Leo glared down at Sylo, the Blood Dragger's edge pressed to her throat, but his vision blurred, the arena spinning like a nightmare. His body felt numb, a sharp pain twisting inside as his muscles burned, like they were wasting away. Blood dripped from his mouth, staining his chin, his veins turning a sick purple under his skin.
Sylo's poison, from that small cut on the fourth floor, was tearing him apart. He'd been careless, too caught up in the fight to notice the venom.
Sylo's cruel smirk grew as Leo's grip weakened. With a quick roll, she broke free, jumping up and kicking him hard in the face. Leo collapsed, sliding across the stone, the Blood Dragger falling from his hand.
The arena went still. The prisoners flinched, their only hope falling apart.
"No… please don't die," a woman whispered, voice shaky. Others stared, faces pale, hope fading fast.
