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

one and his mouth, only pausing at times to allow himself to chew and swallow.

As he ate air.

Genlie and Kovi joined them next, and Siray guessed from Kovi’s unhappy expression that Genlie had won what must have been an almost-silent and furious argument as to who would eat the food. Yet Siray knew that if one of them had to stop or jump to the other’s defence, then it was more likely that Kovi would be able to still Genlie’s anger than the other way around.

Again, she found herself wondering briefly what Kovi’s trigger could be, apart from the blonde by his side, but Zale’s approach switched her attention again; he was carrying part of a portion. He had grabbed an even smaller piece than she had, but as they needed Herrin to see most of them eating, Zale also had to take the drug.

Siray just hoped that, with reduced portions, they would retain more of their own selves this time. And that they would be able to match those whose strength and energy would be boosted by eating regular portions.

Wexner had his unit apply the same strategy, with Kinna pairing up empty-handed with Annbov, who proceeded to eat part of a portion. But when Loce came back from the barrels to stand beside Wexner, he, too, was without a meal.

‘Loce, where’s your portion?’ Wexner asked, his back to the other side of the arena as his right hand moved between his empty left hand and his mouth.

Loce turned away from the other end as well, also raising his empty hands to mimic Wexner. ‘I didn’t grab one,’ he responded quietly, a lock of his pale hair drifting forwards into his eyes.

Siray twisted slightly to see Wexner frown. ‘That wasn’t the plan,’ he responded.

She casually shifted in her position, chewing animatedly as she angled her head to view Loce’s face fully.

He was shrugging, but his dark eyes were narrowed. ‘I didn’t agree to anything. And I won’t be drugged again.’ Loce’s voice was soft but determined.

Wexner’s lips pressed together into a thin line, and although he was obviously annoyed at Loce, Siray felt a new level of respect for the quiet male.

Tamot also stood close by, eating a small ration while listening.

Walking leisurely towards Wexner, Siray looked down at her hand as she ripped the next piece of food off the shrinking chunk in her hand. ‘It won’t make any real difference—Herrin can see that most of us have a portion.’ She moved a little more in amongst the others so they could all hear her words. ‘Move around just a bit; it’ll help avoid suspicion.’ She took a few more steps before stopping, bending her head to give the impression that she was applying herself to the last of her meal. Of course, she could have finished her ration in about two serious swallows right from the start, but that wouldn’t have helped their ruse at all.

Next to her, Baindan turned, making a show of still chewing as he pretended to wipe his hands off on his pants. Then they both milled around as their friends finished their portions, real or imagined, before they wheeled about to head towards the centre of the arena.

This time, they all knew what was coming, yet Siray was disappointed when Herrin picked her unit to fight first. She and her friends had hoped to watch some of the other fights take place before their own. She filed out behind Genlie, her heart thumping as they grouped to one side on the expanse of sand before the other captives. Interestingly, their opponent this time was the third unit that had eaten from the set of barrels with them.

And as Siray stood near to Baindan while they waited for the other unit to file out, a swirling annoyance began to build within her. The drug was beginning to take effect.

Yet while Siray and her friends had been making their way back towards the other captives, they had all quickly discussed tactics. As per their hasty plan, each sober person, as they had dubbed them, would stick close to someone who had been drugged, with the third sober unit member positioning themselves centrally to aide when needed. The hope was that, while the drugged unit mate attacked in an intoxicated rage, the clear-headed person would be able to use a more considered approach, using logic and strategy to try to take out opponents blinded by anger—while still trying to appear like they, too, were fuelled by a similar rage.

Meanwhile, the drugged members were to fight while attempting to control themselves as best as possible. Siray clenched her fists together. She didn’t know who had the harder job.

Herrin waved his hand lazily. ‘Begin.’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

FOR SIRAY AND her unit, although they found their opponents to be skilled fighters—especially with their strength and aggression amplified by the drug—the skirmish itself was over much faster than the one from the previous day, owing to the fact that Siray’s unit employed better tactics this time. Siray was unsure if it was because she had eaten a smaller amount of the doped food, or because she was trying so hard to focus, but she felt like she had had at least a little more control during the bout, or at least enough to make her aware of making choices even when her blood had been hot for the fight.

Yet having control over oneself, as Baindan and Kovi did, had its disadvantages when battling an enemy that didn’t hesitate or pause—even for an instant—to take action.

However, it rapidly became evident to the five of them as they sweated and fought to defend themselves that Siray’s plan had been a sound one, particularly when she, Genlie, and Zale found they could match their adversaries in strength and speed but also spot the inherent flaws in their wild attacks.

Further, Baindan stayed close to Siray every moment, fighting hard beside her and, at times, back to back with her, his nearness acting as both an