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She gave him a long, considered look. ‘You’d better schill up. Know this: Kalila’s demise at my blades will be slow, protracted, and extensive. She will feel every nick and slice of my SHärds, and I will flay in so many ways that she will scream for mercy for hours before I let her go into the merciful embrace of Kehenna’s abyss. Will you stand in my way?’
He flicked his eyes over her face, meeting her steely gaze with amusement. ‘Not unless it disrupts my purpose, and to be honest, I wouldn’t dare. Sana’a of the Shotelai, if I meet all your terms, what shall it be?’
She extended out her hand and clasped his larger hand with conviction. ‘We’ll have freakin’ deal.’
Killen squeezed her smaller palm, which led to an intuitive leap in his desire. He let go, working his klaw to hide his mixed feelings.
A wave of triumph passed through him at having clinched the Sana’a as his kísímí. At the same time, he felt some trepidation at being in her presence for the next few weeks.
He numbed his emotions as he reached out a hand to gesture to Kaxim, an invitation to draw close.
The imperial Krypós hulk prowled toward the pair.
Killen served his King’s Armourer with a chin jerk. ‘The Switchblade has agreed to my madcap idea,’ he said.
Kaxim lifted a brow, and after a beat, Killen swung his gaze to Sana’a, giving her a keen look. ‘You’re not planning to blade him, are you?’
‘Not anytime soon,’ she said with a sweet smile.
His eyes flickered. ‘Sawa, keep it that way, and we’ll be all good.’
‘Where can we find a quiet venue?’ Killen asked.
‘There’s a place that’s yours by decree, Kíríga,’ his First Armourer murmured. ‘It’s hidden away from prying eyes, the perfect spot for our training. It’s on the outskirts of Kos, high above its firmament. We’ll need to fly to it at night, as the city is filled with spies and informants, always watching and listening. If anyone discovered our intentions, it could mean dire consequences for us all. Better still, it’s secluded enough that we won’t draw unwanted attention.’
Sana’a pursed her lips for a moment in thought. ‘Sounds feasible.’
‘I’ll arrange for us to get access,’ Kaxim added. ‘Give me a few days. Until then, it’ll be bizna will be as usual with you, Switchblade, gathering more freakin’ koya at the arena. We’ll return to the army camp and send word to you at the íkhara when ready.’
Chapter 18
‘Ihave to leave the k?thi íkhara.’
Kaniz shot Sana’a a searching look. ‘Why?’
The two women stood side by side in the communal showers of the Sab?r Arena gymnasium, washing off sweat from a vigorous training session.
Steam hung like a thick veil, chatter and laughter echoing off the tiled walls. The rush of water provided a steady rhythmic backdrop to the symphony of kavaliers. Each voice and splash added to the lively cacophony after a day of battle and toil.
‘For a short while only,’ Sana’a qualified, letting the heated jets flow over her aching arm muscles.
‘How long is a short time?’
Sana’a shrugged, sticking her hair under the blast of liquid.
‘You can’t tarry,’ Kaniz sighed. The team requires you, and our sponsor needs you. She’s been making bank for weeks, and the profit has been sweet.’
Twas true. Sana’a’s bouts were surging in popularity.
Katánians were flooding the arena from around the planet to see the infamous Shotelai blade master.
She’d defeated every contender thrown against her since, leaving them humbled in the process. Her reputation was growing, and the coliseum roared with excitement each time she stepped into the ring.
Even a few k?thi kavaliers had begun shaping their koyas into shotels, convinced that the weapon’s design assured victory.
It wasn’t, which was why Sana’a cared not one iota about their misconstrued efforts.
‘Will you be back in time to face off with K’grona?’ Kaniz asked.
