Xrez’s gaze jumped from one human to the next, assessing and analyzing. He took his time to evaluate each one. The humans he watched seemed much different than the first one he’d seen many years ago. Instead of cowering, they’d made weapons, which was what other species tended to do in this stage.
The rules in Level One stated that hunters were not permitted to harm prey or another hunter. Prey was not allowed to harm other prey, but there was no rule that prey couldn’t hurt the hunters. If a rule was broken, the perpetrator’s collar would deliver an electric shock to the brain and spinal column, rendering them immobile and in excruciating pain.
He was sure that while a handful of the hunters had signed up to hunt Level Three prey, which was considered the most elusive, stealthiest and smartest prey, the vast majority wanted the opportunity to catch a human for their rareness. Those hunters wouldn’t expect their easy prey to fight back or wield improvised weapons.
What if most of these humans progressed to Level Three?
The idea excited him.
While the business flourished and made enough credits to maintain the planet and compounds, there was always room for growth, and he could experiment with different arenas. One hunt wouldn’t be enough to help him realize his father’s dream of someday adding a fifth or sixth compound on the planet, but if this hunt was as successful as Bradliix imagined, Xrez could see the desire to fruition in his lifetime.
“I fear that you’ll sway the hunt in some way.”
Bradliix’s words came back to him.
Above all else, he had to ensure the last hunt his father sanctioned was successful, all while maintaining the integrity of the business.
Xrez tamped his excitement down. Helping all the humans to Level Three would undoubtedly raise questions with the hunters and bureaucrats. No, he had to stick to his original plan. Provide the humans with some advice and direction. He wouldn’t interfere in capture in any way. If any of the hunters found out who he was and felt slighted with his involvement, they would complain.
Happy hunters kept their mouth shut about his family’s illegal business. Unhappy hunters grumbled and complained to anyone who would listen.
Xrez mentally went over the excuse he had discussed with Bradliix in case he was found out. He was in the game to re-acclimate himself to the business. He’d been away for a long time, and it could be expected he’d want to know the changes or upgrades that were needed and what better way to assess the state of the compounds, rules, and game than to get a firsthand account?
With his actions firmly justified in his head, Xrez dressed in a lightweight, one piece, snug-fitting suit. He’d picked it because the brown and green colors would allow him to blend with the trees and foliage easily and because it was explicitly made for hot and humid conditions. The suit was weaved with microfibers engineered to absorb moisture from the wearer’s body and move it to the outer layer to evaporate in the air, designed to keep him cool. It was perfect for this particular arena.
His boots were also form fitting and matched the color of his suit. The soles were made of a material that while thin would protect against puncture as well as provide support and cushion as he traveled over dense and impenetrable vegetation. They were also light enough to run through muddy, wet areas without sinking.
Xrez also had a collar and comlink like the other hunters. Bradliix had been clear that Xrez had to abide by the same rules as the hunters. Xrez didn’t like the way the collar constricted his neck, but there had been no way around it.
Xrez stuffed his pre-approved gear in the designated pockets of his outfit; three protein bars, hunting knives, cordage, fire stick, bandage, rapid-healing ointment and antiseptic to treat minor injuries. Hunters had to bring their provisions while prey had theirs delivered through the intricate pod system.
Xrez checked his suite once more, making sure he had everything needed for his first day. Before leaving he viewed the hologram again. The humans were still fast asleep, but there was one he watched intently. She was a small thing—as were all the human females, but something about her stood out. He couldn’t figure why she’d caught his attention. He was sure she wouldn’t progress from Level One.
She was compassionate, which was a nice trait to have. But this wasn’t the time for niceties. Not when she should be in survival mode. Her devotion to the mother and her children would be her undoing.
She was much different from the females of his species. The human female looked so…smooth and plain. She appeared fragile—utterly different than a Dar’E female. A Dar’E female was built to handle the sexually aggressive nature of a male. The female he watched would be crushed under his weight. Mating would be out of the question.
She was the opposite of what he usually found attractive.
What am I thinking about?
She would never be his mate. There was probably another hunter watching her from his private suite as he did, but instead of plotting to help her get to Level Two, he most likely imagined how many children she would give him.
That thought had a low growl ripping from his throat.
Where had that come from?
He glanced down at his hands. They were balled into fists.
He unclenched them and pushed the thought of mates and children from his mind.
Xrez had a different agenda, and he reminded himself of it now. Save his father’s legacy.
Satisfied he had everything he needed, Xrez left his suite and made his way down the hall, past the other private suites and into the main waiting area where the air was thick with anticipation.
Xrez quickly counted the number of hunters, thirty including himself. He guessed there were twenty Level One only hunters and ten others. Of the ten there were probably four who would wait until Level Three to select their prey.
He only guessed that number because those were the same hunters who’d shared a hall with him. Those suites didn’t come cheap, and if the hunters shelled out the credits for an expensive suite, they most likely would want the finest prey.
The opportunistic hunters didn’t appear prepared for the heat or terrain of the jungle. Xrez spotted three Cyrox’s who hadn’t worn clothing to protect their skin from the scorching heat. He hadn’t expected the Cyrox’s to invest in proper gear. They were scavengers by nature who hunted in packs. They followed other hunters, waiting for them to corner prey then would move in for the claiming.
One Cyrox spotted him and nudged another. They all turned toward Xrez then whispered under their breaths. Just as Xrez could easily spot an opportunistic hunter, he was sure they could tell who’d opted for the expensive package. Xrez’s clothes and gear practically screamed he had credits and would use it to purchase every available upgrade.
A Cyrox chuckled, deep and hard, bringing Xrez’s attention to him. He leaned casually against one of the posts and watched Xrez. Cyrox’s were broad in nature. They often used their size to intimidate others. But the Dar’E weren’t easily intimidated by anything. Xrez knew firsthand there wasn’t a lot of honed to perfection muscles under their clothes or intelligent thoughts going through their heads.
“I’m glad they’ll be following you throughout the arena and not me,” a Givvek said to him. He had a voice that didn’t match the glare of his black eyes or the finely honed lethal body. His voice was smooth and relaxing, used to lure his victims into a false comfortability.
Xrez made eye contact with him. He was light blue with a diamond-shaped face and protruding ears and chin. “They can try.”
“Anyone who follows me will end up in one of my traps,” a Fen’Oi declared loudly.
They were loners and aggressive. The Fen’oi’s threats weren’t made in vain. The Fen’Oi’s clubbed tail whipped out and slammed on the wall, causing a fine crack that ran up to the ceiling. He watched the Cyrox with eyes set deep in their sockets. The four horns on his head were curved and deadly. The Fen’Oi often used them to impale and bludgeon when under threat.
The loud noise o
f the room quieted when the oversized screen came to life, projecting a live feed of the human camp. All of the prey, save for one male, huddled in their sleeping bags. There was a light pink tinge to the sky that chased away the dark of night. As the sun rose, the prey became clearer. The hunters who were seeing the humans for the first time homed in on who fit their criteria—if they had any.
When sunlight finally fell over the sleeping humans, their collars glowed yellow, much different than the solid grey from the previous days.
A new air rushed over the group. Excitement.
A few hunters whooped and hollered, eager to begin the famous hunt. Others paced, their adrenalin making it impossible to stay still. Xrez couldn’t help but react to the eagerness in the room. He wasn’t there to hunt, but his predatory nature awakened.
Exhilaration coursed through his veins.
His senses heightened.
His claws elongated.
His mouth salivated.
After years of boredom and stagnation, he finally felt…new.
A loud alarm rang out, and the door on one side of the building slid open, revealing lush jungle.
Hunters ran from the lodge with roars on their lips.
The hunt was officially on.
Chapter Eight
A heart-stopping alarm sounded. Esme scrambled from her sleeping bag and struggled to stand while covering her ears with her hands.
“What’s going on?” Miranda yelled over the noise.
“I don’t know!” Esme yelled back.
She uncovered an ear to help Miranda stand. Miranda held Lexi clutched to her chest. The little girl’s eyes were wide from shock. Adam wiped his eyes and grabbed Miranda’s leg to help him stand.
“Mommy! The noise is so loud!” Adam cried. His voice barely heard over the alarm.
Ben was already up and stalking the perimeter of their camp. His muscles flexed and hands balled into fists. He surveilled the area, keeping his eyes trained for anything that came through the trees and his way.
Esme unhooked Miranda’s fingers from biting into her arm and ran to Ben. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
He didn’t turn to glance at her, his attention firmly on the tree lines. “Dunno, but whatever is going on here has officially started. We need to go.”
Esme’s heart dropped to her stomach. She wasn’t ready to leave the comforts of their small camp. It was far from home, but at least in their little perimeter, she felt safe. “B-but why do we have to leave? Can we stay to see what happens?”
Ben turned around. His eyes were sharp and assessing. He nodded toward her neck. “Your collar has yellow lines on it.”
Esme fumbled at her collar while glancing at Ben’s. Yellow. What did that mean? Whatever it was wasn’t good at all.
Ben regarded the confused group. “Everyone get your things together. That sound is our cue to go.”
Yesenia stuffed her bottle of half-empty vodka into her purse and looped it over her shoulder. “Do you think we’re able to get past the markers now? I seriously don’t want to get shocked like Spencer did.”
“One way to find out!” Payton clutched Jack’s neck and pressed her wristband.
“No! Wait!” Ben reached out but it was too late. Payton and Jack were swallowed in the ground.
A few tense moments passed as everyone watched and waited for Payton and Jack to return. They didn’t.
“She’s gone,” Esme breathed out, unsure how to feel.
Payton had made it clear that she preferred to be on her own, but Esme thought there would at least be a round of goodbyes or some closure. Esme blinked back the tears.
“Do you think it’s time for us to use a pod to get away?” Yesenia asked the group, her fingers hovered over her wristband.
“Wait,” Min said. “I have three lines next to the pod icon.” She glanced up, her eyes instinctively settled on Ben.
Ben looked down at his wristband and cursed to himself. “I think it means that we’ll only be able to use it three times.”
Yesenia dropped her hand. “So we better use them wisely.”
Ben gave a short nod. “Only in emergencies.”
“Well, that was stupid,” Spencer said. “Payton doesn’t know where she’ll be taken.”
“You tried to use it to get away yesterday,” Yesinia pointed out.
Spencer humphed. “That was when I thought I had to escape. Now that I know people are coming to me, I’m not going anywhere. I’m waiting for whoever is behind this to show up. After I tell them who my dad is and how much he’d be willing to pay for my safe return, I’ll be released.”
“Spencer has a point.” Mary Ann lowered herself to the ground and began rummaging through her clutch. “Three days is long enough for the tabloids to speculate where I am and for the paparazzi to miss me. When I get back home, I’ll be on every gossip magazine out there.” She pulled out a mirror and applied dark red lipstick.
Ben sighed. “I’ve spent three days trying to convince you two that no one is coming here to save you. Stay here, and you’ll most likely end up dead.”
Mary Ann smacked her lips then recapped her lipstick. After putting it away, she pulled out a comb and raked through her hair extensions. “Run, Army man, run.” She peered up at Ben and pouted when he didn’t laugh. “I’m tired of playing Camper Barbie, Ben. I’m ready to go home,” she whined.
“Me too.” Spencer lowered to sit next to her, both making their stance clear.
Ben cursed under his breath.
Esme understood his pain. Sometimes there just wasn’t any reasoning with the rich and stupid. Esme raised her chin. “Ben, if you think we should leave, then let’s go.”
Ben gave Spencer and Mary Ann a hard stare. “I really do hope you both survive this.”
Spencer flicked his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about us. This isn’t the first time I’ve been kidnapped and ransomed back to my family.”
Mary Ann burst into a fit of giggles and held up three fingers. “I’m sort of a pro now.”
Done with all the stupidness, Esme grabbed her purse and stuffed the sharpened sticks inside. Miranda did the same with Lexi’s diaper bag.
“I think we should head in that direction,” Ben nodded toward a group of large and imposing trees. “The sun rose behind us. We’ll get better use of daylight heading in the opposite direction.”
“Um, we were thinking about going out on our own.” Yesenia exchanged a nervous glance with Min. Then they both glanced at Miranda before averting their eyes. “We thought staying in a group would…lessen our chances of survival.”
Miranda went still. “Of course,” she whispered.
“We should stay together,” Ben said softly.
“It’s okay,” Miranda said. “They don’t want me and the kids to hold them back. I get it.”
“Miranda,” Esme said.
Miranda wiped a tear that had breached her eyelid to roll down her cheek. “It’s true.”
“You chaps go on without us,” Danny said. “Kaylin and I decided last night that we’re going to find some high ground and scope out the landscape.”
“So you guys aren’t coming with us either?” Esme asked, her voice higher than usual.
Kaylin shook her head. “If I’m going to get this role I have to play the part. I have to be smart. And a smart outdoorsy woman would go to the highest point and plan from there.”
Ben scrubbed a hand across his head. “You still think this is all for a freaking movie role?” he ground out.
Kaylin jumped, and her smile wavered. “Y-yes. You can’t possibly think we’re on an alien planet and captured for nefarious reasons, can you? Th-that’s just ludicrous.”
Danny nodded toward Kaylin. “I tried to convince her otherwise, but it’s no use. Someone has to keep an eye on her. Plus, she’s up for an Emmy this year. I want to make it back to Earth to watch her walk across the stage.”
Ben closed his eyes briefly and let out a deep breath. “I gu
ess it’s just us then. Let’s get going.” He stomped past Esme and Miranda.
Esme went to follow and tugged Miranda. She didn’t move. “Come on.”
Miranda shook her head. Her eyes were red and wet with tears. “Everyone has the right idea, Esme.” Her voice shook as she spoke. “I’ll only hold you both back. Go on without me. Me and the kids will stay here and meet our fate with the idiots.”
Ben grunted and stormed back. “Not on my watch.” With one hand he plucked Adam from his feet and lifted him to sit on his broad shoulders. “Now, let’s go.”
Esme pulled Miranda to follow Ben. “You heard the man.”
* * *
Just as Xrez had expected, the hunters who’d invested in the game ran out first while the opportunistic hunters hung back and watched, hoping to follow the hunters with the maps. Xrez had been one of the first hunters to exit the cool and comfortable building and stepped into the humid jungle. He made his way through the thick and almost impenetrable vegetation, fighting his way through vines and overgrown brush, all the while aware of being tailed.
He could easily make out the four who followed him. They were sloppy and loud. Even over the clamor of noises coming from the curious animals, Xrez distinctively heard the grunts and labored breathing of his followers. If this were their approach to hunting prey, they would fail miserably.
Being followed irritated him, but Xrez didn’t let on that he was aware. Xrez moved over the terrain with ease, not allowing his size to get in the way. He refrained from using his knife to hack large chunks of trees and brush away. Instead, he moved around, under and over them. He wouldn’t leave any evidence of his presence or clear a path for the others following.
The most difficulty he had was getting through tight spaces where the thorns from the Huka tree blocked narrow paths. One scrape of the poisonous barbs against the exposed skin on his hands, neck, and head and he would be in the infirmary undergoing skin grafting procedures.
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