"I'm pretty irresistible." Colton's c.o.c.ky tone washed over us. "Brace is just jealous."

He shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a jealous guy. But mostly I'm protecting Red from having to see your ugly a.s.s."

"Colt has nothing on you, baby," I whispered to him, reaching up to run my fingertips along his jaw line.

He snorted. "Never has, never will."

The boys continued to banter. Colton mentioned something about tiny man-parts, although they were not the words he used.

"I'm telling you now, neither of you have a problem with that." Lucy's eyes were wide and s.h.i.+ny as she said this.

Brace grinned and Colton growled at her words.

"That reminds me, I still have to kick your a.s.s for that, Brace," Colton said, pointing a long finger at him.

"You can try," Brace said lazily. "I don't actually remember the incident in question, but I'm sure Lucy enjoyed the show."

"Oh, I did." Lucy fluttered, before winking at Colton's exaggerated growl. "But my favorite part was Abby's b.u.t.t in the air."

I blushed. I could feel the heat coating my cheeks and even my ears felt a little warm.

"I'm thinking that would have been my favorite part also," Brace said in a low voice.

I hid my face against his chest until their laughter subsided and my face returned to its natural ivory color. Brace rubbed my back in a comforting manner.

Finally we moved into the doorway to Nephilius. Seeing the men side-by-side pointed out how similar Brace and Colton really were. In more ways than one. Truthfully, I was yet to see a Walker without a good body d.a.m.n, good was an understatement; they were perfect but Brace and Colton were even a step above this, truly exceptional.

It was hard sometimes and I knew Lucy felt the same way. They were flawless G.o.d-like creatures, as if each part had been delicately carved to perfection. And we were both human-like females with plenty of flaws. Although less than the average Earthling, so we couldn't really complain.

As we stepped out into the white mists of Nephilius, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was coming next. Sure, I wasn't the one battling or anything, but it's hard watching your loved ones fighting and being hurt.

Well, let's just say I'd already had enough of that to last a lifetime.

Chapter 16.

We were like mini-G.o.ds on Nephilius. They were so grateful to us for freeing their dead souls that they'd dropped the arrogance and become very respectful.

"Looks like they're loving themselves some Walker." Colton smirked as he leaned against a cloud post. "Can't really blame them."

Brace smacked him on the shoulder. It must have been pretty hard because he stumbled. "Don't forget who freed the souls. Red's stronger than either of us, and she kicked a.s.s down there."

I melted a little inside at his words, so proud and protective.

"d.a.m.n, did you have to dislocate my shoulder to prove your point? I know Abby has bigger ba " Another punch cut Colton off before he could finish that statement.

"Abbs is amazeb.a.l.l.s. We all know this." Lucy hugged me tightly. "And she has excellent taste in friends."

I shook my head, hoping they were ready to move on to a new topic. It made me uncomfortable when people acted like I was more awesome than I was. I just got into situations and did everything I could to get out. One day soon I'd probably get in way over my head and drown or need to be saved again. I certainly was no great savior. The Seventine kicked my b.u.t.t every time we went head to head with them.

"Are you ready to battle?" Delane strode over to us, her hands gripping twin fighting axes.

The weapons were similar to the smaller throwing style I'd used on Earth, but on a much larger scale. Personally, I preferred throwing knives, but that was probably because my accuracy sucked with the mini tomahawks.

She gestured to Brace. "You need to get your weapons. Steva has decided, with all the delays that this is one big final knockout round. We'll fight until there's one champion left. Any weapon or style ... freestyle."

"I thought you usually had champions for each different weapon?" I said.

She shrugged, just the slightest lift of her shoulders. "Apparently this year will be different. In celebration of our returned Angelica and the freeing of the souls."

Her tone said she didn't care, but her narrowed black eyes broadcast her annoyance. Brace kissed me on both cheeks, just near my lips, before his final kiss landed on my mouth.

"See you soon, Red. Stay out of trouble."

I stuck out my tongue. "I promise not to fall down any crevices."

"What about us?" Colton's face dropped into an exaggerated expression of devastation. "I'm starting to think you don't have an appropriate level of ... giving-a-s.h.i.+t about the rest of us, Brace."

Brace flipped him off, before following Delane across to the weapons area.

"That cuts me deep, man," Colton yelled after him. "Really deep."

I couldn't help the laughter that rang free. Got to take your funny wherever you can find it.

Colton turned to Lucy. "Want to kiss it better?" She flew up and leaned in for a kiss, before ducking away at the last second. Her wings fluttered as she grinned at him. A light of challenge flared across his face and then he was off after her.

It was actually nice to see Colton in such a playful mood. He'd been much happier since finding out about Brace and me. He was happy for his friend, which made him a keeper in my opinion.

My eyes stayed locked on Brace's broad-shouldered back as he moved through the Angelica. The d.a.m.n flip-flopping of nerves started low in my belly. c.r.a.p! I did not want him fighting again. b.l.o.o.d.y stubborn Walkers. Delane should just get her b.u.t.t to First World.

I wondered for a moment how the other girls were going on their worlds. No one had checked in yet. So I guessed they hadn't found any suspicious energy-gathering areas.

I wondered if I should send my tethers out to check on them, but I was worried that I'd connect to them and freeze them in a vulnerable position. I'd hate to think that I'd left them defenseless to an attack or something. Maybe I'd wait for them to call for me.

I watched as the Angelica transformed the tournament field into the different fight squares. The champions from the first day were stepping out to battle. I could see the field clearly. The white-winged Angelica were batting away the mists and using their powers to halt the freezing winds.

My eyes were immediately drawn to the tall Walker in the center of the field. Brace was against a black-wing, but it was not Delane. She was to battle a white. The judges were gathered together, ready to observe the staggered battles again.

At Steva's command, the first group began. The rest of the Angelica either watched the fight or moved in a series of warm-up exercises. Brace did neither. He stood there looking bored and spent his time watching me. I could feel his warm gaze.

Lucy and Colton came back then, distracting me. They settled in on either side of me, both reaching out to touch my arm, offering comfort. Even though Colton thought it was hilarious, they both knew I was nervous.

I didn't have to worry. Brace's turn to fight came around. He wore armor but had no weapons. He fought hand to hand, using the lighter gravity to bounce around and keep pace with the flying Angelica. It took no more than ten minutes for him to cold-c.o.c.k the black in the face and knock him backwards. He followed this with an elbow to the jaw that knocked the Angelica unconscious.

He moved to the next round.

In round two his opponent was a white-wing. The fight started with blasts of cold wind that seemed to extend from the white female's hands. The ice hit Brace and he moved in slow motion before freezing to the spot. His arms still lifted in exaggerated slowness as he fought the chills. The Angelica made her move then, coming straight in at Brace with a long samurai-looking sword. I held my breath, my nails digging into my cheeks as I urged Brace to free himself.

"Come on, come on, come on," I chanted under my breath.

Lucy reached up and removed one of my hands, before squeezing it tightly. I didn't s.h.i.+ft my eyes from the fight. My gasp was lost in the jeers of the crowd when the white-wing swung her sword in a strong wide arc toward my frozen mate. Colton's free hand gripped my shoulder, keeping me from moving. I hadn't even realized that I'd started to head onto the field.

Thankfully, at the last minute Brace lifted an armored forearm and blocked that first sword thrust. The Angelica had clearly not expected that. Her arms dropped, leaving her guard down. Which you should never do with someone as fast and highly trained as Brace.

The combo of uppercut, hook and jab knocked winged-woman to the ground. Brace then removed her sword and, using the edge of the guard, clipped the white in the temple. Another round to Brace.

"Why doesn't he use weapons?" I asked.

"Trying to even up the playing field," Colton said. His very icy blue eyes were lit up as he watched all the fighting going on. "d.a.m.n, I should have signed up for this."

Lucy and I rolled our eyes at each other. Men. Are. Stupid. That is all.

The fighting continued, and then as if fate had dictated it although I was sure it was somehow maneuvered by the judging panel the last two left were Delane and Brace.

The field was cleared of square mist zones, leaving a wide open tournament area. I was pretty sure every single Angelica stood around us now, staying in their flocks so splashes of blue, green, purple and black contrasted with the cloud world. The white-wings blended in, although their feathered appendages were s.h.i.+mmery, reflecting off the rays of the sun-cloud thing that filtered light into their pale blue sky. The way Nephilius managed to use clouds or variations of them to form a world was pretty amazing.

In deference to Delane's skills, which were superior to the other Angelica, Brace now held weapons: two long swords with thick blades, like those of the knights from the medieval times. But they had to be much lighter, otherwise two would be d.a.m.n heavy to fight with. Even for a Walker.

Delane held her axes loosely gripped on either side of her.

It looked like Brace and Delane were chatting with each other. I could make out their lips moving, although from this distance there was no way to know what was said. Delane smiled then. Brace returned the grin, and then the fight was on.

Brace was the first to move, which might have taken Delane by surprise, since I'd noticed during her battles that generally she was the aggressor, but Brace had her on the defensive.

I clenched my hands tightly, sweat beading on my palms despite the freezing air of Nephilius. Delane was the first one to draw blood, her axe slicing in between the shoulder and arm pieces of Brace's armor.

His expression remained unchanged and I knew that such a small wound would barely register with him.

The clanging of weapons was loud across the zone and I knew we weren't the only ones mesmerized by the graceful movements of these two. It was almost like a dance, the back and forward, the graceful arc of the weapons. Glints of steal. Sparks of metal on metal.

Brace dropped his swords and brought forward two smaller blades that must have been tucked into his clothes. He was getting in close and personal now. The following series of movements resulted in numerous cuts littering Delane's arms and torso.

Brace had a few injuries too, but his Walker healing fixed that up quickly. Delane healed fast also, but nowhere even close to the speed of Brace's healing.

The intensity increased as they fought for supremacy. I was pretty sure that Brace was going easy on the Angelica, although she was a worthy opponent.

And as I had that thought the fight dynamics changed.

Brace started pus.h.i.+ng her back toward the edge of the field. She seemed to be struggling to match his blows now. The faster they came the slower she was to react. I felt some of the tension leave my body, and I sagged forward a little.

"Yeah, it's pretty much over now," Colton said. "I've seen Brace fight a million times. He's winding up for the kill."

I hoped he didn't mean that literally. I needed my half-Walker in one piece.

And sure enough, three movements later Brace had both of his knives crossed on either side of Delane's throat. I saw the resignation on her face; she knew she'd been bested. Someone needed to tell her, though, that Brace was one of the finest fighters in the known star system. With hundreds of years of experience over her. I had no time for a depressed half-Walker on my hands.

The judges moved into the tournament area and spoke with Brace and Delane, and then all of them crossed over to stand just in front of us and the five groups of gathered flocks.

"We have our champion." Steva spoke out to the crowds. "Which only proves to us that the Angelica flocks need to train harder."

Okay, they were not real happy about an outsider beating them.

"Until next tournament." All of the judges spoke the same words. And then they turned away and left, each heading toward their respective flock.

Delane and Brace moved toward our group. Many of the Angelica inclined their heads to us as they too left.

"Not much of a ceremony," I said as they stopped before us.

Delane met my gaze. "We don't fight for the trophies or accolades. We fight for the honor and knowledge that we're the best. No ceremonies required."

Fair enough.

Brace moved closer to me, and I couldn't stop myself from jumping into his arms. He moved his knives at the last second, and caught me with ease.

His armor was hard against my body, but I didn't care. He looked so hot all dressed up like a warrior.

"We need to see the lalunas like yesterday," he muttered, his tone lowering to a growling register.

I laughed. "Yes, as soon as Lucy and Colt's mating ceremony is over."

Pulling away from the warmth, I met the steady gaze of the Nephilius half-Walker. She never indicated whether she found these romantic relations.h.i.+ps uncomfortable to watch. She just took everything in her stride.

"Are you ready to leave, Delane? Do you need to grab anything?"

She shook her head. "The Gaa council is aware of my absence, and I have bid farewell to Jesile, my training partner. Other than this I'll need clothes provided. We manifest our outfits using the mists and energy."

"No problem," I rea.s.sured her. "And you can come back and visit Nephilius if you need."

She shook her head. "No, I'll stay with you until we finish this battle. I have no need to return here unless victorious."

Right. I'd forgotten we had warrior-Walker on our hands.

"Well, let's head back. I have a wolf to wed." Lucy clasped her hands together.

Colton gave her a look hot enough to melt the paint off a car. Of course, in New York most of the rusted-out cars no longer had paint but the a.n.a.logy still worked.

We moved away from the dispersing crowds. Angelica were taking to the sky in ma.s.ses of huge winged flocks. It was quite spectacular. I forced my gaze from the air to follow Delane. She showed us an out-of-the-way spot to open a doorway. Brace shed his armor before stepping inside.

"Can you contact the girls for me? I want them all there," Lucy said just before we followed them into the doorway.

I couldn't reply inside the vacuum, but I gave her a nod.