fished a couple arrows from his quiver and handed them to Orion. “We had an agreement.”
“I don’t see why—” The clatter of broken glass interrupted Flynn, and he sighed. “Great. Now he wins.”
“Will you just shut up?” Raphael spat.
“I’m just saying, we could’ve at least taken turns.”
“And you could’ve left us to compete on your own terms,” Raphael said.
Another orb shattered, and Flynn’s face dropped. “Oh, for God’s sake.”
“Will you be quiet?” Tobias scanned the darkness. “There are beasts in this arena—more than one kind.”
“Oh, there are beasts here, all right—the lot of you.”
Raphael shook his head. “Flynn, you are such a child.”
“And you all are bullies,” Flynn snapped. “Dictating this challenge like you’ve got a crown on your head. Well let me tell you, the only royal I see is sitting up in those pews, and if you think your words hold a fraction of the title of his—”
A wolf leapt onto his back, collapsing him.
Tobias sprang to action, yanking an arrow from Raphael’s quiver and slamming it into the wolf’s coat. The wolf yelped but held firm, and Tobias stabbed it again and again, thrusting the arrow deep into its neck. Finally it toppled onto its side, leaving Flynn to stumble to his feet, his back lined in oozing scratches.
Raphael handed an arrow off to Orion, who shot the wolf dead, and cast a glare Flynn’s way. “That’s what allies are for.”
Flynn grunted, dusting off his pants before plodding behind them. They wove around the winding walls, the remainder of their journey mundane; no bickering, no wolves, and surprisingly, no Drake or Kaleo. All that remained was the red glow of the final orb, creeping closer as they followed its call.
Orion planted his hands on his hips. “There she is. The last one.”
The orb stood tall in the distance, the clearest shot of them all. Raphael plucked another arrow from his quiver, then stopped short, glancing at Flynn. “Any objections?”
Flynn glowered. “No.”
“Are you sure, oh bringer of justice?”
“Just shoot the damn orb.”
Raphael handed the arrow off to Orion, who nocked and took aim. Time dragged at a glacial pace, and Tobias held his breath. Just get it over with.
The arrow shot across the arena, shattering the orb. Darkness—the men at Tobias’s sides disappeared, the all-encompassing black plucking his nerves.
“What now?” he whispered.
A crack sounded from above, and light poured over them, the dome dissolving away. Orion stood at his side, now perfectly clear, and winked.
“Challenge is over.”
As the arena walls morphed into their original state, Tobias exhaled, slapping Orion on the back. “Congratulations. You’ve earned the win.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, brother.”
“What about us?” Flynn said.
Raphael rolled his eyes. “We didn’t do anything!”
A rumbling tore through the arena, and the winding walls shook, slowly retracting into the ground. Finally at ease, the four ambled toward the holding cells as the walls around them sank.
Kaleo popped up from behind one of the descending walls, his bow drawn and arrow aimed at Tobias.
“Tobias!” Flynn cried.
The snap of the bow bounced off the arena walls, the arrow hurtling straight toward him.
A body darted in front of Tobias, colliding into him. He steadied himself, then sucked in a breath.
Orion hung in his arms, an arrow lodged in his chest.
“Oh God,” Tobias said.
He lowered the man to the sand and hunched over him, madly scanning him over. “Orion?” He shook him. “Orion?”
Orion lazily glanced his way. “Good man…”
Blood pooled along his chest, and a wave of heat rushed up Tobias’s face. “Oh God…” He pressed his hand to the wound. “Everything’s going to be all right. You’ll be fine.” He turned to the men hovering around him. “Will someone get Leila?”
No one moved—save for Tobias, still fighting to slow the bleeding. His throat caught; crimson coated his hands, and Orion’s face had drained of color.
“Everything’s fine. Do you hear me?” Another shake. “Orion?”
Orion looked up at him, through him, his gaze far away.
“Selene…”
His eyes journeyed farther, traveling past Tobias into the sky—and then they were empty, his body limp.
Dead.
“Orion?” Tobias shook him harder. “Orion.”
Nothing.
Tobias went still, lifeless—like the man in his lap. He stared down at Orion. His brother. Gone.
Raphael took a reluctant step forward. “Tobias…”
Tobias didn’t speak. His mind was a void, but his body stirred, his senses flooding through him with force and will. Slowly, his eyes lifted from his fallen brother; Kaleo stood in the distance, and suddenly Tobias was on fire, his hatred burning straight through his skin. He jumped to his feet.