Page 37 of Meteor Storm

“Not you,” one said, threatening me with his shock stick. “Pek-Tol wants to see you.”

I walked obediently between them, curling my fingers over my khof kaar. As I passed Sunhai, I saw her eyes flit toward me, hiding the alarm behind them like she thought I’d been found out. But I knew Pek-Tol was not that bright. Something else prompted him to request my company. Something I likely would not enjoy.

When I reached his office, I felt my fingers itching to tear out his throat. That was the vengeance talking again. It was unlike me, but it was too strong to ignore. As usual, the guards stood by his door and I walked to Pek-Tol’s desk to face him.

“You can relax those tight shoulders, Tuross,” he said, once more using the name he had no right to utter. “I only wanted to inform you that you have a sponsor.” I narrowed my eyes, asking a silent question. “That’s right. You really did make an impression on those two valerian females. They have paid for an array of better weapons.” He swiped his desk, bringing up a hologram of weapon choices for me to choose from. “In the next game, they want you to have a larger advantage. They rather enjoyed watching you ravage the human as well, but they would like you to target the valerian. I believe I only have one in rotation now.”

He swiped his desk again, sighing with boredom as he brought up Sunhai’s picture. She’d only just visited him and yet she was less than a number to him, like we all were.

“I know you’re not about to ask why,” Pek-Tol said. “But that’s the request and they’re paying plenty to see it done.”

“No,” I said, drawing his pointed stare.

“No?” he snorted. “I think more rutia will turn that around. It appears you liked it.”

My khof kaar warmed in my hand, eager and ready, but I knew that even with it activated, I did not have a chance on my own. I needed backup and I prayed someone was listening.

“Or, since I pride myself on being good at reading people, I can let the human sit out this game. Or rather, I can tie her to a post where nozun will flock to her. People will love it. Imagine, her frail body, secured like bait.” He started to stare off as if fantasizing, relaying his plans as they came to him. “The first to reach her, gets her. But you must all fight for the prize. You fought three of them in the last match. I wonder if I should introduce more. They might just tear her apart. No,” he tsked. “We can’t have that. She’s too rare a contestant. But do not doubt that I will be jotting down ideas as soon as you leave this room.”

He began sifting through files on his desk. Images of contestants. Prospective contestants. Map designs for upcoming games. He pretended I was not there and all the while, my fists were balling tighter, thirsting for an opportunity to drive right through his fragile skull.

Free of my restraints, Pek-Tol and his obnoxious guards stood no chance. I longed for the moment I could finally make them realize it.

When I left his office, my blood was running even hotter than usual with a need to act. I had faith that I was not alone. That my signal was calling to someone. I had to be patient, though. As a single soldier, I could not take down the entire asteroid.

Once I was back in my cell, my eyes swept past Sunhai. She was sitting on the edge of her cot chewing on a wrapper from whatever food she’d been left during feeding. I stood at my glass wall as my cell locked, waiting for the guards to leave. When they’d finally gone, Sunhai raised her brows.

“So?”

I did not answer. Instead, I let my eyes wander. Like me, she would have to be patient.

Sleep came easily when it was time. The anticipation of an approaching battle was nothing new to me. Not like the Games. What was coming next was etched into my very being. In preparation, I ate whatever was given and slept whenever the opportunity came. I still had time before the next event, and I prayed it would be enough.

A breathy cough caught my attention, and my senses immediately locked onto Penny.

She had been quiet for the last day or so, barely pacing or moving within the confines of her cell. I leaned toward the glass barrier and found her curled in the corner nearest her window. Her gaze rested vacantly on the corridor beyond until she noticed my movement.

When her eyes met mine, she looked exhausted, drained in a way that went beyond mere fatigue. Yet the faintest smile still touched her lips in greeting.

“Hey,” she said.

I moved to lean up against the corner, mimicking her. “You look unwell, Penny.”

“You’re not supposed to tell a girl that.”

“Why would I keep that from you?”

Her brows bobbed. “It’s a stupid human thing. This,” she sighed. “Is what depression looks like.”

“Depression,” I repeated, attempting to recall what the word meant.

“Yeah. I’m just feeling a little hopeless.” She paused a moment, hugging herself with her arms. “How long have you been here, Thilar?”

“Too long.”

“What did you do before this?”

Sunhai huffed, interrupting our conversation. “He is monrian. They only do one thing, and that’s whatever they’re paid to do.”