'It is very difficult to make ones way in this city without being wicked at one time or another, when the cities way is so wicked to begin with.'
Or in which: Kaz Brekker didn't need a reason - but his little sister was the closest thing to it.
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Violet couldn't help her bouncing on her heels the next few fights. Despite the noise, the atmosphere of excitement and risk thrumed through her veins. If any of them noticed how quiet she was, none mentioned it, nor her inability to stop her repetitive fidgeting.
The anticipation had built up, colouring Nina a sickly shade of grey, and when Matthias Helvar did walk out of the mouth of that cave she saw her heart drop.
The man was well built despite his situation, considerably more than the other prisoners who didn't have the years of training as a Druskelle under their belt. His hair was shorter and a sense of fury filled the arena as he prepared to take on whatever the wheel dealt him.
As he span the wheel he nearly knocked it off its base. While it ticked by, the crowds seemed to hold their breath as the arrow slowed down.
"Oh dear," Violet said quietly as it stopped on white wolves.
She knew what those animals meant and represented to a Druskelle, but couldn't quite imagine being in his position.
"No." Nina paled drastically.
Muzzen piped up from behind them. "It could be worse. Could have landed on the desert lizard again."
"Actually, white wolves are sacred to Druskelle," Violet explained quietly to the man who arched an eyebrow. "I think he'd probably prefer death than whatever outcome this will have."
He hummed in interest as she turned back to watch.
All of a sudden Nina shoved past her and Inej to get to Kaz. Her eyes narrowed in as her hand latched around his wrist fiercely.
"You have to stop this." She begged as Kaz tensed visibly.
Violet shot forwards and grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her off of him with a newly fierce look of warning. "Don't."
She dropped her hand compliantly, still holding Kaz's dark eyes. "Please, you don't understand-"
"-if he survives," he cut in sharply, straightening his shoulders to rid himself of the discomfort. "I'll get Matthias Hevlar out of this place tonight, but this part is up to him."
Violet glanced between the two, the tension making her antsy.
The crowd stamped their feet and yelled as the cage opened to reveal three mangy looking wolves with sharp snapping jaws. They snarled and launched towards him at an instant, clearly starved.
She found herself transfixed as the fight went on. Matthias was reluctant in all of his movements, acting only when he truly had no choice, or risk a terrible death. He was not particularly fast or daring, his body held no confidence and yet at the same time, he was not afraid. Just... hesitant. Each wolf charged at him and his body physically shuddered with every yelp, every pained cry of the animal. He averted his eyes, lowered his head at each draw of blood, each miserable howl.
