I leaned in closer to him. “You can’t call Brace. He has to leave; he has to get away from here.”
Josian’s features fell for the first time into lines of confusion.
“We need Brace, Aribella. I know you’re worried, but I promise I won’t let anything happen to him.”
“I’m sorry. Are we interrupting your family time with this little inconsequential battle?” Que’s tone was mocking, and I wanted so badly to punch him.
Ignoring this for now, I kept my pleading face locked on my father’s.
Josian held up one hand to Que to indicate we needed another minute.
“Dad, listen to me. This is not about keeping Brace safe; it’s about keeping everyone safe. You tell me he’s the most powerful Walker and Que wants him on your team. I think I just picked up his thoughts – well, kind of his feelings – and he wants you to choose Brace more than anything.”
This was the moment, the bad feeling I’d had since the announcement of this battle. Josian examined me for a few silent moments. I held my breath, hoping he would believe me. Brace finally reached our side.
Josian took that moment to face Que. “And I call Tolialth, my second-in-command.”
I sighed in relief.
“Do you accept that which has been challenged of us? To protect and claim the half-Walkers Aribella of Doreen and Talina of Abernath?”
Brace controlled his features, although I could feel his confusion. I needed to get him away before Que called him to battle.
Leave, Brace. Now. Open a doorway, and get far enough away that Que can’t call you, I ordered him with my mind.
He looked at me once, and then without any hesitancy opened a doorway and was gone. A shocked silence filled the green space. I was surprised that he hadn’t argued. I guess it was good to know that under all of his over-protective crap there was an honest trust in me. I just hoped it was justified today. Grantham stepped forward to stand with Josian. His generally jovial expression was serious.
“I accept this challenge.”
One of the reds also stepped toward my father.
“I accept this challenge.” He echoed Grantham’s words.
And if he was surprised by his sudden inclusion in this battle, he hid it well.
I noticed Que’s expression, and for the first time he looked unsure, as if he didn’t understand what had just happened. Of course that lasted all of two seconds; I doubt anyone else even noticed. He glared in my direction and, if looks could kill, I’d be in trouble. Fury poured off him.
“I call my second and third lieutenants, Marcus and Lional.”
Two large Walkers stepped forward. They looked like twins to me, with their long hair, dark and pulled back in low ponytails.
In unison they spoke the words of acceptance. I wasn’t sure that anything happened after that, but I could feel something in the air, a sense of ... officialdom.
“Let us begin.” Que waved his hands, and the rest of his men stepped back to form a semi-circle enclosing the back part of the field.
A doorway opened again, and Brace stepped back through. I ran to his side, allowing him to gather me up.
“You better explain to me what just happened, Red.”
His words were muffled in my shoulder as he hugged me close.
Que wanted Josian to pick you. It was part of his strategy. I just knew you couldn’t be involved; it was going to end badly.
I really hoped I was right, and that I hadn’t just sentenced my father to battle without his most powerful weapon.
Don’t let Que get in your head, Abby. He’ll twist your perception of everything. Don’t let him have any control there. If it happens again, block it out. Don’t encourage him.
I couldn’t tell if he was angry with me or not. Either way, our bed had been made, and now we needed to see what resulted from this battle.
Chapter 15
The six Walkers were motionless in the center of the field. Everyone had filed back to form a circle with a diameter of at least a mile. I threaded my hands through each other over and over, but my habit was doing nothing to stem my nerves. Brace reached over to separate them and kept hold of my left.
For some reason no one spoke. I don’t know what the signal was but the fighting started without any visible warning. I swallowed my gasp, though a small whimper escaped. I was probably squeezing the life out of Brace’s hand in my panic.
Josian will be fine, baby; he’s strong and has good men at his back.
Despite everything, my heart still fluttered when he called me baby; he didn’t do it much and I really liked it, which surprised me. I had never pictured myself falling for the cutesy name.
The fighting started to move rapidly. Walkers zipped around the field, testing each other. Josian and Que came together and again they went hand-to-hand combat-style. The other four kept each other occupied. I watched as Grantham crouched close to the ground, placing his palm flat on the green grass, and wondered what he was doing.