His words sank in, and perhaps it was the lack of sleep or the adrenaline pumping through her veins, but it almost sounded as though he didn’t want Ved’s opponents to win. “What happens if your clan leader loses?”
Andrix turned his head to look at her briefly. She imagined that beneath the mask his expression was one of either skepticism or warning.
“Then he loses,” he said simply. He pulled something from his armor and dangled it in front of her face.
“What is this?” she asked, taking the device.
“Translates.” He didn’t turn his attention from the impending battle, and she wondered if he was as concerned for his qon as she was for Ved. Or did he have some other stake in this fight?
The object he’d handed her was curved, made from a flexible material with a hard center. Chatter came from it softly, and she held it up to listen.
“It hooks around your ear,” Andrix instructed.
Isobel fixed it hurriedly around her earlobe. Though it was somewhat large, she was able to fit the center piece inside. A mechanical voice came to life. At first it cycled through several languages she didn’t understand before finally letting out a musical beep. “I am BR4-CH, designed for your understanding. Would you like me to translate the dialects presented?”
She nodded, then caught herself. Hoarsely, she whispered, “Yes, please.”
It was then that Ved looked at her. She knew he was scanning her, ensuring she was safe. But even more, she had a feeling that he was trying to convey everything to her in that single glance. He’d raced across the cosmos just to get to her, he wouldn’t fail now. She pressed a hand over her heart. An imperceptible nod was his only response.
He couldn’t afford to show any sign of weakness to his enemies by doing anything more. She had to believe there would be an after with him. She had to believe he could win, but she also didn’t trust this other clan. They’d already proven they didn’t fight fair.
But Vedhadto win. Any other option was unfathomable.
The group of Raxans withdrew, creating a half-circle around Ved. Two, however, stood before him. There was an exchange between the three that her translator didn’t pick up.
“What’s happening now?” Isobel dared to ask Andrix.
Andrix didn’t look away from the fighters. “They have all challenged him, so they will all fight him. It’s nothing more than a game to them. They look to weaken him for their qon. Loyal, but honorless.” He sounded disgusted.
“That’s not fair,” she murmured. “Will you also stand against him?”
“My fight is not with Ved Qon Cleave.”
Could Ved win against all these opponents?
She worried at her bottom lip as the two attacked him at once, their blades swiftly descending on him. He easily dodged their strikes and made quick work of them. But their bodies hadn’t settled for more than a moment before two more stepped up to take their place.
Ved held his fist up, and surprisingly, they halted. “Which of you pieces of vorg shit put a slave-choker on her?”
No one moved at first, and Isobel searched the group to find Breg with his dented armor. He swaggered forward a moment later. Another Xaal clapped him on the back as he passed.
But the other who’d collared her, Sabis, did not step forward with him. “Sabis of Clan Rax,” she called out before she could think better of it. Andrix huffed out a breath, and Kravis rumbled with something that sounded like approval.
The moment his name left her mouth, she knew that she’d just ushered him to death’s door. She should have been racked with shame, but instead, all she could think was that she hoped they were scared. As scared as she had been when they’d tortured her.
Sabis shrugged as if he were trying to rid himself of her accusation before moving to stand beside Breg.
Ved pointed his blade at them. “You’re next to die, then.”
Breg advanced with a snarl, Sabis a step behind. They were more careful about their approach—strategic, even. They circled Ved. One would lash out while the other looked for weak spots and openings. But it didn’t matter. Ved acted with perfected brutality. He dodged Sabis’s attack and used his momentum to stab him in the shoulder blades as he pivoted.
Without pause, he grabbed Breg, who made a sound of surprise. Ved punched him twice in quick succession in the stomach. He doubled over and tried escaping Ved’s grip, but only managed to fall to his knees.
“This is the position you should be in,” Ved growled. “On your knees before her. Look at her now.” When Breg didn’t obey, Ved grabbed his helmet and forced his head back. No matter how much the Xaalstruggled to stand back up, he couldn’t. The ground beneath him was muddy and slippery, trapping him further.
Isobel almost cried out as Sabis recovered and lunged for Ved again, stabbing wildly, but Ved twisted to kick him back. “I’ll deal with you in a moment.”
Isobel covered her mouth. Though she knew what was coming, she couldn’t look away.
