But the determination in Jax’s eyes let her know she wouldn’t have the luxury of waiting. He inched closer with each pass, his body subtly shifting forward. Just as he lunged, Nya pushed off the wall, diving over his broad shoulders. She rolled as she sailed through the air, but terror struck when she realized that she had no guide to judge the distance to the floor. Afraid she’d over-correct and land on her face, Nya extended her legs, allowing them to take the brunt of her weight. Pain ripped through her thigh, and she cursed as she fell beneath the fog. Her back hit the ground, knocking the wind out of her. The idea of hiding in the fog was quickly dispelled as her other senses naturally heightened. Being surrounded by sounds of gunshots and sloshing water was strangely terrifying.
She scrambled to her feet. Warmth seeped down her thigh, her leg nearly giving out. Her panic eased as her eyes found Jax’s. The screens went dark. Nya hobbled to the middle of the enclosure, distracted by the lack of light.
The noise stopped, and relief flooded her.
Here’s hoping that Myrina got her ass kicked.
The screens flashed back to life, and Nya groaned. She shifted her feet into a defensive stance and brought her fists up to protect her face.
Quiet.
Bile rose in her throat as a haunting Russian melody filled the space. Instead of pictures flashing across the screens—a panoramic view of the docks from her home blazed around her.
Gunshots rang amidst the music, the scent of gunpowder, blood, and tobacco scented the air, and the scene turned into horror as warriors removed bodies from the water. Nya dropped her arms; her eyes became empty pools of despair.
That music. God, someone make it stop. Penn ... how could he do this? No. It wasn’t Penn. Penn didn’t do anything.
Jax dove, wrapping his arms around her torso, and they both disappeared under a cloud of white.
Chapter Seven
“Nya.” Jax’s calm voice echoed in the distance. He lay on top of her, shifting his hips, trying to avoid her injured leg while his forearms bore the brunt of his weight. “Are you all right?”
She kept still, gazing over his shoulder.
Jax’s brow lowered. “Anya Thalestris. Answer me.”
Nothing.
Jax settled his weight into hers, his hands digging into her hair, his entire body swathing her in warmth. He lowered his forehead to hers. “You’re safe. Nothing is going to happen to you. I’m here.”
She stirred, closing her eyes. “I can protect myself, Penn. You know that.”
Jax hesitated. “Penn’s not here, Vtachi.” He rubbed his thumb along her cheek. “Breathe, sweet Nya. Come back to me. Penn’s gone.”
Her blank gaze turned fuzzy at the mention of Penn’s name. “Jax? Where’s ... where did he go? Where’s Penn?” Her voice barely made it past her lips.
Jax kissed her forehead and sighed. “I don’t know. You tell me.”
She closed her eyes as a tear streaked down the side of her face. “He left after ... I wasn’t strong enough. I mean, I thought I could fight it, but I couldn’t ... they died. They all died, because of me. Penn. He ...” She tensed as she realized that Jax’s body was touching every part of her.
“Tell me about your scar, Vtachi.”
Nya closed her eyes. “You’ll think less of me if you know.”
“No, I won’t. I promise.”
“Are you going to ask that female in town to be your romni?” Nya asked, her random question shocking them both.
A flush ran across Jax’s cheeks. “You’re deflecting, Nya. Tell me about your scar.”
“No.”
Cool air brushed across them as the sounds switched back to children suffering.
Jax sighed. “I’ll make a deal with you. I promise I’ll stay below the fog line and let you declare victory, but you have to do something for me in return.”
She froze. “What?”
“Tell me the truth.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then I’ll win the challenge by staying right here. When the fog clears, everyone will see me completely subduing you. You’ll come in fourth place and head home to live a life in Ireland with some ruddy-cheeked warrior.”
Nya scowled. “That’s blackmail.”
“Call it what you will. Make your decision.”
Nya became uncomfortably aware of a myriad of sensations. The way Jax’s fingers rubbed small circles on her scalp, how his swollen biceps flexed on either side of her, making her feel small. The way his hips settled between her thighs—his warm breath brushing across her chin.
The light bleeding through the smoky cloud faded to nothing. The screaming stopped. The arena burst into applause.
“You’re out of time. What’ll it be?”
“Fine. I was with Penn. We were on the docks. We weren’t supposed to be there. I fell. That’s when I got the scar.”
Jax studied her. “Is that all you remember of that night?”
“I remember falling off something because I’d cut my palm. I tried to get out of the water, but I couldn’t. My father was there. He helped me out and carried me home. Now let me up.”
“And why would I think less of you for that?”
The stadium roared as Cassius announced the end of the trials.
Nya’s voice became nothing more than an aggressive hiss. “It was my fault. Warriors died because I disobeyed the Suveran, and my father ordered his team to find me. Something happened, and they died.”
“What happened, Vtachi?”
Her eyes squeezed closed as her heart sped. “I can’t remember, but I know it was my fault.”
Jax rolled to his side, and Nya scrambled to her feet, finally relieved to be free.
“You promised. Stay down.”
He placed his hands behind his head. “I never break my promises. Remember that.”
She’d just cleared the fog when the stadium lights flooded the arena. Squinting, she held her hand over her eyes and watched the trainers roll the partitions away. The fog settled, easing downward until Jax’s long frame appeared, making it seem like he was floating on a cloud.
Cassius’s voice rang overhead. “Our three champions are Anya Thalestris, Toxaris Romaine, and Myrina Pisto!”
Nya groaned when she heard the last name. “I so hoped Rissa would’ve won.”
Jax smiled, apparently following her lead for normal conversation. “Myrina’s not so bad.”
“Yeah, you try living with her, and then we’ll see how you feel.”
“I’d rather not.” Jax and Nya shared a smile, one born of the common bonds of friendship and time. His expression subtly changed as he stepped forward. “Vtachi, I—”
She backed away. “Thanks for making me bandage the thigh. I’m not sure I’d have been able to get back up after the jump off the partition.” She stretched out her hand and forced herself to smile.
He sandwiched her scarred palm between both of his. “You’ll do well in the trials.” He spoke in Dacian as he gently raised her hand to his lips, kissing the rise of her knuckles. “Keep an open mind, all right? Any warrior would be honored to call you his romni.”
And with that, he strolled away.
Disappointment twisted through her. After four years of endless walks in the woods, hard therapy sessions, hours of hunting and sparring together, Nya had come to depend on having Jax around. As she watched him disappear into the crowd, her chest ached. Even if she did see him again, things would be different. After today, their relationship would change.
And what in the hell do you say to something like that?
Xari ran up and wrapped Nya in a tight hug. “We did it. Although I wish Rissa were the third instead of Myrina.”
Nya half smiled. “I said that very thing to Jax.”
Xari stopped, like something had just occurred to her. “Wait a minute. Did you beat Jax, or did you run out of time?”
Nya blushed. “Technically I defeated him, but—”
“Don’t start.” Xari chuck
ed her on the shoulder “You officially won, and that’s all that matters.”
“How did you get past Cyrus?”
“Apparently, he hates the overstimulation thing. He got distracted, and I put him in a chokehold.” Xari smirked.
“And Myrina?”
“Oh, Myrina didn’t win. She just made it longer than Rissa, who got knocked out when she hit the deck.”
“I hate that fog.”
Xari tilted her head. “I thought it was kind of cool, being surrounded by white. It’s peaceful.”
“It never occurred to you that Cassius might have let loose spiders, rats, or scorpions?” Nya glared at the floor like it was the arena’s fault.
“God no. Glad you didn’t share that little nugget of paranoia with me. I’d have freaked out.”
“Even after I figured that nothing was there, I still hated it. Made me feel suffocated.”
Xari grinned. “I wonder what that says about us, all that white calmed me while choking you. We should ask Jax.”
Nya kept her eyes forward. “I’d rather not.”
Xari laughed. “Come on, Gimp. Let’s get you stitched up.” She wrapped her arm around Nya’s waist, taking the brunt of her weight as they hobbled toward the exit.
The stadium had cleared considerably by the time they found the small triage room, which held an examining table and glass cabinets full of supplies. Nya waved at one of the EMTs.
“How much longer is this going to take?” Myrina’s whine was like an icepick in Nya’s ear.
“What happened to her?” Nya mumbled, watching the physician take a pre-formed mold, which looked more like thick spider webs in the shape of a cast. He placed the form around her arm and passed a UV light over the structure. The webbing shrunk around her like a second skin.
Xari smiled. “She took a bad spill after Pheobe put her on her ass.”
Nya’s brow disappeared under her bangs. “Xari, I’m kind of proud.”
“What can I say? It’s celebratory vulgarity, which makes it okay.”
The doctor gave Myrina a set of instructions and mumbled something about the cast disintegrating once it sensed she had healed.
Her cat green eyes flashed as soon as she saw Nya and Xari standing by the door. She winced as she hopped off the table and headed in their direction, waiting until she was within arm’s reach before speaking to either of them.
“Congratulations,” she purred, reaching out to pat Nya’s stomach. “Let’s just hope you didn’t hurt the unborn.”
Everyone stopped in their tracks, the EMTs openly stared, and Myrina grinned.
“Go to hell,” Nya said, shoving her hand away.
Myrina’s smile grew, her voice getting louder. “Maybe Rissa should accompany us. You know, as backup.”
Nya started toward her, but Xari stepped in her way.
Myrina sweetly smiled. “See you later.”
“She’s so not worth it,” Xari whispered. “Besides, you can’t go after her now. You’re leaking like a sieve.”
Nya looked at the blood running down her boot.
“Fine,” she grumbled, allowing Xari to help her to the examining table.
The doctor glared at them, his thick glasses making his eyes seem too large for his face. He grumbled under his breath while ripping the scarf and torn sleeve from Nya’s thigh.
“Stay still,” he ordered, taking scissors from his white coat pocket. He started at the bottom of Nya’s pant leg, slicing through the leather until he reached her hip.
“This may sting.” Being less than gentle, he rubbed antiseptic over her thigh.
Nya hissed in pain as she assessed the damage. A testament to her Scythian heritage, the bottom of the laceration had already started closing. But the top was still a mass of angry, swollen flesh.
“That doesn’t look good,” Xari commented as blood oozed, dripping down her leg.
“She’ll need stitches.” He took a large gauze cloth, covering the spot while his thumb dug into her thigh.
Nya whimpered. At this rate, he’d hit bone soon. “Really.” She pried his hand off the bloody gauze. “I’m fine. I’ll just bandage it up.”
“Suit yourself.”
Jax passed by the door and stopped, watching the physician snap off his gloves and throw them in the trash.
The doctor started through the threshold, but Jax held him back, mumbling something. They both cut their eyes to Nya, the physician nodded and then left.
Jax came in the room.
“Vtachi, the physician is right. You won’t heal in time unless you get stitched up.” Jax leaned against the door frame, his eyes sweeping down, resting on her exposed leg.
Nya gently lifted the gauze pad and winced. The jagged, inflamed flesh oozed with pus and blood.
“Benson!” Jax barked as he started toward her.
Nya jumped, and Xari shuffled against the wall, giving him ample room.
The doctor came back in. “Yes, Jax?”
“Did you debride her thigh?”
Dr. Benson seemed offended. “Of course.”
Jax picked up a sterile gauze pad and saturated it with an antiseptic solution. He swung a blue light around, muttering at whatever he saw.
“What are you doing?” Nya blushed as his large hand palmed her knee, keeping her still.
“Don’t move.” He grabbed a pair of tweezers.
Nya whimpered as Jax dug into inflamed muscle tissue, but she refused to let him know how much it hurt.
He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her bare leg, and she couldn’t help but squirm.
“Stay still.” He glanced up. “I almost had it.” One more painful jab and he pulled the tweezers away with a thin shard of something black.
“What is that?”
“Part of the puma’s claw, which Dr. Benson would have seen had he done his job.” Jax’s voice got louder with every word as he glared across the room.
The doctor rubbed his face. “It’s been a long day.”
Jax dropped the tweezers into a metal bowl and swung the lamp back into place. “I don’t care if you’ve triaged the entire Scythian army. There’s no excuse leaving her in that condition.”
“Is there a problem?” Cassius stood in the doorway, followed closely by Nya’s mother and father.
Nya feebly smiled. “It’s nothing. We’re just finishing up. I’ll be done soon.”
Jax glared at Nya before turning to Cassius. “If I hadn’t walked by, Nya would be going to Carpathia with part of a puma’s claw embedded in her thigh.”
Cassius turned to the doctor. “Is this true?”
The male sputtered a few excuses until Cassius held up her hand.
“I’ve heard enough. You are relieved of your duty.” The headmistress turned to one of her guards. “Send for my physician, and tell him I want a report in my hands tonight.”
Dr. Benson stopped as he passed Cassius. “Have him do a blood test. The others say she’s with young.”
Her mother gasped while her father’s expression turned ruthless.
Mortified, Nya covered her face with her hands, but Jax laughed, startling them all.
“I’m sure that’s Myrina’s doing. Test her blood if you want, but there’s no doubt in my mind Nya’s still a novo.”
Nya blushed, livid with Jax for acting like her virginity was up for discussion with anyone, much less the headmistress and her parents.
Cassius waved a dismissive hand, seeming as blasé about the subject as Jax. “As you are the only male she’s been alone with, I’m sure you’re right.” Her brows lowered. “But what interests me is whether the doctor had been aware of the gossip before he tended her wound.”
Xari stepped forward. “Myrina said something nasty as she left, making sure everyone heard her.”
“Ah.” Cassius turned to the guards. “That changes things. Have Dr. Benson whipped before you send him away. And alert the other compounds. He will be confined to treating only those foolish enough to go t
o him.”
Dr. Benson blanched as the guards escorted him out of the room.
Cassius turned to Ike. “The press is waiting for a statement from each of the champions, but as Nya isn’t finished here, would it be possible for you to escort Toxaris to the front and then give a short statement in Nya’s stead?”
“Absolutely.” Ike glanced at Nya, taking in her pallid features and tense frame. “And your mom and I will make sure the media is gone before we come and get you.”
Relieved, she smiled. “Thanks, Dad.” One thing she and her father agreed on—they both hated the press.
His eyes twinkled. “You’re welcome, Pumpkin.”
Ike led Gia and Xari out the door.
“Could this day get any worse?” Nya put her hands over her face.
Cassius warmly chuckled. “I think it’s a matter of perspective, Anya Thalestris.” She switched to Dacian. “Most would see this day as a good one. You’ve beaten an opponent of intellect, one of strength, not to mention a Tova. You are a champion, earning the right to meet the best warriors of our kind. And yet, you act as if you’re about to go the way of the doctor and be whipped in the square.” Her voice gentled as she came forward. “Why?”
Nya sat up straight and bared her teeth in what she hoped was a smile. “It’s been a long day. That’s all.”
Cassius took in Nya’s too-tight expression and Jax’s frown.
“Address the issue, counselor,” was all she had said before she walked out the door.
Jax flipped a blade on the counter next to her. “Here. I got it back from Knox.”
“Thanks.” Nya reached over and grabbed it before flopping back on the bed. “What in the hell was that about? Exactly what are you addressing?”
“We need to talk.”
Cassius’ doctor knocked on the doorframe, saving Nya from having to respond. He took his time to re-assess her thigh, making sure no bits of claw remained. Nya closed her eyes as he brought out a hypodermic and started numbing the area along the deep tear. He hummed as he stitched, oblivious to the tension in the room.
The Scythian Trials Page 7