She looks around, unfocused, like she’s suddenly drunk and trying to find the words for what she feels. “I…should probably check on my friend.”
Screens around the room play scenes from the race that now air on the holofeed for public viewing. Brynna takes my hand and leads me through the crowd of dancing couples as colorful lights bounce and sway over the crowd.
A glass smashes against my head, covering the ground in broken fragments and me in a sticky, sweet liquid.
Brynna ducks and hesitantly looks back.
I stop.
The second glass the Derorsin throws, I catch. Focusing my rage into my hand, I heat it until the glass melts and drips to the floor in globs. I shake what’s left of it free of my hand and throw a fiery glare at the knobby, brown armor-plated version of a Denarso. His kind are supposedly allies. Perhaps they are like us to Talhuskins. But if so, I wager he wouldn’t attack me like he and his friends just have.
A Mindor crashes into me, tearing my hand free of Brynna’s.
She shouts as we tumble and get into a fist fight on the floor. He tugs at my wings with painful force, snarls at me, and bares his teeth, starting his shift.
I kick myself free of him and get onto all fours. He launches toward me, tackles me again, and claws at my skin, ripping it open with horrific pain. My monster responds the only way it knows how and catches fire, though it is barely a wisp of flame under the control of Eluni’s arrestor.
The Mindor yips, snarls, and scrambles off of me. Fur on his forearms lightly smokes. He lunges at me, snapping, in full wolf form.
“Enough!” Ohni appears out of nowhere, a tranquilizer gun in hand as the music stops. My team rushes in behind her, but she motions them back. “I do not want a battle here. Fenrysin, shift back, or I will knock you out and have the guards escort you to acage.”
The Mindor straightens into a humanoid shape.
Ohni lowers her rifle. Her armor gleams in the neon lights of the club. She raises her voice and speaks to everyone. “This is meant to be an event that brings people together. If you cannot behave, I will remove you from the race. This is your final warning!”
She sighs and slings the rifle over her back. “I am getting so tired of this shit. We’re all at war. This is your chance to escape that, find love, and build abetterfuture. But that isn’t going to happen if y’all can’t leave work at work. Got it?”
Aliens and humans around us agree as Brynna appears behind Ohni, protected inside a squad of human security officers. More squads have filled the doorways, a mixture of humans and aliens.
As I get to my feet, I wonder why the room has fallen silent. Then I hear a familiar Rage roar over the screens.
“Talhuskins are banned because of what they have done to Drathious for far too long.” Ohni looks me over and lowers her voice, “But you have to control that fire.”
I nod because my voice still won’t work.
“He helped the Denarso take females from us,” Fenrysin growls.
Ohni turns to him. “Where is your proof? Last I saw, a Drathious soldier worked with Thorians toreturnyour females. That same soldier has served several years on a Special Forces Terran squad, here withus, infiltrating and rescuing humans. He tore apart a Denarsoan ship’s computer system so they could not escape with Amphiran females. And he killed one of the Talhuskin leaders with his bare hands.”
Technically, it was with his talons.But I’m not going to try to correct her. She’s still on my side. That’s what matters right now.
Brynna eyes my injuries with pity and growing concern, then glances back at Ohni as she corrects the Mindor.
“I know you don’t like it. No one likes having their beliefs challenged because that means we have to figure shit out again. But I have multiple accounts that can confirm with video evidence what transpired. I research every male and female who will race. Do not make me tell everyone what you did, Fenrysin. I will leave that admission up to you. You were approved, but I am watching you.” Ohni circles a hand in the air, and the security teams move out.
“Those look really bad. We should get you patched up.” Brynna motions me toward the door.
But I don’t want to ruin the party for her and point to the buffet.
She smiles. “I filled up before the race. Besides, the lunchroom is open all day and night. Anything we want we can get later. Come on. I have just what you need.”
10: Brynna
My Drathious, whose name I have yet to catch, takes the hand I offer and lets me lead him out of the room. I know I’m showing my alliance as much as I am making a display that I still want him, and it’s daring to pick a side when I’m vulnerable as a human among elite warriors, princes, soldiers, and more. But I know now I’ve chosen correctly. And I’m so glad he picked me.
I spot Sky. She covertly waves from beside a different Mindor, who scowls at Fenrysin. I do not think they are from the same pack by the different markings on their necks. I wave back, and when she smiles, I think she’s doing just fine.
I’ll check in with her later. My male is bleeding everywhere. Fuck you, Fenrysin.
