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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Maria felt like she was going to be sick, her stomach churning, her mind racing as she realized she was facing her imminent demise. Strong hands grabbed her and held her still while other guards began setting up a separate platform upon which the execution would take place.

It could have been done before the trial, but the chancellor wanted to at least give the impression of a fair hearing. But from the conversation he’d had with the overseer beforehand, the outcome was an all but foregone conclusion.

There was a commotion in the crowd, however.

A vocal outcry of support for the human.

Her story had been one of abduction and oppression, and it had resonated with a lot of the commoners.

But that was what the chancellor had hoped for.

That made this punishment all the more effective in demonstrating the power he and the other elites had over the masses.

Why they had to obey. After all, the five families had the ear of the Dotharian Conglomerate.

The commoners simply had to live under their rules.

A shadow flashed across the arena floor and all eyes looked up in unison, shocked by the appearance of a small ship plummeting to the ground in the open space a hundred meters or so from the dais.

It fell fast but stopped abruptly on a force cushion just inches from the ground.

This wasn’t any ship, clearly. It was a military one with very advanced dampening tech, and it had just crashed the party in the most spectacular manner.

“Guards!” the chancellor shouted, his, as well as the other families’ forces swarming in front of them to protect their patrons.

The ship’s main hatch opened and a tall, imposing man with golden-tan skin and radiant tattoos strode out, an air of utter confidence about him.

“Heydar?” Maria gasped, unsure if her eyes were playing tricks on her. He was far away, but it sure as hell looked like him.

Whoever the man was, he was decked out in what looked like sleek combat attire, flexible armor plates blended into his clothing in a remarkable way that provided protection while not hindering movement. He raised his arm, pointing at the chancellor.

“You will stop this right?—”

“Fire!” Vinchi shouted.

Several guards opened fire, but the results were not what they expected.

“What the—” the lead guard uttered just before a return volley slammed into him, dropping him and the guards beside him in a flash.

Somehow, the intruder had deflected the incoming shots and replied in kind, though it seemed he had employed powerful stun blasts and not fatal ones.

“He’s not down! Attack!” the chancellor shouted.

His men reacted at once, charging in a swarming horde.

The mystery guest raced right at them, incredibly outnumbered and not caring one bit.

Maria’s eyes widened at what she saw next, her Infala blazing to life as Zepharos leapt from the ship and followed in the man’s footsteps, allowing his shielding to deflect the rain of weapons’ blasts. He’d gone home for reinforcements!

Her stomach knotted when a few shots snuck by, but Zepharos seemed unharmed. Whatever shielding tech Heydar was using, Zepharos had gotten some as well, and he was putting it to good use.

The crowd gasped as an enormous blue-gray-skinned man hopped out of the ship, taking in the arena in a glance, then charging after the others.

“Dohrag!” someone shouted in fear, sending all but the overseer’s personal guards rushing into the fray.

The Dohrags were a fearsome race, well known for their violence and military prowess. And this one, incredibly, was fighting alongside the intruders. It made for a confusing scene, with a hail of weapons’ fire thundering into their shielding.

It was protecting them for now, but while they could stop weapons’ blasts from a distance, up close and personal would require a much more personal touch. And Maria was glad to see the men were more than up for the challenge.

Heydar and Valin took the lead the Nimenni general and the Dohrag commander plowing into the onslaught with speed and violence of action, leaving a trail of men sprawled out in their wake.

Maria watched in awe as the men showed what they were capable of and realized what they were doing.

The two were clearing a path for her love, fighting to get him closer to her.

And Zepharos was engaging his opponents like a wild beast protecting his mate, fighting with a speed and skill she simply didn’t realize he possessed.

Her Infala pulsed hard in her chest, drawing her to him as he was pulled to her. He looked up, somehow seeing her through all of the chaos and carnage. His look said it all.

I am coming for you .

The chancellor looked at the crowd, his smug expression fading from his face. The crowd was rapt and in awe watching everything going on in the arena, as he’d so carefully planned. But they were now cheering for these most unlikely of underdogs. And the dogs were winning.

“Send the rest,” he ordered.

“But they are guarding the gates—” his aide cautioned.

“I said send them!”

The man quickly transmitted the order, and a moment later several dozen more guards came rushing from multiple access points to the arena floor. The chancellor grinned.

“That should take care of?—”

A roar erupted from the crowd, all heads turning as two more golden-tan-skinned men leaped out of their VIP box and vaulted the wall, hitting the dirt running, charging into the battle utterly unarmed and not caring one bit.

In fact, they looked like they were enjoying themselves.

And more than that, their tattoos were glowing menacingly.

“Nimenni!” someone shouted. “It’s the pair from the Bohdzi Guard!”

They were honored guests at the event, one of them partnered with the magistrate of a powerful city and both of fabled lineage.

And if they were Bohdzi Guards, that meant one thing.

The man in armor had to be one as well. It was Heydar, general, prince, and heir to the Nimenni throne, fighting this battle personally.

He had a reputation as a true leader, always proving it with just two simple words.

“Follow me.” And today was no exception.

“General!” the men shouted, the delight clear on their faces as they fell in on either side of him, battling together as they had on countless occasions. “We feared you dead!”

“My friends, I’m very much alive, and it warms my heart to see you both! But pleasantries later. We have work to do. We must get this man to his mate. Do try not to hurt them too badly though.”

They shared an enthused grin. “Say no more.”

They raced on, leaving stunned and battered guards in their wake, all of them either unconscious or wishing they were.

The Bohdzi were a legendary, elite fighting unit, and three of them along with the Dohrag and Oraku, were overcoming the impossible odds in a way no ordinary fighters could.

And as they shocked their adversaries by pushing ahead at full speed rather than standing to fight in place, they managed to get closer and closer to the platforms.

Maddix stepped forward, blocking the way, the last line of defense, but as Zepharos charged toward him they locked eyes, a flash of recognition and a nod of respect as Maddix stepped aside.

“What are you doing?” Chancellor Vinchi shrieked. “Kill him!”

“I am in your service as a tracker, not a murderer,” he replied, well aware of the consequences of disobedience but just this once not caring one bit.

In fact, his heart felt lighter than it had in years as he watched the two lovers unite, the man holding his woman tight in his arms as if he would never let go. As if he would keep her safe forever.

“Stop!” a voice boomed over an invisible amplification system.

Apparently, the Dotharian overseer had a few tricks up his sleeve. The fighting stopped at once. While the Chancellor had moderate power, one did not disobey the Dotharians. Not even a prince.

The overseer rose, stepping forward to get a better look at the combatants and the fallen in their wake.

Interestingly, while very many were badly hurt, it looked as if none had been killed.

At least not at first glance. The chancellor was doing the same, surveying the carnage with shock.

Then his eyes drifted to the hulking man standing with the other intruders.

“Kill the Dohrag,” he shouted.

“Do no such thing!” Heydar countered in a clear, steady voice.

“He is a Dohrag. An enemy to all.”

“He is half Dohrag. And he is a good man. I am crown prince of the Nimenni, and I vouch for his character personally. To attack him is to attack all Nimenni. And as general of the Bohdzi Guard, I assure you, this is not a fight you wish to pick.”

The guards looked at the chancellor, then at the warriors standing in their midst, the general and his men utterly relaxed. Relaxed but ready to unleash immeasurable violence if so ordered. The guards stood down, to the elites’ shock.

“Thank you, Heydar,” Valin said quietly, the former Dohrag commander standing quite still so as not to appear threatening.

“You have more than proven yourself, my friend.”

“No!” Chancellor Vinchi shouted. “This cannot be allowed!”

“No, it cannot!” Heydar replied in a booming voice.

“You agree?” the chancellor asked, clearly surprised.

“Oh, I agree that this cannot be allowed. There has been a gross violation of Dotharian law. But I am not referring to what you think I am.”

Vinchi’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you talking about? You’ve previously been a welcome guest in my city. What is the meaning of this betrayal?”

“Betrayal? You dare speak of betrayal?” he all but shouted as he turned to the Dotharian. “The most terrible violation of Dotharian law has taken place, Overseer. Willful. Illegal. A horrific act. And it was at the direction of Chancellor Vinchi himself.”

“You dare accu?—”