Now, I know Aldred enough to realize he has something sneaky up his sleeve. I’m really starting to regret not having taken the offer to grab my guy and go back to Purgatory.
The Arbiter lowers her head and begins a low chant. I can’t tell what language it’s in, but the unmistakable zing of magic fills the air. So many things start happening at once, it’s hard to keep track. The stage on which the Arbiter sits flattens out until it’s level with the main floor. The Arbiter’s throne whips up into the air until she’s seated with her back against the top corner of the wall. Something about this position reminds me of a Roman Emperor watching a gladiator battle from a balcony high above the arena floor.
“I hereby announce a duel of execution between the High Prince Lincoln Vidar Osric Aquilus of the House of Rixa and the Earl Aldred of the House of Acca. The rules of this duel are simple. No man-made weapons may be held or used by either warrior. You both must fight until the death. I will conjure a force field to keep you in place until one of you breathes your last. Are these terms understood?”
“Completely,” says Lincoln. He takes his baculum from his belt and tosses them aside. I really hate to see that happen.
Aldred shrugs, and something in the movement sets my teeth on edge. “I have no weapons to disarm.”
The Arbiter lifts her arms. “May the battle begin!”
Suddenly, a box of what looks like glass forms around Lincoln and Aldred, only it’s not glass. It’s really a magical force field that’s keeping them in place.
A force field. I know the Arbiter mentioned it before, but I don’t like seeing this in action. There’s no way for me to step in if things get ugly.
Lincoln and Aldred pace in a circle as they size each other up. I cross my fingers.
Please let Aldred do something stupid.
And sure enough, that’s what he does.
Aldred rushes straight for Lincoln. The Earl of Acca hunches forward, his arms folded across his chest. Clearly, he wants to jam his shoulder into Lincoln’s stomach. It’s a classic move, if you’re a human linebacker. For a thrax warrior, it’s not so good.
Lincoln sees the move coming a mile away. He allows Aldred to barely touch him before dodging the bulk of the attack. Aldred’s momentum keeps him running forward until he slams into the invisible force field. Unfortunately, he picks the stretch of wall right by me. That’s when I see it.
Aldred is holding a weapon in his hand. Only it’s not man made.
The wasp’s stinger.
Somehow, Aldred picked up the stinger that I ripped out of Lady Daria. That thing is freaking poisoned.
“Watch out!” I pound on the clear barrier with my fists. “He got the stinger!”
Aldred catches my eye and grins again, the bastard. When he speaks, his voice is a low grumble. “Once I kill him, I’m going after you.”
I keep pounding away because—screw it—I am out of my head right now. “I’ll fillet you! You’re going down!”
“Oh, my poor boy.” It’s Octavia. She stands on the other side of the force field, staring in shock at her son.
Lincoln’s still hunched over and he’s gripping his belly.
Damn. Aldred must have gotten a good swipe in there. I pound away some more. “No!” I round on the Arbiter. “Stop this. Aldred cheated. He brought in a weapon.”
The Arbiter shakes her head. “The wasp’s stinger is not man made and is therefore allowable. There is nothing I can do. Continue with the battle.” I’d take some comfort in the fact that she seems really bummed out, but damn. My fiancé is trapped beyond an impenetrable wall with a stinger-wielding psychopath.
Aldred struts toward Lincoln. “All this time, I’ve had to put up with you and your damned family.” He tosses the stinger from hand to hand. “Now, I have you just where I want you.”
Lincoln crouches lower. A moan escapes his lips. I scream my head off. Lincoln never moans. He could have his arm chopped off and the guy wouldn’t even whine. What did that stinger do to him? I can’t even imagine the ugly-ass poison that Lady Daria conjured.
Aldred pauses above Lincoln’s curled-up form. He raises the stinger high above his head. “Now, I take my revenge!”
Fast as a heartbeat, Lincoln leaps up. His movements are so fast, I can see nothing except a blur. Within seconds, Lincoln has gotten Aldred to drop the stinger. Next, Lincoln moves behind Aldred and wraps his arm around the Earl’s throat. “Think I didn’t see you pick up that little stinger?” Lincoln’s voice is low, but I can hear it clearly.
Aldred’s face turns red as he claws at Lincoln’s arm. My guy isn’t giving him any air. I pound on the invisible wall again, only this time with relief. “Yes!”
“As you die, think on this,” continues Lincoln. “I have a list of every noble and thane in the House of Acca, and I’ve already marked which ones go into exile. Your legacy of corruption and greed dies with you.”
Aldred’s movements turn weaker. His eyes roll into his head. Lincoln lifts his free arm and sets his hand against the Earl’s chin. With one smooth movement, Lincoln’s flips Aldred’s head from side to side, snapping his neck.