The crowd was still roaring when the first hunter made his move.
Kael saw him out of the corner of his eye. A man in dark armor slipping through the crowd. His hand was on his sword. His eyes were fixed on Zephyr. He was not alone. Behind him, more hunters were emerging from the shadows. A dozen of them. Maybe more. They were surrounding the arena. Surrounding him.
Kael's heart pounded. He had known this was coming. He had prepared for it. But seeing them now, in the middle of his victory, made it feel real. Made it feel dangerous.
"Zephyr," he whispered. "Stay close. Do not let them separate us."
Zephyr moved closer. Its golden scales glowed. Its wings spread wide. It was ready to fight. It was ready to protect.
The crowd began to notice. The cheers faded. People started to point. Th
