Page 85 of Protected by the Alien Warrior Triad

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Hadone

Ihate that I have to dishonor the dead woman’s memory, but I must do whatever it takes to keep Tammy safe.

I can remember Ginger’s face as she begged me to love her back. We stood on top of the mountain, on a hunting trip far north during the lean times one hundred years ago. My whole tribe was forced out of our jungle home after the game dried up, and we were forced to compete with the northern tribes for resources.

She’d stood there, with her red hair burning in the sun. Ginger was a beautiful woman- one I’d thought too good for me, with a heart of pure gold. She’d been taken from some far-off world by the fish-eaters, snatched away by Ton’s triad and her life here had been one of heartbreak ever since. At first, she’d seemed content – but the moment she’d laid eyes on me, she’d never looked away.

As for me? I felt nothing for her.

When I refused her, she snapped. I spurned her love, and Ginger threw herself from those cliffs right in front of me. She snuffed out her existence, no longer able to bear the pain of rejection.

Her loss still haunts me. I used to see her face before I slept every night. Only now, after meeting Tammy, have the horrid visions stopped. I look at Tammy, held so close by Forn, and I know I do not deserve her, either – and yet the fates chose her for me.

But for how long? She is rasping – her breathing harsh. Tammy is dying. I failed her.

My whole triad need not die. It is onlyIthat the fish-eaters truly hate.

“What are you doing, fool?”Telepaths Darok, and his aura pulses with fear for my safety.

“What I have to,” I whisper, and step into the fighting circle. My mind instantly focuses. When two Aurelians enter the circle, only one ever leaves.

There are gasps from the rest of the tribe, at least from those who are healthy enough to spare the breath.

“She died. Your fated mate, Ginger, did not leave you through the portal. She’s not living her life in the city you took her from, back on her home world. She is buried here, in an unmarked grave.”

“No! No!” Yells Ton, the grief obvious in his face. I hate that I have to say the words so scornfully, but for me to have any chance of defeating him, I’ll have to cause his anger to rise so overwhelmingly that he cannot beat me with skill.

“She died. She did not love you, Ton. She lovedme– and when I told her that I felt nothing for her, she cast herself off the cliffs. I buried her. You don’t hate Darok and Forn. You hateme. It’s I who must pay this price; not my blood-brothers.”

Ton’s face goes blank. His neck starts to twitch, his carotid artery pulsing. I touch the tips of my fingers together and imagine the feel of his neck under my hands. I might not deserve life, but I will cling to it as long as Tammy lives.

“Youlie,” says Ton, his voice a rasp. “You lie to hurt me, damn you. Damn you to hell!”

I stand in the circle, my hands open. “I do not lie.”

“Then today, you die. I challenge you, Hadone, to unarmed combat. I will rip your eyes out and eat them. I will bite your tongue off. I will feel your life’s blood warming my skin.”

Ton steps fearlessly into the ring.

Our fate is sealed.

When two men enter, only one can leave.

Aurelians of my tribe press forward. Those who are too sick to stand themselves are held up by others. Mothers shoo their young children away, but those near fighting age clamber up to see the spectacle. It has been many years since combat was fought in these hallowed battle grounds.

How many of my ancestors fought and killed here? Or fought and died here? Do I stand in the same spot as my forebears? Do I think the same thoughts?

Death was supposed to be a release. Now it’s the greatest loss I could experience.

“Brother, do you wish me to join you?”Forn’s voice enters my head.

I turn and smile at him. Seeing him holding Tammy is all I need. I might die, but he will take care of her. I know that the fates would not be so cruel as to give him such a love and then take her away immediately.

“You’re no good at fisticuffs, my friend. Watch over her.” I answer, knowing that he would fight on my side in a heartbeat if I asked him.

We both know what my comment truly means. It’s not that Forn is less skilled at grappling than I am. That had been a simple jest. The truth is, I need him to watch over my mate and keep her safe.

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