glowered. “Good Lord, the woman pulled an arrow from your chest, and you didn’t even think to ask her name?”
“The only Woman whose name I care about is Cosima.”
“Well, you didn’t ask Her name either.”
Flynn scowled. “Oh shut up, Artist.”
Blue fabric fluttered in Tobias’s periphery. Delphi stood in the distance in an azure dress, her black braids knotted at her nape, her hands filled with an array of colorful vials. “What’s she doing here?” Tobias asked. “Are we to see The Savior?”
“We’re not.” Flynn gestured toward the other side of the sanctuary. “But they are.”
Antaeus, Drake, and Kaleo leaned against the wall, their bodies oiled and doused in so much perfume Tobias could smell it from where he stood. He turned toward Flynn and the others. “Wait, just them? Why?”
“They won yesterday’s challenge,” Orion said.
“They won? Says who?”
“Says the Proctor.” Raphael raised an eyebrow. “You slept right through it.”
“It’s a crock of shit, isn’t it?” Flynn eyed the three Beasts, pouting. “How does one even win a challenge such as that?”
Raphael shrugged. “Perhaps their heartbeats were the steadiest.”
“Perhaps they haven’t a beating heart to begin with,” Orion scoffed.
“But Kaleo was tortured,” Zander said. “Got sliced right across the chest.”
Flynn growled. “Easy to keep calm when you cut into your own flesh for fun.”
“What of the rest of us?” Tobias glanced between his allies. “While they’re gone, what will they have us do?”
“Haven’t a clue,” Flynn muttered.
Tobias’s stomach turned, his mind caught up in heavier realities—challenges, obstacles, gore. He hobbled to the water barrels and ladled himself a bowl, trying to think of anything but the day ahead.
“Good afternoon, love.”
Tobias flinched. Delphi stood at his side, a warm smile on her face, and he chuckled. “Delphi, you startled me.”
“Apologies.” She scanned him up and down, stopping at his wounded thigh. “I was wondering when you’d be making an appearance.”
“I was sleeping.”
“Is that so? You must’ve had quite a night.”
Tobias’s cheeks burned, and he sipped his water in silence. His gaze drifted to Antaeus, Drake, and Kaleo, and tension worked its way through his muscles.
Delphi stared at the Beasts as well, her head cocked. “It’s strange, isn’t it?”
“What’s strange?”
“Their win. It’s quite odd, don’t you think?”
“You think so too?”
She nodded. “Of all the men here, those three Beasts—the only men with the Sovereign’s blessing—are the winners of such a very convoluted challenge. It seems coincidental, yes?”
“You think the Sovereign’s cheating?”
“I’m not certain I’d call it that. The Sovereign can do as he pleases. This is his tournament, after all.” Her gaze met his. “But a man would be wise to notice trends such as these—to be mindful of where the favoritism lies.”
God, I hate this tournament. Before he could wallow in his cynicism, Delphi combed her fingers through his hair, working it into proper placement.
“It’s about time I head off.” She patted his cheek. “Be safe, love.”
She sauntered away, leaving Tobias with his grim thoughts. Soon the darkness spread from his mind to reality, as a long stretch of black fell over him, sending his shoulders tight. “If you think you’re being subtle, know that you cast a rather large and distinct shadow.”
He turned to find Antaeus glaring down at him, his nostrils flared. “Do you have more words for me?” Tobias said.
Antaeus spat at his feet, and he sighed. “Or that.”
“You’re no man,” Antaeus sneered. “Looking after cunts like you’ve got one of your own between your legs. Men stand for men. We are a brotherhood.”
“You killed a man in the labyrinth the very first day of this tournament. Does that not violate this brotherhood you speak of?”
Antaeus’s small brown eyes shrank into slits. “You watch yourself. You watch yourself good, because I’ll be watching you too.”
Tobias held firm. “Is your foot still bothering you?” He nodded at the Giant’s blood-soaked bandages. “I’d recommend you ask the Healer for assistance, but I believe you’ve already burned that bridge. Perhaps that wasn’t the wisest decision.”
Antaeus gritted his teeth, turning Tobias’s body to ice. Bad move. That was a bad move. Squaring his shoulders, the Giant leaned in close, and his hot breath on Tobias’s face was enough to tie his throat into a knot.
The Proctor plodded into the sanctuary, sending all the men, including Antaeus, stopping short. He clasped his hands in front of him. “I’ve come to collect the winners of yesterday’s challenge. Giant, Dragon, Shepherd—step forward.”
Thank God. Still fuming, Antaeus pulled away and joined the Proctor.
“For your poise under pressure, an afternoon with The Savior.” The Proctor scowled at the