Page 55 of Champion
Adtovar pulled his knife from the sheath at his hip, twirling it through his fingers. “I could cut the answer out of you.”
The guard paled considerably… and babbled. “I was supposed to fly the skiff near the citadel and blow it up, so it looked like the Vaktaire crashed upon arrival.”
“Smart.” I steepled my fingers, looking over the tips at the guard. “Make it look like I had no contact with Willa… or anyone else, for that matter.”
“Easier to sell that Willa went rogue,” Adtovar agreed. “No one would believe that you didn’t try to stop her from killing the Duke.”
The guard’s eyes went wide, a sharp, shocked sound escaping his lips. “What? Kill the Duke… what?”
Adtovar and I shared a glance.
“Do you mean to tell me you don’t know of Nansar’s plan to kill Duke Ako?” Adtovar knelt, putting himself at eye level with the guard.
“There is no plan to hurt Duke Ako,” he insisted with a shake of his head. “Nansar plans a grand celebration for his father’s birthday. Since Duke Ako trained as a gladiator in his younger days, Nansar planned a fighting exhibition as a way to honor him.”
Adtovar and I shared another glance. This guard was expendable, or at least Nansar was smart enough to reveal his plans only to a trusted few. I gave an almost imperceptible nod to the older warrior. With a swift movement, he pulled the knife from his sheath, and drove the hilt against the guard’s temple, sending the male slumping into unconsciousness.
“Do you think all Nansar’s guards are in the dark, or just this fool?” Adtovar stood, re-sheathing his knife before adjusting his jacket.
“Hard to say,” I muttered, grabbing the guard by the ankles and dragging him into a small storage area at the back of the ship. “I’m sure some of the guards know of the plan. How could they not?”
“I agree,” Adtovar muttered, rubbing a hand over his chin as he watched me secure the door, locking the guard away.
“The Kerzak are Nansar’s real muscle.” If not, the true masterminds behind the scheme, but I kept that theory to myself.
Adtovar grunted, a wash of empathy settling over his expression. “You know you’re going to have to destroy this skiff.”
“Yeah.” I glanced toward the storage hold. “I’ll need to fly out of the atmosphere to contact theBardagawithout planetary interference.” Nansar’s signal jammers had kept me from contacting the ship when I’d arrived. “I’ll dump the guard somewhere in the desert and blow the ship near the citadel where Nansar can find it. It’s imperative he believes his plan still works.”
Adtovar took in my words with an upward twitch of his mouth. “How will you get into the citadel? With the celebration, the entrances will be heavily guarded.”
I let a smile play over my lips for a faint second. “I have a friend in the Alliance who can help me gain entry into the coliseum.”
“Good.” Adtovar turned toward the hatch, stopping to lay a hand on my shoulder. “Be careful, my friend. I will see you soon.”
“Protect her. Please.” The words tore from my throat, a plea straight from my heart.
Adtovar studied me for a moment, his pale blue eyes intent.
“I care for her too, you know.” He said the words slowly, then hurriedly added, “Not like you care for her, but… like a daughter.” A deep inhale expanded his chest, and his eyes grew sad. “I had a mate once… and a child. A daughter I could not save. I will keep Willa from harm… or die in the effort. I promise you this.”
“Thank you.” I lifted my own hand atop Adtovar’s shoulder. “Even though you are not Vaktaire. You are my brother.” Our shared affection for my mate would bond us forever.
Adtovar gave a soft chuckle. “Willa will like us getting along.”
I laughed as Adtovar stepped away. He was right. Willa would like it. She would love it.
Once he’d left the ship, I secured the hatch, sequestering myself in the cockpit, watching Adtovar make his way across the sands back toward the pit.
For the first time since knowing I would have to leave my mate behind, I felt a sense of peace in the action. Adtovar might not love Willa as a mate like I once feared. He loved her like a father and would lay down his life for her, just as I would.
Chapter 18 - Willa
The shuttle swept and twirled through the air, catching pockets of turbulence as it circled the coliseum. I felt my eyes widen in awe as I took in the grand structure, its metallic exterior gleaming in the sunlight. It reminded me of the famous coliseum in Rome, but this one was even more magnificent. We took another circle, this time passing over the citadel, and I couldn’t help but gasp at its incredible beauty, with towering spires and intricate details that gave off a Hogwarts-like vibe. The pit might have been located in the desert, but the citadel sat on an oasis surrounded by lush forests, with verdant trees that seemed to whisper secrets to those who dared approach.
Despite all the appealing scenery, I sat tense and nervous, my hands knotted into fists held in my lap. At my side, Adtovar sat as close as he dared, always conscious of the ruse that I needed to pretend to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Charick had been able to get away easily last night and, with luck, had already rendezvoused with theBardaga, nullified the Kerzak threat, and was on his way to infiltrating the citadel. My eyes crept over the imposing building that couldn’t help but make me think of dark, hidden secrets and warring wizards.
Please let Charick be safe.
