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There would be no help from him.
I nodded in understanding.
“What made you do it, anyway?” Tus said. “You’ve taken a bunch of losses before today. Why did you refuse to throw this one?”
Of all the other guards, it was only Tus I felt comfortable talking with about Harper. But no. I couldn’t do that. I didn’t want to get Tus into even more trouble than he was already setting himself up for on my account.
“It won’t happen again,” I said.
“I hope not. I’ve never known you to ignore a direct order before. Come on. Best not to keep him waiting. Have you thought about what you’re going to say?”
“Yes. But first I need to know which one of you slipped the piece of paper under my door.”
He eyed me uncertainly before telling me. I nodded and we continued up the steps.
“Trayem!” Krial said, getting to his feet and meeting me in the middle of the floor.
He raised a hand to the gash on my head and tutted through his teeth.
“I heard it was a tough fight,” he said. “I hope you gave him a little something in return for this gash.”
“One or two,” I said with a smile.
“That’s what I like to hear,” Krial said.
He waved an arm and ushered me toward a chair that’d been set up. There were several towels arranged underneath it and several trays containing various medical equipment.
My throat turned dry.
I’d seen this setup before and it never ended well for the creature sat in the chair.
Among Krial’s many interests was the anatomy of alien species. He liked to probe inside them, pull them apart… often while they were still alive.
Was failing to lose the fight enough to make him carry the procedure out on me?
“Take a seat,” Krial said. “I’ll see to your injuries.”
We all had fast healing abilities. With just a gash or two, I didn’t need for him to see to me.
“I’m okay,” I said. “I’ll be fine in no time.”
He didn’t say another word and moved to the various trays, looking for the tools he would use on me.
There was no arguing with Krial. He gave you an order and you obeyed it.
I licked my lips and took a seat. The chair was hard and creaked under me. I was thankful there were no traps on the arms or legs.
That had to be a good sign, I thought. But that was before Krial picked up a scalpel with a sinisterly sharp edge.
I glanced at Tus out the corner of my eye but he remained with his hands clasped in front of him.
He was unlikely to help me, I thought. After all, I had been the one to bring this on myself.
Krial lowered the blade to the gash on my head and sliced at the skin delicately.
My senses were fastened on that tiny blade and the nicking sensation it had on my skin. My hands wrapped around the armrests of my chair and squeezed tight.
“I understand you were meant to lose the fight today in the pits,” Krial said.
