453 To the Death - Part 1

LERRIN

He and Reth eyed each other, waiting for the whistle. Brant, as Second to the reigning Dominant would blow it, but his sense of drama had obviously kicked in, because he looked around, and appeared to be holding back, waiting for the silence of the people.

While they waited, poised, for the fight to begin, Reth turned to meet his eyes in the challenge, glaring. 

"Take the stance," he growled quietly, so Lerrin would catch it, but too quietly for the crowd to hear.

Lerrin didn't move. He stood, tense and ready, but not in the fighting stance Reth had taken. Not outwardly prepared to attack. The cat seemed disturbed by that.

"Take the stance, Lerrin," he snarled, his teeth gleaming in the afternoon sun.