Page 32 of Claimed By Brothers

“There’s no way we’re going anywhere with you,” Jewel hisses, one hand already in the bag as she tries to reach for one of the obsidian daggers.

One of the Sky Tribe mercenaries releases an arrow from his crossbow. It shoots dangerously close past her shoulder, prompting Jewel to suck in a breath and stop moving altogether. Umok chuckles as he takes a couple of steps forward, arms crossed over his massive chest while his dark blue tunic flutters in the rising wind. His beard was singed in the crash, and he hasn’t bothered to trim it. In fact, he looks rather unkempt and loosely patched up. Evidently, he hasn’t left this place since the crash.

Without a map of the region, we don’t know where the closest Sky Tribe settlement is. We know which way is back to relative safety for us, though I know no one among the men present will let us leave.

“Ladies, it’s time for you to fulfill your duties and save our species,” Umok says. “We’ve made it this far together; it would be a shame not to enjoy our spoils of war.”

“What part of we’re not going with you did you not understand?” I reply though I’m not sure if I even have a leg to stand on at this point. I’m scared out of my mind while my heart is literally screaming for Binzen and Izzo. Part of me knows we never should’ve left their clan, to begin with, but I’m not sure if that’s the bond or my actual common sense talking. “We are not your property.”

“Oh, but you are. And I’m glad you came back on your own. I would’ve hated combing the Fire Tribe territories to find you,” Umok replies, cocking his head to the side. “Now, come along, be good girls, and follow us. We have so many babies to make; we should get started sooner rather than later.”

“He must’ve hit his head in the crash,” Alicia mumbles, her lips twisted with fear and disgust.

“Pretty sure he was talking like that while the ship was still airborne,” Cynthia replies.

Either way, we’re screwed. The six ways from Sunday kind of screwed because I don’t know how we’re going to escape the Sky Tribe.

11

Amber

We have two choices.

Either we go willingly, or we try to run. We can’t exactly fight the men off. They’re too big and agile, and their weapons are trained on us. My heart is racing, and my mind is rushing to different possible outcomes—each worse than the other, as Umok’s men begin their approach. Umok’s smile gives me the creeps. I’m pretty sure his people aren’t interested in the traditional mating system the Fire Tribe still adheres to. They don’t want wives to build lives with. They want women for breeding purposes only.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I say, shaking my head as I take a couple of steps back.

“You don’t have a choice,” Umok sneers.

One of his mercenaries approaches me with determination, but the sound of rushing footsteps and low growls echoing through the hills has everybody turning their heads to see dozens of Fire Tribe fighters coming in hot.

“Oh, shit!” Jewel exclaims.

A split-second later, taking advantage of the Sky Tribe’s temporary distraction, the girls and I move away from the mercenaries just as the Mal and Hadana clans descend upon them with sharp obsidian spears, crossbows, and daggers. I’m stunned as I watch the scene unfolding before my eyes, unable to process what’s happening.

How did they find us?

My breath gets stuck in my throat as I see Binzen and Izzo leading the charge. Their mighty roars ring through the Cloud Mountains as they attack Umok’s mercenaries, joined by Kai, Maur, and plenty of capable warriors from both sides of the Crimson River.

“Stay back!” Binzen snarls at us.

I keep Alicia and Cynthia close, but Umok is determined to grab us one way or another. He comes for us, yet Jewel manages to take out a couple of obsidian blades from her backpack and takes her defensive stance.

“Come at me, motherfucker. I’ve been dying to slice you up since we were on your ship,” she says, her voice cold and calm.

Umok sneers and tries to attack her, but Jewel’s knife moves are swift enough to push him back, forcing him to recalculate his approach.

“We’re really going to have to talk about this later,” Izzo grunts just before he rams his shoulder into one of Umok’s men, tackling him to the ground.

Red dust and blood spread everywhere as the warriors fight ruthlessly for dominance. Binzen is incredibly light on his feet as he swings his obsidian swords like a furious whirlwind, slipping between his opponents and cutting deep into their sides.

Izzo goes for brute force, using his body strength to bring each mercenary down. He then stabs them repeatedly through their ribs, fast and deadly with each thrust. As soon as he gets up again, however, another Sky Tribe warrior tries to take him down while Izzo smiles, glancing at me before he goes in for his next kill.

My stomach churns as I watch the whole scene unravel with terrifying violence and far too much blood for my senses not to go haywire. Binzen is merciless in his approach, and he doesn’t leave any survivors behind.

Kai and Maur, on the other hand, get even closer to their opponents, each using a long and a short sword at different attack angles, while their men aim their crossbows and release countless arrows at anyone getting too close to their leaders. It’s a blood bath, but two of the Fire Tribe men fall dead to the ground. War and violence never take sides.

Umok makes another move to try and take Jewel down. He feigns a left hook, then smacks her on the side of the head with his fist. I hear myself screaming. Cynthia tries to get to her.

---