Page 15

Layer every step forward in defiance.

Khalani stood calmly in front of her cell, her fingertips continuously rubbing against the sleeves of her dirty uniform. She’d been waiting for this day all week. Her training with Takeshi was finally about to begin.

Khalani had used a shower token that morning, and the restless energy coiling through her had her furiously scrubbing away the dirt and grime till her skin was red. After changing, she scanned the prison block, her muscles tensing with anticipation.

Since her conversation with Winnie, she opened her eyes each morning with renewed energy. A new purpose. Apollo left her to burn and spat her out in a blaze. Crushed and beaten—but breathing.

That was a tremendous mistake because the strongest substances were forged in fire.

She was prepared to take on all enemies, barriers, and demons that stood in her way. Living would be the ultimate act of her rebellion. And the first obstacle was the menacing Captain.

She’d only known Takeshi for a couple months, but it already felt like they had history, and the bad outweighed the good. He was insufferable, and she was the constant thorn in his side. Hell, he probably polished his personal knife collection in anticipation of this day.

Yet, she didn’t move from her spot. Nothing would make her back down now. She waited.

And waited.

What was taking so long? She looked down both sides of the hall, but he was nowhere to be found. Did he forget? She scoffed at the idea as soon as the thought came into her head.

It was Takeshi. He didn’t forget anything.

“Kanes.”

The deep voice sent shivers up her spine. She slowly turned and drew in a sharp breath.

The very air seemed to bend around Takeshi as he walked toward her. No, walk wasn’t the right word. Takeshi marched with purpose, as if the swift power of death and tenacity of man were embedded in his stride. Each step forward was layered with quiet confidence, like he could take on a whole army and emerge the victor.

His dark eyes captured hers, and a heavy lump filled the back of her throat.

“For a second there, I thought you’d changed your mind.” An electric current ran through her as his massive body edged closer.

Takeshi’s expression smoothed into an unreadable mask as he slowed to a halt. Pensive and stoic, he appeared carved out of a marble statue. The only indication of any emotion was the spark in his eyes. They narrowed and pierced hers in a challenge, daring her to run.

“You should know by now, Kanes, I don’t ever back down.”

His resonant voice made her swallow as he towered over her. But Khalani refused to be intimidated.

She lifted her chin and stared back defiantly.

Your move, Captain.

“Let’s get this over with,” he snapped, turning sharply and striding down the hall. She quickly followed, her eyes darting around for witnesses, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. Everyone was in the pit.

Takeshi crossed his arms and moved to the far corner of the elevator. Khalani leaned against the opposite wall, the silence heavy as the elevator descended. She tugged at the hem of her dirty garment and tried to ignore him, but with Takeshi, that task was impossible.

“So,” she cleared her throat, “I noticed you’ve been absent the past few days.”

He stared straight ahead, not acknowledging her.

“You haven’t said a word since the medical ward.”

Silence.

“Okay, good talk.” Khalani’s gaze flicked up to the ceiling. The elevator was too damn small. In fact, Braderhelm wasn’t big enough to fit the two of them.

“Why do you have a sudden interest in my whereabouts?” Takeshi asked.

Her teeth ground together. “I don’t. I was holed up in my cell and was just surprised I didn’t see you. That’s all.”

“Really. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you missed me.”

“I’d sooner miss cleaning up shit,” she replied hastily. “I was worried you might back out of our deal. Nothing more.”

“So eager for me to hurt you, huh?” He gave her the side-eye, and her stomach flipped.

“Wha—no. That’s not what I—”

“Let’s go, Kanes.”

The elevator door opened to the lowest level of Braderhelm. A subtle shift flickered in his expression, but he rapidly crossed the entryway before she could decipher it.

Khalani huffed a deep breath and glanced around the dark hallway. The dim light from several torches did little to alleviate the eerie flutters in her chest. The hairs on her arms rose, and she had the sudden urge to pee.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll soon find out,” he replied cryptically.

A dark metal door lay at the end of the hallway. Takeshi’s biceps flexed with the weight as he opened it, and Khalani’s eyes widened at the sight. She walked over the threshold and stood in a church .

The ceiling arched gracefully, adorned with murals of angels wielding fiery swords as they soared through white clouds. At the front of the room, a large wooden cross hung from the wall, but there were no pews or worshippers in sight.

In contrast to the heavenly paintings, a sandy fighting square dominated the center of the room, reminiscent of the brutal pit. In the far corner lay a myriad of weights and workout machines.

Her brows knitted as she lifted her face back up to the ceiling, enraptured by the beautiful murals. Takeshi remained silent, studying her reaction as she took in her surroundings with her mouth agape.

“What is this place?” she asked breathlessly.

“This room was built when Braderhelm was first constructed,” Takeshi replied. “It was originally intended as a place of worship for anyone who wanted to pray to God to help cure the Earth.” His words bounced off the walls.

“After construction was complete,” he continued, “Frederick Braderhelm became the Warden and said prayer was for the weak. He decided that this space would better serve as a training area for the guards.”

She frowned. “Why did he leave the cross?”

Takeshi stared up at the cross, his lips set in a hard line. “Frederick Braderhelm had a taste for manipulating in cruel ways. He wanted the guards to see it and know that because of their deeds here, heaven’s gates would be forever barred to them,” his voice drifted off.

She looked at him, feeling a slight twist in her chest. “Do you believe that?”

He drew a long breath and turned to her. She nearly stepped back at his harsh gaze. “Don’t feel pity for me, Kanes. Every decision I’ve made was done consciously. If there is a God, my judgment day will come, and I’ll be ready.”

The words cut through the air with sharp confidence and resolve. In his all-black garments, standing in the middle of the church, Takeshi looked like a fallen angel, ready to confront any obstacle, even hell itself .

And damn, if the look didn’t suit him incredibly well.

Before she could open her mouth and say anything further, he walked over to the grey lockers against the wall. She studied the room and barely noticed the blur of clothes flying at her. She caught them and glanced at him in question.

“Your prisoner uniform isn’t suitable for training. These are a pair of workout clothes from one of our female guards. She got released recently, so now, you’re their new owner. I noticed that your sneakers are too big for you. Try these.”

He grabbed black sneakers from the locker and tossed them to the floor. “Thanks,” Khalani said, inspecting the clothing.

Black tank top and black shorts. They appeared small enough to fit. The fabric even smelled nice.

A smile tugged at her lips.

She could finally wear something clean. The offering was simple, but she clutched the clothing close like he handed her the world’s greatest gift.

Something in her expression made Takeshi frown.

“What?”

“Nothing. I’ve never seen you smile like that.”

The space between them felt like it extended for miles. Yet, his obsidian gaze closed the distance, as if a single glance permitted Takeshi to bury himself beneath her skin. He was violent by nature, but the barest hint of warmth lingered in his expression.

No. She was clearly imagining things, because describing Takeshi as warm was like describing the grim reaper as sweet. He was more likely to cuddle in a blanket of blades and give a baby a taser as their first toy.

Her brows furrowed as his expression swiftly closed and he strode toward the exit. “I’ll wait outside while you change. Knock when you’re done,” he said, without looking back.

The door closed with a resounding bang, the sound bouncing off each angel soaring across the ceiling. She shrugged at Takeshi’s bad mood—what else was new—and put on the workout clothes.

Khalani had lost a lot of weight, and the previous owner was clearly more blessed in the chest than she was, but the black tank fit decently. The shorts were snug around her thighs and backside, but she moved comfortably. Although tight, the shoes fit much better than her previous ones.

She did a small twirl and held her hands to her chest. That was her moment to feel normal. No matter how brief or fleeting, it mattered. She tilted her head back and soaked it in for a few more seconds.

The only path left was forward. Khalani nodded with determination and walked toward the door.

Takeshi opened it after one knock. He blinked at her appearance, his expression quickly morphing as he gave her a once-over. His lips formed a grim line as his brows drew together.

Did she look that bad?

“Is something wrong?” Khalani stood there awkwardly.

The muscle in his jaw ticked, and he shut the door wordlessly. “Let’s get this over with,” Takeshi interjected, brushing past her.

Of course, he wasn’t going to answer her. Men like him probably come out of the womb brooding.

She frowned and followed him into the middle. Black bars wrapped around the sandy area. Khalani swung her leg over the rubber bar, less gracefully than Takeshi. She faced him in the center of the ring, chills running down her body in the enclosure.

It was even more unnerving when she lifted her gaze to the striking image of heaven’s army waging war above her.

Such beauty and violence; the anthem of humanity.

“What if someone comes in?” she asked him.

Takeshi shook his head. “No guard ever comes in here at this time. They’re either at the pit or doing rounds. There are no cameras in here, so we’re all alone.”

Khalani’s pulse quickened, and she wiped her sweaty palms down her side. Again.

“We need to set ground rules first.” He cracked his knuckles. “First, you want to learn from me, so you need to understand that in this arena, I am the master.” His husky voice reverberated over her body, and her muscles tensed at his words .

“That means I say something, you do it. No arguments. No complaining. No giving up. You need to trust that I know your limits, and when I tell you to do something, it is for your own good. Understand?”

She let out a deep breath, accepting the risks she was taking. “Yes.”

“Second,” he continued, “you are not to tell anyone of these lessons. This includes your three friends. Clear?”

That was a given.

Takeshi waited until she nodded before he continued. “Finally,” he took a step toward her, “if I get the barest inkling that you’re attempting to use any weapons or skills outside this arena against me, what happens?”

Her anxiety peaked, but she answered firmly, “You’ll kill me.”

Takeshi tensed and nodded. “This is your one and only reminder.”

He stood there resolutely. Khalani wouldn’t test if he was bluffing. From the short time she’d known him, she realized one thing—if Takeshi Steele made a threat, he meant it.

“I understand.” Her spine straightened.

Khalani was as ready as she’d ever be.

“Good. Now, attack me.” Takeshi stopped right in the center of the ring, his arms hanging low by his sides and his stance widening as he faced her.

“Attack you?” Did she hear him right?

He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s right. Now’s your chance to attack the Captain of Braderhelm, Kanes. Or are you all talk?”

Her eyes lit up at his words.

Maybe it was revenge that fueled her. Or desire for payback for every lick of pain she received in Braderhelm. She rolled her neck, her muscles bristling with anticipation.

Here we go.

Her fists raised to chest level as she inched toward Takeshi. He remained perfectly still, not a muscle twitching. Only his eyes tracked her every movement with intense focus.

Even though Khalani was the one moving toward him, she felt like prey. An energy radiated from him, a silent excitement that got her blood pumping faster. She was an arm’s length away now.

Was she really going to do this?

Khalani glanced at his eyes, still unsure. Takeshi just lowered his head.

That was all the confirmation she needed.

She pushed forward and swung a punch toward his face.

So fast she barely caught the movement, Takeshi leaned to the side and snatched her wrist. In the next millisecond, he swung his foot toward the back of her ankle, using her weight against her.

Before Khalani knew what was happening, she fell right on her back, the breath rushing out of her lungs.

Takeshi stood over her calmly, placing his hands on his hips. “Do you know how I was able to do that so easily?”

Her face flushed. “Because you’re stronger than me?”

“No. You will learn that it has nothing to do with strength. On your feet,” he instructed, stepping back.

Khalani ground her teeth and heaved her body to stand up. She didn’t understand how his massive body could move with such fluidity while she swayed and stumbled like a drunkard. She closed her eyes to bring her mind back to center.

The next thing she knew, her feet were swept out from under her, and she crashed face-first to the ground. Pain lanced through her nose, but she quickly sprang to her feet.

“What the hell was that?!” Khalani yelled. She touched her nose and winced.

Takeshi gazed at her with no remorse. “You never take your eyes off your opponent, Kanes. Again.”

She tried to draw in slow, steady breaths, but felt the heat rising as her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Takeshi squared his body to face her.

Khalani moved faster, hoping to catch him off guard. She angled downward, aiming for a body shot to his stomach while keeping an eye on his legs .

Takeshi swatted her palm away effortlessly and grabbed her by the hair, turning her so that her back pressed flush against his chest.

She gasped in pain as he yanked her elbow and twisted her arm into an excruciatingly uncomfortable position. The back of her head fell against his chest as he pulled her hair with his left hand, almost to the point of agony. She struggled to free herself, but Takeshi used his right hand to seize her other wrist, halting any movement.

Desperately, Khalani shifted her leg, preparing to stomp on his foot or attempt to kick him in his groin.

“Move your feet another inch, and I will dislocate your shoulder,” he rasped in her ear.

Khalani’s muscles quivered and she froze. She became acutely aware of every subtle shift in his powerful frame. She felt Takeshi’s breath in her ear. The rise and fall of his chest, steady against her speedy breaths. His fingers on her elbow, holding her immobile.

The slight tug of her hair in his hand.

“You cheated,” she huffed out.

“Fighting’s never fair.”

Khalani blew a stray piece of hair out of her face, wanting to scream. She was beginning to think that Takeshi agreed to the training sessions just to embarrass her. A way to get back at her for all the times she gave him grief.

“Let me go,” she bit out.

“Are you asking nicely?”

“Sorry, left my manners back in my cell.”

He lifted her elbow an inch, and she leaned forward in pain. “Okay, okay! I’m sorry. Please , let me go.”

Takeshi released her, and her mouth opened in discomfort as she gingerly grabbed her elbow.

She glared at him. “You could’ve really hurt me.”

“I could’ve.” He stared back unapologetically. “But I didn’t. And with the way you left your guard open, I could’ve also nailed you in the face, as your opponents would, no doubt. I chose a less painful option. ”

“How is this training me?” Her nostrils flared. “You’re just knocking me around.”

In a flash, he got right up in her face. “You said you wanted to learn, Kanes. Remember when I said I was the master here?”

He waited for an answer, and she grumbled, “Yes.”

“Here is your first lesson. Don’t let your emotions dictate your actions.”

Khalani whipped her head up. “I’m not emotional.”

He gave her one of those looks. “Talk back, and I’ll make you crawl out of here.”

She wanted to yell at him that he was wrong. But, dammit, that would only prove his point. Through gritted teeth, she said, “ I’m sorry . I’m listening.”

“When you get angry, you respond with erratic movements. I could’ve stopped you with both hands tied behind my back.” Takeshi even managed to sound bored.

She let out a harsh breath and rubbed a hand through her messy hair. “So, what do I do?”

“Know your weaknesses.” Takeshi slowly paced around her in a circle, a true predator.

She turned in place, not taking her eyes off him once.

“Your pride has no place in the arena.” His voice echoed throughout the chamber, and she felt the deep vibrations through her very bones.

“I defeated you decisively for a purpose. To show you you’re nowhere near ready to win a fight. Half the battle is here.” Takeshi pointed to his head. He then stepped forward and placed a finger above her chest. “Not here.”

His eyes pierced hers while his finger moved deliberately over her heart. Her chest barely moved.

Takeshi paused, feeling her erratic pulse.

“Total control of your head is necessary to counteract your obvious weaknesses. You’ll likely be smaller than your opponent, so you must rely on speed rather than strength. Although,” his hand moved, and she got goosebumps as his fingers slid across her collarbone and his calloused palm rested on her arm.

He squeezed her bicep muscles, or lack thereof, giving her a disapproving glance. “This needs work.”

Khalani’s eyebrows pinched together.

She had muscles, just ones that were hidden from the naked eye.

And he was still touching her. They made eye contact, and he let go abruptly, turning around to leave the cage.

“Now that you know you’re not ready to fight, we can move on.” He hopped over the barrier.

She remembered how to breathe in oxygen again and frowned. “Move on to what?”

“If you have a weakness you can control, relentlessly attack it until it becomes a strength.”

Takeshi left the circle and grabbed weights off the rack on the far side of the room. Khalani tucked a couple flyaway hairs around her ears, more out of her league than she thought. Takeshi turned back when she didn’t move.

“These weights aren’t going to lift themselves, Kanes.”

For the next hour, she lifted dumbbells over her head and worked out on several machines, sweating more than she ever had in the tunnels. Takeshi was relentless. With each increase in reps and weight, she cried out in pain, wanting to give up. But Takeshi was always right there next to her.

He wasn’t the type to yell. No. It was worse. He got under her skin.

“You could just make this easy for me and give up,” he whispered.

She glared at him, but the bastard knew what he was doing because she pushed harder each time his insults scraped against her mind.

Khalani was completing the last few of the fifty push-ups. Her arms trembled and shook as her chest bent to the ground. Her baby hairs clung to her forehead, sweat coating her body.

Takeshi lowered on his haunches, surveying her every movement. The effort to push up increased tenfold.

She stared hopelessly at the ground, wanting the torture to be over. She bent down, but her arms collapsed under her. Khalani whimpered and tried to push up, but her arms tingled and appeared to be made of noodles. Moving was impossible.

“You’re not done,” Takeshi chided in a low voice.

“No, I think I’m going to lay here for a while,” she said to the ground. Khalani didn’t have the energy to lift her head up. It was almost comical.

“Get up, Kanes. You have two more.”

“I can’t,” she groaned.

There was a pause and a rustle as Takeshi stood. “What a shame. You almost proved me wrong.”

The words caught her off guard, and she found the energy to turn her head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I knew you couldn’t last a whole session with me. I can spot quitters from a mile away. You’re no different.”

She. Hated. Takeshi. Steele.

Khalani growled and mustered every ounce of strength she had left to bust out two more push-ups. One… come on, Khalani …two. She sighed in relief and even managed to stand on both feet.

His expression was unreadable as she hobbled toward him. “You should prepare yourself for disappointment because I’m going to prove you wrong at every turn,” she panted.

“Good.” His eyes lit with molten fire. “I haven’t even tried making you beg yet.”

His words did strange things to her body. Khalani’s chest tightened as his dominating energy pressed in around her.

“You better start praying now, or you’ll be waiting a long time for that to happen.” She lifted her chin, ignoring every flight instinct telling her not to piss him off.

Because screw him. That’s why.

“Do you pray often, Kanes?”

She reeled back from the bizarre question. “No. ”

A slight but dangerous smirk appeared on his face. “Keep pushing me, and you’ll need to. If I want something,” he lowered his head, an inch separating them, “only God will prevent it.”

Khalani let out a deep exhale as he turned toward the exit.

It was becoming harder and harder to breathe around Takeshi, like her very air was his to claim.

She lifted her gaze to the ceiling, but none of the angels stared back.

As if they were telling her, “G ood luck with that.”