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Kryder levitated and rose above the metal railing that surrounded the top of the pit. He paused to plant his feet on the metal. “I had it made especially for this moment. I’ve also been told it will calm my people.”
“It looks like it did. But there’s something I’ve always wanted to know, Kryder. What happened to you? Why terrorize your people? I’ve never understood.”
Slowly, he moved off the railing and began his descent.
Natalie glanced up at Ryan who had begun with the wolves nearest his arrival point. He was working fast and going from one person to the next as quickly as he could. Fortunately, Kryder’s men were all watching their leader to notice the disruption in the gallery. She estimated at least a fourth of the people were now free of the spell.
When Ryan addressed each one, no doubt telepathically, he also touched their shoulders. She watched the sudden surprise then a return to a feigned spelled state. More than one wolf leaned close to another one and whispered to act as though enthralled.
As a whole, the wolves did a good job appearing bespelled with heads almost bowed and eyes cast down.
By the time, Kryder was halfway to the sand, she once more contacted Grant. Don’t look, but Ryan has a quarter now free. He’s moving fast. You’ve got a good man there.
Don’t I know it. And a freakshow almost in my face. What do you make of the cape?
Natalie turned her focus on Kryder once more. I’m guessing it was part of the initial enthrallment. A way to make sure every wolf was focused on him as he cast the spell.
Did it affect you?
My wolf has been whimpering, but that’s all. Helps to be fae right now, I think.
Kryder landed on the sand a good twelve feet away from Grant. He moved back several feet, increasing the distance.
Kryder snickered. “Sure you’re ready for this?”
Natalie knew Grant had moved to make certain the battle took place away from the wall. Once he called for the net, Kryder would need to be out in the open.
The gallery was completely silent. Kryder turned his back to Grant and opened his arms to his pack. “Look at these worthless sheep. My question to you is why would you ever want to be their alpha?” He didn’t seem to notice the occasional, if slight flurry of moment that Ryan created.
“I see so much more than you ever could,” Grant replied. “I see wolves torn from their families because of the alter serum. Not one of us made a choice to be here, to be consigned to a pack with you as alpha. I see people who want to be free to live the lives they would choose. They will have that when I’m alpha.”
At that, Kryder turned back to him. “You will never be alpha of the Meldorin Pack, not while I live.” Kryder’s men set up a cheer mixed with howls, but the gallery remained silent and still appeared as if bespelled. By now, Ryan was over halfway through the pack.
Grant’s nostrils flared. “Before the night is out, you will break the bond with this pack.”
“Like hell.” Kryder reached up to unhook his cape and tossed it near the back wall. He stripped off his headdress and threw it to join the cape.
Like Grant, he wore only a leather cloth, though his had been died a deep blue. He was three hundred pounds of powerful muscles that rippled as he began to flex and move.
Kryder walked toward him slowly then at the last second dipped down and levitated like a missile toward Grant’s waist.
Grant was faster though and slid out of the way to then levitate and land on Kryder’s back.
Natalie expected Kryder to stay face down in the sand. Instead, he bolted upright and threw Grant off him.
Grant flew backward onto the sand, landing on his ass. Kryder whirled and shot forward, throwing himself on Grant. But again, Grant slipped sideways.
This time, Kryder landed face first and came up spitting sand from his mouth.
He slowed his movements as he dusted himself off. He said nothing. As he began to walk sideways, Grant matched him so that they turned in a circle, always opposite each other.
Natalie glanced at the stands. Ryan was well over halfway, but she wished he was almost done.
“You’ll have to engage me,” Kryder said with a smile. “You can’t keep darting away. Or is that what you think this will be: Dominance by running away?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Grant’s voice was low, even heavy.
Natalie found herself mesmerized by how Grant looked, not just by his warrior presence but by the intensity of his concentration. He saw only Kryder.
