Zelup grabbed Calabez by his shirt, balling up his fist.
His brother continued, unperturbed. “Your chief duty is to your planet and to your family. Not only has Marek, the current king, ordered us to bring the Guardian back immediately, no matter what state she’s in, but you already know it is your duty to solidify the royal line.”
There was a hint of sadness in Calabez’s tone. “You will marry a Vartik female and breed heirs to lead the next generation of our people. And that means abandoning whatever affection you feel for a certain human doctor. You’ve got to let her go.”
“Never,” Zelup growled. “Even if I have to give up everything for her.”
“And does she feel the same way?”
Zelup closed his eyes, realizing then that his brother was right. He released his hold, dropping Calabez to the floor. “It doesn’t matter,” he muttered, heading back to the medical unit. His movement was stopped by his other brother.
“Give it up, bro,” Juston said through grinding teeth. “Let it go.”
“I’m going back in, dammit. You’re not going to stop me.”
“Like hell.” Juston shot out a fist quick as lightning, connecting with Zelup’s chin and snapping his head back on his neck.
“Ow, you asshole!” Zelup said, then had to fend off another punch that was aimed for his eye. “Knock it off, Juston.”
“You knock it off! We’re taking the Guardian and we’re getting back home. Any delay risks bringing the demon Seekers down on our heads, not to mention the risk we run of exposure. So stop fucking around and let’s complete the mission.”
Zelup growled, realizing that a full-on fight was required. Every second they delayed, Dawn was at risk of torture. Or death. Although she seemed unharmed now, at any second, the beast could destroy her.
He lunged forward, locking his brother into a headlock and squeezing tightly. “You’re going to obey me, little brother, or I’m going to make you.”
Calabez let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Too bad we’re not in the Royal Vartik Auditorium,” he said. “We could make a mint selling tickets to this fight.”
Juston squirmed in his grip, driving his elbow into Zelup’s middle. He squeezed harder, smiling as his little brother began to sputter for breath. “That’s right,” he said, “just relax and go to sleep. Then I’ll take care of business, and by the time you wake up, we’ll be headed home.”
Juston wasn’t one to give up easily. Another elbow hit his middle. Then his foot managed to wrap around Zelup’s ankle, and with a jerk, he pulled both of them over.
Zelup tumbled to the floor but didn’t release his hold on his brother. Instead, he wrapped his own legs around Juston’s thighs and continued to squeeze. “Godsdammit!” he yelled. “Stop struggling! We’re wasting time! If she gets hurt while you’re distracting me, I swear I’ll give you the same wounds as her, even if it means killing you!”
Juston’s face was red, his hands locked around Zelup’s wrists, but his struggles were lessening. A few more moments and he’d lose consciousness. Then Zelup could get back inside and save his beloved.Just keep squeezing.
“You can stop now,” Calabez said, kicking Zelup in the back. “Let him go.”
“Never. Not until you put me back in.”
“No reason to,” his brother drawled. “They’re awake.”
Zelup gasped, releasing his brother and turning over to catch sight of Dawn, her eyes open, sitting on the medical unit.
He had time for a smile before Juston turned over and punched him hard enough to knock him out.
