playful?” She shook her head. “I can’t believe this. Just another heinous consequence of this vile tournament.”
Zander gestured toward the injury. “The things we do for a Woman, right?”
“You think this is for a Woman?”
A new voice had joined the conversation, one Tobias certainly didn’t welcome. Reluctantly, he looked over his shoulder, staring up at Antaeus.
“Is that why you’re all here? Risking your hides, all for some pair of glowing tits?” Antaeus spat on the floor. “There are only two prizes to be won here: coin and glory. And you waste your time chasing a redheaded Whore. Dumb fucks, the lot of you. Fools unfit to be called men. Cocks the size of worms, or have you all got any in the first place?”
Zander glanced around at the rest of his allies. “Come on now, we’re in the sanctuary. This is hardly the place for altercations.”
“Piss off, you little shit. I’m not here for you.” Antaeus turned to Tobias. “I’m here for this one.”
Everyone suddenly stared at Tobias, save for Leila, who glared pointedly at Antaeus. Tobias clenched his jaw. “If there’s an intention to your visit, get on with it.”
Antaeus leaned forward. “You mind yourself, Artist. You put a target on your back”—he nodded at Leila—“protecting cunts like this one.”
Leila pulled a blade from beneath her cloak, slamming it deep into Antaeus’s foot. The group gasped as one, while Antaeus howled in pain.
“You strike fear into the heart of no one.” She ripped the blade from his flesh.
Antaeus cried out, shades of red coloring his face. “You bitch, I’ll kill you.”
“Do it. And watch your precious glory fade to nothing, as you’re barred from the tournament and executed for the murder of a palace official.”
The sanctuary went silent, all eyes on what had turned into a stare down of epic proportions—a battle of intimidation between a meaty giant and a dainty diminutive. Tobias held his breath, preparing himself for the theatrics that were sure to follow.
Nothing happened. Growling, Antaeus limped away, and the group erupted into a fit of roaring laughter.
“That was the best thing I’ve seen this whole tournament,” Flynn said.
“I think the Healer girl needs to compete,” Orion added. “She’d outlast us all.”
Leila ignored them, wiping down her blade and tucking it away. “Now, where were we?”
Tobias glanced across the sanctuary. Antaeus cradled his steadily dripping foot, his cutting glare pointed their way. “That was dangerous, Leila.”
She snorted. “Oh, please.”
“I’m serious.” He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “These men…they don’t care if you’re of The Savior’s court. They haven’t any respect.”
“Trust me, I’m well aware.”
“I’m just saying, it’s risky, coming down here with creatures like these.”
Her eyes flitted up to his. “You’re worried.”
“Well, someone ought to be. You’re clearly not.”
Leila went quiet, staring at Tobias for a long while before turning to his leg. She studied the gash closely, barely grazing it with her fingertips, yet even the lightest touch sent him rigid.
“Should I be concerned?” he mumbled.
“Normally I’d say yes. But you have a secret weapon.”
“And what’s that?”
She smiled. “Me, of course.”
She pulled a hand rag from her satchel, wetting it before mopping up his blood. Each wipe was its own torture, the rag like rough wool against his raw flesh, but Tobias tried to relax his face, feigning indifference. Leila tossed the bloody rag aside, then doused her hand with a pale-blue tonic, pressing it firmly against his wound and sending pain bursting through his thigh.
“Must you squeeze it like that?” he said through gritted teeth.
“Yes. I must.”
Tobias balled his hands into fists, waiting for too many unbearable seconds before she released her grip. He let out a much-needed breath; the wound had stopped spilling over, and Leila busied herself with a needle and thread, casting a frown his way. “This isn’t going to be pleasant.”
“Then we’ll distract him with pleasant thoughts,” Flynn said. “Like The Savior.”
Cosima. The very mention of Her made him tense. Seconds later, Leila’s needle pricked his skin, dooming him to endure two vexing experiences at once.
Flynn turned to the rest of the group. “God, She is something, isn’t She?”
“Her hair is stunning,” Zander added.
“She is stunning. Her hair, Her eyes…” Flynn grinned, “…Her other attributes.”
“Flynn, the Healer’s present.” Raphael flicked his wrist Leila’s way. “I’m sure she doesn’t care to hear us gush about another Woman.”
“Oh please, no doubt she’s used to it by now,” Flynn scoffed.
“She was positively dripping in jewels. It was quite a sight.” Zander turned to Enzo, beaming. “Isn’t that right?”