“No.”
“Then ask for my gift.”
I can’t help but feel that this simple request is monumental, but he’s right—Iammaking a choice to play his game instead of giving up. I take a breath and say, “Please give me your gi—”
He cuts me with his tail, fast enough to make me question whether I imagined it. Blood begins to flow down my chest and stomach. I watch it happening through the mirror, my head spinning.
Hector leans down and whispers, “Breathe.”
It’s a ridiculous thing to say while fresh blood is still dripping down my torso, but I do as he says.
“Watch.”
My fear morphs into bewilderment as my bruises and cuts begin to fade, soaking into my skin as if they never existed.
Hector pats my shoulders. “See? All better.”
Maybe he’s expecting a thank you, but all I manage is a faint, “Fuck.”
He chuckles and goes to make me another glass of wine. I keep watching my reflection while running my fingers over my chest. The cut is gone, but I’m still covered in blood that is drying on my skin and soaking into my pants. “I need a shower.”
“Soon.” He hands me the glass, and I take a long sip.
“Can you tell me how you just made that happen?”
He sits next to me. “I’ve already told you enough. Don’t be greedy.”
He told me almost nothing, but I don’t push. “Do your lizard men live around here?”
“In this apartment? Clearly not. Can you imagine the mess? But they are in this city, far from prying eyes.”
“How did you get them?”
“I wished upon a star.”
Another topic he’s not going to elaborate on, so I ask instead the most important question. “Why am I here, Hector? You’ve gone through too much trouble just to get a Defender into Denver.”
“Why do you think you’re here?”
“Information?”
“About?”
“Unity.”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Oh please. I could have asked you about that a couple of weeks ago.”
“Then why?”
“Would you be upset if I said that all will be revealed in due time?”
“I would be, yeah. Why the hell did you bring me all this way and put me in a fucking auction?” I should handle my temper better, but his presence makes me feel like a raw nerve.
“You can only join the games as part of a house, and you can only join a house either by being bought or by selling yourself for a limited time.”
“Why did you want me to fight in the arena?”
He winks. “Every great tale must start somewhere.”
