Chapter 13 · Tamer of the Ash Wilds - Chapter 13: Dead Name on the Retrieval Order

Lin didn't wait for the crowd to scatter.

He dropped into the pit, boots hitting sand hard enough to send up dust. Crunch was curled on his side, three eyes half-open—two grey, one gold, and that new mark on his forehead still glowing faint, like dying embers. The toxin was still working through him. His breathing came shallow and fast.

"Hey." Lin knelt, reached out slow. Blood from the bite on his arm dripped onto the sand. "We're leaving."

Crunch's grey eyes tracked him. The gold one didn't blink.

Lin slid both arms under him and lifted. Heavier than he looked. Dead weight, all muscle and bone and whatever the hell that mark meant. Crunch's head lolled against Lin's chest. His fur was damp with sweat and venom residue.

The arena exit was twenty meters away. Lin started walking.

"Sir, you can't—" One of the pit staff stepped forward, hand out like he was going to block the way.

Lin didn't stop. "Try me."

The guy stepped back.

The crowd noise was already thinning. People were moving toward the exits, fast. Nobody wanted to be around when the city's retrieval squads showed up. Lin didn't blame them.