“It’s our biometric monitor.” Crew shoves the cuff up close to the prince’s face. “See those three blue lights? Those are my wins. When the fifth lights up, I’m outta’ here.”
“Has anyone ever won the freedom ring before?” Prince Caben asks.
Crew’s massive arms tremble. “No,” he grinds out. “But I will.” He cocks his cuffed hand back, then sends a blow to Prince Caben’s chin.
Hell.
I’m up and racing across the cell before the prince hits the ground. Crew spots me from his peripheral. He turns and swipes the air. I duck, roll, and come up behind him. I jump on the cot and leap onto his back.
“You squirrely little . . .” he mumbles, trying to reach over his shoulders to get a hold on me.
Tightening my arms around his thick neck, I squeeze. He gasps for air, and rams my back into the wall. I wheeze as the air whooshes from my lungs, pain splintering through my already bruised chest. But I hold tight, bearing down harder, and cut off his supply of oxygen.
Finally, I feel Crew weaken beneath my hold. He drops to his knees, and I only release him once I’m sure he’s knocked out.
Stepping around the now limp Crew, I glance at all the wide eyes studying me, and meet the prince’s. Fury ignites his stormy blue irises. He picks himself off the floor and heads toward one of the side chambers, throwing the tattered material aside as he stalks inside.
I follow after him. When I step inside the tiny, dank room, my eyes trail Prince Caben as he paces. He reaches each side of the small chamber with three quick strides. Back and forth.
On his third round, I open my mouth and get out a single syllable before he holds up a hand, halting me. He drives his hand through his dark hair. “Thank you for making me look like a spineless jerk.” He shakes his head and faces me.
Taken aback, I say, “This is my duty to protect—”
“No. In your country it was your duty to guard me. In my world and here”—he opens his arms wide—“a man fights his own battles. He does not depend on a woman to fight them for him. You just disgraced me.”
Fire simmers in my core. “I’m still assigned as your protector no matter what realm we inhabit, Your High—” I stop myself before addressing him by title out of habit. “Your pride is polluting your reasoning.”
He laughs. “Yes, well. Thanks to your show out there, I no longer have my pride to worry about.” His deep eyes bore into me before he shakes his head again and leaves.
I don’t understand how getting the life beat out of him would have proved anything to Crew or the other prisoners. He would’ve looked just as weak in my eyes, and probably in theirs, also. But maybe he has a small, if not twisted and skewed point. Carina embarrassed me when she belittled me before the Nactue, and I was outraged.
Exiting the small chamber, I hear the barred door unlatch and look over to see Bax and two of his Otherworlder cronies entering the cell.
“You two,” he says, pointing his crooked finger at Prince Caben and then me. “Time for placement.”
The prince’s eyes meet mine, and I lift an eyebrow.
If the prince wants to fight his own battles, then he’s about to get his wish.
The alcove narrows once we exit the cell. A cramped and dank corridor leads us down a long, winding path toward a larger encampment. Steam hisses from ventilation systems along the walls, and giant wheels with deep, rusted cogs turn and grind, pumping out water through a filter.
As much as the Otherworlders value mercury, I have yet to spy any mercury-powered devices or technology. What are they using the mineral for? Why all the warring and trading of human life to obtain it?
My thoughts are interrupted as Bax jabs the hilt of his sword into my back, driving me to walk toward Pale Face seated at a square metal table.
“Lord Arnik,” Bax addresses Pale Face. “Our new contenders are ready to earn their ranks.”
A wheezing sound escapes Arnik’s lips as he
rises from his seat. If Bax is our league’s ring leader, why does he report and takes orders from this decrepit Otherworlder?
Arnik nods. “Test the protector first,” he says. “I’d like to see how she stacks up against her sisters.” He spits this last word like it tastes bad in his mouth.
Two giant wheels turn, and the barred wall along the side of the chamber begins to slide open. A ruckus of noise bleeds into the room, filling it with cheers, shouts, and stomping from the risers surrounding the Cage.
Bax gives my back a push, shoving me toward the opening leading into the Cage.
“Wait—” Arnik yells, and coughs. He clears his throat with a forced, rattling exhale. “Check her for anything she could use as a weapon. I want this to be a clean fight to determine her worth.”