Page 10 of The Lost Siren

“Youkidnappedme. Anything worthwhile he probably told yourcrying blonde, assuming she hasn’t already been sold to someone else.”

Benedict shook his head, dismissive of her fate. That pissed me off more than anything.

“What do you thinkhappenswith human servants? Oh, that’s right, youabandonedthe humans and hid in this mountain, so you wouldn’tknow, would you?”

His claws cut divots into the stone of his throne.Good. Let him feel just afractionof the anger I did, growing up in a house where I was beaten forbreathingtoo loudly. He snarled at me, grabbing the back of my neck and pushing my face close into his.

“Don’t you knowanythingabout Drakens?”

I couldn’t help it; I laughed in his face. His lips twisted in anger, and an ugly look grew in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t be so cavalier;you’rethe one Crullfed sold to me as a broodmare; you evenvolunteeredfor it. And your service startstonight.”

My stomach dropped out from under me and I went rigid. He reveled in my fear, sniffing it like it was a fine perfume.

“Our females aredead. How stupid could you be to not see why you were brought here?”

“I-I don’t know,” I mumbled to no one, my body trembling. He glared at me, and I itched to grasp my knife. I wouldn’t though; not here, in front of his people.

We both turned to look at the arena as Brogen roared for all to hear. There were only three competitors left: Brogen, the red-headed Draken, and his companion. The two friends shared a glance and pounced, rushing Brogen together. The red head went high, pumping his wings to attack from the air. Brogen screeched as claws tore his face, distracting him while the other Draken tried to trip him. In the end, Brogen was too large. His long, scaled legs kicked out, sending the smaller Draken flying across the arena. Brogen managed to grab the red head by the throat and squeezed brutally. His body was tossed next to his friend, and they both crawled away as Brogen laughed, the sound grating against the bones in my body. Benedict gave me a pointed glance, and I gripped my armrests harder.

“You can’t make me,” I challenged, even as D’Arcy declared him the winner for all to hear. “You saidno onecould force me.”

Whatever Benedict had angrily opened his mouth to say next was lost as the winning Draken turned and bellowed at me.

“I want her NOW!”

Brogen ripped his hand from D’Arcy, who had been holding it up in triumph. He didn’t bother with flying, instead throwing his body at the rock wall under me and easily scaling it. Benedict stood cautiously; one eyebrow cocked as Brogen launched himself over the balcony. I backed away as the massive creature stalked towards me. His biceps were as large as my abdomen, and saliva dripped down from two sets of fangs that hung from his mouth. He was a hulking, snarling beast, and my face went white with fear. Was Benedict just going tostand there—

One massive hand grabbed my neck, slamming me into the wall. I clawed frantically at his hands, but my fingers dug uselessly at his thick, brown scales. Did Benedict hate me so much he would watch my murder? I couldn’t even scream as Brogen’s free hand caressed the bare skin of my stomach. A dark, bubbling rage shot through my veins, even as my throat vibrated with the urge to scream to help. I clamped it down; I had never once screamed for help in my life. Not when Crullfed beat me, and not now. Benedict’s words came back to me, about how I was within my rights to protect myself. My hand grabbed the knife hidden in the fabric around my breast. I shoved it upwards as hard as I could. The blade entered at the bottom of Brogen’s chin, impaling his thick head as he stumbled backwards. Benedict’s gaze was stony as Brogen turned towards him, sputtering incoherently even as his hand pawed at the blade buried inside of him. Dark blood poured through his fingers as I pressed myself as far away from him as I could, massaging my sore throat. My only real regret was that the knife hadn’t been longer, and able to reach his stupid, thick brain.

Brogen reached a hand towards Benedict, but the King of the Drakens had a cold, unyielding expression.

“No.”

Brogen fell back against the balcony. Neither of us moved to help as Brogen fell backwards off the railing, landing on his head on the arena floor with a dull crunching noise. There was silence, then Benedict approached the balcony, leaning casually over the stone railing. He sniffed in disgust and turned away. I buried my head in my hands, as if I could hide myself from the blood that was sticky on my hands.

Benedict turned back towards me with no compassion in his eyes, and no consideration for the ordeal I’d just been through.

“Since you’ve killed the winner, you must pick another.” The blood was staining my dress, black and brown like Brogen’s scales had been.

“Go tohell.” He was in my face a moment later, snarling.

“Pick someone orIwill,siren.”

“Ihateyou,” I spat, unable to imagine being forced to spend my evening withanyone, let alone someonehepicked.

“This wasn’t part of any deal I made; this is… whatever Crullfed told you—"

Benedict turned back to the crowd, ignoring me completely.

“Wren has chosen—"

“THE RED HEAD AND HIS FRIEND!”

I blurted out the first Drakens I could think of, terrified at what Benedict could expose me to if the choice were left up to him. His head turned slightly to the side, and there was no denying his ugly smirk this time.

“Kinky, siren.”

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