Drones race in and target Zariah as the Talhuskin sinks to the ground like he’s drugged.
A metal claw beneath a drone catches her.
A young man calls out, “Racer is secure.”
They lower her to the ground while the Talhuskin gets his wings bound again by another drone that shoots a net around them.
“Flight is an unfair advantage many try to use,” Rosy says.
But now all eyes are on Zariah, and multiple males clobber each other on their way to get to her.
“This was a very bad idea,” I say to Rosy. “You should have rejected her application. Everyone has seen her. Everyone knows of her father’s reputation now.”
Rosy clutches my hand in hers and calls for ABR guards to control the massive tangle of males. Then she turns to me. “Everyonedeserves a chance to know love. She would have to commit a crime to be rejected.”
“Rosy?” Someone calls over the radio.
“Minimal force necessary,” she replies, releasing my hand to speak with her crew. “No weapons. That is a hard rule. You know that.”
Below us, an ABR security guard gets thrown back. Another takes a hit to the head and crumples.
“Let us help,” I say.
Keo comes up to Rosy and her team, with several others. “They need assistance.”
“Fine, yes. Go,” Rosy waves us out.
I scramble past the others who watch the race and am the first to the doors.
An ABR officer protests beside me. “This breaks our policies!”
“Let them through!” Rosy says with more force.
Charging down the steps and into the fields toward Zariah is a freeing sensation.
This feels right.
She is mine.
I will protect her.
I target the big Ginarigon who has made his way to her and has crouched over her in preparation for a bite. He’s going to drug her, make her submit when she wouldn’t choose to. It’s just in their nature.
Hot energy floods my muscles, anger my new strength. I move faster, approaching them in the field. I target his side and slam into him, launching him off of her with satisfaction.
The Ginarigon rolls, braces himself as he slides in the dirt, then shakes his head. I tumble but land on my feet. When Zariah is safe from him, I turn back to help her up, but I find I am too late. Someone else is in my place.
He is gentle as he helps her up, so I walk away. She deserves someone who treats her with respect.
The tangle of combative males is slowly tamed by other guards from ABR and personal security. I find the biggest males and lug them out of the mess.
“You have three minutes to find a female or be disqualified,” an ABR drone repeats.
This seems to help shake some sense into the racers and get them back on track with picking up the few women left. A drone encourages us to group up off to the side.
I stand with Keo among ABR guards and personal security, watching the racers with scrutiny.
The buzzer sounds, and I find Zariah being thrown over the shoulder of a Ginarigon, a different one.
