Chapter 10
The race grounds darken until only the stars are visible above and the eyes in the trees to our sides.
Zorin runs down the path, weaving through the forest, heading for the celebration. Heavy footsteps behind us tell me the creature is gaining.
“What is that?” I shout, even though, deep down, I know.
We’re almost to another opening in the trees when a heavy weight careens into Zorin’s side. I’m thrown from his back as he yips in pain and snarls. I tumble through the grasses and come to a stop against a tree trunk.
A wave of pain bursts through my spine. When I get back onto my hands and knees, I can’t see Zorin.
The snarls are the only thing I have to follow in the dark.
Crawling through the grasses, I search for him.
Then I remember my wristband has access to security.
So I tuck myself under a tree’s low boughs and call Abr.
“What’s the problem?” a guard asks.
“We’re stuck in the fields. Someone attacked us. Augmented eyes. I don’t know for sure, but I think it’s Myndrous using a Denarsoan stealth shield. I can’t see Zorin, the Shifter who caught me.”
The lights immediately brighten in the race arena again and expose a terror I hoped I’d never see.
Zorin is poised, in Shifter form, between me and four Myndrous. His hackles are raised, and his coat is surprisingly long, his body much larger, comparable to Myndrous, which is atypical of Mindorans. He is different.
Of course, something like this would happen to the one guy in this fucked up universe that I could ever fall for.
“There are four!” I tell security. “Please, hurry!”
Cameradrones hum in the distance, but they won’t be fast enough. This squad is different from the one I saw on Earth. One charges Zorin. They collide in a tearing, snapping, savage mess. Another joins in as the last two make their way toward me.
I back up, wondering why they want me and why I’m starting to feel hunted.
Over stupid palladium?
No. Something else is going on.
Zorin shreds a Myndrous and leaves him behind to pounce on his next attacker. The sounds of tearing flesh and crunching bone make me grimace.
Blood drips from Zorin’s mouth as he charges the third Myndrous, claws into his back, and they tumble into the distant trees. The fourth barely spares them a glance as he stalks toward me.
I scramble back into a tree branch. Security took all of my weapons. Out here, I have no armor, no gear, and no guns.
Ducking under the branch, I get an idea. As the last Myndrous approaches, I pull the limb back and release it in his face. He winces. His momentum still sends him smashing into me, and I’m knocked into the ground.
When he regains his wits, he growls down at me. I grab a fistful of dirt and fling it at his face, then get up and run as fast as I can toward the sound of the drones. “Over here!”
The drones hum louder and become visible as I feel the Myndrous’ breath on the back of my neck.
A blur of silver-tipped black fur smashes into him. I stagger a few steps and turn around to see Zorin has his teeth around the Myndrous’ neck. He wrestles him to the ground with a hit hard enough that I can feel it beneath my boots.
Two transports set down beside them. Men and alien males unload, shouting at Zorin to release the Myndrous. But Zorin doesn’t listen. He thrashes until the Myndrous shifts back to human form. Then Zorin drops him, rises onto two feet, lifts his hands, and backs out of the way.
The crews load up the bodies and their barely breathing prisoner.
“Well, this is a fucking mess, isn’t it?” Ohni is suddenly beside me, her hands on her hips. Her dark blue uniform is gilded with gold thread and Abr badges that glint under the lights. “Are you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. Better than those guys.”
She shakes her head and paces a circle. “I thought we were done with these damned portals.”
“They didn’t come in through a portal,” a man replies, walking up to us with a tablet in hand.
He wears a blue button up shirt and jeans, with an Abr badge hanging around his neck.
“They landed on the dome. Dropped in by hacking the shield generators. Did it during the race, while we were all distracted.”
Ohni doesn’t appear to like that answer. “Fix it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now, Evan.”
He nods sharply and hurries off.
Ohni hands me my com, the private one that no one is supposed to know about. “General Viriden has been calling you.”
“How did you know about this?”
“Your dog wouldn’t stop barking, so the shift manager went in the room to see what the issue was.”
Zorin limps over to us.
“I’ll call him back later.”
Ohni raises her brows. “A general? Are you nuts? Answer it or answer to his Special Forces team that will show when you don’t.”
I connect the call. “General Viriden…”
His glowing face appears onscreen. “Tessi, thank the stars. I’m relieved to see you’re okay.”
“Sir, what’s going on?”
“I’m watching the drone coverage of the race. I’m glad you’re there, but…”
Zorin tilts his head as he joins us. Blood stains his face and armor. Some of it is his. Most of it is not.
“I’m sending a crew to protect you.”
I smile sadly to myself. “I think I’m good.”
“I’m sending them anyway.”
His insistence is strange. “What’s going on, really?”
“I’ll explain when we get there. Is the Mindoran still with you?”
“Yes.”
“Is it Zorin or Azrim?”
“Zorin.”
“Put him on please.”
I extend the com to Zorin. “General Viriden would like to speak with you.”
Zorin looks me over then takes the com. He switches to quiet mode and puts the device to his ear, pacing away to speak with Viriden. Even as he does, he keeps his eyes moving through the crowd of security guards, drones, and other racers who are coming out to watch.
It hurts me deeply that I found a male that wants me, truly wants me, and he’s already been torn to shit protecting me. A cold and ill sensation consumes me, just looking at him, wondering if his eyes aren’t looking for enemies but an exit from this race…from me.
“Yes, sir. I will. Understood.”
Zorin ends the call then hands the device back to me.
“What’s that all about?”
He smiles, winces, and then pinches my chin. “Let me get cleaned up first. Then we’ll talk. Ohni, ma’am… I apologize for the mess. But Myndrous are dangerous. They can have no mercy. They will only use your kindness against you.”
Ohni’s attention is on the bodies being loaded up.
“While we don’t condone killing in defense of oneself, we also cannot blame you.
Our security system failed to isolate the games, yet again.
So this isn’t on you. It’s on us. Please take care of your injuries and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. You know where the infirmary is?”
“I do.” Zorin keeps me close as we head for the doors beside the Mingle Celebration. But his touch is on my arm now, like I am a problematic teen being escorted out of a bar, something I’ve done myself a time or two.
Out of the crowd that’s gathered around the secured perimeter, another Mindoran runs up to us. He has scars over his face like Zorin. “Aegeris, I would have assisted if I had known.”
“Carnas. They came up on us where we were on the mountain,” Zorin replies.
“At least let me assist with your injuries.”
Zorin stops and rests a hand on his shoulder. “Just watch out for Myndrous.”
“Myndrous…” Carnas glances back at the fields then down at me. “That’s what attacked you?”
“Not the first time,” I mutter.
Zorin faces him. “Would you guard Tessi for me while I get patched up?”
Carnas studies me. “Of course.”
He pats Carnas on the shoulder, releases me, and turns for the infirmary.
His shoulders sag, and I can’t endure the guilt I feel any longer. I hustle after him.
Zorin grumbles, “I need a lot of attention. I would prefer for you to go enjoy the celebration. Carnas will keep you safe.”
Carnas shrugs when I look back. A red-banded woman walks up to him, looking concerned.
I catch up to Zorin. “I’m staying with you. You’re just going to have to deal with it.”
A startled breath lifts Zorin’s shoulders like he didn’t expect me to come after him.
“What?”
Zorin blinks slowly, shakes his head, and continues to the infirmary.