Adam moved with a sudden fluidness and before Kai could even register the shift in momentum, Adam had pivoted, reaching out to grasp Noah's trembling shoulders.
He hauled the smaller boy upward, positioning Noah firmly behind his own broad, albeit bandaged, frame.
Despite the cold barrel of the gun aimed directly at his forehead, a dark, mocking smirk played across Adam's lips.
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intelligence that seemed to unnerve Kai.
"I thought you said you were a man of honor, Kai," Adam said, his voice smooth despite the ragged edges of his breathing.
"You explicitly stated that you would not bully a wounded man. You asked me to fight your strongest guard, and I did exactly what you requested. I played your game by your rules. So why are you suddenly losing your temper and pointing a weapon at me? Is the sight of my victory that hard for you to stomach?"
