Chapter 10 · The Bet Was Already In

"Out."

Vex yanked the wagon door open before I could breathe. His hand locked around my wrist and dragged me onto the street.

"Wait—"

"Shut it." He spun me against the wagon's side, one palm flat between my shoulder blades. "Halrik's dogs are two blocks behind us. You want to tell me why, or do I get creative?"

I went still. Played it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Wrong answer." His free hand slid down my side, patting rough through the thin guard-issue shirt they'd thrown me in. No ceremony. No apology. "You had twelve hours before you were supposed to walk into that Pit. You got out early. That's not luck. That's someone pulling strings."

"Maybe your intel's bad."

He pressed harder against my spine. Not enough to hurt. Enough to remind me he could. "My intel bought you this ride. Now you're going to tell me what you're worth, or I'm selling you back to whoever wants you in chains."

I forced my breathing steady. Felt the wagon's splintered wood dig into my ribs. Two streets over, boots hit cobblestones in rhythm. They were close.

"They framed me," I said. Kept my voice small. Brittle. "Halrik.