Guardians: Away Mission Book 2 of the Guardians Saga COMPLETED except for edits

Fighting for the Boys Ch. 7.2

A rustling awoke Alex and she saw the room was lighter. She twitched and her living blanket of Anolis males melted off her.

"It's almost the second hour. We must smuggle you into the audience chamber," Kress said.

Alex looked at Trac and saw he was worse. His color was pale, his chest hardly moved with his shallow breaths, and his limbs unnaturally limp and still.

Probably dying.

She put her hand on his arm and looked up. Kress nodded and her hand flared. At least Trac wouldn't feel any pain.

"Goodbye, Trac. I really will kill the ones who did this to you, come the revolution." On impulse, Alex leaned forward and stroked her cheek along his muzzle, mimicking the motion that the males favored.

Kress watched somberly before he motioned for her to follow.

***

Kress led her through an intricate maze of back passages. He peeked around an corner and whispered to Alex, "There. The throne room doors are open. Dash in and proclaim your rights."

Alex nodded and speed burst through the doors. She stopped in the middle of the throne room. "I invoke the right of reclamation," Alex announced.

The Gilas, the Kuni, and an impressive number of Anolis warriors stared at her, various expressions on their faces. No males could be seen, the brothers or otherwise

Cla stood next to the gilt throne, lavish with large clawed feet and swords carved into the heavy wood. "Your former friends have been added to the Kuni's den. There is no right of reclamation. Take her."

Alex slipped away from the guards and joined the Gilas. "You know I'm szarek, right?" she asked the huge, muscular reptiles.

The Gilas nodded at her and hissed-growled as a group when the Anolis guards menaced Alex. The guards backed up and looked at the Kuni, who motioned for them to stand down.

"I can't say I'm displeased by the news, Cla. How much did it hurt to hand over Gabe?" Alex shot Cla a smug look before addressing the Kuni again. "As a warrior, I can challenge even the Kuni for a captured mate."

"That is for enemies, in times of war." At last the Kuni spoke.

"Yes, your majesty. Cla declared me an enemy of the state. That's why I still claim the challenge."

"I was not aware of this." The Kuni shot Cla a sharp stare. "Very well, your persistence is well known. I accept the challenge. You know that the secondary mate of whomever you claim will engage in the battle."

I know that. I hope Cla catches hell from the queen for her actions.

"Bring the three to the arena and notify their secondaries," the Kuni ordered.

Messengers scurried off at the Kuni's bidding. She addressed the room again. "Guards, please escort the mamm--this warrior to the arena. Honorable Gila representatives, we have arranged this match for your entertainment."

Alex knew a good recovery when she saw one. She looked up at the Gilas and they gave her the equivalent of a smile. She smiled back. She realized that they didn't believe the Kuni either.

"Good luck, szarek," the largest Gila told her.

"Enjoy the show," Alex replied.

"Cla, you are dismissed to ready yourself," the Kuni said.

***

Once in the arena, much like the Gila Roman-style amphitheatre, Alex scuffed the dirt nonchalantly, trying to ignore the filling seats. How the populace found out so quickly about these matches was beyond her.