Standing outside with the sun slowly setting in the distance, I debate whether to grit through the pain or ask Elijah for painkillers. I can handle the price he asked of me in the last few times, but I fear he might ask for more, and I don’t wish to face that dilemma. But I also don’t wish to face this pain all night, so I reluctantly walk to the house. A guard stops me at the entrance and asks, “What do you want?”
“To speak with Elijah.”
Before he can tell me to piss off, another guard notices me and lets me enter. I walk up the stairs and wait at a wide foyer until Elijah comes over. Even his plain clothes are in the burgundy color of his house.
“You look like shit,” he says.
“Maybe it’s not too late to get your money back.”
“It is—I’ve checked.”
He gestures for me to follow him into the spacious living room, then he shuts the door and locks it. If he’s worried about staying alone with someone who hates him, he doesn’t show it. The room is warm because of the fireplace. Elijah has bookshelves packed with books and a display cabinet with old watches. Movie posters cover one of the walls.
“Jaws,” Elijah says, pointing at one of the posters. “A great film.”
“You’ve seen it?”
“I have a private cinema. You’d be surprised how much old DVDs go for these days. They were out of style even before Doomsday, and now they’re more precious than diamonds. If my fighters impress in the arena, I sometimes allow them to watch a movie.”
“You’re all heart.”
He snorts. “You think it would’ve been easier for you with any of the other houses?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“But I do.” He holds my gaze as we face each other. “In House Fernandez, the five weakest-performing fighters are hanged upside down in the middle of the training yard every single day. All other fighters must hit them one by one. In House Jackson, the fighters must crawl on rocks in and out of the training yard as a reminder that they are no more than insects when they are not training. So no, Caden, it wouldnothave been easier for you with any of the other houses, which is likely why Hector wanted me to buy you.”
I frown. “The way I remember it, you were surprised to discover I was a Defender and that Hector knew who I was.”
“True, but before the auction, I got a note telling me that someone special would be auctioned on that afternoon and that I’d be a fool to miss out on the opportunity. I went to check, and you showed up. I didn’t know who that note came from, but I can only assume it was Hector. He wanted me to have you without it looking obvious.”
Every great tale must start somewhere.
“It didn’t seem to me like you and Hector were friends,” I say.
“We’re definitely not, but he’s been keeping an eye on me ever since he got into power, likely because of who my father was.”
“Who was he?”
“The governor of Denver, over thirty years ago. Back when we were one of the Free Cities and not the Raiders’ capital.”
“You were always the Raiders’ capital.”
He chuckles. “Are you teaching me my own history, Defender? We weren’t always like this, and I clearly remember my father meeting with representatives of the three Hives of Colorado.”
I can’t imagine a time when Denver and the Hives were in any sort of diplomatic relationship, but Elijah has no reason to lie to me, and history has never been my strong suit.
“Was your father removed by force?”
“If you consider being marched around naked and bleeding until his body couldn’t take it anymore as removal by force, then yes, he was. And I was right there to witness it all until the bitter end, though it was a relief by that point. They didn’t kill me because I was too young to matter, and my people cared more about taking their wars outside. With time, my old family connections helped me reestablish my house. Very few still remember my father and his failed hopes to make Denver a decent place for decent people, but Hector knows his history.”
“Was that why you thought he was trying to sabotage your house?”
“Yes. He hasn’t so far—not openly—but I know he’s keeping an eye on me, leaving me with only a few people I can trust.” Heclears his voice as if he said too much. “I’m guessing you’re not here to hear about my past.”
I nod. “I need something for the pain.”
“As does everyone else out there.”
