was no longer in the practice room where the Scions kept their
punching bags and fight cage. Helen swallowed a mouthful of spit
and blood and instantly regretted it when she choked on one of her
own teeth.
?May I have some water, please?? she asked Ariadne, who was
standing over her with a damp cloth.
On the other side of the cage, Helen saw Jason standing between
Lucas and Hector. Jason?s shirt was half torn off and blood was
running from a cut on his head, but still he fought to keep the two
larger Delos boys from ripping each other up like wrapping paper
on Christmas morning. Hector was yelling at Lucas, pleading his
case.
?She can take anything. Anything! I hit her harder than I?ve ever
hit anyone and she stood right back up! But she won?t hit back!?
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Hector roared, his voice crack
ing with passion. He saw Helen looking
at him and pointed an accusing finger at her. ?You think you
can just stand back and let Luke do all your fighting for you?
You?re stronger than all of us combined, but you?re too good to
fight, Princess??
Jason wrapped both his arms around his brother and held on as
Hector bucked and struggled.
?I?m not trying to get hit!? Helen lisped through her broken and
rapidly regrowing teeth. Ariadne put her own arms around Helen
and held her as she stared daggers at her big brother.
?How dare you, Hector? She wasn?t raised like we were, always at
each other?s throats. It just isn?t in her,? she scolded.
Hector seemed chastened by his sister?s tone and finally stopped
struggling against Jason?s restraint. He slumped against his brother