Three stones on the cuff blink an iridescent blue at once and then fade out. “Just programming your biometrics for identification,” he says.
“Why?” I ask. “Do you often forget who you’ve imprisoned in the middle of the earth?”
He glares at me, his beady dark pupils slit against the glowing white. They flicker red, and I take a step back. Quickly returning to their luminous white, as if I imagined it, his eyes zero in on me. “You’re in for a surprise, protector. Just make sure to put on a good show.” He swats my backside with his blade and struts to the front of the line.
“Contenders!’ Bax shouts. “To the festivities!”
The dark city of the Otherworld is lit up like a beacon in the middle of an endless void. Spires of gas-filled black lights rise out of the ground, reaching toward the cavernous, domed sky. Misty blue and white tendrils swirl inside their glass casing, pulsing in electrified waves that match the low, rhythmic drumming filling the air.
The sides of the rock walls and the towering buildings carved out of the earth reflect neon colors against the light. The minerals in the rock glow different colors; blues, reds, oranges, purples—lit up like an underwater treasure trove.
Bax positions us into rows of two. The feather brothers lead the way, Lena and Crew behind them, Caben and me next, and then Tobias the lone flank. I wonder if Bax is using the alliances already formed to garner more bets for his league. I’m sure he’s worked it to his best advantage.
The Cage, its stadium, and our cell are a street behind as he marches us like troops toward a dirt road blocked off by chains and guards. As we near the crowded street, the drumming becomes louder, faster, and shouts from the gathered Otherworlders come fiercer.
My heart pumps in my chest. My vision blurs.
What is this?
When I think my mind is about to consume me and my heart erupts into sheer panic, I hear a voice above the noise that sends my nerves careening against my arteries.
Lilly.
“Get your nasty talons away from me—” she shouts.
I whip my head around and see her dressed just as I am—except in a faded red tunic. Her hair has lost its ringlets and hangs in stringy waves over her shoulders. She’s jerking away from an Otherworlder with a black cloak and large staff—her league’s ring leader—and he hollers something to one of the guards who raises an electrified prod toward Lilly.
“No!” And then I’m running.
I barely register Caben grasping my arm. I jerk free and barrel full force toward the guard. He’s bringing the rod down, inches away from sticking Lilly’s side. I lunge. Pummeling into his hard chest, I wrap my arms around his waist, and take him down.
His head whacks the ground hard, and the rod skids down the street. Growling, he pushes me off of him. I land on my butt, reaching behind me to keep from falling completely backward. My tender muscles blaze.
The guard goes to attack me, but the ring leader stomps the guard and presses his staff to his chest. “No,” he roars. “She’s not ours.”
The ring leader motions to someone behind me, and I’m picked up by my arms. “You blazing moron,” Bax snarls.
I ignore him and keep my eyes on Lilly. “Are you okay?” It’s all I can think of to say in front of them, and I have to know that she’s all right.
Her deep amber eyes widen as she fights the guards holding her back. “I’m okay,” she says. “I’m ok
ay.” She elbows one of the guards and he doubles over. Then she reaches out to me and I clutch her hand. “Full moon.”
Squeezing tighter, I try to keep her trembling hand in mine as Bax pulls me away. “What?”
Her hand slips from mine, but before she’s out of earshot, she says, “Before the full moon.” She nods and enlarges her eyes, begging me to comprehend.
“That’s it,” Bax says, then lifts me off the ground. He carries me, thrashing and flailing, back to his league of contenders. “You’re far more trouble than you’re worth, protector.”
When he drops me back in my designated spot, I hustle to my feet and start toward him. Caben latches on to me, encircling his arms around my stomach.
“Stop,” he whispers forcefully near my ear.
I close my eyes for a moment, my chest rising and falling in deep pants against his strong hold. My racing heartbeat matches Caben’s beating against my back, and as his slows, mine calms also. I open my eyes.
Bax squares his shoulders and stares at me. He stays there for a bit longer, waiting to see if I I’ll bolt. “If you do that again, protector,” he says. “I’ll have no choice but to punish you.”
He turns his back on me, and I can’t help the words that fly from my mouth. “I’m sure I don’t have to give you an excuse to harm me, mongrel.”