Eighteen

RATED R VIOLENCE

The crowd's chants are louder today and almost savage as we make our way towards our seats. Their excitement seems to have distracted them from our late presence, which makes the irritated Kea relax.

"Zuri, trade me," I whisper quickly as we get closer, and I see Zor on the end again.

Zuri nods while giving me a small smile. She doesn't need me to explain the reason. She heard Zor yesterday.

As we take our seats, my eyes focus on the massive grassy field. I keep myself from focusing on the thousands around us by staring at the sand-colored men already poised in the center.

Their shoulders and backs have to be three or four times my body width...at least, which seems to be bigger than they were yesterday.

"Do they look bigger today," I whisper toward Fiadh, and she nods without taking her bottom lip from between her teeth?

Fear slowly begins to creep up my body, and the crowd changes their tone-chants and grunts of excitement or approval stop. But the silenc