“Think,” Dugan said sharply. “If you attack Blaine, there’s only one outcome.”
Vaelor’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble. “He deserves death.”
“And you’ll be disqualified,” Dugan snapped. “And if you’re disqualified, Mara is disqualified. You know the rules.”
Vaelor froze.
The truth hit him like a blow.
Mara.
If he acted now, she would pay the price.
His jaw tightened. “You speak the truth,” he admitted. “But do not pretend you are doing this for her. You do not want to be disqualified either.”
Dugan’s expression shifted—less defensive, more… honest.
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “I don’t.”
Vaelor narrowed his eyes.
Dugan took a breath, “I want to win. Not for Blaine. Not for glory. For my people.”
Vaelor frowned. “Your people?”
“The cyborgs,” Dugan said. “We were built by corporations. Owned. Controlled. We’re not recognized as citizens anywhere. Winning the Games would change that. It would force the galaxy to see us as more than machines.”
There was no lie in his voice. No hesitation.
Vaelor’s anger cooled just enough for clarity to return.
Dugan continued, “I’m not asking you to forgive Blaine. I’m not asking you to trust him. I’m asking you to wait. If you take him out now, you lose everything. Mara loses everything. And my people lose their chance at freedom.”
Vaelor stared at him, chest rising and falling with the effort of holding himself back.
Finally, he spoke. “And what do you offer in return?”
Dugan swallowed. “I’ll keep Blaine in check. I’ll make sure he doesn’t touch her again. Not until the last challenge. After that…” He shrugged. “Do what you want.”
Vaelor considered him—this strange, earnest cyborg who had been forced to partner with a coward.
Slowly, Vaelor lowered his fists.
“You will keep him away from her,” Vaelor said. “If he tries again—”
“I know,” Dugan said.
He turned away, the promise of violence still simmering beneath his skin, but contained—for Mara’s sake.
Dugan left without another word.
The question now was… what did he tell Mara? Did he tell her at all?
Mara exited the tent with the packs. “I’ve packed the bedding.”
“Great,” he said.
He took the tent down and packed that as well.
