Varklee bobbed his head as he stood. ‘I’ve got your back if you need me.’ He stroked his spoon over Bear’s shoulder before heading off to sit with his gang, two of the younger members jumping up to make space while another brought over Varklee’s breakfast.
Raven glanced at the table filled with Pirates. ‘They’ve been too quiet since …’ He couldn’t finish the sentence, and Bear knew it hurt to mention Oxley’s name. ‘Bet they’re plotting.’
Bear met Judd’s stare, and the Pirate looked away. ‘They know we’re coming for them.’
‘Are we?’
‘I want to, but …’ Bear twiddled with a slice of toast. ‘We need to stay focused.’
‘V won’t stay calm much longer.’
‘I know, but I need to see what I can spot in daylight first. One step at a time.’
Raven continued to eat. ‘It’s always busy during mat time and clean-up. Might be your best time.’
‘Do you think they’ll have mat time today? The screws can feel the tension growing as much as us.’
‘I heard Temple was still taking wagers, so I guess so. They probably won’t let us spar, or any Flames or Pirates.’
Bear hoped Scarlen wouldn’t have to fight either.
‘We’ve got the silent system first,’ added Raven, a slight look of displeasure.
The silent systemflew by for once, and Raven was the first out the door, his task to check on who was going to be sparring.
Mr Lackly looked at his clipboard. ‘Just the ones that don’t cause trouble.’
Raven subtly waved Temple his way when he entered. ‘See if you can get some blood on the mats. Need more going to clean-up early as a distraction.’
Temple held out his palm, and Raven slipped him some money.
‘All good?’ asked Bear, approaching.
Raven gave a brief nod. ‘We’re not sparring, but we’ll help with clean-up.’
Bear knew what that meant. Now he just needed those sparring to bleed so they’d be some back and forth, and seeing how there were more guards on duty than normal, the corridor to the cells should be empty.
Scarlen was by a mat, looking smaller than usual. Frail. But maybe that was his way of seeing her now he had major concerns about leaving her behind, or it was how most looked thanks to Horstal.
She turned and smiled, warming him completely, which wasn’t the distraction he needed, but still, no one was bleeding yet, so he went over to her, reaching for her hand immediately.
‘Smithson.’
She gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. ‘Vyer.’
It was all he could do to stop himself from tasting her. ‘You got a match?’
‘Dionne asked. Goolan said I’m not to spar today.’
He tugged her closer, eyes not leaving her dreamy gaze. What was she thinking about? That little house in the meadow again? ‘Good,’ was all he said.
‘You?’ she asked, looking up as he pulled her even closer.
‘No. They don’t want any trouble.’
A quirk hit her lips. ‘Well, you do look like trouble.’
He lowered his face to hers. ‘So do you.’
