Page 68 of The Silver Spider
Anissa knelt next to her. “Because of the skills the next several rounds, Dawnthorne will allow Amnan to fight with you. You’ve survived until now, that is to be your reward.”
She took a few sips of water, ate a small roll with meat and cheese stuffed inside. And then Dawnthorne called her name again.
“You conducted yourself well,” he said. “But I fear these next opponents will not be so gentle on you.”
He didn’t have to look so gleeful, the bastard.
“Dragon, if she survives this round, it is permissible for you to join her.”
Amnan said nothing, but she knew he heard. The white lines around his mouth and slightly narrowed eyes clued her in to his temper. He met her eyes briefly as she stepped back into the circle, the tips of his toes stopping just a hairsbreadth from the edge.
She was left standing in the quickly warming afternoon sand for several minutes, a little annoyed at the weak attempt at a psychological attack. It wouldn’t work. The low murmur of the crowd dimmed and she raised her head as a tall warrior paced into the circle.
Serephone knew immediately that all the previous bouts had been play. Six feet tall, with a gray undertone to his skin, and waist length, iron-gray hair, Serephone suspected she was laying eyes on yet another fae with gargoyle blood. If he could shift, then the strength apparent in arms and wide chest was just the tip of the iceberg.
If he could fly, she was screwed.
Until now, she hadn’t considered using her darlings. They were a last resort, a weapon she would only reveal if she had no choice. The gargoyle fae attacked, and Serephone learned within minutes that she would have no choice. After barely dodging the third attempt for him to slice her throat with thick, razor-sharp nails, Serephone called the spiders.
