Chapter 65

Samira
I finally got to see the arena… and it was huge.
I was told this place fits a maximum of 80,000 people… but the public was told to wait. Tyson wanted me in the booth above them all, with Shakira before even the victims were seated in the front row.
This was televised as well, but I hadn’t seen them yet either.
Under my feet was soft sandy clay. The mix was likely done that way because I heard Warriors train in here as well…. I could smell the faint scent of sweat and aggression here… The aura of this room was one of bloodlust, as if the very stone was blessed with the blood of a true beast… And above showed artificial beauty.
A glass ceiling was enchanted to make it appear day, though in reality it was night… The stone here looked like the same used in Rome, while I could see the large, 15 foot wooden doors they used to present prisoners….. This place was inspired by the Roman Colosseum… I bet they could fill it with water and put boats in here like in the old times, when the games entertained human emperors.
Magic was likely the only way it could be so Big. It was larger on the inside than it was on the outside… something I bet they did in the renovations, but I wasn’t sure.
I was at the bottom of the long, white stoned steps. At the top was a glass viewing booth.
Both brothers agreed to fight as soon as he got here, rather than wait… I wished they wouldn’t, but I didn’t do anything to stop this…
It isn’t my place to. Trial By Combat *must* be honored and respected. Someone is about to die for the sins of the prince…. As much as I hope it’s *neither*…. If one does…. I prayed to the Horned One that my mate come up these stairs, and return to me….
It made me feel awful…. Awful that I prayed to the Horned One… the Night…. Even *worse* that I was wishing someone else’s death….
…How proud a priest would be of me….
No… I am not of their court. I never was… And right now he doesn’t need to console me while *he’s the one actually going through something.*
“What do you mean you lost his fucking car?! Where was his last known position?” Snarled Tyson at his unit of Royal Guard.
He was *not* satisfied that they didn’t know where Kaizen was minute by minute… He ran initially… so running now was possible.
“I’ll…. I’ll text Takka sire.” Said Jabari, referring to his eldest daughter.
She actually held post at the old resting place of Xaxas, but he isn’t there, and it’s been long enough that humans don’t try to break into it as much. I had as of yet to meet the heir to Shakira’s position, but I heard by servant gossip that she’s like her mother.
Jabari tapped slowly on his phone, while I stood next to my mate in the dirt.
I could get his hesitation though… Tyson’s intense and unstable nature at the moment had everyone on eggshells. However, it wasn’t warranted…. I could feel through my bond the absolute STRESS of organizing the culling of your own brother…. A twin no less…. He ran clawed hands through his loose hair, and I held his hand. They were clawed… and so sharp he had to be careful that he didn’t scratch me.
The flame between my mate’s horns popped as if it were a campfire… Tyson was fired up today, as he should be…. We were in the arena, and the King was ready for battle. He was in just shorts, barefoot because this is a shifter fight…
It made the Fifth Seat hesitate to come close.
“Sire my witches have secured the border.” Said Lord Oliver.
“Good.” Tyson growled showing fangs “I want a barrier over the castle as well. If Jack escapes, I want it so he can’t leave the grounds…. I’m going to go hunting the moment he leaves the dungeon.”
“Of course sir.” Said Lord Oliver leaving.
“I want the lawyers summoned as well.”
My mate… he was shirtless and his true height… but his scent was irrational. I couldn’t wrap my head around such confrontational intensity. One whiff and you knew he wasn’t mortal… nor to be played with. The level of testosterone amped up the Warriors….
Tyson was busy, not hearing me at all. I could very well tell my darkest secret, the it was ME who ate mom’s birthday cake when I was 4, and his nonreaction told me I was *right*.
“Me and my associates have grown fond of the challenge.” Bowed the Obscure One.
I swear he has bluish white skin….? It’s as if he morphs out of memory. It doesn’t matter that we were looking at each other, I don’t remember his face *while* looking at it….
“Are the victims here?” Tyson asked.
“Aye. They’re being seated in row one.” Said Lord Ronitus.
Shakira silently bowed. Since they were starting, I was to be in the booth.
Tyson nodded. “That should just about do it…, Oh wait, I need to do this first.” He kissed me on top of the head. “This will be over soon.”
“Come back to me.” I said selfishly, without any regrets. If there must be one… let it be Kaizen.
He kissed me on the lips gently, and I caressed his cheek…
“I Will return.” He said looking at me with a pained expression I couldn’t read… He didn’t want to do this. Anyone could tell.
Gods I felt selfish…. To wish that on my brother-in-law. I hadn’t even met him, nor even spoken with him…
“I’ll make sure the loser gets home safe.” Said Asanguis appearing from nowhere. He summoned his scythe and gave it a twirl.
“Thank you… you may ask anything of my larder as compensation.”
“Alright. I want your firstborn.” He said this casually disappearing….
Me and my mate looked at each other…. What would Death want with our child, one that isn’t even here…? As far as I knew, I wasn’t pregnant….