Of Silver and Beasts (30 page)

Forcing my eyes wide, I stand and acknowledge Crew and Lena with a cock of my chin.

Crew studies a resting Caben for a moment, then looks at me. “He almost ruined it,” he whispers harshly.

There’s no use feigning confusion. They know that Caben and I are working together. “I would’ve done the same,” I say. Although I’m not sure if that’s true. If I face anyone other than one of my Nactue, the darkness gathering in me may win out. I’m not looking forward to either battle.

Lena shakes her head. “Don’t be stupid,” she says, and it’s the first time I’ve heard her speak. Her voice is softer than I imagined, and tinkles in a high chime. “When you go into the Cage, you kill. The only chance we have is if we all stand together in the final battle.”

I hike my brows. “What if the spectators decide to jump into the Cage and kill us?” I shrug. “Seems they want a good, bloody show no matter what. Maybe they’d even enjoy that more than gambling on us.” My voice is steady and rings true, though my words are false. I want to feel out their knowledge and speculations before I give anything away.

Crew balks. “You know damn well they have other reasons for the Reckoning. They wouldn’t do that.”

“And what are their reasons?”

His sharp, angular cheekbones redden in anger. “No one knows,” he admits, crossing his bulky arms. “But their reasons don’t matter. You will kill your opponent, and we will walk out of this hell, or we will die trying.” He releases a growl of a breath.

He’s right, of course. A pang of regret hits my stomach, and I relax my features. I’m not against them. I only need to know what they know, and their true loyalties. In the end, they could sacrifice me and Caben and whoever else choses to join our mad plan in order to save themselves. But Crew’s words pounce on a nerve, and against my better judgment, I choose to trust him and Lena.

Leaning against the wall, I ease my stance, dropping my defensive posture and tone. “You have nothing to fear, Crew”—I glance at Lena to include her—“I will do what needs to be done, kill if I must, to make sure Payne lives. And I now vow to do the same for our pact.” I extend my hand toward him.

Crew studies it for a moment, and I look down to make sure no mercury is visible. I may trust them to help with our plan, but I don’t trust them not to hand me over to the Otherworlders, to try to barter some kind of deal for the mercury in my blood.

My skin is clear, and Crew finally accepts my offer. Lena hesitates a minute longer, her violet eyes roaming my face, then shakes my hand.

“You’re doing this for him,” Lena says, and I look at her lithe form. “Why?”

Turning my head, my eyes slip over Caben—his muscled arms crossed over his toned, defined chest, his beautiful face that should be in contrast to his strong build but instead compliments; a face only a prince could have—and I question for the first time if I’m still carrying out my duty, or if there is now a deeper, more personal reason as to why I guard him.

“I’m his protector,” I answer her.

And I’m falling in love with him
.

We stand along the entrance to the Cage: Crew, Lena, Caben, and me. Our alliance formed.

Kaide and Orion lurk in their corner of the chamber. Quiet. Crew admitted trying to recruit them, but Orion only walked away. His brother silently followed behind him. I watch them now, and sense Orion is the dominant sibling. He would be the one to sway. But I don’t speak their language, and it’s not a priority at this point. They might not even survive the next two days.

All we can do is watch and wait to see who will be among the last.

Lena has no doubt that the Nactue will be in the final battle, and that they’ll be able to sway their remaining league mates into joining our pact. I agreed with her. I assured them all, as the Nactue leader, that my protectors are of the highest virtue. They will make it happen.

What I didn’t voice was my fear that one of the Nactue may have to face-off with one of us. Because of that, this is a shaky alliance. I trust my faith in my goddesses first—that they will hear my prayers and guide the matches. And second, that the ring leaders want the best show possible for the finale.

If I’m Bax’s biggest wager, then the other protectors are probably the highest of value to the other ring leaders, as well. They will want them in the final battle.

But there are too many variables to be confident of that yet.

We’re gambling just like the spectators outside this chamber placing bets.

“At least there’s one good thing about this season,” Crew says, his gruff voice breaking into my thoughts.

“What’s that?” Caben asks, propping his elbow on the wall, still trying to hide his injury.

Crew’s lips flicker into a smile. “The stakes have been raised. No one has to fight the Grimmal.”

With everything that has happened, I forgot about the mutated monster. “How do you know for sure?”

“The ring leaders don’t want to lose currency on a sure thing,” Lena says. When I squint, unsure how she can know this, she continues. “Bax announced it while you were fixing up lover boy.”

My chest loosens, and I breathe a little easier. If I have to factor in the Grimmal . . . well, I can’t. That would throw off our whole strategy. It seems the Otherworlders’ greed is a beneficial accomplice to our plight.

I turn my head and peek at Bax. He’s the only ring leader that isn’t doing this for mercury, or even to be in Bale’s favor. Despite the fact that his father is the dark priest, he’s only going along with the chain of command to protect his family.

The new question becomes: protect them from what?

As the announcer enters the Cage, my back stiffens and I curl my fingers into fists by my thighs.

Two more matches. Two more nights.

Alyah, watch over us
.

“Relax,” Crew says. “Bax’s league is done for the night. Two contenders from each league have to battle. It’s between Collar and Krewl now. You’re safe.” His gray eyes glance my way. “For now.”

How long has Crew been down here?
He seems to have all the answers when it comes to their gaming rules. Although his words bring a small comfort, I’m still anxious over hearing one of the Nactue’s names called.

“Now entering the Cage,” the announcer’s shouts, his voice hushing the crowd. I turn my attention to the center of the ring. “The Quicksilver, Dash!”

Shouts and cheers sound out from the risers, and I angle my head to see the contender entering the Cage. It’s Tree Man. The contender Caben first sparred with for his placement. Dash’s slim, wiry frame enters the Cage. This time, I search his knobby body for hidden
talents
. Nothing stands out about him. No deformities or Otherworld mutations. Of course, nothing stood out on Hypno either until he removed his gloves.

“And competing from Krewl’s league, the well-matched and spindly Quicksilver, Willa!”

My breath stills in my lungs. My heartbeat throbs in my ears as I image Lilly panicking right now, and I frantically try to spot her. Is she watching? How can she not? I squeeze my eyes shut and pray so hard my lips tremble, tripping over my whispered words.

I know that we must all compete, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t suffer watching Caben and one of my sisters in the same night. Or that somehow, Lilly and Willa would be spared having to watch each other battle. There’s at least one small mercy—they haven’t been pitted against each other.

Saying another quick prayer, I beg the goddesses to guide this match, and for Willa’s opponent to have been chosen by them.

Caben’s hand closes around mine and my eyes snap open.

Willa enters the Cage.

Her long dark hair is braided over her shoulder, and her tall, thin form stands strong as she squares her shoulders.

The horn sounds. Willa and Dash begin their dance, circling and observing the other, waiting for the first move. I remind myself that they’re both Quicksilvers. That’s at least better than her facing a Colossal. And Caben beat Dash without too much trouble.

Only, why has Willa placed below the top ranking? Why isn’t she a Colossal?

It comes to me when she advances on Dash lightning fast, tripping him and quickly backing away instead of using her strength. She’s smart. By downplaying her abilities, she’s pitted herself against a lower ranked contender. Which lessens the chance she’d have to fight a high-ranking Nactue.

Like Lilly.

It’s a wise tactic. A smile spreads across my face as pride for my friend swells in my chest. I hope Lilly’s comforted by this knowledge, as well.

As Dash jumps to his feet and rushes Willa, I can see why he made his ranking. His moves are slick and quick like quicksilver itself. He zigzags, throwing her swing off as he drops blows, effectively dodging her counter punches. Gripping the bar with one hand, I tighten my hold on Caben’s hand with the other. I pray her tactic that was meant to spare us from battling each other hasn’t put her at a disadvantage.

Though I have faith in our training and goddesses, these contenders come from the corners of every known and unknown realm. Being the highest ranked in our country doesn’t make us impervious. They were selected because the Otherworlders deemed them the most fierce and worthy of their sport.

And their goddess.

Willa finally gets a shot in. She kicks Dash in the stomach and he doubles over. As he rights himself, she spins and nails his head with her foot. The crowd roars, and my chest expands. I grip Caben’s hand tighter.

Before Dash can rebound, she circles him and pulls his arm behind his back, locking her other arm around his neck. Maybe Willa took note of Caben’s grappling moves during his match with Dash. Throwing his head back, Dash attempts to butt her head, but she’s shorter than him. His head bobs back and forth.

Willa has this. She’s ranked beneath her true abilities and Dash, though I feel sorry for him, can’t compete.

For a moment, I realize that the darkness that was taking over before isn’t present. My breaths come a little easier, and I know Willa is safe.

The horn echoes through the stadium and my eyes catch the glint coming off the lowering weapons. The full moon is still high above. It shines down on the Cage, bathing it in pale light.

Ignoring the battle ax and mace, Willa concentrates on holding Dash captive. She wrangles him to the ground on his knees and presses hers into his back. Tightening her hold around his neck, she attempts to put him out. Dash’s eyes droop.

I turn to smile at Caben when Dash’s face contorts in a wide, sinister smile. The black claws grip my heart. The darkness fills my soul as quickly as Dash yanks his arm free of Willa’s grasp. He elbows her jaw and spins, sending his foot to her temple.

Willa falls face first to the ground. I will her to get up, chanting under my breath.

Dash bolts across the Cage and grabs the mace. The ax was closest to him, but he went for his weapon of choice. He believes he’s faster than her. I clamp my eyes closed.

As I open them, a small, pale face comes into view across the Cage. Lilly is pressed to the barred wall, her hands gripping the iron. I silently beg her to look away, but she keeps her red-rimmed eyes glued to the fight.

Willa staggers to her feet and maneuvers side to side as Dash swipes the mace through the air. I know she’s quick enough to reach the battle ax, but something is stopping her. She tries again to capture Dash in a hold.

Why is she not taking the weapon?

She sweeps Dash’s feet, and he lands on his back hard. I push the darkness down, past the hollow pit in my stomach. Willa slides in to tussle with Dash, but he doesn’t allow her to get close this time.

The mace flies sideways and catches Willa’s shoulder.

I flinch. “No!”

Willa grabs her arm and drops to her knees. Her eyes are glazed over and lost. She looks at Lilly, and her lips tremble as she mouths something.

The mace comes down.

Hot tears spill over my cheeks, and I slam my hands against the bars. “No, goddesses, no . . .” I only force myself to look up to search out Lilly’s face.

She’s still pressed to the bars—her eyes never left Willa’s.