“But it’s forfeit. Ilwen cheated!” Tilda also punches the barrier as Lana dashes past, a knife in her hand as Ilwen stalks her through the ring.
“What do we do?” She grips the metal bars.
I watch as my love throws a knife that hits Ilwen in the shoulder, and I face the sobering truth. “There’s nothing we can do.”
32
Lana
My blade bounces off Ilwen, leaving nothing more than a scratch. She pulls her own blade and hurls it at me. I barely escape it, and it thuds into the floor behind me.
Quickly, I skitter to it and grab it. Now, at least I have something that will leave a mark.
She draws her sword and comes for me. The crowd has grown quieter now. Perhaps they’ve noticed that Ilwen’s weapons are rigged. But no one is stopping the duel. Why?
“Bartanz won’t stop it. You must fight.” Ceredes stands behind me, past the barrier and the bars. “Kill her if you have to.”
“Killher?” I can’t have heard him right.
“I thought you were supposed to be the most powerful Omega in the universe.” Ilwen twirls her energy sword and walks toward me at a leisurely pace. “But you’re just as weak as you’ve always been.”
“You’re just as bitchy as you’ve always been.” I keep my wrist loose, the knife my only defense against the crazy pink nightmare.
“At first I thought maybe I was losing my touch, but then I realized you’ve been given some sort of tech from the Sentients.” She stalks me as I back away. “They put something inside you. Mind control or something like that. It’s the only reason Ceredes would ever choose you over me.”
“I’m not a Sentient. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“It doesn’t matter.” Her eyes flash. “Because after today you won’t be doing anymore talking. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to comfort Ceredes in his time of need.”
“So kind.” I dart out of her way as she rushes me again, but she foresees my direction and swings her sword as she passes.
White hot pain scorches along my shoulder and barely misses my throat.
I could heal myself. But I won’t. Not until I’ve beaten her.
“Don’t be stupid,” Kyte gripes. “Stop the bleeding at the very least.”
“No, and don’t help me. I’m good. Shh.Mama’s busy.” I focus on Ilwen, her high ponytail swinging as she circles me.
“This is starting to bore me. And now we’ve lost the crowd. You ruin everything you touch.” She pouts.
“We can stop this. You and me. Together. Just walk out of here and start fresh.” I stumble backwards but keep to my feet.
“I’m the only one walking out of here.”
“Don’t make me do this.”
“Do what? Bleed out?” She pulls another knife and throws it.
I gasp as it cuts across my thigh, warm blood oozing from the wound as I limp backwards. I can hear Ceredes banging on the barrier and Jeren at the very top of it, trying to find a way in. There isn’t one.
“Ilwen, I’m asking you to stand down, end this duel, and fightwithme for the good of the fleet. We aren’t enemies.”
She pauses. “We’ve been enemies from the second you got here, Sentient spy.”
A chorus of boos rises from the crowd at her words, though she does have a small faction that cheers her words.
“I hope you told your Alphas goodbye.” She bends her knees as I edge back toward the wall.
