Page 36 of The Lost Siren

“The Lykos have always been our enemy—”

Not before the war.

I stiffened along with every other Drakens as the black-furred Lykos spoke, his voice reverberating inside of my head. The massive creature pinned D’Arcy with his golden stare, and he changed tactics, his face twisting into a look of polite helplessness.

“You are allies with Overlord; the one who destroyed our race. If we let any of you go, the Overlord will find out and he will attack us. We can’t risk it.”

My fingers tightened around the hilt of my knife.

“So, your original offer of freeing the last remaining Lykos was a lie, then?”

The crowd mumbled angrily, and I felt I nearly had them, so I pushed forward.

“And if that is true, then the one who has risked our safety isyouthen, not them.”

My hands with my weapons rested on each head on either side of me, and the two Lykos sold it further by leaning into my side, growling. D’Arcy tried one more time.

“Only aspywould protect allies of the Overlord! What other purpose could she have?” He spit on the ground, gesturing his arms grandly. Indecision hung heavily in the air, as the Drakens didn’t know who to believe. D’Arcy pressed his point further, his body quivering with rage.

“Again, what otherpurposecould she have?”

Creating an alliance between the Drakens and the Lykos.

The black-furred Lykos stepped forward, his words effectively wiping the smug look from D’Arcy’s face. Benedict stood in a flurry of motion, grasping onto the balcony’s edge as his face paled dramatically.

“You lie,” D’Arcy hissed.

After you,the Lykos responded, lowering his head to the ground in challenge.

“On whose authority do you dare speak of an alliance?”Benedict's voice was strong, ringing out over the entire arena. The Lykos grinned, exposing his long canines.

Release us, and you may find out.

The tension was so thick I could have choked on it. One wrong move, one misinterpreted gesture, and someone would die. D’Arcy and I had both drawn a line in the sand. It was time to find out which side Benedict stood on, since in the end only his word mattered.

“If the king would weigh in on this matter, we could all find a moreusefulway to spend our day.”

I didn’t need to turn around to know that Benedict was burning a hole in my back with his gaze. He didn’t appreciate being brought into our conflict, forced to choose between the two of us. No one made a sound; it was likely the entire arena held its breath, waiting for the decision of its king. After what felt like an eternity, Benedict spoke.

“Do you offer the alliance in good faith?”

The black-furred Lykos bowed his head, lowering it to the ground. Benedict glared at D’Arcy.

“Escort them to the outside.”

He turned away from the balcony and vanished. D’Arcy shot me a murderous look that promised retribution.

“He won’t choose younext time.” He hissed.

I didn’t let the anxiety show on my face. I lowered my voice to a low hiss, so the others wouldn’t hear.

“We’ll see.You’renot the one in his bed.”

It was childish of me, and undoubtedly would be reported back to Benedict, but I didn’t care. For the first time in my life, I had taken control, and it feltglorious.The Lykos at my side twitched in humor, as the cub nipped at my pant leg. I reached down he stood on his hide legs, licking my face.

“May I?”

The black Lykos nodded, and I picked the cub up in my arms. I turned towards the watching Drakens, knowing I must have looked quite the sight as three Lykos surrounded me.

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