Page 42 of The Iron Oath
Magoza stood before her, bloodied and pissed off. She ripped her axe from its sheath on her waist and let loose an enraged roar. She dove forward and swung her weapon at the orcs who had Amuleta trapped. The males escaped her sharp axe by jumping out of her way.
Amuleta cringed at the scenery. The chieftain, his mate, and both Cydassi sisters were fighting off the orcs who had infiltrated the viewing box. More guards showed up and draggedthe invaders away. The chaos that had erupted was now extinguished.
“Are you injured?” Magoza strode back to Amuleta. She held out her hand.
Amuleta swallowed hard and shook her head. She placed her hand into Magoza’s and allowed her to pull her to her feet. Magoza’s gaze swept over her to check her out.
“No. I’m fine,” Amuleta murmured. Her body trembled from the fear that was consuming her. She’d been accustomed to being treated differently, but she’d never been the target of such violence.
She eyed the crowd who only watched from the stands. Security was keeping them at bay, but it didn’t stop them from shouting their nasty words.
“Come. We must get her out of here.” Magoza sheathed her axe and turned to her parents. “All of you. We must get you to safety.”
“I agree. There’s no telling what else they will try,” Nargol said.
“You think we will run?” The chiefess stood next to her mate with a scowl. She had fought against the angry protesters.
The chief placed a hand on her arm.
“They are right. We mustn’t stay here. Let’s go. We will discuss this later.” Tulak motioned to the warriors who remained behind providing protection.
“But what about your match?” Amuleta said.
She turned back to the ring and gasped. Onyx lay spread out on the dirt of the arena with a gash that ran the length of his chest. It appeared to be a fatal wound. There was arena staff around him preparing to move his body onto a cart.
Amuleta moved closer to Magoza. “Is he dead?”
“He’d better be,” Magoza snarled. She began herding them toward the exit of the box.
Amuleta tightened her grip on her hand as they exited the area. They walked down a short hallway that would lead to the open crowd. She swallowed hard, not knowing what to expect once they reached the arena.
She had prepared herself that she and Magoza’s relationship may not be accepted, but she had never thought it would come to this. Would she and her mother ever be safe in Udenia again?
What have you done,danhas?
Her mother’s words whispered in her head. Had she known? Had she had a premonition and she’d never shared it with Amuleta?
“We have to get my mother. She won’t be safe,” Amuleta whispered.
Magoza jerked her head in a nod.
“Don’t worry, mate. No harm will come to her,” Magoza replied grimly.
She guided Amuleta through a secret door that suddenly appeared midway down the tunnel. Amuleta gasped, not having had seen the doorway when they had passed through here earlier. It was a darkened stairwell that was lit with sconces aligning the wall. She followed Magoza down the winding stairs while the others came down behind her.
They exited through a door where an enclosed royal carriage anchored to four shukans sat waiting for them. There was a dirt road that ran underneath the arena. Even from underneath the building she could see the bright light of the suns. The road led into the thick forest that was positioned near the arena.
“Where are we?” she murmured.
Magoza escorted her over to the carriage where a guard opened the door for them.
“It’s a private entrance for the clan leader for such situations,” Magoza replied.
They settled on the plush seating as Nargol, Tulak, and Dura entered. The door was slammed shut once they all were seated.
Magoza turned to her family. “Everyone good?”
“Of course. Do you think we would not be?” The chieftain was beyond pissed. He ran a hand over his face. “This was unacceptable, and those who participated in the attempt to harm and kidnap your mate will pay.”
