CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
The cars were all arranged at the starting line, each team preparing themselves in whatever clothing they’d chosen to wear. While many chose jumpsuits that were fire retardant, Muni had forgone such notions. Fire would burn her, but it wouldn’t kill her. She’d attempted to convince the others to wear them, but the Vikings had all preferred the same as her.
Battle leathers.
She stood dressed in leather pants, a tank top, and her combat boots, prepared for whatever came her way. Her men were no different. Each was dressed in leathers that fit them like a glove, highlighting their muscles with every movement. If not for the seriousness of the event, Muni might have been distracted. Instead, she could only focus on the cars all in line.
Many of the other teams were casting them hatful glances, telling her all she needed to know. The majority of them hoped the Games would claim her life. Some would be too afraid to move against her, but enough would grow cocky enough to try. They had a target on their backs, despite their warning at the Opening Ceremony.
Muni had a small knife fastened at her hip, considered a non-threat by the Council but there’d been a new rule added this time that weapons carried couldn’t be longer than a forearm. Therefore, the guys all had knives rather than their own axes. It was a stupid law, no doubt directed toward them, but they had to follow the rules or forfeit the race. It was the beast of the game.
As Eirik ran his final checks on the car, as Brin and Vidar helped each other by going over what they needed to remember, Muni’s eyes fell on the necromancer councilman as he weaved his way through the crowd, heading directly toward them.
“He’s coming,” she whispered, knowing the others would hear. None of them stopped what they were doing, giving the illusion of useless men, but she knew otherwise. Every single one of them were focused on her with razor sharp attention as Leonard Deadmont came to a stop before her. He was close enough to have a conversation, but he didn’t dare get closer than five feet. Even he was wary.
“I’ve come to wish you good luck, as the first quad team,” he said, a smile on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. Clearly, that was the guise he was going with, pretending he was wishing them luck so the drones would catch that.
The machines were yet another new addition. Drones buzzed overhead, taking in the racers, broadcasting it for the world to see. It made their ability to get more frames better, and no doubt, the programming would be top notch this year.
“Oh?’ Muni raised her brows, knowing full well that wasn’t why he was there. When he realized she understood, his expression changed, just barely, but enough she noticed it.
“I remember the last time I saw one of Odin’s spies race,” he purred, his voice low so the drones didn’t hear.
“Funny,” Muni retorted. “So do I.” When he tilted his head, she narrowed her eyes. “I remember watching Hugin closing in on the finish line, you losing behind him. I remember the explosion that allowed you to pass and claim the win the only way it would have been possible. I remember the way your eyes greedily ate up the sight of me falling from the sky.”
Deadmont smiled. “Do you now? Well, it’s best you don’t make the same mistakes your brother did. Wouldn’t want your second life to end quite as abruptly.”
Muni tensed and moved to take a step forward, her anger getting the better of her, but Eirik’s hand on her wrist stopped her.
“He’s goading you,” Vidar murmured softly as the necromancer turned to walk away, his stride cocky and sure.
Eirik released her and immediately fell to his stomach to look under the car. With a scowl, he reached up and ripped something from the underbelly of the car, holding it up for her to see. A bomb. Somehow, despite their vigilance, there was a bomb on the car. Had it been the councilman or the racer? He hadn’t admitted his involvement, but Muni felt in her soul that he had to be involved.
With a violent heave Muni didn’t expect, Eirik threw the bomb after Deadmont. “You forgot your bomb!” he shouted loud enough for everyone, cameras and all, to hear. Deadmont smiled tightly as he turned, catching the bomb in the air before it could hit the concrete and explode.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Deadmont replied. “It’s not mine. Enjoy your race, raven.” And then he walked away as if he really did have nothing to do with it.
“Fucking asshole,” Brin growled. “I’d relish cutting him to tiny pieces.”
“Not yet,” Muni murmured. “Someone else has to be pulling their strings. I can’t see him being smart enough for this, but first, we confirm with the racer that Leonard was in charge. Then we go after Deadmont.”
“How do you know someone else is pulling his strings?” Vidar asked.
“He said not to make the same mistakes as Hug. Hug had figured out who was behind the curtain and was winning so he could join the council and change things. He discovered it and they killed him for it. Deadmont wasn’t on the council then. Someone else had to promise him that position and took care to put him as a puppet in that seat.”
It all made sense to Muni. Suddenly, things were so clear, but they still were no closer to who could have orchestrated it all. They needed the secret that Hug had found. And the only way to do that was to race.
“Then let’s find out who we need to kill,” Brin growled, rolling his shoulder. He held his hand out for Muni. “Your chariot, lady raven,” he said, leading her to the car.
Muni smiled up at him despite the new knowledge. Despite it all, even if they never get revenge, she was glad for her Vikings. After all, she wouldn’t have found them otherwise.