Page 90 of Protector Unmatched

“Quickly,” Pearce said, and rushed after him, Daphne in tow.

Spectators were already forming a ring around the two fighters. Chewbacca was armed with a knife or dagger, though Pearce couldn’t get a good look at it, while Indiana Jones was trying to use his whip to fend off the creature—with little success. This Indiana Jones had no idea how to use a bullwhip.

“Shit, I can smell him,” Zane said when they were only a few yards away from the two. “The Chewbacca is a demon.”

“Fuck!” Pearce cursed and pulled his dagger from its sheath.

Pearce was already pushing people aside to get through the crowd, much to the chagrin of several onlookers, who cursed him out. Zane also charged through the throng to reach the demon who was trying to kill Indiana Jones in plain sight.

Pearce finally made it through the crowd and charged at Chewbacca, tackling him to the ground. When the creature fell flat on his back and stared up at him in utter surprise, his demon-green eyes blinked. Zane had smelled right: the guy was a demon.

Cheers erupted behind Pearce, then suddenly a bullwhip cracked next to his head.

“Hey, that’s my fight!” It appeared Indiana Jones didn’t want to stop fighting, unaware that Pearce was trying to save his life.

The second’s distraction gave the demon enough time to toss Pearce off and catapult him into the display of bobbleheads.

There was clapping all around. The Wookiee had fans in the audience.

“Team Chewie!” somebody yelled from the crowd.

Pearce jumped up and lunged toward Chewbacca once more. He managed to grip the demon by the shaggy hair of his costume, and jerked him back, just as Zane jumped between the creature and Indiana Jones and plunged a dagger into the demon.

“Ohhhh!”

“Noooo!”

“Yay!”

Cries of various sentiments, from joy to disappointment, accompanied the killing of the demon. When he fell to the ground, green blood spurting from the mortal wound, people started clapping, while others booed.

“Wookiees don’t have green blood,” one bystander said.

“So lame,” another added.

“These mock fights are totally unrealistic,” a visitor in a Klingon costume huffed.

Pearce ignored the comments and turned to where he’d seen Indiana Jones last. The guy was rolling up his bullwhip and giving him an annoyed look. He wasn’t Harcott. Just another innocent.

“I totally had this, dude,” Indiana Jones said with an angry look at Zane and Pearce. “You’re such spoilsports.” He turned away to merge into the crowd.

“Yeah, you’re welcome!” Pearce called after him. “Ungrateful little shit!”

Zane put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t get upset. He’s oblivious. It’s better that way.”

They made their way back to where Daphne was waiting for them.

“You both were amazing,” she said with a proud smile. Then she motioned to where the dead Chewbacca lay. “What about the body?”

Pearce shrugged. “Nothing we can do about that. They’ll eventually figure out he’s really dead and not just playing dead. With some luck, it’ll take a while.” He wiped the sweat off his face. “I need some water.”

Daphne motioned to one of the walls. “I saw some water fountains and vending machines over there earlier.”

“Good, thanks.” Pearce took her hand and started walking toward the area.

Zane marched next to them and, in passing, casually wiped his bloody dagger on a dark blue drape separating various exhibits.

“I hate demon blood,” he said. “Tastes like warmed-up shit.”

“Amen to that, bro,” Pearce said. Then he pointed to the wall. “There are the water fountains.”

“I’m thirsty too, but I’ll get some from the vending machine,” Daphne said, and turned her head to the side. Then she stopped in her tracks.

“What?” Pearce asked.

Daphne pointed to the right. “Harcott. He’s going into the bathroom.”

Pearce followed her outstretched finger and saw a man dressed in an Indiana Jones costume disappear in the men’s room. “Are you sure it’s him?”

Daphne nodded. “I saw his face. It’s him.”

“Let’s go get him.” He was already pulling Daphne with him toward the entrance of the men’s room.

“I can’t, Pearce. It’s a men’s room.” She pointed to Zane. “You and Zane have to go. I’ll stay here.”

For a second, Pearce hesitated. But he knew she was right. He and Zane had to follow Harcott. “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere.”

Via his communications device, he alerted the rest of the team. “We spotted Harcott. He’s in the men’s room in sector pink.” There was more crackling in his ear, but he couldn’t worry about that now. “Zane, let’s go.”