The inn at Cicil was far beyond any we had encountered. The others we visited were simple taverns with rooms on the second floor. The Darr had tiled floors, a full dining hall with waiters, sheets as soft as liquid, and even a pool for swimming in the summer months. Large chandeliers with electric light lit the main lobby while smaller lamps lined the hallways and individual rooms. Cyrus spent our first night explaining how the windmill outside powered everything. Now, sitting in the dining hall, he had something else to chat about.

"Really, that was amazing! I thought you were going to be ripped to pieces." He leaned back in his seat, twirling his fork between his fingers before neatly stabbing a spinach leaf. My eyes followed his movements as he used the utensil to gesture to me. "Listen, I had a feeling you were something special. But this-" He stuffed the leaf in his mouth. "This is far beyond what I expected." He swallowed. "You got a gift, you know that?"

I picked a few bits of crumbled cheese from my salad, savoring their sharp flavor as they melted in my mouth. I appreciated the variety of food after so long with only raw meat. "It was a curse."

Cyrus tilted his head. "How could it be a curse?"

I shrugged. "It isn't now."

My manager contemplated me for a moment, then shrugged as well. "You're pretty weird sometimes, you know that? But whatever. I'm just glad your career wasn't cut short."

I didn't reply. My mind was still on my fall, specifically the pressure on my back that made me lose my balance.

"I can't believe they disqualified the fight. Yeah, you were in the arena, but the hellhound still totally beat him!" He crossed his arms. "We shouldn't have to split the earnings just because of a freak accident. It's not like you intentionally fell." My manager shook his head as he turned back to his food. “Really hate disappointing Roshaun like that, too. That man’s done a lot for me. I’ll have to write him in next fight...”

I stood up and pushed my bowl away. "I didn't fall," I said, turning. "I'm going out." I marched from the room.

"Desire, wait! What do you mean? Where are you going?"

***

The sky was dark by the time I managed to track down Fandaris's building. It seemed the trainer was quite well known, both for his success and vibrant personality. His home was four stories tall. It was easy enough to find him there, the door to the basement stable was open. I could hear the crack of an electric whip inside. My mind supplemented the pained cries that should have been present as I walked down the curving staircase.

Fandaris was there, usually well-groomed pink hair disheveled and sweat dripping down his neck. He stood panting, whip crackling as it rested on the cement floor. The chocolate lycan huddled in the corner. His head hung between his elbows. Through his body shook and his tail was tucked close to him, his amber eyes were steady. The slightest of hints of fangs peaked from under his curled lip. There was anger there. He hadn't surrendered yet.

"That's a little harsh, isn't it?" I purred as I descended the rest of the way into the stable. Both males looked my way. "Personally, I thought he fought quite well today. I was impressed."

Fandaris blinked, as if not believing I was really there. "Desire?"

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"What? I asked around."

"Why are you here?"

I shrugged. "You said you wanted to give me a private lesson. I assumed the offer still stands?" I raised an eyebrow as I leaned back against the cool stone of the stable wall.

Fandaris stood up straight, running his fingers through his hair as he stared at me. "Yeah... Yes, of course." He put on that plastic smile, too friendly, like a doll. "Let me show you upstairs. We can have a drink."

I frowned, then stalked forward. "Actually, I was thinking we stay right here." My hands found his shoulders. "Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah." He grinned. "Whatever you want, hun..."

I smirked. "Good, because I got a few things I want to discuss with you." I stood on my toes, whispering in his ear, "I know you pushed me in that arena."

His breath caught in his throat. He let out a nervous laugh. "Well, we all make mistakes, right? I was a just a little frustrated. You have to forgive me for my-"

I pressed my finger to his lips. "Don't worry about it," I whispered. "That's just going to make this sweeter." My hand trailed down the curve of my hip, burying in the folds of my dress while my other hooked around his neck.

"Really?" His eyes softened. "You're a bit kinky. But that's okay. I like that in a woman."

"You haven't seen anything yet," I purred, and stabbed him in the leg.

The man stumbled backwards, screaming. He gripped the handle of my dagger. "What the hell? What's wrong with you?"

I marched forward, kicking him in the chest. He fell on his back with a groan. The lycan's chains clanked together as he shifted to get a better look at his fallen captor. "Didn't you just say? I'm a bit kinky, remember?"

"You're psychotic!" he cried out.

I shrugged. "That may be. Either way, it doesn't bode well for you getting out of this alive."

"Wait, what?" Fandaris panted, attempting to sit up. He was rather pale. "You're going to kill me?"

"Oh, no no no..." I knelt to his level, poking him in the nose. I had to make this quick; he was bleeding profusely and already looking lightheaded. "As much as I'd love to take revenge for that little sleight of hand, I know someone else who wants to rip you apart much more."

Fandaris followed my eyes to his lycan, whose ears were now pricked with interest.

"What?! You're crazy! He'll kill us both!"

"Oh, I don't think so," I said, running my hand along his waistline until I felt the loop he kept his keys on. I yanked it from his belt, breaking the thin metal ring. Several keys fell in my hand. I stood, idly sifting through them. "You see, I know much more about lycans than you do. And one of the things I know, they are much less likely to kill you when you don't beat them with whips or chain them up. Ah, this one I think." I held up a particularly worn key. I strode to the lycan's side, pushing the steel piece into one of his cuffs. It fell open with a click. "Would you look at that? First try."

The lycan stared at me as I undid his chains. Only his eyes moved, watching me unhook his thick collar. I reached up, running my hand through the fur of his cheek. His amber irises bore into mine. I gave a slight nod before stepping back.

"The west gate isn't far from here. There are only two guards. It's your best chance when you're done." I glanced to Fandaris, who appeared frozen in shock. "Go on, you're free now."

The lycan stared at me a moment longer. His eyes held that same kind of emotion as Cerberus's. Then he nodded and lunged for his master.

I turned away and marched up the stairs. Cyrus would be wondering where I wandered off to. Although I had purchased a few items as cover, it was best not to be gone too long.

I could hear Fandaris's screams, though outside the cement stable their sound bore little difference than the shrieks of an owl. Still, I knew what those screams were. They made me feel like my old self, my poisonous self. But this time I wasn't afraid.

I was powerful.