“Oh, thank you for reminding us. I’m pretty sure we almost forgot that fact,” Malik deadpanned.
I really wanted to stomp my foot I was so mad. “That is not helping.”
Leo lightly tugged on my ponytail, peering down at me. His voice was soft and gentle, a coaxing tone that made my shoulders relax. “Just one more time, okay? We’re tied right now. They won’t expect us to give you the ball again.”
I crossed my arms. With much hesitation, I quietly mumbled, “The last guy touched me.”
Leo blinked, the gold glow disappearing for a brief moment. “Braita, almost all of them have tackled you at some point. Hujlum is a contact sport. You’ve had no issue with that so far.”
I glanced to the side. Breathed in and out. “I mean, he… touched me.” Keeping my attention on a green tree with bright purple leaves, not anywhere near the men huddled around me; I tried not to blush as I uncrossed my arms and hurriedly pointed at my right breast. Just as quickly, I crossed my arms again. “There. He touched me there.” I swallowed hard, trying not to tear up, instead, hanging on to my anger. “I did not like that. I won’t carry the ball again if the other team can’t sustain from their improper dispositions.”
For a minute straight, the resulting quiet was so immense that I dared to peek at my team.
Only Leo and Malik were looking at me. The rest were either staring at the ground or had suddenly found the sky immensely fascinating. Though it was Leo and Malik who made me squint to see them better. They both appeared to be completely expressionless as I quickly glanced between them.
I cleared my throat, and lifted my chin. “I meant what I said.”
Leo leaned on a hip, and absently scratched his chin. “Which man was it?”
I stayed quiet, trying to remember his name.
Malik grunted; his tone a short growl. “It was Craw.”
My brows puckered. “I’m not sure if that’s his name, but he has pink hair.”
Leo and Malik nodded as one. They stated in unison, “Craw.”
Malik lifted a black brow, raising his gaze to Leo. “I wouldn’t mind taking this one.”
Leo’s eyes started to widen before he swiftly blanked his features. He shifted his weight, and then casually shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
I smirked, but quietly stated, “Don’t tell him I tattled.” The last thing I wanted was a Mian knowing I had been the reason he was going to get an ass chewing. “Please.”
Malik did not even glance down at me. He just stared at Leo. “Left or right?”
Leo tilted his head from side to side in thought. “I’ll leave the choice up to you. Though, I do believe he’s predominantly right handed.”
My brows furrowed. “Are you going to slap his hand?” That seemed childish.
Ignoring me, Malik cracked his neck. “I’ll do both. Lesson learned by all.”
Leo shrugged, peering at him from under his lashes. “Whatever you want.”
“Hello?” I mumbled, waving a hand between their faces. “I asked a question.”
No response.
My jaw dropped in shock when Malik turned and walked over to the other team, handling this now. He held all of their attention as he spoke to the man, Craw, with the pink hair. I could not hear what he was saying, but my team around me could. A few of them grimaced when Craw started shaking his head and pointing at me, speaking with animated features of hatred.
The Mian I had been yelling at muttered under his breath, “That wasn’t smart.”
Leo grunted and crossed his arms, but continued his silence as he stayed by my side.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my gaze flying back and forth between the teams. “I can’t hear—”
Craw’s terrified bellow drowned out my words.
I gasped, and grabbed my stomach. I could not look away.
Malik’s right hand…it was now inside Craw’s chest.
He had grabbed Craw by the throat so fast I had not even seen the action, but I had seen when he had punched his other fist straight into Craw’s ribs. His hand had sunk in, up to his wrist. Craw’s mouth was parted wide in agony, his head lolling back toward the sky. Vomit rose in the back of my throat as Malik jerked his right hand free of Craw’s chest.
In his grip was Craw’s heart.
I blinked, my words choked. “I think I’m done playing tonight.” I turned, holding a hand over my mouth, and quickly walked back inside the palace where my ten guards were waiting for me. I barely made it to my bedroom to puke in the solitude of my bathroom.
Footnote for my new life on Triaz: Don’t tattle.
I would like to say witnessing the brutal death of Craw kept me out of Leo and Malik’s bedroom as the blessed sun began to rise. But it did not. I was once again creeping through their darkened bedroom. My stomach still rolled with the vision of Malik holding Craw’s heart, but I knew that situation had been of my own making. If I would have paid better attention at the time, I would have noticed the way Malik or Leo always hovered directly next to me, each taking turns watching over me. Sitting alone in my room for the last five hours had given me plenty of time to reflect. Their movements had been acts of possession. The one thing I knew for certain from my readings was when a Mian called someone their own, they were brutal in their thoughts and actions to keep it that way.
And I was their Soul.
I should have kept my mouth shut and kneed Craw the next time I had come across him.
I also was not sure if I would ever become accustomed to the cruelty of the Mian, but I was a quick study. What happened today would not happen again. Not if I could help it, anyway. I would handle indiscretions such as that on my own, unless the act truly deserved a harsh punishment. Only then would I confront Leo and Malik with a problem.
Lesson learned.
Sighing quietly, I tried not to grunt as I began moving the recliner on the left, my recliner, to the foot of their bed. I had remembered to shut the door immediately after bringing my comforter into the room. The area was pitch-black. I could not see anything. I was navigating by touch and memory.
I stalled in my efforts when I heard the toilet flush in their bathroom. I had not even glanced at the bed when I had entered the room, just focusing on the logistics of shutting their door quickly. I held my breath and glanced to the left. The door squeaked quietly as it opened. Silver, shining eyes peered directly at me, not moving, as Malik froze. My lips thinned as I stared into his gaze through the darkness. Pulling my nerve together took more effort than I would have imagined, but I eventually asked, “May I sleep in here again?”