by Anna Hackett
They passed lots of people walking the streets, a mix of locals and tourists. They were wearing everything from fighting leathers, to simple robes, to party outfits fancier than Lore’s and Madeline’s. Some were heading for the casinos, others rushing to catch shows and parties. He saw quite a few men, and even a couple of women, give Madeline a second glance. Especially that drakking slit in her dress.
They turned a corner and Madeline slowed. “Wow.”
Ahead, was a large building made entirely of glass. It rose up to an angular roof made of sheets of glass, and it was easy to see the crowd of people inside, and the large boxing ring in the center, where two huge men were busy pummeling each other.
He led her to the entrance, showed his invitation—a small medallion stamped with two fighters mid-swing—and they entered the Glass House.
The place was packed and music throbbed. Servers dressed in black moved around passing out drinks and food. There were some tables and chairs dotted around, and a mezzanine level ringing the room, allowing spectators to get a better view of the fight ring. Everyone was laughing and drinking.
Lore flagged down a server and murmured an order to the man. A moment later, he returned and handed Lore two drinks. Lore slipped the man a coin.
Madeline eyed the dark liquid warily.
“It’s called Ronia nectar. It’ll be soothing for your stomach.”
He watched as she sipped it, her eyes widening as the sweet flavor hit her. Lore sipped his own and glanced around the room. Then, his gaze made contact with Cerria’s bright-yellow one.
Vashto and Cerria were holding court at a table in the center of the party, not far from the boxing ring. The couple were surrounded by partygoers, all vying for their attention.
Cerria waved her clawed fingers, gesturing them over, her gaze raking over Lore’s body. He’d always been able to find something attractive about any woman, but Cerria left him stone cold. He saw Vashto watching them as well, his hot gaze on Madeline.
“We’ve been summoned,” he murmured.
Madeline barely hid her grimace. “I guess that means it’s showtime.”
They waded through the guests and reached Vashto and Cerria.
“Welcome, gladiator,” Vashto rumbled from his seat at the table. Cerria was sitting on the table beside him, wearing a tiny dress.
The woman instantly leaped up, her claws biting into Lore’s arms as she jerked him closer. She pressed herself against him, and over the throb of the music, he heard her words. “I want to fuck you, gladiator. I want to bite and scratch you, and leave you bleeding.”
Nice. “It’s a pleasure to see you, too, Cerria.”
She leaned forward and licked his neck. He took a step back, claiming a seat at the table and tugging Madeline into his lap. He liked that much better, except that her slim leg was on display, and Vashto was staring at it.
With a pout, Cerria leaned closer, pressing her small breast against his shoulder, her breath hot on his ear. “I will fuck you.”
“Not tonight.” Not ever.
“How much?” she demanded.
She was determined. “I’m not for sale.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Everyone has their price. Even your pretty little flower here would have a price.” Her gaze raked over Madeline.
Madeline sipped her drink, curling into Lore. “What I want, you can’t give me. And unfortunately for you, Lore doesn’t want you.”
Cerria’s gaze sparked fire. “He wants you, but I can tell you haven’t fucked him yet. So maybe you don’t want him enough. Maybe there’s something more you want than him.”
The woman turned away, shouting for more drinks.
Lore pressed his lips to Madeline’s ear. “You okay?”
She nodded. “We’re here for a reason. An important reason. I can put up with that catty bitch any day.”
They stayed there for a while, pretending to enjoy themselves. Cerria laughed loudly, touching any male within reach. Vashto drank steadily.
Then Lore stood, setting Madeline on her feet. Vashto eyed them.
“I want a closer look at the fight.” Lore wrapped an arm around Madeline.
Vashto nodded. “Enjoy the party and all its entertainments.” His gaze moved to Madeline again. “I’ll be in touch.”
Lore nodded and pulled Madeline into the crowd, eager to put some distance between them and the couple.
They moved through the party, the music turning from a thumping beat to something with screeching strings. There were pockets of people dancing, and others shouting and cheering for the boxers in the ring.
Lore saw her glass was empty. “I’ll get you another drink. Stay right here.”
She nodded, her gaze on the fighters. Lore turned around and took a few steps to order with the closest server.
When he turned back, he saw a giant, red-skinned, horned alien towering over Madeline. She appeared to be telling the man to leave her alone and waving him off.
But the alien stepped in closer. His skin color deepened and the curled horns on his head started to glow.
That’s when Lore saw Madeline go stiff, her face frozen.
Fear. She was keeping her face blank but Lore saw below that mask of hers now. Realization burst inside him. The alien was a Gnashian, a distant relative of the Thraxians.
The alien grabbed her arm and she twisted, trying to jerk out of his hold. Lore charged forward, fury boiling inside him. He knocked several people out of his way.
“Leave her alone.” He grabbed the man’s arm.
A second later, the Gnashian gave a loud yell. He released Madeline and stumbled away.
There were two perfect scorch marks of Lore’s hands burned into the alien’s arm, and Lore’s hands still flickered with flames.
Chapter Eight
Lore cut off his power, and hoped no one saw his veins glowing gold beneath his skin.
“Go.” He glared at the red-skinned alien. “Before I hurt you far worse than that.”
With a strangled noise, the Gnashian hurried off. Lore wrapped an arm around Madeline, pulling her away from the crowd and toward the darker edges of the room.
Back near the entrance that led down into the kitchens below, he pulled her close, turning his back to the crowd. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her gaze still on his arms. In the shadows, the fading glow of the veins in his arms was more noticeable.
“He frightened you.”
“I know. It was stupid. He just reminded me of the Thraxians.” Her gaze met his head-on. “The fire…it’s not just an illusion.”
Lore stiffened. Was she afraid of him? He was so used to keeping his ability secret, he wasn’t sure what to say.
She reached out and grabbed his palm, turning it over and studying it. She traced her fingers up his arm. She didn’t appear afraid. “How do you do it?”
“Males are rare among the Nomi for a reason. We have…extra abilities.”
“Pyrokinesis.” She shook her head. “And the water during the show yesterday…you were really manipulating it. It should be impossible.”
“For humans and most other species, yes.”
Her gaze was steady. “But not for you.”
“No, not for me. Or rather, the males of my species. We are born with the mental ability to control the movement of molecules in our body. Like water molecules. And we can also speed up their movement in order to increase the temperature.”
“And create fire,” she breathed.
He pulled her closer. “It’s always been kept a secret by my people, Madeline. Nomi males are believed to be extinct, and in the past, when people heard of one alive, he was usually hunted, killed, or dissected.”
She was silent for a moment, her gaze running over his face. “You’ve been hiding a part of yourself.”
“I’m not hiding, Madeline, but I don’t broadcast my abilities either. I’m a member of the House of Galen now and that gives me certain protection.” He cupped her cheek. “For you, I
’m an open book. I’m certainly not hiding how I feel about you.”
“We’re a bad idea, Lore.” Her breath hitched. “I’m a mess. Inside, I’m just shattered pieces.”
He leaned closer, letting his breath wash over her cheek and her scent sink into his senses. “Then let me help you put those pieces back together.”
He touched his lips to hers. Just a gentle nip. Her lips parted, her hands sliding up to his shoulders—
“I wasn’t expecting to see anyone from the House of Galen here this evening.”
The smooth male voice made Lore lift his head, and he bit back a frustrated groan. Why did everyone interrupt him when he tried to kiss Madeline? The elegant man standing nearby with his hands in the pockets of his expensive black suit was watching them with an amused half-smile. The man’s black hair was tied back at the base of his neck.
“Rillian.”
The man inclined his head. “Lore, it’s a pleasure to see you.” The man’s black gaze flickered silver as it landed on Madeline. “And you must be Madeline Cochran.”
“I am,” she answered.
“Madeline, this is Rillian, owner of the Dark Nebula Casino, and a friend of the House of Galen.” He was careful to keep Madeline close to his side. Rillian was handsome, suave, and rich. He was also known for enjoying beautiful women.
“A pleasure, Madeline.” Rillian turned back to Lore. “Since I know Galen detests these fake boxing matches, and Vashto and Cerria, I’m very surprised to see you here.”
“I didn’t think this was your crowd, either,” Lore said.
Rillian lowered his voice. “I got wind that they might have news on the underground fight rings. Terrible business. I’d like to do anything I can to help shut it down.”
Lore relaxed, but only a little. Rillian was an ally, but Lore was smart enough to recognize deadliness, even when it was coated with a high gloss. “We’re here for the same thing. Galen invited Vashto and Cerria to an arena fight, and I ensured they issued me an invite tonight.”
Rillian raised a dark brow. “If they’re interested in you, they’ll be interested in getting you to fight.”
“Yes.” And lead them to Blaine.
“Our friend is stuck down there in the fight rings,” Madeline added. “He’s being forced to fight to the death. We have to find him before it’s too late.”
The casino owner nodded. “A few of the wealthy elite are talking. Vashto is making the rounds, one by one, and handing out tickets to a select few for an exclusive event.”
Madeline sucked in a breath. “A fight? When? Where?”
“I don’t know yet. He hasn’t talked to me, but apparently, he just finished talking to Sile.”
Lore grimaced. Sile was an ugly, crude reptilian who owned several casinos in the District. “I’ve heard all kinds of nasty rumors about the man…including that he likes to eat people.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve heard the same things.” Rillian glanced at Madeline and then back at Lore. “I know Sile has a thing for pretty, smooth-skinned women.”
Madeline straightened her shoulders. “If you get me an introduction, I’ll talk to him and find out what he knows.”
“No,” Lore said.
“You’ll be right here, watching me. If he tries anything, you have my permission to rescue me. I’ll be perfectly safe.” She lifted her chin. “Besides, this is my decision, not yours.”
“You promised to follow my orders.”
“No, you just demanded that I would.”
Rillian was watching them with a half-smile. “I’d be happy to give you an introduction.” He looked at Lore. “And I’ll help keep her safe.”
“Where is he?” Madeline demanded.
Rillian pointed discreetly to the left of the boxing ring. Lore easily spotted Sile sitting with a group of his goons. He had cracked reptilian skin, large eyes, heavy brow ridges, and an elongated jaw that accommodated his sharp teeth.
Madeline grimaced. “He looks like an upright crocodile. You shouldn’t use my real name. How about—”
“Maddy,” Lore suggested. “Close to your real name so you won’t slip up.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I hate Maddy, but fine, it’ll do.” She ran her hands down her sides. “Wish me luck.”
Lore yanked her into his arms and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Do not get hurt. Not a single hair.”
Her eyes softened. “I won’t, Lore.”
Reluctantly, he let her go. Madeline glanced at Rillian.
“Let me gain his attention first. Then you can introduce me.” She sauntered toward the alien, her hips swaying in a sensual dance.
Lore’s hands clenched into fists. He hated this.
“Another gladiator falls at the dainty feet of a woman from Earth,” Rillian said.
“Call her dainty to her face, I dare you.”
Rillian smiled. “Oh, no. I know these women are fierce under their soft, small bodies.”
Lore forced himself to take a long, calming breath. “Go. Introduce her and keep her safe. Anything goes wrong, and Sile won’t be the only one to feel the edge of my sword.”
Rillian inclined his head, and followed Madeline.
Lore stuck to the shadows, but moved as close as he could to where Sile was sitting. Most of his guards were reptilian as well, but from a variety of species. He saw the instant the man noticed Madeline walking through the crowd, his gaze zeroing in on her.
A moment later, Rillian appeared by her side and Lore could tell Sile wasn’t very happy about that. When Rillian nodded to Sile, the reptilian waved them closer.
Madeline smiled a sultry, come-hither smile at the alien.
It made Lore realize that she’d never smiled at him like that. He watched her walk into Sile’s little lair, and he cursed.
One wrong move, and Lore would snatch her up and get her out of there.
***
Madeline stared at the ugly creature.
His skin looked like parched earth, cracked under a dying sun, and while he had a humanoid shape, she could see a long tail. His long mouth was full of teeth, but his eyes—green with a large elongated pupil—held intelligence. And were cold…so very, very cold.
“Rillian,” Sile drawled, his voice deep and husky.
“Sile. Enjoying the party?” Rillian sat on a couch and Madeline sat beside him.
“Not nearly as much as you must be with this delicious creature by your side.” His eyes stayed locked on Madeline.
“Sile, this is Maddy. She is a friend of mine.”
Madeline forced a smile. “I asked Rillian to introduce me. I hear you’re an important man.” She edged closer to Sile, ensuring the slit in her dress fell open. If he liked smooth skin, she’d make sure he got an eyeful.
“Where are you from?”
“All over.” She smiled again, trying to think of this just like any meeting she’d been to where she’d needed her poker face to keep her true feelings hidden. “You own casinos.” She let her voice turn breathy.
“I do, sweet thing.”
Did he mean sweet to look at or sweet to taste? Ugh. It unsettled Madeline’s stomach to think of him eating people. “I like casinos, but gambling is…boring.” She pouted.
“Boring?” Sile said, surprised.
“It’s monotonous. Like I always tell Rillian, I like more…action and excitement. I love going to the arena to watch the fights.”
Sile grunted. “There are bloodier shows than the arena.”
“Oh?” She feigned surprise. “I can’t imagine that.” She licked her lips, and Sile’s reptilian gaze moved there.
“Yes, sweet thing. I know of one coming up.” He leaned forward, touching her thigh. “Right here.”
“Here?” She looked at the boxing ring. “This is just a silly boxing match.”
Sile shook his head. “Not in this ring. Beneath it.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow! Beneath here?”
“I’m assured it will be a fight to rival all fight
s.”
“When?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t been told yet. Rillian here doesn’t have a ticket, but I do.” Sile’s chest puffed out. “I could get you in…as my special guest.”
She saw hunger in his gaze now, but for the life of her, Madeline couldn’t tell if it was sexual or physical appetite.
Not in this lifetime, ugly. “I think I’d—oh—” she pressed a hand to her stomach, feigning pain “—I’m sorry, I need the restroom. Now!”
Sile frowned. “Are you ill?”
She waved a hand at him. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just recovered from a nasty illness. Couldn’t keep anything in. It was coming out at all ends.” She widened her eyes and clapped a hand over her mouth. “I think, I think…”
Sile looked alarmed now, waving her off. Rillian grabbed her elbow and they hurried away, Sile’s guards parting fast to let them through.
“Nice job,” Rillian murmured as the crowd swallowed them.
She straightened. “Thanks. And thanks for your help.” She scanned around for Lore. “We got the information we needed.”
Rillian nodded. “As far as I know, there is nothing below the Glass House except the kitchens.”
Where the hell was Lore? “Well, I guess that’s why these guys are so good at hiding the fight rings.”
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind. There was no time to panic, and she recognized Lore’s strength straight away.
“Thanks, Rillian.”
The casino owner nodded and stepped back. “If I hear anything else, I’ll let Galen know.” The man walked away.
Lore dragged Madeline back to their dark corner near the kitchen entrance. Far away from Sile.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. “The guy is creepy. But he gave me the information we needed. There’s a fight planned…right beneath the Glass House.”
“Beneath? There’s never been any talk of anything beneath the Glass House.” He scanned the room. “Galen will look into it.”
