“He’s not down! Attack!” the chancellor shouted.
His men reacted at once, charging in a swarming horde. The mystery guest raced right at them, incredibly outnumbered and not caring one bit. Maria’s eyes widened at what she saw next,her Infala blazing to life as Zepharos leapt from the ship and followed in the man’s footsteps, allowing his shielding to deflect the rain of weapons’ blasts. He’d gone home for reinforcements!
Her stomach knotted when a few shots snuck by, but Zepharos seemed unharmed. Whatever shielding tech Heydar was using, Zepharos had gotten some as well, and he was putting it to good use.
The crowd gasped as an enormous blue-gray-skinned man hopped out of the ship, taking in the arena in a glance, then charging after the others.
“Dohrag!” someone shouted in fear, sending all but the overseer’s personal guards rushing into the fray.
The Dohrags were a fearsome race, well known for their violence and military prowess. And this one, incredibly, was fighting alongside the intruders. It made for a confusing scene, with a hail of weapons’ fire thundering into their shielding.
It was protecting them for now, but while they could stop weapons’ blasts from a distance, up close and personal would require a much more personal touch. And Maria was glad to see the men were more than up for the challenge.
Heydar and Valin took the lead the Nimenni general and the Dohrag commander plowing into the onslaught with speed and violence of action, leaving a trail of men sprawled out in their wake. Maria watched in awe as the men showed what they were capable of and realized what they were doing. The two were clearing a path for her love, fighting to get him closer to her. And Zepharos was engaging his opponents like a wild beast protecting his mate, fighting with a speed and skill she simply didn’t realize he possessed.
Her Infala pulsed hard in her chest, drawing her to him as he was pulled to her. He looked up, somehow seeing her through all of the chaos and carnage. His look said it all.
I am coming for you.
The chancellor looked at the crowd, his smug expression fading from his face. The crowd was rapt and in awe watching everything going on in the arena, as he’d so carefully planned. But they were now cheering for these most unlikely of underdogs. And the dogs were winning.
“Send the rest,” he ordered.
“But they are guarding the gates—” his aide cautioned.
“I said send them!”
The man quickly transmitted the order, and a moment later several dozen more guards came rushing from multiple access points to the arena floor. The chancellor grinned.
“That should take care of?—”
A roar erupted from the crowd, all heads turning as two more golden-tan-skinned men leaped out of their VIP box and vaulted the wall, hitting the dirt running, charging into the battle utterly unarmed and not caring one bit. In fact, they looked like they were enjoying themselves. And more than that, their tattoos were glowing menacingly.
“Nimenni!” someone shouted. “It’s the pair from the Bohdzi Guard!”
They were honored guests at the event, one of them partnered with the magistrate of a powerful city and both of fabled lineage. And if they were Bohdzi Guards, that meant one thing. The man in armor had to be one as well. It was Heydar, general, prince, and heir to the Nimenni throne, fighting this battle personally. He had a reputation as a true leader, always proving it with just two simple words. “Follow me.” And today was no exception.
“General!” the men shouted, the delight clear on their faces as they fell in on either side of him, battling together as they had on countless occasions. “We feared you dead!”
“My friends, I’m very much alive, and it warms my heart to see you both! But pleasantries later. We have work to do. Wemust get this man to his mate. Do try not to hurt them too badly though.”
They shared an enthused grin. “Say no more.”
They raced on, leaving stunned and battered guards in their wake, all of them either unconscious or wishing they were. The Bohdzi were a legendary, elite fighting unit, and three of them along with the Dohrag and Oraku, were overcoming the impossible odds in a way no ordinary fighters could. And as they shocked their adversaries by pushing ahead at full speed rather than standing to fight in place, they managed to get closer and closer to the platforms.
Maddix stepped forward, blocking the way, the last line of defense, but as Zepharos charged toward him they locked eyes, a flash of recognition and a nod of respect as Maddix stepped aside.
“What are you doing?” Chancellor Vinchi shrieked. “Kill him!”
“I am in your service as a tracker, not a murderer,” he replied, well aware of the consequences of disobedience but just this once not caring one bit. In fact, his heart felt lighter than it had in years as he watched the two lovers unite, the man holding his woman tight in his arms as if he would never let go. As if he would keep her safe forever.
“Stop!” a voice boomed over an invisible amplification system.
Apparently, the Dotharian overseer had a few tricks up his sleeve. The fighting stopped at once. While the Chancellor had moderate power, one did not disobey the Dotharians. Not even a prince.
The overseer rose, stepping forward to get a better look at the combatants and the fallen in their wake. Interestingly, while very many were badly hurt, it looked as if none had been killed. At least not at first glance. The chancellor was doing the same,surveying the carnage with shock. Then his eyes drifted to the hulking man standing with the other intruders.
“Kill the Dohrag,” he shouted.
