He would not betray that trust by letting her walk into danger blind.
He would protect her.
He would win for her.
And when the Games were over, he would settle the score.
Quietly, he murmured to himself, “Soon.”
The fire crackled, sparks rising into the dark.
And Vaelor held his silence like a blade.
Chapter 31
Mara
Mara ignored every attempt of Blaine to smile or wave at her. At least he couldn’t get close enough to her to talk. That was thanks to Vaelor and even Dugan. Every time Blaine tried to approach her, the two men would block him. Once, Dugan lifted Blaine by the back of his biosuit and physically carried him off a distance.
It was the first time she noted that the two men argued with one another. After that, Blaine definitely kept his distance from her. She was grateful because she still didn’t know what to say to him. She wanted to punch him for pushing her on the canyon. But Vaelor took care of that for her.
The betrayal by another human hit her harder than she would have thought. Coming into the games, she knew that she was competing against strangers. But Blaine was starting to feel like a friend. Now the truth was revealed. He wasn’t her friend at all.
Of course, he couldn’t get close enough to offer an apology. But was there any apology that could make up for what he did? She could have been killed. Vaelor could have been killed trying to save her. No, even if he offered an apology, there would be no forgiveness. And that made her sad.
She made her think of something else besides Blaine. Her father had looked pale and weak but his eyes were determined. He was fighting for his life. The least she could do was fight for him and win this game.
Vaelor placed a warm hand on her lower back as they approached bright lights. It was the location of the next challenge. What hell was in store for them now? She took a deep breath and released it.
The GSG technicians ran around telling players where to stand. A smile came to her face as Vaelor handed the packs to another scared technician warning him what would happen if he left the packs unattended. Her male was fierce.
A low rumble echoed across the frozen plain, vibrating through the soles of Mara’s boots. She and the remaining teams turned toward the sound just as a small glacier ahead of them cracked open with a sharp, crystalline snap. Light burst upward, swirling into a towering hologram of the Game Master.
He hovered above the glacier like some smug, omniscient deity, arms spread wide.
“Welcome, competitors—and beloved audience—to the fifth and crucial challenge of the Galactic Survivor Games!”
The hologram audience materialized behind him in a wave of glowing blue silhouettes, cheering, waving banners, and chanting names. Mara spotted one sign flashing TEAM VARA and immediately wished the ice would swallow her whole.
The Game Master continued, voice booming across the ice.
“This is the second to last challenge before the winner-takes-all finale! Only the strongest pairs will survive what comes next.”
Mara felt Vaelor shift beside her, his posture sharpening. Blaine and Dugan stood farther down the line; Blaine smirked like he already knew he’d win. Dugan looked focused. The Slurchan and Rasilian were there but they had taken quite a beating at the last challenge.
The glacier beneath the hologram cracked again, revealing a dark, jagged opening leading into the ice.
The Game Master gestured grandly.
“Challenge Five: The Sub-Glacial Flood Run!”
The hologram zoomed into the tunnel, showing a simulation of water rushing through it.
“As geothermal vents activate, this tunnel will rapidly flood with freezing water. Your task is simple—survive.”
Mara’s stomach tightened.
The Game Master’s grin widened.
