Our guys are the best fighters.”

Casey nodded. “They are stronger and faster than normal Zorn guys. That’s why their father leads this planet as the ultimate ass kicker. Rever is going to take this Volder asshole down hard and fast.”

Brenda fought tears. “Rever could die.”

Ariel moved closer to put her arm around Brenda. “It’s all right. We’re here and you’re not alone. Rever is not going to lose. Trust me when I tell you that the brothers are really mean fighters. I’ve seen Ral fight a lot, unfortunately. One guy is not going to be a problem for your Rever. I’d only be worried if like six or more were attacking him at once. One is a breeze compared.”

Casey took up the space on Brenda’s other side, gripping her loose hand hanging at her side, giving it a squeeze and holding on to it. “That’s right. Our guys are major ass kickers. They grew up fighting each other for fun and you know how brothers are.

You’ve got nothing to sweat.”

Brenda felt a lot better now that she wasn’t alone. She gratefully glanced at both women. “So we’re family?”

“We’re your sisters-in-law.” Casey gave her a squeeze. “Hang in there. You’ll laugh about this later. After you see him kick this guy’s ass you’ll feel silly about being so worried.”

“That’s right,” Ariel said with a nod. “Our guys are winners.” A blare sounded, making Brenda jump but she wasn’t alone. Casey and Ariel also startled.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know,” Casey admitted. “This is our first arena challenge that we’ve been to.”

Ariel turned her head to look at the wall of guards behind them. “Jah? What is that alarm?”

The guard met Ariel’s eyes. “It was the warning bell, Ariel. The fight will begin as soon as the challengers have finished proclaiming.” Casey frowned. “Did you catch that?” She was eyeing Ariel.

Ariel shrugged. “What in the hell is proclaiming?” A horn sounded. Jah jerked his head in the direction of the arena. “Watch.” Casey moved in closer to Brenda. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

Zalk climbed on something high so he was easily seen. “Now is the time for proclaiming. Speak now or it ends with the last breath.” Brenda saw Coto pushing his way forward in the direction of the older judge. She also saw Rever’s younger brother Vhon move. He gripped the cage wall where a pole stood and climbed high, turning his head with a wide grin on his face.

“Zalk, if Rever falls I proclaim a challenge to Volder in his place for bounding rights.”

Hyvin Berrr looked shocked and furious as he glared up at his son. Zalk wasn’t fairing much better, looking stunned. Coto froze for a few seconds but then turned his head, glaring up at Vhon. Vhon’s grin spread wider. Brenda turned her head to look at Rever in the cage arena to see him frowning.

“Oh damn,” Ariel sighed. “That little shit.”

“Why did he do that?” Casey leaned over a little closer, almost bumping into Brenda. “What is going on? Coto was supposed to issue the second challenge thing.” Ariel shook her head. “Vhon is…” She closed her eyes and then snapped them open. “He’s Vhon. He’s kind of immature and well, he thinks with his lower region rather than with the brains in his head. It would be like handing your widow over to a super horny teenager.” Her eyes slid to Brenda. “Rever will win so don’t worry about it.”

Casey chuckled. “Man, I wouldn’t want to be you if Vhon did get his hands on you.

If Argernon was any hornier I would need a wheelchair. You’d never survive the equivalent of Zorn’s version of puberty.”

Brenda stared at the brunette in shock.

“It was a joke,” Casey assured her. “Rever’s going to win.” Zalk nodded. “Proclaiming accepted and acknowledged.” He turned to the arena.

“Challenge begins now.”

A roar instantly tore from the arena, which startled Brenda. She turned her attention back to the caged area just as Volder leapt at Rever. He moved just a heartbeat before Volder would have landed on him. Rever struck out with a strong arm, slamming it against Volder’s chest. The other man staggered back, snarling. Rever snarled back as they circled each other.

“I can’t watch,” Brenda whispered but her eyes remained open.

“He’ll win.” Ariel hugged her side harder.

“He will,” Casey echoed.

Brenda started to pray as the two men sprang at each other while fists were exchanged. Even from thirty some feet away she could hear the sound as knuckle met skin. She saw blood. The fist fight turned into kickboxing at times, both men lashing out at each other with powerful blows of their knees and feet when they weren’t using fists.

Rever stumbled when Volder got in a lucky shot with his leg to the back of Rever’s knee. Brenda moaned in terror for Rever when he went down but he rolled, getting up.

Volder tried to attack him from the back. Rever looked as though he expected it, bending at his knees, he leapt up in the air, and flipped acrobat-style over the surprised Volder.

“Shit,” Casey gasped. “He’s in shape.”

Volder spun around to face Rever when he landed behind him but it was too late.

Rever threw a punch hitting Volder square in the jaw and sent him flying backward to land hard on the ground where he stayed, obviously stunned. He sat up after long seconds, shaking his head, blood running down his jaw, throat and bared chest, still looking dazed.

“Kill him,” a male from the crowd roared.

More shout-outs followed that horrified Brenda as the Zorn people made vocally clear that they wanted to watch a man die. Rever didn’t move though, waiting for Volder to get on his feet. Brenda saw Rever’s lips move but the crowd was too loud to hear what he said. Volder looked pissed, shaking his head no in response, and stumbled to stand up. He advanced on Rever, who moved to meet him. Rever spun, his foot flying out, and nailed Volder hard in the front of his thigh.

Brenda almost screamed when she saw the gruesome sight of Volder’s snapped leg.

The bone came through the skin and Volder looked down in shock before he fell over.