Fleet soldiers stop her and won’t let her pass even though she argues.
“Dicknose doctored the weapons.” Kyte’s voice and the faint image of him shaking the ever-loving shit out of Tarvan ghosts through my mind. “There’s no way to reverse it from here.”
I want to jump into the ring, but that’s not an option, not when the barrier is in place. Dueling rules are universal. No one gets in or out until the match is over. My only option is to get to the tower. Pushing through the crowd, I make it to Master Rav.
“He’s not answering his comms.” She eyes the fleet soldiers, two large Alphas. “I must speak to Master Harlan.”
“High Commander Bartanz said no visitors.” The soldier to my right has his hand on his weapon.
“Bartanz is here?” I look up but can’t see into the viewing platform. A bright flash of pain sears through me, and the crowd gasps. Lana’s hurt. Ilwen finally managed to get through her defenses and slash across her back.
“Lana, use your barrier.”
“No.” She gets back into the thick of it with Ilwen even though the pain bursts anew each time she moves. “She’s the cheater. Not me. I’m going to beat her ass fair and square.”
“Kyte, help her.”
“No!” She yells so loudly in my mind that my temples throb. “I need to do this. Just me.”
Master Rav glares down at the soldier, but he doesn’t budge. “The match is forfeit. Ilwen is using weapons that aren’t allowed. Harlan has to stop the match.”
“No visitors. Now walk away before you make me angry,Beta.” The insult is clear in his voice as he steps to her.
A mistake. A bad one at that.
She doesn’t pull her staff, because she doesn’t have to. Master Rav has him flipped onto his front with his hands behind his back in the space of a breath. The other soldier reaches for his energy sword, but I grab him by the neck and shove him hard. He plows through a crowd of cadets, bowling them over as he hits the ground.
“Go. I’ve got them.” Master Rav puts her knee in the soldier’s back.
I climb the ladder and jump into the glass observation room. “Master Harlan, Ilwen’s weapons are full power.”
Three soldiers rush to me, grabbing me and holding me as Bartanz turns.
“You may leave.” He flicks his hand at me.
Master Harlan gives me a warning look, but his eyes are worried.
“Master Harlan!” I struggle against the three fleet soldiers. “Call off the duel! Did you hear me?”
“He heard you.” Bartanz doesn’t turn around, his gaze on the match. “And I’m already aware of the weapons issue. But if your circle is so strong, Lana should be able to survive, isn’t that right? The match will continue. You are dismissed.”
“Master Harlan—”
“Is not in charge here!” Bartanz roars, then his voice lowers. “I am. And I say the match continues. Stand down, or I’ll have you publicly disciplined.”
Master Harlan opens his mouth to say something, then stops and grits his teeth. He can’t override Bartanz. Only a member of the council could put him in check. The fleet has many flaws but failing to follow the chain of command isn’t one of them. It’s fleet religion.
Another burst of phantom pain streaks down my left arm as the soldiers haul me to the ladder and thrust me from the glass box. I almost drop to the ground but catch myself right before I fall on the soldiers waiting below.
“Let him go,” comes through their comms as I hop off the ladder.
Master Rav has disappeared, and I suspect that’s by design. She’s too slippery for these Alphas.
I push through the crowd again until I’m at the barrier.
Tilda appears at my elbow. “Ilwen’s weapons—”
“I know. Bartanz won’t stop the duel.” I slam my fist into the barrier, but it doesn’t give.
