Page 161 of Tides of Fate

Jamie turns to follow, and then the black sedan’s brake lights flash on. Grayson slams his hand on the roof of the Mercedes, opens the back door, and squeezes in beside Nix, pushing him over into Leo.

“I’m sorry, Angel.”

Nix is so relieved he can’t form words of reassurance, so he nods and slumps into his shoulder with a sigh.

Gideon honks his horn, and they’re finally on their way.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Nix

The area around the arena is much the same as the day before, except for the nondescript prisoner transport and the coroner/mortician’s car parked next to each other. It’s a strange coincidence, and for a second, Nix wonders why Hayes wouldn’t make it easier on everyone by just getting out of one and directly into the other.

They sit for a minute, all five of them in the car, staring at the two vehicles parked side-by-side until Gideon raps at the window, setting them into motion. The sudden noise makes Nix’s stomach swoop, a brief swirl of anxiety slipping loose from the mental box where his wolf sits sentry.

The pack assembles behind the cars, waiting for Finn to grab his medical bag out of the trunk. Even though he won’t be allowed to provide aid during the combat, Finn insists he might be needed after.

If carrying the bag makes him feel better, who is Nix to stop him?

Grayson lifts him effortlessly, and Nix buries his face in his crisp perfume-y basil-vanilla scent. He holds tight, letting Jamie’s steady grip on his ankle ground him, and his last trickles of anxiety fade.

No one says a word as they follow Gideon’s lead along the path. Only the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional trill of birdsong break the silence.

Judge Patel and Judge Sanderson are speaking with Erin as they approach the gate set into the arena’s tall stone wall, and all three nod in greeting.

“Phoenix Rena,” Judge Patel says. “May we have a word?”

Grayson kisses his cheek, lowering his feet to the ground. “I’ll be here when you’re finished, Angel.”

“We’ll just take a moment, and then you can say ‘see you soon’ to your mates,” Erin adds.

“Mr. Rena, we are honored to be here. Are you ready?” Judge Patel asks.

Nix nods. “Yes.”

“Alright. I won’t wish you luck, Mr. Rena, but I will wish you all the blessings the Goddess can provide,” Judge Sanderson says before he walks away through the wrought-iron gate and up into the stands immediately to his right.

“I suppose the rest falls to me, then,” she mutters, barely concealing her exasperation.

She exhales sharply, refocusing. “Mr. Rena, today’s combat is to the death. No medical aid will be provided until the sentence has been delivered. Judge Jones will address the combatants once you enter the field.”

“I understand, thank you.”

Sighing, the judge tilts her head, studying him. “Mr. Rena, there are no rules here. I hope I am not speaking out of turn, but—the prisoner is…unhinged.”

Patel hesitates momentarily, and suddenly, a resounding howl echoes through the arena. “Also, I must also ask that you remove your scent blocker patch, as it creates an unfair advantage.” The judge holds out her hand.

“I’m not wearing one, ma’am.” Nix lets a flurry of vanilla out before sucking it back in. He hopes the judge doesn’t notice the soft scent of baking bread.

Erin speaks up before the judge can comment, “Your Honor, the law forbids any external scent inhibitor but says nothing about a natural one.”

“Hmmm. I understand the provision, Ms. Christie. Thank you.” The judge nods once before rubbing her hands together. “Very well, then. Mr. Rena, we begin in ten minutes.”

Offering him a small smile, she subtly lifts her nose as if testing whether she can catch Nix’s scent again.

It’s only Gideon’s restraining hand on Rowan’s neck that keeps him from a night in a prison cell—it does nothing to hide the vicious snarl that leaks out, however.

“I see. Well, good luck in all things, Mr. Rena.” She winks and, with another nod, follows her colleague through the gate.

“Okay, Nix, you should get changed,” Erin says, offering a pair of black pants with a small bow. “These are customary for combat.”

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