13. Sek’su

13

SEK'SU

" I cannot believe my ears," Za'tan shouts. "Do they fail me, or have you both lost your minds?"

"We cannot have brawls, not like this," Dalagh says, his gray eyes boring into mine so hard it feels as if he is trying to uncover my soul.

"Brawls? This upends everything we stand for," Za'tan says, ending with a growl.

I lower my head accepting the admonishment. I lost control and fought outside the arena. It is not our way and there is no way to explain it because I promised Wrenlee that I would keep our secret.

"Have you nothing to say for yourselves?" Dalagh asks. "Some reason that it came to this?"

I shrug, shifting my feet uncomfortably. Burshtin grunts and shrugs too.

"It is my fault," I say, not wanting him to take the fall for my loss of control. "He only reacted to my attack."

"You were ending the fight, I take it?" Za'tan asks. Burshtin grunts and shakes his head, then shrugs. His tail slaps the floor twice. "Have you lost your voice as well as your wits?"

"No," Burshtin snaps.

"No?" Za'tan asks. "No, you were not ending it, or no you have not lost your wits?"

"The second," Burshtin says, barely containing a growl.

Za'tan storms in closer, his hands balled into fists.

"I will bust you down the ranks and make you start over at the next arena," he says, glaring at him with his one good eye, the milky one pulls my attention along with his broken horn, " If you do not stop with the attitude."

Burshtin has never really liked Za'tan. Now that he's no longer Second, he is more open about his dislike, but now is not the time for him to put that on display. The Second is here if nothing else, and besides, Burshtin is innocent. I need to get him out of here.

"I lost control, not him," I say. "The fault is mine. Let him go and I accept any and all punishment as meted out by the Al'fa."

"You do, do you?" Za'tan says, not even looking at me.

"Za'tan," Dalagh says.

He speaks softly, not in a tone of resonating command, but the intention in his words is clear and that alone seems to carry force enough to stop Za'tan from doing or saying more. Dalagh proved himself in the arena, taking the title of Second from Za'tan fairly. Since then, he has been a good Second, even if he is a surface Zmaj. Or mostly one. He is one of those who had been mutated and turned into something monstrous, but he acts like a Zmaj and seems to be a good male.

"You may be Second," Za'tan says, "but you don't know the mountain. We do not fight outside the arena. Under the mountain that is an invitation to death. No one should be inviting death inside our compound."

"I understand," Dalagh says, placing a hand on Za'tan's shoulder. "But Sek'su has owned his part. The punishment is his. Burshtin, return to your duties."

"Heh," Burshtin huffs, turning and walking towards the door. He pauses at the door, looking back towards me. "Good?"

"Good," I say, nodding affirmatively.

He gives me the briefest smile then ducks through the door leaving me alone with the other two. Dalagh crosses his arms over his massive, scarred chest.

"Well?" he asks.

"Sir?"

"We are alone, I assumed you did not wish to speak in front of your friend. Explain yourself."

"The bijass," I say.

"No," Za'tan says. "You do not get off that easily."

I shrug, not looking at him, keeping my eyes locked on Dalagh. Once, long ago, when I made a journey to the surface there was a storm coming and the sky was full of dark clouds that swirled as the storm approached. Dalagh's eyes remind me of them.

"You can take the southern patrol tonight," Dalagh says. I nod in agreement, but the grin on Za'tan's face gives me pause. I stop before finishing my nod and give Dalagh a questioning look. "One of the Urr'ki is leading it. I want one of ours with him."

My stomach clenches and a growl slips before I can stop it. I suppress the curses that try to slip off my tongue. This is not how I want to spend my time. I was hoping to meet Wrenlee again tonight.

Za'tan has a grim smile, and he is watching me closely. If I disagree or say anything, he is ready to make it worse.

"As you command," I say, nodding in agreement and turning to walk away.

I'm almost to the door when Dalagh speaks.

"Sek'su," he says, and I stop. The scales on the back of my neck itch as the muscles between my shoulders tighten. It is never good when you're stopped trying to leave. "One more thing."

I turn back around, trying to keep my face neutral, but that has never been a skill of mine. He studies my face as he walks closer.

"Yes?" I ask.

"Is there anything more you want to say?" he asks, his gray eyes boring into mine.

I grit my teeth and will my tail to remain still despite the urge to slap the ground. I shake my head. His eyes bear into me and for some reason, I want to tell him. But, I gave her my word and that is more important than anything. I will deal with whatever comes my way before ever betraying the trust she asked of me. Even if I don't understand why she wants it.

"No," I say.

He continues to stare, and he narrows his eyes. Behind him, Za'tan snorts and turns his back on us. I narrow my eyes too, angry at the insult, but there is nothing I can do about it. Za'tan may no longer be second but that's only a testament to Dalagh's skill in the arena, not a denial of Za'tan's prowess.

"Go then," Dalagh says at last.

I make my escape while I can. If I have to go out on patrol tonight, I want to see Wrenlee first. That means finding out where she is doing her daily duties. That should be easy enough. All the human's duties and assignments are organized on a board, I should be able to find her without much effort.