With everything that has happened, I forgot about the mutated monster. “How do you know for sure?”
“The ring leaders don’t want to lose currency on a sure thing,” Lena says. When I squint, unsure how she can know this, she continues. “Bax announced it while you were fixing up lover boy.”
My chest loosens, and I breathe a little easier. If I have to factor in the Grimmal . . . well, I can’t. That would throw off our whole strategy. It seems the Otherworlders’ greed is a beneficial accomplice to our plight.
I turn my head and peek at Bax. He’s the only ring leader that isn’t doing this for mercury, or even to be in Bale’s favor. Despite the fact that his father is the dark priest, he’s only going along with the chain of command to protect his family.
The new question becomes: protect them from what?
As the announcer enters the Cage, my back stiffens and I curl my fingers into fists by my thighs.
Two more matches. Two more nights.
Alyah, watch over us.
“Relax,” Crew says. “Bax’s league is done for the night. Two contenders from each league have to battle. It’s between Collar and Krewl now. You’re safe.” His gray eyes glance my way. “For now.”
How long has Crew been down here? He seems to have all the answers when it comes to their gaming rules. Although his words bring a small comfort, I’m still anxious over hearing one of the Nactue’s names called.
“Now entering the Cage,” the announcer’s shouts, his voice hushing the crowd. I turn my attention to the center of the ring. “The Quicksilver, Dash!”
Shouts and cheers sound out from the risers, and I angle my head to see the contender entering the Cage. It’s Tree Man. The contender Caben first sparred with for his placement. Dash’s slim, wiry frame enters the Cage. This time, I search his knobby body for hidden talents. Nothing stands out about him. No deformities or Otherworld mutations. Of course, nothing stood out on Hypno either until he removed his gloves.
“And competing from Krewl’s league, the well-matched and spindly Quicksilver, Willa!”
My breath stills in my lungs. My heartbeat throbs in my ears as I image Lilly panicking right now, and I frantically try to spot her. Is she watching? How can she not? I squeeze my eyes shut and pray so hard my lips tremble, tripping over my whispered words.
I know that we must all compete, but I was hoping that I wouldn’t suffer watching Caben and one of my sisters in the same night. Or that somehow, Lilly and Willa would be spared having to watch each other battle. There’s at least one small mercy—they haven’t been pitted against each other.
Saying another quick prayer, I beg the goddesses to guide this match, and for Willa’s opponent to have been chosen by them.
Caben’s hand closes around mine and my eyes snap open.
Willa enters the Cage.
Her long dark hair is braided over her shoulder, and her tall, thin form stands strong as she squares her shoulders.
The horn sounds. Willa and Dash begin their dance, circling and observing the other, waiting for the first move. I remind myself that they’re both Quicksilvers. That’s at least better than her facing a Colossal. And Caben beat Dash without too much trouble.
Only, why has Willa placed below the top ranking? Why isn’t she a Colossal?
It comes to me when she advances on Dash lightning fast, tripping him and quickly backing away instead of using her strength. She’s smart. By downplaying her abilities, she’s pitted herself against a lower ranked contender. Which lessens the chance she’d have to fight a high-ranking Nactue.
Like Lilly.
It’s a wise tactic. A smile spreads across my face as pride for my friend swells in my chest. I hope Lilly’s comforted by this knowledge, as well.
As Dash jumps to his feet and rushes Willa, I can see why he made his ranking. His moves are slick and quick like quicksilver itself. He zigzags, throwing her swing off as he drops blows, effectively dodging her counter punches. Gripping the bar with one hand, I tighten my hold on Caben’s hand with the other. I pray her tactic that was meant to spare us from battling each other hasn’t put her at a disadvantage.
Though I have faith in our training and goddesses, these contenders come from the corners of every known and unknown realm. Being the highest ranked in our country doesn’t make us impervious. They were selected because the Otherworlders deemed them the most fierce and worthy of their sport.
And their goddess.
Willa finally gets a shot in. She kicks Dash in the stomach and he doubles over. As he rights himself, she spins and nails his head with her foot. The crowd roars, and my chest expands. I grip Caben’s hand tighter.
Before Dash can rebound, she circles him and pulls his arm behind his back, locking her other arm around his neck. Maybe Willa took note of Caben’s grappling moves during his match with Dash. Throwing his head back, Dash attempts to butt her head, but she’s shorter than him. His head bobs back and forth.
Willa has this. She’s ranked beneath her true abilities and Dash, though I feel sorry for him, can’t compete.