Page 60 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“Your logic is flawed,” Dernin said, his voice steady despite the blood trickling from his split lip.“Why would I risk everything now, after winning?”

Bariv’s fist connected with Dernin’s jaw again.Alaysia bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted copper, forcing herself to remain still.

“Because you’re one of them,” Fyret said.“Once a warrior, always a warrior, right?Did you really think we wouldn’t notice the messengers moving through our territory?”

Another blow landed on Dernin’s ribs.He grunted but remained upright.

Two days.They just needed to hold out for two days.Alaysia’s mind raced through possibilities, each more desperate than the last.The cell was too small for Dernin to properly defend himself.His muscles tensed under her touch with each hit, but he didn’t strike back.

“Nothing to say?”Bariv’s filaments writhed as he landed another punch.“No clever denials?”

Blood dripped onto the stone floor.Alaysia’s heart clenched, but she kept her face carefully blank.Any reaction would only make things worse.She’d learned that lesson well over years of slavery.Show nothing, reveal nothing, survive.

“You’re wasting your time,” Dernin said, spitting blood onto the floor.“I won your tournament.That’s all.”

“We’ll see about that.”Fyret’s smile turned cruel.

Bariv’s next blow sent Dernin stumbling back against the wall.His tail tightened around Alaysia, shielding her from the impact.

Each blow that followed sent waves of nausea through Alaysia’s stomach.Blood dripped from his nose and his split lip, forming dark patterns on the stone floor.Her fingers dug into her palms hard enough to leave crescent marks as she watched Bariv’s fist connect with Dernin’s ribs again and again.

“The warriors.”Fyret’s voice dripped honey-sweet poison.“When are they coming?”

Dernin spat more blood onto the floor.“There are no warriors.”

Another punch.Alaysia’s control finally snapped.

“Stop!”She lurched forward, only Dernin’s tail around her waist keeping her from throwing herself between them.“Please, just stop!”

Fyret’s attention shifted to her like a predator scenting fresh prey.“Ah, the prize speaks.”He pulled something from his belt, and a metallic gleam caught the torchlight.A knife.“Perhaps you’d like to share what you know?”

“I don’t know anything.”The lie tasted bitter on her tongue.

Fyret pressed the knife under her eye.The cold metal bit into her skin.“Such pretty blue eyes.It would be a shame to have to dig them out.”

“Don’t.”Dernin’s voice was rough.“Leave her—”

“Stop.”Alaysia cut him off, meeting Fyret’s gaze despite the blade against her skin.Her heart thundered erratically but her voice remained steady.“Do what you want to me.I won’t tell you anything because there’s nothing to tell.”

“Alaysia...”Dernin tried again.

“No.”She didn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see the pain in those golden eyes.If he tried to protect her now, everything would be ruined.“I’ve survived worse than you, Fyret.Do your worst.”

The knife pressed harder, drawing a warm trickle of blood down her cheek.Alaysia didn’t flinch.She’d learned that showing fear only made things much, much worse.Two days.They just had to last two days.She could handle anything for two days.

“Such spirit.”Fyret sneered.“Let’s see how long that lasts.”

The cold steel bit deeper into Alaysia’s cheek as Fyret pressed the blade closer to her eye.She refused to look away from his cruel smile, refused to give him the satisfaction of her fear.More blood trickled down her face.

A sharp crack split the air.Fyret’s eyes widened in shock.The knife clattered to the ground as he stumbled forward, revealing a spreading dark stain on his chest.Another crack echoed through the cell, and Bariv dropped beside him, his filaments twitching once before going still.

Dernin’s tail whipped around Alaysia’s waist, yanking her against his chest as he pressed them both into the corner of the cell.His body shielded around her, protecting her from any additional gun fire.

“Are you hurt?”His breath was warm against her ear.

“Just scratches.”Alaysia pressed closer to him.“What’s happening?”

“Stay down.”Dernin’s muscles tensed around her.“Someone’s out there.”

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