same shade as his eyes fell down to his shoulders, sprang from his tanned chest and forearms, and lined his jaw in a full beard.
“He’s a survivalist,” Flynn continued. “Lives in the woods, kills his own meals. Raised by wolves, no doubt.”
“Raised by wolves.” Orion shook his head. “Such a child.”
“Did I mention he’s the eldest of our group?” Flynn said. “An endless well of wisdom. An old man, really.”
“Thirty is far from old,” Zander cut in. “He’s experienced. Seasoned.”
“Decrepit,” Flynn scoffed.
Zander chuckled. “Now, Flynn, that’s just not true.”
“It’s fine.” Orion waved Flynn away. “He can make his jokes. I was a fool at twenty-one too.”
“There he is, reminiscing on his youth.” Flynn raised his chin, pleased with his own joke, then turned to the final—and eerily quiet—man in their group. “And lastly, we have Enzo, the Dog.”
This man was a Beast, with pale skin stretched tight over sinewy brawn, his body a series of hard lines save for the curve of his bald head. His slate eyes shrank into searing slits, and his mouth curled into a snarl, one Tobias recognized from their challenge the day prior.
Flynn elbowed Tobias in the ribs. “You’ve met, yes?”
Enzo finally spoke, his voice thick with a hard accent. “I brought piss.”
“Right.” Tobias’s face flushed. “Sorry about your feet.”
“He’s our most far-removed competitor,” Flynn said. “Traveled all the way from the realm of Kovahr. It’s quite chilly there, you know. Not unlike our good man.”
“He’s not chilly.” Zander frowned, turning to Enzo. “Don’t listen to Flynn.”
“He’s a personal guard to the Kovahrian Queen,” Flynn added. “Her watchdog, if you will. Isn’t that right?”
Enzo said nothing, his beady glare still pointed at Tobias.
Flynn leaned into Tobias, whispering out of the corner of his mouth. “You always want a strong man on your team. Good protection, yes? Just ignore the scowl. He’s a bit standoffish.”
“Nonsense, he’s simply reserved,” Zander said. “Introspective, really.”
Flynn extended his arms wide. “And now we have the Artist, a man who lives a life enriched by craft, beauty, and endless creativity.”
Raphael scoffed, “Is any of that true?”
“Not particularly,” Tobias muttered.
“Well, I had to improvise. You haven’t said much of anything since you’ve joined us.” Flynn glanced between the others. “He’s sour, this one.”
“I’m not sour.”
“Yes you are. Always sulking.”
Zander’s face dropped. “Oh, that’s not fair. His friend died.”
“Well, fortunately for him, his luck has changed.” Flynn wrapped an arm around Tobias, giving him an unwanted squeeze. “He lost one friend and gained five more. Economically speaking, that’s quite a profitable exchange.”
“A tasteless analogy,” Orion mumbled.
“Are you ever going to let the man speak?” Raphael said.
“Fine.” Flynn nudged Tobias. “Go on then. Tell us all about yourself.”
Tobias’s five new allies stared at him, waiting. I’m a laborer, not an artist. I work all day, yet my family has nothing. You’re here for The Savior, and I’m here for the coin. No, he couldn’t say any of that, but those were the only stories he had.
Pippa stopped beside Tobias and dropped a plate full of food in front of him—cheese, bread, grapes, much more food than usual. He tore a hunk from the loaf, shoving it into his mouth. “Can’t talk. Eating.”
Zander chuckled. “He’s just shy.”
“He’s secretive,” Enzo grumbled.
“He’s hungry.” Tobias bit into his block of cheese.
Losing interest, the men dug into their individual meals, and for that, Tobias was grateful. Small victories. Pippa still waited at his side, and he patted the empty space beside him. “Pippa, did you want to sit?”
She plopped down and scooted close to him, not uttering a word. Tobias tore a hunk from his loaf and offered it her way, but she shook her head.
Zander pointed at her. “You know her name?”
“Of course he knows her name. He’s spent more time with the women than any of us.” Flynn furrowed his brow. “You’re not looking to fuck the court, are you?”
“Just showing some common courtesy,” Tobias said.
Flynn eyed Pippa over with an intrusive gaze. “What’s her story? She’s an odd one, isn’t she?”
“Oh, shut up.” Tobias glowered. “You’re the only odd one here.”
“She’s delayed,” Raphael corrected. “Struck with a mind younger than her years. Plenty of people with the same condition go on to live reasonably normal lives.”
Flynn wrinkled his nose. “Well if that’s the case, how in the world did she manage to join The Savior’s court?”
“For God’s sake, have some decency, she’s sitting right here.” Tobias gave Pippa a gentle nudge. “Ignore him, he’s a walking, talking asshole.”
“Oh, stop pandering to her. You have real allies