time.”
Kaleo squared his shoulders. “You know, I’d kill you for that, if it weren’t for the coin jangling in your pocket. When will I be seeing it, by the way?”
“I told you, half at the start, half at the end.”
“And is today not the Culmination?”
“The job ends once Leila’s taken care of,” the Sovereign growled.
Tobias stirred, trying to fight past his pain. The Sovereign and Kaleo’s words swirled through his thoughts, but none of it made sense.
Kaleo glanced at their prisoner, and a smile sprang to his face. “Look who’s awake!” He squatted low, ruffling Tobias’s hair. “Aren’t we the scandalous sort? Sent off to spend the night with Cosima, and I find you in Leila’s chamber instead. Well, I hope you got to fuck at least one of them. Would be a decent sendoff to the grave.”
“Raise him up,” the Sovereign grumbled.
“You’re not going to say hello to the Artist?”
“Raise him up.”
With a huff, Kaleo shuffled out of Tobias’s line of vision. A cranking sounded, and Tobias lurched from the floor, pulled by his shackled wrists with a force that nearly yanked his shoulders out of place. He scrambled for stability, his eyes darting across the room.
The dungeon.
He hung in the center of a dank, barred cell, and the Sovereign and Kaleo stood before him, their eyes boring through him.
Kaleo crossed his arms. “Want me to kill him?”
“No,” the Sovereign muttered. “I mean yes, just not here.”
“He’s all chained up. It’ll be easy. One jab and the problem’s solved.”
“His death needs to be in the arena. A standard part of the tournament, nothing more. No speculation.”
“Well then, ship him off to the Culmination. I’ll kill him there.”
The Sovereign shook his head. “He’s too strong.”
“He’s just an artist.”
“If he were just an artist, he’d be dead already.”
Kaleo sighed. “So what’s the plan then? Since it’s changed so many times.”
“I’m thinking.”
Silence. The Sovereign stared at Tobias with his one good eye, while Kaleo waited impatiently, tapping his foot. “Are we just going to stare at him?”
“I’m thinking,” the Sovereign spat.
“Oh, for God’s sake, let’s kill him and be done with it. You can tell the people he was sticking his cock where it didn’t belong.”
“You think I haven’t considered that?” the Sovereign barked.
“You can hold a public execution. Cut out his tongue first so he won’t spill the story. It’s the perfect plan.”
“It won’t work.”
“Is that what your Senators told you?” Kaleo raised an eyebrow. “The ones who were picked off by a small woman?”
“The entire palace knows. If I kill him, I’ll be left silencing hundreds of people. It’ll be another mess to clean up.”
“You’re awfully lazy.”
“Oh, shut up,” the Sovereign grumbled.
“I can silence them for you, you know. For a price.”
The Sovereign scoffed. “Hundreds of people?”
Kaleo held out his arms, showcasing his collection of scars. “Hello?” He chuckled. “You hired me for a reason.”
“I hired three of you. Three men were supposed to be standing here today, and there’s only one of you fucks left.”
“At least you’re left with the best.” Kaleo took a bow. “A silver lining for your dark cloud.”
“Fucking hell…” The Sovereign resumed his pacing. “How is this possible? All those bloody attempts, yet he’s still standing.”
“Well, I’d argue he’s sort of standing, sort of hanging.”
“He killed two of your own! A Savant! It’s disgraceful.”
“First of all, they weren’t my own. Drake and Antaeus were hardly impressive. And second, he did have assistance.”
The Sovereign stopped, glaring at Tobias. “He didn’t kill them. She did. He was just a weapon.”
Kaleo eyed their prisoner up and down. “A fine weapon indeed.”
Panic flooded Tobias, but all he could do was tug against the shackles and paw at the floor with his toes.
“I do hate to be redundant, but in case you’ve forgotten, I’m still waiting for this plan of yours,” Kaleo said.
The Sovereign scratched his beard, still thinking. “Rough him up. Weaken him for the Culmination. Whatever it takes to give you an advantage.”
“I already have an advantage.”
“Do it.”
Kaleo turned to Tobias. “Grouchy, isn’t he?” Strolling to the side of the room, he picked up a club. “Would you like me to break his legs?”
“No, not that.”
“You’re sure?”
“He needs to be able to walk.” The Sovereign pulled a leather whip from a hook on the wall and tossed it to Kaleo. “Here.”
“Oh, perfect.” Kaleo ambled up to Tobias’s side, then stopped, grinning in a way that turned his stomach. He planted his hand on Tobias’s ass and squeezed hard. “Do we have time for a little fun? I’ve always