AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Using his momentum against him, I sidestepped at the last moment and executed a perfect throw, sending him crashing onto the ground with a deafening thud.
The very walls of the cell seemed to vibrate from the impact.
Before he could react, I pinned him down, locking his limbs.
He thrashed, but it was in vain.
His fierce growls were now replaced with grunts of frustration.
I could feel the heat emanating from his body, the rhythm of his erratic heartbeat against my forearm.
Gathering all my strength, I delivered a final blow to the side of his head.
The impact resonated through my knuckles, a satisfying confirmation of a job well done.
“The… The rules!” Sneik managed, beginning to finally lose consciousness.
“Some things are more important than the rules,” I told him. “I hope you won’t bear a grudge when you wake up.”
But I could tell from his expression that he most certainly would hold a grudge.
Sneik’s eyes rolled back, and his massive frame went limp beneath me.
Panting heavily, I slowly got up, every muscle in my body protesting.
The sounds of the prison returned to my ears, distant and muffled, but the only sound that truly mattered was the female’s soft voice.
“Is he…?”
“He’s unconscious,” I replied, wiping the sweat and blood from my brow.
Killing him would have ended the threat he now represented but would have opened up a whole lot of new problems in its stead.
The female’s eyes snapped toward the open door.
I could read her thoughts as easily as if they were tattooed on her face.
“I wouldn’t try to head back alone,” I told her, wiping the blood from my cheek. “I beat Sneik, but I don’t think I can defeat hundreds of prisoners when they catch sight of you alone in the halls.”
She stopped and gazed up at me, unsure if she could really trust me.
But the sight of Sneik at my feet gave her pause for thought.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Nova.”
“I’m Ashale.”
“You’re hurt.” Her fingers reached out, tenderly tracing the bruise forming on my cheek.
The simple touch sent a shiver down my spine, and for a brief moment, amidst the chaos, all I was aware of was her.
Her scent enveloped me, a mix of lilacs and a hint of something uniquely her.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice tinged with relief and something more profound.
I opened Sneik’s wardrobe and selected a long coat.
