He pulls me up beside him and stares down at me—something unsaid in his eyes. “This will be continued,” he says. Then he ties the string of my pants, kisses my forehead, and takes my hand to lead us into the tunnel.
Bax stands at the front of the master cell, his two hulking guards planted on either side of his muscled arms. He’s wearing a black hooded cape today, and he pulls it back from his head, exposing his pale skin and the silver rings over his eyes.
I adjust my tunic, tugging the neck closed at top, as Caben and I fall in behind the other contenders. I curse and rub my arms, frustrated that I didn’t wait till I was fully settled. The silver fades, and so does my anger when I see the look of concern on Bax’s face—his pinched brows. But it vanishes quickly as he sneers and raises his hand.
“Contenders,” he booms. “Today commences the Reckoning. You have three nights to compete and defeat.” He chuckles, low and gravely. “Each contender will face-off against another to display their skills. Then on the third and last night, after all bets are placed, a final battle with the winning, remaining contenders will prove who is champ. And the freedom ring will go to the victor.”
I must lose my mind, because I speak out. “Three nights,” I say. “But—”
Bax’s eyes target me through the bodies. Every contender in the master cell turns their head in my direction. I take a step back. Then I force my head up, chin high. Caben steps closer to my side.
“You have a question, protector?” Bax says, his voice dark. “Speak up. Let’s hear it.”
Swallowing down my nerves, I say, “The Reckoning is to take place on the full moon, the dark priest said.” His eyes grow wide at the mention of his father’s words. They glow brighter as the spires snap their violent currents. “How can the Reckoning be three nights?”
A sly smile splits his mouth. “This time is special. The stars have aligned and an imbalance in the universe has begun. This full moon will last for three nights, protector.” He winks. “Best get prepared for a brutal battle.”
Shocked that he answered me, and that he provided information, I consider Bax. Tilting my head, I study his weathered features as he turns to the other contenders and barks orders.
Caben grasps my hand. “Let’s shower,” he says in my ear.
My eyes flick to his rugged face. “Together?”
Despite the tension in the room and our impending death, he laughs. It sends a tingle rippling through my stomach.
I hope the next three nights doesn’t steal that laugh.
After I’ve dressed in a fresh, faded blue tunic and pants, I hustle to our chamber. Caben is still bathing in one of the other shower units, and I want to do something before he returns.
Taking the crumpled, balled-up blanket from the corner, I unwrap my protector uniform. I set my chest harness aside and stare at the darkened fabric where the protector emblem used to be. Running my fingers over the dingy fabric, I allow its strength to steal over me, then I head down the tunnel toward the waterfall.
In the shallow pool that gathers below the trickling water, I submerge my tattered and filthy uniform, soaking it before rubbing the fabric together between my hands. I may never wear it again, but I can at least leave it in pristine condition.
Once I’ve gotten out as much dust and grit as possible, I ring it and drape it over my arms before passing the other contenders on my way back to the chamber. Trying to ignore their curious stares, I disappear into the dark tunnel once again.
I push open the door to find Caben tying the string of his pants. He looks at me, and his face is clean and smooth.
“You shaved,” I say. Admittedly, I was starting to like the rougher, less princely appearance. But I can’t deny that he’s beautiful both ways. I think back to that first moment when he stormed the temple, blazing mad. He was beautiful even with his pomp.
He crooks a smile. “I wanted to look sharp for my adoring fans.” He moves closer and takes my hand, pushing aside the uniform. “The Prince of Pain has many, you know.”
A smile twitches at my lips. Our moment together rushes back to me in clear, vivid detail, and heat spreads across the back of my neck. I thought I’d be more nervous, or it’d be awkward to be alone with him again, but it’s as natural as breathing.
I give my head a shake and focus my thoughts on our situation. As much as I want to indulge in his humor, the thought of him fighting in the Cage scares me, and I can’t laugh this time. “We have a plan,” I say. “Lilly and I worked it out last night, but we’re going to need contenders from all the leagues to rebel against their ring leaders.”
Caben’s brows shoot up. “Oh, is that all?”
I press my lips together. I thought it sounded impossible, too. “What else can we do?”
He looks down at our joined hands and eyes my protector uniform. “Looks like you’re plotting something else.”
I move out of his grasp and stretch my uniform across the bed to dry. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. And maybe there is a way for me to use my ability for good. I could convince Bax that I received a message from Bale—some missive that could sway his father to stop the Reckoning.”
Caben runs his hands over his face and groans. “Yes, about that,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m not quite sure that’s a good strategy anymore.”
“But it was your idea—”
“I know.” His mouth tugs down at the corners. “But it’s too dangerous. I didn’t know everything when I stated it, and that would put you directly in their sight. What if they decide they can summon a direct link to their goddess just by carving you up and using your ‘blessed’ blood themselves?”
I cringe, remembering when I thought the same thing. “I don’t know why, but I think Bax is different.”
“Different?” He puffs out a heavy breath. “He’s a crazed Otherworlder. I think we have a better chance of convincing Crew and the others to start a rebellion.”
Biting my lip, I nod. “You work on them while Lilly and Willa and the other Nactue form alliances among their leagues. I’ll handle Bax.” I shrug. “The rebellion’s a good backup plan if I fail.”
“Again with the orders,” he mumbles. Then says louder, “Oh—and if you fail.” He narrows his gaze. “You mean if you die?”
“I’m going to die regardless,” I retort. “At least—”
“You don’t have to.”
I open my mouth and snap it closed, quickly realizing what he means. He wants me to use my ability to kill the other leagues’ contenders and win. “So you think I should kill innocent people. Then what?”
He shrugs. “Go home? Help lead the retaliation against the Otherworlders when you get there. You have that chance.” He sucks in a breath and his chest bows out. “If I were you, I would do it.”
Shaking my head, I turn my back to him. “I’m never using this”—I fan a hand over myself—“to hurt another person.” I fiddle with the sleeves of my uniform.
“You used it at the palace the day of the attack,” he counters.
I huff. “To hurt another innocent person, Caben. They were Otherworlders—the enemy.” I face him. “I’m not going to live the rest of my life with the guilt. It’s too much.”
He takes a determined step toward me. “If you don’t, you won’t live to regret it. I’m not saying that you don’t have a chance anyway. You’re damn stubborn and one of the best fighters I’ve ever seen.” He smiles, and I look away. He slides his hand along my jawline, forcing me to look at him. “Do it for me.”
The pleading in his eyes steals my breath. “You’re asking me to end lives for you?”
“I’m asking you to stay alive for me.” He yanks the hidden ring from his hair. “And take this with you to Laryn. Give it to the empress once you save her. She will know my father’s wishes . . . as I don’t.” The pain beneath the forced calm of his tone causes my heart to ache.
I can’t do what he’s asking of me. But this might be the last time we ever s
peak—so I can at least promise him something. “I vow that the empress will fulfill your family’s wishes.” Maybe not by my relaying his message, but I trust Empress Iana to do right by his kingdom regardless of whether I leave this realm or not. “Hold on to it for now.”
He shakes his head. “No. If I fight today, I may not have another chance to give it to you.” Taking my hand in his, he places the ring in my palm and curls my fingers around it.
Stubborn. He is more stubborn than me, but if I were the last of my line and had a vow to fulfill, I would ask the same of him. “I promise,” I say, but leave my meaning open. I will not promise to harm or kill anyone if I can find another way.
A crackle snaps the air, echoing through the corridor as we pass the light-filled spires under the alcove. The Otherworlders shuffle and holler as they gather in the risers surrounding the electrified cage. The cacophony drums against my body. Stomping feet, creaking stands, shouts, screams—it rattles my bones.
Bax marches us around the Cage toward the enclosed chamber where we battled for our placement. The packed stadium towers high. The faces of the Otherworlders are painted red like blood—or maybe it’s real. A shiver runs down my back. They thrust their swords and other weapons into the air as we walk past in a single line.
My eyes search out Lilly and Willa on the opposite side of the Cage. I can make out the other leagues’ contenders, but they’re too far away and hidden behind the chambers’ bars to see them clearly.
Bax’s guard opens the thick metal door to our chamber and we file into the room.
“Hands out,” Bax orders.
We stick out our cuffed arms, and one by one he examines them, making sure our lights are off and functional, and that they haven’t been tampered with. He nods, then directs the guards to pull back the barred wall. It whines open as a guard depresses a button along the dark stone.
The leather-clad announcer has dyed his spiked dreads red, and is already in the center of the Cage, his fists pumping the air, encouraging the crowd to cheer.
Crew and Lena huddle together in a corner of the chamber. I glance at Caben, enlarging my eyes. He presses his lips into a hard line, giving me a knowing look before joining them. I convinced him to form an alliance even though he’s not happy that I’m still going to attempt my plan.
I press my booted foot into the earth, feeling his ring against my heel. It adds pressure to my mission. Caben’s still my charge, and I’ll make sure that he escapes no matter what. The ring will be on his hand as he rules his kingdom.
The feather brothers—Kaide and Orion—shuffle off to another corner, sticking close together. I want a strong alliance tying all of Bax’s contenders together, but the brothers will be the most difficult to reach. I don’t think they speak the common language, and they’re only looking after each other.
Shifting my gaze to Tobias, I wonder if the lone wolf can be reached. I’ve never seen him fight, only observed his training, but he’s quick despite his mass and height. I don’t understand how he placed as a Dark Horse. Regardless, Tobias would be another strong contender on our side.
I settle down along the cold wall and pull my knees to my chest. It will be difficult to convince any of them to stand up against the ring leaders. But if I’m not successful with Bax, then we at least have to try. We have nothing to lose.
Lilly and Kai are forming alliances in Krewl’s league, and Lilly relayed our plan to Willa and Van to do the same in Collar’s. I suck in a deep breath and focus on what little positive there is. At least Lilly and Willa got to see each other one last time should our impossible scheme fail.
The goddesses put us here for a reason. I continually remind myself of this. Everything happens according to their design. I have to trust in that, have faith, and believe. The dark priest is the unforeseeable factor, though. Even if I somehow convince Bax, I know nothing of his father or Bale.
This is my starting point: uncovering information.
The guards stand on either side of the entrance to the Cage, and Bax hovers over a metal table in the center of the room. He looks over a parchment, then enters something into a handheld screen.
Alyah, guide my words.
I stand and start toward Bax, but the announcer’s deep voice halts my steps.
“Now entering the Cage,” he roars. “The Dark Horse, Metal Mouth!”
All the contenders break apart and head toward the front of the chamber. Caben lightly touches my hand as he passes. Taking one last look at Bax, I decide to play my role and follow them to gauge Tobias’s competition.
The air stills in my lungs as the electrical beams from the Cage glint off Metal Mouth’s sharp teeth. His blond hair no longer splays over his wiry arms. It’s pulled into a tight tail that trails the middle of his back. A metal contraption rests on top of his head, and two wires run along the sides of his face, clamped to the corners of his mouth. His piercing screams and the shrill cry of the drill echo through my mind. I grip the bars.
There’s a collection of “oohs” and gasps from the audience, and a low drumming fills the air. The music morphs into a heavy, bass-filled tune as Metal Mouth parades around the Cage. He flashes his teeth and snaps his death bite at the crowd.
I look to Tobias. “He’s still only a man.”
He nods slowly. His dark skin glistens with sweat, and he runs a hand over his bald head. My words aren’t a comfort to him. I’ve never spoken with him before, and I don’t know why I feel the desire to say anything now.
As he steps up to the entrance to the Cage, a need to reach out to him and make him believe that he can win rises within me. Before I’m able to say anything more, Bax walks up beside him and says, “A gimmick.” He cocks his chin toward Metal Mouth. “It’s razor sharp and will slice you open, but only if you allow him to get close. When he does close in, pull the wires out to disable it, then grab the nearest weapon.”
Bax’s sound advice surprises me. He says it so calmly and even somewhat thoughtfully that I’m now curious about his true intentions for being part of the blood sport. Does he truly want to be a ring leader, or is he being forced to?
Patting Tobias’s shoulder once and shoving him into the ring, Bax says, “Kill him, Dark Horse!” His hard and callous mask slips back in place.
Tobias is introduced with his ranking and his own rhythmic drum beat, but he doesn’t circle the ring or acknowledge the crowd. He doesn’t want to be here, as none of us do, and he refuses to give in to the Otherworlders’ sport. I pray to the goddesses that he wins. Tobias’s strong and rebellious nature could further our plight.
The announcer raises his arms and points to the air above, then says into his vissa display mic, “The Reckoning is upon us!”
A rumbling sounds, bouncing off the rock walls and shaking the ground beneath me. A beam of light slashes across the void of darkness. It projects from the temple’s clawed rooftop, and slowly widens, illuminating the ceiling of the rock realm.
I look up. The atmosphere ripples as an image forms against the distorted sky.
The moon.
The full moon hangs in the black sky. Swollen, steel-tinted clouds pass over its silvery luminance as the image wavers above the Otherworld.
If Bale really exists and is indeed buried beneath this black earth, she must be reveling in its glory. I can’t decipher if the moon looks menacing because it’s a projected, distorted image, or if as Bax said, the universe has become unbalanced. A murky crimson rings the pale sphere, as if outlining the moon in blood to celebrate the sport.
Beneath the ominous, glowing observer, a fight between two contenders rages on. Metal Mouth gnashes at the air, trying to sink his teeth into his deemed foe, as Tobias bounds out of his reach. It seems like Krewl’s league enjoys the sport—like they might have even signed up for the challenge. But that’s not true. After what I witnessed in Krewl’s training room, I know his contenders have no choice. They’re trying to survive.
A hunter’s horn sounds, low and threatening,
and two weapons descend from the top of the Cage. Tobias dives out of reach of Metal Mouth’s grasp and grabs hold of a dangling battle ax. As Tobias swipes the air, Metal Mouth ducks and rolls. He jumps and latches onto a sword. Swinging forward, he kicks Tobias in the stomach and drops to the ground, sword in hand.
Forcing myself to look away from the fight, I search out Bax. I need to convince him that I’m a divine channeler for the deities.
Leaning against the corner of the chamber, Bax watches his contender duel blow for blow with a pinched brow. I discretely check my wrist that isn’t cuffed, making sure the mercury remains hidden. With the pressing thought that Caben or one of my Nactue could fight soon, my emotions are running high, and tension curls around my muscles. But Alyah is looking after me; only a few faint, inky lines crawl along my arm. In the dim lighting masked by the glow of ultraviolet lights, it’s hardly noticeable.
I drag my boots along the ground so that Bax hears my approach. I don’t want to take him off-guard. He’s invested in the fight, and seems like he could snap at any moment.
He doesn’t turn around to acknowledge me. “What do you want, protector.”
“To know how much you wagered on Tobias,” I say, moving beside him. “I’d like to also know how much you look to gain from my head.”
From the corner of my eye, I see him grin. “A lot,” he says simply. “You’re my highest wager. And if you win the freedom ring, I’ll be taken care of for life.”
His words sound hollowed, as if they’re practiced, rehearsed. “What does that mean?”
He grunts. “I guess it doesn’t matter if you know. What can you do?” He quickly glances at me. “After the Reckoning, we will no longer have to live underground. The damages we’ve suffered will be reversed, and the wrongs will be righted.” Bax folds his arms over his chest and stares into the Cage. “My Liege’s bidding will be realized.”
Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars) Page 18