Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

gave him a quick shake of her head and jerked her chin at the barrels.

Wexner immediately understood her gesture—as only someone with his hard-earned experience could.

As the members of Siray’s unit made their way over to her, she watched Wexner sneak around the other captives who were watching the males brawl and casually slide up to the other side of the barrels. For a moment, Siray lost him in the general confusion, but when she saw him again, his glistening torso was bare as he reached into the barrels.

The surprising thing was, half of the captives watching the fight, most of them female, instantly switched their gazes to him. Yet none of them cried out, probably, Siray guessed, because all those eyes were glued to toned muscles flecked with sweat. And a little blood.

Wexner used the valuable moment to repeat Siray’s trick, and he had filled his shirt before one of the female captives came to their senses and gave a shout.

Siray, now having been joined by Genlie, Kovi, Baindan, and Zale, watched as Wexner hurriedly shoved a few more portions into his makeshift bag before sprinting out from behind the barrels in the direction of Siray and the others, Loce, Tamot, and Kinna following.

A moment later, the fifth member of their unit, a female named Annbov, followed.

The other fifty captives didn’t waste a moment more, but all began pushing and shoving to gain access to the remaining food in the barrel.

Puffing hard as he came to stand beside Siray in the middle of their group, now ten strong, Wexner managed to get out, ‘There really wasn’t that much food in there.’

Siray shook her head. ‘No. I think they planned it that way.’ She motioned to the others, and they all began to back away slowly across the sands towards one of the six walls lining the edges of the arena, their faces towards the mass of captives grouped around the barrels.

They were aware of the exact instant the food barrel was emptied, as groans and curses from the captives who hadn’t managed to grab anything began to rise.

Then, one by one, numerous pairs of seeking eyes began to turn in the direction of Siray and Wexner.

One particularly large male forced his way to the front of the pack of captives who had missed out on a portion, and he stood there, glaring across the space at Siray.

She returned his gaze coolly, tall and defiant, daring him to come after her.

The male took a step forward—possibly the first step that would bring an avalanche of hungry captives down upon the ten of them.

But Baindan stepped forwards also, placing himself in front of Siray, his movement challenging the male who eyed him with consideration.

Then Zale stepped forwards, and in synchronisation, Tamot, Loce, Kovi, Kinna, and Genlie fanned out as well. Yes, they faced a mass of hungry and determined individuals, but that’s still what they all were—individuals, against a united front ready to defend their own.

And this would have to be the way of it, Siray knew, to be prepared to fight former allies in order to stay alive.

The shoulders of the male who had been preparing to challenge them sunk as he took them all in and discerned what he would be up against. Then he turned and disappeared into the milling captives, the other individuals around him also dispersing.

Siray could have sunk to the ground in relief, but she held herself firmly upright, knowing that there might be more eyes on them, watching for a point of weakness.

By silent arrangement, Baindan kept watch on the other captives while Siray held out her shirt to the others in her unit. One by one, Zale, Genlie, and finally Kovi each took a portion for themselves.

Bedside her, Wexner was doing the same.

When there was only two portions of food left, one in her shirt and one in her hand, Siray walked past the others to where Baindan was standing. She pressed his portion silently into his hand.

‘Thanks,’ he murmured, his eyes not shifting from the other captives.

Siray scrutinised them as well. Saw the ones who were eating and those who were sitting silently empty-handed. Who also watched.

‘They’re not desperate enough yet,’ Baindan murmured.

Siray knew what Baindan meant. That the hunger of those who had missed out wasn’t yet strong enough to force them to challenge a bigger group.

‘Will it come to that?’

He gave the smallest of shrugs. ‘It might, but not if the Faction really wants to keep us strong.’

Siray watched from the corner of her eye as Baindan shifted on his feet slightly, her eyebrows narrowing as she spied him stiffening slightly as his back protested against the movement. She didn’t remark on it—all of them were in pain. It was just too bad that they—

‘Hah!’ She shook her head. Then she closed her eyes and giggled. When she opened them again, she saw Baindan looking at her with concern.

‘Are you alright?’ he asked carefully.

Siray shook her head, laughing. How stupid they were. ‘No, but I’ll be much better soon.’

‘What?’ Baindan said, confused.

She didn’t explain any further but hurriedly crammed the rest of her meal into her mouth.

CHAPTER FIVE

CHEWING SPEEDILY WITHOUT savouring the spices in the meat, Siray took a long, smooth step away from Baindan and the others.

Her actions drew the attention of Genlie and Zale, who also turned to look at her.

Baindan’s brows were furrowed. ‘Siray, what—’

She held out a hand towards him, halting any movement he might make towards her. Wouldn’t do to have him too close. Then she closed her eyes and focused inwards on that sphere of power within herself that she knew so well. Focused carefully on one glowing chain of energy in particular.

‘Siray! What are you doing?’ Baindan’s whisper was fierce but quiet, as if his hushed words might help her go unnoticed by the hidden eyes she was sure were even now watching them.

As if the form she had Changed into could be missed.

As Siray opened her now much larger eyes, her