Chapter 15 Steve
Steve
Sounds of a scuffle echo in from the corridor behind our viewing area.
The crowd spews hate at the sight of their hero falling, the Emperor sinking further into the shadows till he is out of sight.
I gather Rosie in my arms, cradling her tightly as two guards fall from behind the heavy velvet curtain decorating our box.
They look desperate, their skin blotchy and covered in sores. They are dressed in the Imperian armour, but their movements are jerky, as if they are following a different set of instructions.
“There he is, and the pretty human as well. This will be fun,” the tall guard growls.
The smaller one licks his lips, drooling as he looks over Rosie, nestled in my arms. “Why don't you share that pretty human of yours, orc?” he calls out.
“I heard they like it when you make them bleed.” He licks his lips, his yellow teeth on full display as he makes a vile sucking sound.
Rosie tremors in my arms as blood rushes through my ears, drowning out my surroundings. They threaten my bonded? To take her from me. They ask for death, and death they shall receive.
“Princess, I want you to close your eyes. Nothing will happen to you, but their end will not be pleasant.”
“Wha— what if you get hurt? What’s going on, Steve?
” Her voice trails off to a whisper as she tries to find Bellator in the dirt below.
The crowd becoming more animated as the taller guard pulls out a sword.
It seems we have garnered their attention.
If they came for a show today, I will give them one.
Any real guard would know that it is cumbersome to fight with a large sword in close quarters. The unwieldy blade will be his undoing.
Leaning down, I press my face to the top of her head, “Close your eyes, princess,” I whisper, unsheathing my dagger, staring down the two imps that threaten us.
“Come,” I demand. I want this finished. My human is distressed, my brother was made unconscious and has disappeared out of sight, and still, no one can tell me what’s happening to the city.
The short guard sneers, hopping the distance between us.
How odd?
Reaching out, I catch the top of his head with my palm, my fingers wrapping around his skull.
He panics when he feels my grip constricting, flailing wildly.
His scream is immediately severed by the sharp crack of his head caving in.
All around us, the crowd seems to pulse and move as they try to get a better look.
Roaring louder when I toss his body to the floor.
I stalk toward the remaining guard, his wild eyes glued to my bloody hand.
Lunging, I thrust my dagger deep in his belly, pulling it skywards until his innards tumble out in a wet mess.
He didn’t even manage to bring his sword up, let alone swing it.
You would think if you were going to the trouble of finding someone to do your dirty work, you would at least make them capable.
My hands are covered in blood. At some point, a few splatters found Rosie’s soft skin, and it is my undoing.
This has to end.
I want my brother.
I want us out of here. Safe.
Trudging through the blood and guts on the floor, Rosie's eyes are still shut tight. Good girl. There is chaos in the passageways surrounding the colosseum, but the crowd parts with each heavy step I take.
“It’s okay, princess, you can look now.”
I try to ease Rosie out of her shell. An imp will never win in a battle with an orc, so the fact two of them thought they had a fighting chance only highlights the desperation of the impish.
“What happened to Bellator? He fell, I— I didn’t catch him in time,” She murmurs, wide-eyed and dazed. I think I’d be more worried if she weren’t affected somehow. “That guard… he said some—”
“I would never let anyone hurt you, you know that, Rosie?”
Pushing open a side door, stale air wafts past us, finding its escape.
A warning I should heed as we enter the belly of the colosseum.
Descending the stairs, Rosie digs her nails into my arm, chewing on her bottom lip, darting her head at every sound.
Passing a small alcove, three guards stand there, shocked as I continue down the next stairwell.
“Bring the keys for my brother, or I'll tear your prison apart.”
I don’t yell or scream, bang my fists or stomp my feet.
Bellator is known for his showmanship in the ring, whereas I was never drawn to the theatrics.
I will do what I have to do to get the job done, but I don’t need to yell, and I don’t need you to praise me for it.
Their feet scramble behind us, a string of curse words trailing behind them.
“You can’t just go down there!” One of them calls out, but I do not stop until I come to a series of cells, lit only by a single flame. I shield Rosie, encouraging her to nuzzle into me further as we navigate who is locked up where.
“Bellator?” I say loudly, walking toward the movement in the far corner.
“He is here, but he is asleep. Passed out from whatever this collar does to him.” An orc steps forward, someone I am not familiar with, and I tilt my head at him, sizing up if he is a friend or foe.
“Open the door,” I say to the guards, now huddled by the stairwell.
“You can’t… we can’t just open it.” The strained voice says, and I close my eyes, briefly contemplating what consequences they could face by opening it. I do not want any harm to come to them by doing my bidding.
“If I may,” the orc says. “I am Airmatus. The Commander here treated me fairly when I… 'tis the least I can do.” He steps to the cell door, easily popping the pins on the three hinges, opening the door from the inside. Nodding my head in thanks, I step into the cell.
“Put me down, now!” Rosie fumes.
“I will not.”
“Now, Steve. I’m not playing. Put. Me. Down.”
“I will guard the human, too,” Airmatus says, puffing his chest.
“Now,” Rosie snaps.
I growl the entire time it takes to lower her, continuing when she scrambles from my arms and rushes to Bellator’s side. Tenderly, stroking his cheek, a gesture so intimate if it were any other, I would look away, but not this. Watching her, seeing how gentle she is with him. It is everything.
“What happened to him?” she whispers, moving her hand to his chest to feel him breathe.
“We are not sure, Mistress,” Airmatus says. “He returned yesterday with the collar, and it does something to him. Shocks him into sleep.”
“A shock collar? They put a shock collar on him,” she gasps, unshed water welling in her eyes. “We have to take it off.”
Reaching, she almost touches the metal collar when Airmatus snaps his arm out, holding her wrist before she can touch it. “Sorry, Mistress, we don’t know what harm it will bring you or him.”
“I respect the help you show my brother, but if you do not take your hand off my fated mate, I will rip your arm from your body.”
“My apologies,” he gulps, snatching his hand back.
Mouthing apologies to Rosie as she looks at him in thanks.
I do not like it. Heat grows in my chest, my fists clenching from how he looks at her.
Her eye balls are for looking at me, and me only.
Okay, for me and Bellator, but I don’t want her wasting her balls on someone else.
“How long is he going to be like this?” she murmurs.
“Last time it was several hours. I do not advise you to stay here while you wait.”
“Airmatus is right. I will take my brother,” I say to the guards. “Inter-Realm ruling states you can not separate bonded from each other.”
“Wait, you can't do that. The Emperor won't—”
“Should we summon the Devil? Do you wish to challenge her rules?” I sneer. It is a threat, and they should heed my warning with it. No one would voluntarily call for the Devil, especially one who seeks to challenge her rules.
“No, I would never,” the guard wheezes.
“Then it is settled.” I scoop Rosie into one arm.
“Put me down, you big lug.” She squirms in my hold, pushing against my chest. “I can walk, Steve. You need to make sure Bellator is okay.” Her shoulders sag as she places her palm to her chest. “I need him to be okay,” she whispers.
Her expression holds a silent plea as she looks over her shoulder to where Bellator lies. I do not want to put her down, I understand, but I do not like it. Cautiously, I place her on the ground, standing to my full height as I take in everyone nearby. Touch her and die.
Airmatus helps me put Bellator over my other shoulder.
Grunting from the weight of him. Rosie walks ahead so I can see her, and I trudge through the cell door and pass the guards, nodding my thanks to Airmatus as he puts the door hinges in place.
Returning to his role of complacent prisoner, ensuring the balance remains in place.