Page 49 of Healing Creek

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The accusation struck Creek like a kidney blow. Never had he given up the location of Haven, not even after the most brutal beating he’d ever endured.

The sound of chair legs sliding back sliced through the room like claws on metal. Samantha stood. “Creek never divulged your location.”

Shock rolled through him that Mercury’s mate would stand for him.

Grail growled again. “The sentries saw him leading you here.”

Mercury growled in defense of his mate.

“O—kay,” said Samantha. “He led us down the ravine. So what? That just saved us some time. It was one of your resistance operatives on Roma that gave us the coordinates. And I’ll personally vouch for every member of our crew.”

Mercury’s growl rolled along his throat before he added, “And I stand with my mate in support of our brother, Creek.”

Grail laughed, raw and shocking. “You don’t know who he is! What he is.” He stared down Creek with a mocking smile. “You didn’t tell them.”

Creek said nothing. Grace put her hand over his in a show of support.

“A cage fighter of house Yazzi,” supplied Grail. “The one our people called the executioner.” Grail switched his attention back to Mercury. “He killed two of my brothers. Not the honorable death of a gladiator. Ripped them apart in a cage with humans waving credits in the air, betting on how many blows it would last. How many of your house did he kill?”

Creek swallowed down the regret that wanted to be loosed on a wail. He put his hands up in a call for peace, leaving the comfort of Grace’s hand behind. To be called out on his past, and in front of her, no less.

“There are more important things to speak of than the past. I’m not needed here. I will leave so you can all get to a more productive conversation.” He bowed to Mercury in thanks for his defense, even if that support would now be withdrawn.

He led Grace to Mercury and Samantha then strode to the door and shoved it open. As it swung closed behind him, he heard Grail laugh. “There he goes, running again.”

***

Grace was shocked. Not by anything that had been said, but that Creek had left her there. He should have known she’d prefer to be at his side. She would gladly have left the room with him. It had to be a sign of how hurt and uncertain he was with the revelation of his past in front of Mercury’s pack. She’d been so pleased to see Lo come to his side.

“You should choose your friends more wisely.” Grail growled his words seemingly at the entire room.

Lo still stood close and he didn’t hesitate in defending Creek. “He fights beside us.”

Grail growled again. “Oh, does he? Interesting.”

Lo barked his need for explanation.

“Maybe you never had a friend face the executioner. You don’t know what he is.” Grail snickered.

“He’s an Arena Dog,” said Lo.

“Maybe by his genetics, but his kind are nothing like us. They’re raised differently. They fight alone,” explained Grail.

Lo frowned. “His kind?”

“His house—”

Saturn yipped beside Lo. “House Yazzi’s Dogs are slaves as were we all.”

Grail shook his head, and rage filled his eyes.

Mercury barked, drawing Saturn’s attention. He dipped a chin to Mercury’s dominance and explained, “Creek was marked for cage fighting from birth. The Yazzi cage fighters are isolated. Never allowed to bond with others. When they fight, it’s brutal.”

Grail growled. “Creek was the worst of them all. Used to punish Dogs from other houses. A Dog that had never seen a cage match had no chance of defeating him.” Grail puffed up his chest. “Creek has the blood of honorable Dogs on his hands.”

“Don’t we all?” Mercury frowned. “Who among us has not killed one of our own?”

“He killed my pack brother,” Grail shouted.