Flagro moved toward her, but Dorrin stepped between them, blocking the elite’s path with his considerable mass. “You do not wish to do that.”
“Oh, but I do.”
Dorrin’s fists clenched and relaxed as he rolled his head around like a prizefighter readying for a bout. “I’d remind you, Flagro, that while there are rules binding us in the common areas and other events, I am under no such constraints here. As my partner made clear, in this place, violence is allowed. So, I would advise you to just let it go.”
He stared at the man hard, not saying another word and not needing to. Flagro met his gaze but didn’t move.
“Are you threatening me?” the elite finally asked, baiting him.
Dorrin didn’t bite.
“No, of course not. I wouldneververbally threaten a member of the five families. As you well know, verbal threats to leadership are a punishable offense. I am merely stating a fact. A warning. Out there your family’s position dictates your status and protects you. However, in this rarest of circumstances, thereis no such finger tipping the scales. Per your own rules, I would add. Until we exit the tunnel, violence is allowed.”
The look in Dorrin’s eyes said more than enough. There was no fear, not an iota. But a gleam of something far more wicked danced behind his icy gaze.
Flagro stared at him hard as a group of guards raced in from the end of the tunnel, their bosses frantic to stop this before it got out of hand. Everything was being watched, and the crowd was losing its mind over what had just happened. If it went much further, there was no telling what might happen. This had to be nipped in the bud, and ASAP.
Flagro saw them approaching, his shoulders sagging slightly. He bent and helped his sister to her feet, ushering her along to the waiting guards who flanked her and helped her walk.
“I’ll be seeing you out there,” he growled in his most threatening tone.
Dorrin nodded once, unflinching. “And I look forward to it.” He waited until they were gone before turning his attention back to Ziana. “That was incredibly foolish,” he chided her, though he was clearly quite impressed with her.
“You said it was allowed,” she said with an innocent smile. “Whatever violence happens in this event is legal.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t seek retaliation.”
“Then let ‘em come.”
Dorrin couldn’t help but chuckle. “You are a fierce woman, Ziana of Earth.”
“Yeah, and they’d better watch out.”
“Apparently so.” He looked down the tunnel where more finishers were arriving. “Shall we get going? I, for one, could really go for a shower and a meal.”
“You read my mind.”
They arrived back at the arena to thunderous cheers as they exited their transport and headed to the tunnel leading to theirlodging area. The crowd had stuck around to see them in person. To see Ziana, a commoner who had actually punched Galla Vinchi in the face in the most humiliating of ways, and, most importantly, one that was perfectly legal. It was the talk of the town, and Ziana was a minor celebrity as a result.
This time she didn’t need to be reminded to wave. And this time her smile was quite unforced.Thiswas fun.
Back in the comfort of the lodging area the other teams were congratulating the winners on their rather shocking performance. This was twice they’d managed to humiliate the elites, and even though they were all competitors out on the field, there was now a sense of camaraderie unheard of in the games. They all competed to win, but they also knew the odds were slim to none. But now? Now one of their own was actually on top, and it was a welcome shock to the system. The winners were slowed on their return to their quarters, but, finally, they stepped into the quiet privacy of their bungalow, both sighing with relief as they shed their filthy clothes as they headed to the beckoning shower.
They bathed, savoring the warm water, each of them checking the other’s small wounds, their hands lingering a bit longer than on previous occasions. Ziana felt a stirring in her belly, and she noticed the slight increase in Dorrin’s size as a bit of additional blood flow entered his manhood. He turned from her, uncharacteristically self-conscious, and grabbed a towel to dry off.
Clean and dry, they put on some refreshingly clean clothes and stepped back out to join the others at the dining area, where they ate well, greatly enjoying having the rest of the day off. They walked the training areas, but talked strategy rather than actually training physically. It was more of a mellow outing than practice. Then, as the sun set, they returned for the evening meal.
After dinner, to everyone’s surprise, it was announced that the next day would be for rest, recovery, and training. Dorrin knew what was up, though.
“They are giving us an extra day to allow the rabble to calm down. After your showing in the last round, I’m sure there has been quite a stir, and not one of their fabrication. They want the gamers to enjoy themselves, but only iftheyare the ones controlling the narrative.”
“Hey, if it gives us a chance to rest, I’ll take it. Today was good, but I’m seriously beat.”
“As am I. Rock was not the most comfortable surface to sleep on.”
She nodded her agreement. “So, a real bed, then?”
He grinned. “You read my mind.”
