself.” The macabre tone in his voice unnerved her, and she bit her lip as they kept walking.

“So, I’m not getting punished then?”

“I never said that.”

She shot him a sharp look. “What?”

“You’ve caused more trouble than anticipated, so I’m still deciding.” He looked up in thought. “Maybe some hard labor to pack on muscle or sewage duty since you have a knack for getting in deep shit.”

“Are you trying to be funny?” she snapped.

He stopped right in her path, startling her. “Careful, Kanes. You put yourself in a dangerously stupid position today, and I was forced to step in. Either exercise control or die a slow death while I watch. Got it?”

Blood rushed to her chest. “What was I supposed to do when he grabbed my throat and cut me? Was I supposed to go into his room and let him rape me? Am I to get punished for not dying?” she yelled.

“Ishouldpunish you for welcoming danger as if it’s a long-lost friend.” An untamed fire blazed beneath his eyes. “Don’t go to the guards living quarters again, and don’t cause any more problems. Are you capable of that?”

“Yes,” she growled. He didn’t need to tell her twice.

“Good. Now, I could put your mind at ease and say that I won’t hurt you for defending yourself against that pathetic excuse of a guard.” Takeshi leaned down to whisper in her ear, “But you prefer being close to death, isn’t that right?”

He walked past her, leaving her alone with her mouth open, fuming.If Khalani had laser beams for eyes, pieces of Takeshi would’ve been splattered all over the walls.

They finished the walk to her cell in silence, and he pulled out an electric pad to open the bars. His hard mask was back in place as he started touching the screen. He was so difficult to read. He saved her from being murdered, but Takeshi certainly wasn’t an ally.

He was an enigma. A dangerous one.

The bars opened with a buzz. Takeshi nudged his head toward her cell. “In you go, Kanes.”

She walked in and turned back to him. “Why did you help me?”

He frowned. “What?”

“With the guard. Why didn’t you just let him take me? That’s your job, isn’t it?”

His face turned ice-cold. “As Captain, my job is to keep everyone in line. Even the guards have boundaries. Thatguardoverstepped those boundaries with his assault and attempt to potentially kill a prisoner from my block.”

“That makes sense, I guess.” She fumbled her hands. “You were just helping me because he disrespected your authority.”

After a few moments of silence, Khalani glanced up, and Takeshi’s gaze severed her like the edge of a knife.

“I may be the Captain of Braderhelm, Kanes, but I am not a monster.”

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