Page 25 of The Death Striker's Partner
I see the change come over Tumva as the basket comes to a stop at the bottom of the pit. He slithers out first and I walk beside him. It’s strange, but I find myself putting my game face on as well. We share glances and a nod as we walk towards the crowd of gathered Peacekeepers. Most are Ucfeni, of course, but there were humans like me scattered here and there with their native partners. We came to the back of the crowd, as always, and Ezid our Pitboss waited on a raised platform. The giant mild snake raised his hands and snarled a few times for quiet.
“Alright everyone. Now I know you’re alldelightedto be on Gcorket duty today, so let’s not dawdle, shall we?” A ripple of groaning made it clear that everyone else was just as disappointed about being on duty during the festival as I was. “Now come on? You know you’re here fairly. We alternate who’s working the Gcorket shifts every other year.”
“Not all of us do.” I raise a brow and look to my right at the smirking face of an Ucfeni with brown white and black scales mottling down his back. Beside him Morty Johnson, AKA Sir. Prickless, share a fist bump.
“Bad luck frostie.” He sniggers at me and I purse my lips with disdain. “Tumva opts out every year. While ever youhispartner, you’llneverget to let loose on Gcorket.”
“Of course he doesn’t. Who isTumvagoing to put on a display for?” Tumva tenses by my side and in my mind I’m gouging this guy’s yellow eyes out. “A real shame for you frostie.” I put my hands on my hips and round my glower up at who had to be Morty’s Ucfeni partner. He had yellow eyes and a wide grin as he delivered whatheclearly thought was a punch line. “I bet you’d lookhotin feathers.”
Oh that’s it. Sir. Prickless and his mighty douche steed are going to get it. I take a menacing step toward them with a fist raised, about to shove my steel-toed boot up their assess, when Tumva grabs my shoulder to make me stay put. I look over my shoulder with a ‘what the hell’ look, when I see that Tumva has no intention of letting that comment slide.
“Speak to my partner in such a sexist and unprofessional way again, and there won’t be enough of you left to go through a disciplinary.”
“Relax Tumva. It was a compliment.” The other Ucfeni chuckled.
“No, it wasdisrespectfulZefer, and it won’t be happening again.” I watched in awe as Tumva released my shoulder and lifted up on his tail to tower down over Zefer.
“Shuck off out of my face Tumva.” Zefer also lifted up on his tail. Here I am, stood in the middle of two snarling Ucfeni, and we’re supposed to be the peacekeepers. Our colleagues move aside as Ezid slithers at pace to get to the altercation. I also notice how Monty’s blue eyes regard Tumva snarling at his partner, and his hand hovers over his holster. He’s already signed out his firearm.
I have to think quickly, and I’m totally winging it as I force a loud and totally fake laugh out of my awkward smile.
“Well that’s all very well and good.” I put my right hand on Tumva’s chest and point up at Zefer with my left hand. “It’s been a long time since I’vebeento a party, but yes, Idolook hot in feathers.” I smirk up at Zefer and try and sass me and my partner out of trouble. Ezid has arrived and I feel his stare on us. Tumva hasn’t stopped aggressively ululating yet, and both Ucfeni still look ready for a fight. “However, if you make any sort of comment about my hotness again or how I would look in feathers again, I’m going to kick you in the pouch.” I flip off Zefer, who doesn’t react, but Morty sneers as he knows what that means. “Ask around.” I twirl my middle finger. “I have a reputation for being scrappy.”
“She sent the Ambassador to the floor in a whimpering mess with one kick.” Tumva grins like he’s proud of me and leans into my hand on his chest.
“Not something to be proud of Officer.” Ezid chides me and approaches to put a hand on Zefer’s shoulder first. He tries to do the same to Tumva, but he growls louder and our Pitboss decides against it. “I know it’s Gcorket, but calm down.” He aims up at Tumva, who hisses in response. “Ancestors, the last thing we need is infighting.” Ezid turns to look at Zefer and snarls at him too. “And what’s this I hear about you talking about a fellow officer’s body and wearing feathers?”
“Oh come on Pitboss I was only-”
“My office. Now.”
“Morty started it.” I add with a grin and Sir. Prickless seethes at me.
“You too Johnson. Move it.” Ezid snaps and Zefer groans with frustration. I can’t help but smirk and wave byebye to the pair of them as they go to have an earful about professional conduct. “Wipe that smile off your face Blac.”
“Sorry sir. I’m just in such a good mood.” I can’t stop myself from chuckling behind my pursed lips. “It’s my first patrol.”
“Speaking of which?” Ezid puts his hands on his hips, shakes his head at me like I’m one strange little human, and then looks to Tumva. “You know the tradition. The Officer who has worked the most Gcorket shifts gets first pick of patrol. So…? Any preference this year?” Everyone around us groans. It turns out something Morty and Zefer said was true after all. Tumva always works on Gcorket. I wonder why?
“Not re-”
“We get to pick our patrol?” I cut him off and turn to look up at Tumva with excitement. “Is the Palace an option?”
“Yes, actually.” Ezid answered me. I put my hands together and beg Tumva to agree. Billie’s at the Palace. If we are on duty there I might be able to see her. Even better, I might be able to talk to my sister. Tumva seemed reluctant and I couldn’t fathom why.
“Please?” I put all my hope into my dark brown eyes. Why did he seem so hesitant? Surely the palace would be the golden cup of patrols, right?
“I’m not so sure that’s a great idea?” Ezid spoke softly to my side. Most of the gathered officers had gone to sign out their armour, weapons, and report to their assigned patrols. “It’s just that…sendingTumvato the palace…might not have the desired effect on keeping peoplecalm.”Tumva looked off to one side with a bitter expression on his face. I stared at him and my heart ached for him.
I could read between the lines.
Ezid was implying that sending a Death Striker to the Palace might scare people. I found my hands gripping into fists by my sides and I glowered up at Tumva. Why wasn’t hedefending himself? Why didn’t he say anything? Well to hell with that.
“On the contrary, I think it’s agreatidea.” I stand my ground and turn my fiery stare aim and fire at our Pitboss. “What’s the best way of guaranteeing that everyone behaves around the most important and influential members of Orna society? Have your biggest strongest officer present. One look at Tumva andnow oneis going to pull any crap. Besides. You said he could choose his patrol. So if we want to report to the palace, you have to let us, right?” I aim over my shoulder at Tumva. Come on, he has to know why I want to go to the palace. His bottomless black eyes stare down at me and he still doesn’t say anything. I frown, seeing he’s not going to back me and my shoulders sag. I guess…I’ll just have to wait to see Billie after our probation period ends.
I gasp when Tumva grabs my shoulder from beside me and clears his throat.
“We’ll take the palace patrol. Guard duty?” My heart soars and I reach my right hand to rest over his hand on my left shoulder.
