Page 99 of Us Dark Few

Dana’s stare turned into shocked disbelief as Khalani dropped the knife and pulled away, leaving a piece of her darkness behind.

She lifted her head, and Derek was right at the front, his eyes completely wide. Even Serene stared at her in bewilderment, a sly smirk beginning to form on her lips. Adan and Derek reached out their hands as Khalani walked closer, and they hoisted her up from the pit.

“Didn’t think you could refuse to kill someone and still look like a badass,” Adan exclaimed, tussling her hair.

Khalani’s lips curved, and she caught sight of the Death-Zoner standing off to the side, tilting his head in curiosity.She ignored the curses and chorus of boos from the other prisoners for not ending the fight with Dana’s death.

Khalani turned and her muscles froze. Across the pit was someone who’d been watching the entire time.

Takeshi.

His muscular arms were crossed over his chest, and he was staring straight at her. As if nothing else occupied the space between them. Their eyes locked, and the weight of his gaze made her muscles stiffen and her heart race.

And then, the corner of his lip lifted in a nearly imperceptibly grin.

In that simple gesture, he conveyed everything words couldn’t.

All those grueling training sessions. Every time he knocked her to the ground or criticized her form, demanding her to give more. Every look exchanged that bled fire, tenacity, and passion.

Noises grazed across her skin, clamoring for her attention. But all she saw was Takeshi’s large frame before he turned and disappeared through the crowd like a flickering shadow.

In another life, she’d forget all the horrible things he said to her. She’d race after him, asking him if he saw what happened, knowing full well he did. If he knew Khalani had the strength in her all along.

But she didn’t need to ask.

Takeshi simplyunderstood,just like she did, all the answers that didn’t need to be questioned.

The emotions racing through her were so poignant they filled the entire room.

Hell, they filled her whole twisted universe.

Because, for once…she was damn proud of herself,too.

25

I’ve retreated into myself for far too long.

Pain was not something to cower from. Pain was a product of perseverance. When sweat pooled, tears dried, and blood hardened into scabs, only then did the mind rest soundly at night, knowing every ounce of effort had been given.

The strong didn’t see pain as a barrier but as a rocket ship propelling them beyond the limits of the mind. Without pain, victories would be worthless.

Otherwise, everyone would win.

A loud grunt sounded from her left. Derek winced as he released his tight grip on the shovel, blood staining the dirty wooden handle.

“You alright?” Khalani set down the heavy wheelbarrow.

“Yeah. Fresh blister popped.” Derek huffed, and she glanced at his hands, bloodied and raw, worse than usual.

“Here.” Khalani reached into her pocket, retrieving a clean cloth she’d managed to grab after her shower that morning, and quickly wrapped it tight around his palms, protecting the fresh wounds.

“Thanks.” Derek’s mouth twisted as she tightened the cloth, but hemade no protest. “I vaguely remember doing this for you when you first arrived.”

She smirked, finishing the knot with a tug. “Seems like a lifetime ago.”

At that point, Khalani had lost track of how long she’d been in Braderhelm.

“Too long,” Derek whispered.

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