Page 40 of Xeda

Xeda bared his teeth as the warrior passed him without another glance, disappearing down a path. Rage burned his insides, but he let him go, knowing he would have his chance to prove otherwise. In time. Even as the warrior's words slipped into him like a knife, he stood his ground.

In time, he would show this warrior he was a force to reckon with.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Ophilia

She waited by the side of one pillar within the tower's central room, staring at the banners that hung across each side showing each fighter. It was growing late, her dinner party coming to a close, only a few groups lingering around, eager for tomorrow for the first game. She knew Xeda had to be returning soon. She couldn't go back to their rooms without him.

She worried about what his reaction would be to Kaxek. She didn't expect it to be a cuddly little reunion. Kaxek might be a vrisha, but he and Xeda weren't the same, or at least she wanted to think that. Xeda only wished for his freedom. Kaxek enjoyed taking it from others, with their lives.

But don't forget who Xeda really is, she thought. He wasn't the good guy either.

It hurt to admit it, but she wanted to believe Xeda could see beyond his hatred. Someday. She turned over her and Zachery's conversation and wondered if Xeda would be more than happy to work by Kaxek's side after all. If he would see the warrior in himself. She imagined them fighting together, growing closer, feeling a mutual connection. A mutual hunger for bloodshed.

The thought twisted her insides. She didn't know which outcome might be worse, having to fight Kaxek or join him. To become another vrisha who enjoyed the games. Could she stand by after and watch him become that person? If it meant her own freedom?

She closed her eyes, trying to not let her growing anxiety and guilt eat at her. Whatever happened was beyond her control. It was up to him which path he chose after. All that mattered in the end was their victory.

She stepped out of the shadow of the pillar, looking to inch her way closer to the entrance of the inner gardens. She forced a smile as a couple walked past, noticing their fancy gems and designer clothes, wondering which house they belonged to.

"Ophilia, my dear Ophilia," came a sing-song voice behind her.

Ophilia tensed. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Sal with a drink in his hand, the buttons of his clean-cut suit open at the collar. Beside him was a man she didn't recognize. He wore a black and white suit much like Sal's. His hair, peppered with gray, was slicked back, and one side of his face had a dark birthmark that covered from cheek to jaw. His hazel eyes examined her closely, scrutinizing her. Something about him seemed familiar to her.

Sal put an arm across her shoulder, gently pulling her toward the stranger.

"Ophilia, I'm so glad we ran into you. I have to say, you've done a great job getting that vrisha of ours looking good in such a short amount of time. Impressive, real impressive. This is Eliam by the way, my good friend. I mentioned him before, remember? Eliam, this is Ophilia, our star trainer. How do you like that?"

Ophilia felt nauseous as she took the hand Eliam offered and shook it. Eliam Lageth. The one Sal wanted to sell her to. She understood why he looked familiar. His features were similar to those of Marius, Eliam's brother and house trainer.

"So good to finally meet you, Ophilia." Eliam smiled, showing off fake gold teeth. Despite his smile, his eyes continued to scrutinize her, glancing down at her outfit, his nose wrinkling as if he didn't find the look very appealing. She imagined he'd prefer her in a dress, covered from head to toe. She pulled her hand away, and he reluctantly let it go. "I gotta say I was surprised when Sal told me what you did. Standing up to him, what a brave girl. And him letting you train that vrisha. Crazy. I still think it was crazy, Sal."

Sal shrugged. "She made a hard offer, I gotta say. Hopefully, it was worth it." Sal locked eyes with hers. “It better have been worth it,” his eyes told her.

Ophilia forced a smile. "I don't think you'll be disappointed."

"I'm sure I won't." Sal's hand was on her back, keeping her in place. "But at least if you do lose this, Eliam here will have his chance, that right?"

Her blood throbbed in her ears, and she wanted to spit in his face. Instead, she kept her ground, knowing one wrong move even now might cost her. "I'm sure we can talk things over if it comes to that," she said carefully. "But I'm determined to win this."

Eliam glanced at Sal with a smirk. "Well, for Sal's sake, I hope you give it your best. For my sake, however...I'd be glad to have you in my house, Ophilia." His eyes drifted down her again. "And maybe wearing something a little less barbaric."

Sal laughed. "Or nothing at all." He smacked her ass, and she had to place her hands behind her back to not send her fist into his face. As he drank from his glass, his gaze went past her head, and for a clear moment, she thought she saw him flinch. "Speak of the fucking devil."

Ophilia twisted around slowly and saw Xeda standing near the entrance of the room. The other fighters were returning to their trainers. His eyes met hers, and she didn't know what to make of his expression. Feeling suddenly hot from his gaze, she looked away.

"I think we are going to have to say good night," she said. "Xeda needs rest for tomorrow."

"Yeah, sure he does," muttered Sal. "All right, Ophilia, tomorrow then. You know where I'll be. I'm counting on you."

"Until next time, Ophilia," said Eliam as he and Sal turned off to continue their party somewhere else.

A moment later, Xeda came to stand beside her. "What was that about?" he asked.

She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. "Nothing. Just reassuring Sal that we’re going to win. Come on, let's get out of here."

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