by Anna Hackett
But seconds later, the dag’tar had recovered, its large eyes once again focused hungrily on the women.
“Over here!”
The deep shout reverberated through the pit.
The crowd’s screams rose to deafening levels.
Lore turned his head. Blaine Strong had entered the fighting pit from one of five gated tunnels. He brandished a sharp sword, his oil-slicked muscles gleaming in the firelight. One leather strap crossed his scarred, powerful chest.
“Now!” He bellowed at the women, waving a hand. “Behind me.”
The trio moved as a group, sprinting toward him.
But the dag’tar heard and charged at them.
Blaine leaped into the air, hit the ground, and rolled…right under the dag’tar. With a massive thrust, he jammed his sword up into the animal’s belly.
Orange blood splattered onto the sand, and the creature gave a shocked roar. Blaine rolled away.
Lore balanced on the edge of the pit, racking his brain. How could he help? And how could they drakking get them out without being mobbed by the guards? All while evading an enraged dag’tar?
Come on, Galen. Get down here, fast.
The dag’tar swung out a giant clawed arm. Blaine ducked and leaped to the side, tackling the black-haired woman out of the way. The brunette rolled through the dirt, pressing her belly flat to the ground.
But the small blonde woman wasn’t fast enough. The dag’tar caught her and she flew through the air. She hit the ground hard, tumbling through the sand several times before stopping.
The creature backed away from the others, and lumbered toward the fallen woman.
“Oh no,” Madeline said, her voice tight. “Get up.”
Lore watched, a knot in his belly, as the blonde struggled to push herself up. The woman was clearly dazed.
The dag’tar advanced. Madeline squeezed Lore’s hand tight. Grinding his teeth together, Lore readied himself to jump, even though he knew he was on the wrong side of the pit, and too far away.
There was a clanking sound and Lore turned his head to see the gate on another tunnel into the pit open.
Suddenly, another big shape rushed out of the dark tunnel mouth.
A big, blue-skinned, tattooed alien ran forward, long, matted hair flying out behind him.
It was the beast-man.
With a roar of his own, the man leaped at the dag’tar. He yanked out two giant fighting forks that gleamed in the lights. He hit the dag’tar, driving the three-pronged weapons deep into the creature’s side.
Then he leaped off, landing in a crouch right in front of the cornered woman.
The dag’tar spun in an unwieldy, frenzied circle, clearly in pain from its injuries. The beast-man approached the woman.
Drak. Lore’s muscled locked tight. Was this blue alien a friend or foe?
The woman looked up panicked, pressing against the rock wall. The beast-man moved closer, and grabbed her, pulling her up.
She was shaking her head. He pulled her closer and pressed his face against her neck.
“What’s he doing to her?” Madeline frowned. “It looks like he’s sniffing her.”
But then the dag’tar let out a roar, louder than before. The spectators all gasped, a wave of unease rippling through the crowd.
It lumbered across the pit, its burning gaze on Blaine and the two women with him. It came ever closer, and soon it would be directly below Lore and Madeline.
It was now or never. “I’m going to jump onto the creature’s back.”
“Are you crazy?” she snapped.
“I have to get down there and help them. Go and find Galen.” He didn’t want her running off alone, but he really didn’t want her in the pit.
But he also knew it had to be her choice. He knew his brave woman would do whatever she had to, in order to help the people below. Just as she’d sacrificed everything for her son.
Lore dragged in a breath. “Or you can come with me into the pit and help the women while I take down the dag’tar.” Their gazes met. “Your choice.”
He saw a smile flash on her lips, and something soft and bright flared in her eyes. Then her gaze zeroed back on the fighters and women trapped in the pit below, and her face hardened with resolve.
She gave a nod. “Don’t die, Lore. I can’t lose you, too.”
He yanked her in for a fast kiss. “You too. Stay alive.”
Then he grabbed her hand, spun, and leaped out onto the dag’tar’s back, pulling Madeline with him.
Chapter Fifteen
Lore slammed onto the dag’tar’s back, holding on tight to Madeline.
Her eyes were wide, but she was calm and focused. He leaned over and, holding her hand, lowered her down to the ground.
“Get to the women.” And stay safe.
She nodded, and a second later, she was sprinting toward Blaine and the other women.
Lore glanced at the blonde woman. She was still held protectively in the blue alien’s arms, and he was walking toward Madeline and the other women. They were safe for the moment. Lore had to focus on taking down the dag’tar.
The crowd’s wild shouts echoed in his ears, but he blocked them out. He lifted his sword, then brought it down, plunging it into the back of the animal’s neck.
Orange blood splattered, and the creature reared, throwing Lore off. He landed on the dirt and rolled. When he came up, he saw Blaine standing beside him.
“The only way to kill it is to wear it down,” he told Blaine.
The human nodded, and when Lore spotted movement out of the corner of his eye, he saw the blue alien had joined them. He stared at Lore with golden eyes.
“Don’t know if you can understand me,” Lore said. “But the more cuts and wounds, the more it bleeds, the more likely we can get this thing down.”
The dag’tar was staring at them now, thumping its claws on the ground.
“Don’t let it pin you down,” Lore added, spinning his sword. “You won’t like the consequences.”
The beast man didn’t react, but Blaine gave him a nod.
Lore turned and charged. He ran in, ducking the animal’s swing, and slashing at the creature’s belly. Blaine was two steps behind him, hacking at the creature with his sword.
A second later, the blue alien landed on the dag’tar’s back, jamming his fighting forks through the creature’s fur.
Orange blood coated the sand, making it slick. Lore kept spinning, charging and slashing, working with the other two men. He couldn’t see Madeline, but he assumed she and the women were staying out of range.
Suddenly, he heard shouts. He looked over and saw guards rushing down toward the fighting pit.
“Over here!” Madeline’s voice rang across the pit.
He turned and saw the gates on a large tunnel slowly rising, the chains lifting it clanking as it rose. Drak. He suspected a whole bunch of Srinar guards were going to rush in at any minute.
Madeline sprinted toward the gate. She grabbed the chains, trying to keep the gate from opening. The other women rushed to help her.
The dag’tar swung a claw in Lore’s direction. He reacted, just barely ducking beneath it. Then he had an idea.
He jammed his sword back in its scabbard on his side, and raced toward Madeline. He shouldered past her and grabbed the chain. He gave it a giant heave, trying to break it.
But the damn thing was strong. “Blaine!”
Blaine appeared and gripped the chain with him. The blue alien was busy keeping the dag’tar off them. Together, Lore and Blaine tugged, and the chain broke.
Lore lifted it. It was drakking heavy. “Lure him to me. I’m going to get this around his neck.”
Madeline nodded. “You get ready. I’ll bring him this way.”
What? He’d meant Blaine. Before Lore could stop her, she turned and ran across the sand toward the dag’tar. She waved her arms at the creature.
“Over here, you big, ugly thing.”
The dag’tar spun, sniffing the air. Its gaze
zeroed in on Madeline, and it made a sound. It started lumbering toward her.
She walked backward, waving it closer. Then the animal picked up speed, each step getting faster and faster. Lore hefted the chain, getting it ready.
Madeline’s eyes widened as the dag’tar ran at her. She turned, sprinting toward Lore, her arms pumping.
The creature put on a burst of speed, faster than Lore had imagined possible. It tore after her.
Come on, dushla. Faster. Lore saw Blaine and the blue alien, trying to gain the beast’s attention. But it had Madeline’s scent now.
Lore focused on the chain, setting his ability free. He blocked out Madeline’s scared face, and the boom of the animal’s steps. He started to swing the chain over his head, around and around.
A little closer. Just a little closer. “Madeline! Drop!”
She dropped instantly to the dirt, throwing her arms over her head. The dag’tar thundered over her, and Lore flung the chain. It was glowing red-hot.
It wrapped around the creature’s neck, burning into its fur and setting it alight.
The dag’tar stopped in its tracks, roaring and turning in a confused circle. It tried to tear at the chain, but its arms were too long.
Lore sprinted toward it. He leaped over Madeline, drawing his sword. He saw Blaine and the blue alien running in from the sides. The three of them charged together, skewering the dag’tar with their weapons—again and again and again.
The animal gave a wild cry and took one staggering step. Then it collapsed, the ground shaking, flames still flickering over its body. The stench of burning hair and flesh was overpowering.
Lore heaved in air, his lungs working like bellows. He turned and saw Madeline on one knee, looking at him. She smiled.
She was covered in blood, sweat and dirt, and he’d never seen anything so beautiful.
Then behind her, he saw another gate open, and a wave of guards rushed in.
Lore ran, but the guards reached Madeline and the women before him.
Madeline fought hard, fists swinging, but a second later, one backhanded her and she dropped to the ground.
“No!” Lore yelled, attacking the Srinar guard closest to him.
Blaine streaked forward and attacked them, as well. The blue alien roared, rushing to attack the guards harassing the other three women.
“Stop!” A guard’s voice rang out.
Lore lifted his head. He was holding a bedraggled Madeline in front of him, a sword pressed to her throat.
Lore froze, and sensed the others do the same. The other women were forced onto their knees.
“Drop your weapons,” the guard said, no expression on his ugly, misshapen face.
Lore’s fingers flexed on his sword.
The blue alien moved, but instantly, three guards rushed forward and jammed stun batons at him.
He fell to the ground, his body convulsing. The blonde woman let out a cry.
The guard with Madeline dragged her around, his sword biting into her skin.
Lore glanced at Blaine and cursed. Together, they dropped their weapons.
***
Madeline paced in the cell, working hard not to freak out.
She was back in a cage.
Maybe the walls weren’t gleaming metal, or the ugly, skin-like substance she’d seen on the Thraxian ship, but the solid rock and bars didn’t make her feel any better.
She was alone. A captive. Nothing.
She felt herself starting to hyperventilate, and forced herself to slow her breathing down. She was stronger than this. She was so afraid for Lore and the others. They’d dragged Lore away, fighting, and they’d shoved her in this cell just off the fighting pit.
She paced across the cell, turned, and paced back again. Galen, Raiden, Harper, and the others would be searching for them. She wouldn’t be stuck here. They’d all be okay.
Dropping down onto her knees, she pressed a curled fist to her chest. Lore would be okay. She’d see him soon. Besides, she wasn’t the weak, destroyed woman the Thraxians had captured. Now, she was stronger and had something to fight for. If no one came for her, she’d find a way out, herself.
She heard a rumble of voices outside, and suddenly, the cell door swung open. She leaped to her feet as two guards tossed Lore inside. He stumbled, and landed on his hands and knees.
The guards slammed the door closed again, and she raced over to Lore. When he lifted his face, her breath caught in her chest.
It was distended, and starting to bruise. One eye was swollen closed, and blood stained his mouth.
“Lore.” The hyperventilating came back, her lungs so tight she couldn’t get any air in.
His hands cupped her face. “Breathe.”
“I’m fine. Fine.” He was the one who was hurt, not her.
He pulled her close, sliding an arm around her. “You’re not fine, and it’s okay to admit that.”
“You’re hurt, and I’m stronger than this.”
“I’m here for you, Madeline. No matter what. You don’t have to be the strongest, or the one always in charge, or the one always with the answers.”
She reached out, gently touching the one spot on his cheek that wasn’t swollen or bruised. “It’s the only thing I know.”
“You see your vulnerability as a weakness. You haven’t realized that I see it as the soft, lush part of the woman I’m in love with.”
Love? Her throat was so tight. “Love frightens me, Lore. I’m no good at it. You’re going to break my heart.” And she’d never be able to pick up the pieces. It was already dented from what had happened to her, and Lore could shatter what was left of it.
“You have to give it to me first.” His fingers traced her cheekbones. “You have to trust me—” he broke off with a groan, bending forward.
Madeline slid her arm around him, lowering him to the floor. “Take it easy.” God, what if he had internal bleeding? “We can have this conversation again when we get out of here.”
He managed a nod. “The Srinar ‘questioned’ me. I think I convinced them we came alone.”
Suddenly, the door swung open, a shaft of bright light spearing in on them.
Vashto stepped inside, arms crossed over his massive chest. He cast a molten glance at Lore. “You didn’t have to sneak in. You could’ve asked, and I would’ve let you in the pit.”
Madeline spotted Cerria behind the man, smirking at them.
“You’re scum,” Madeline spat at him. “Tossing innocent people in that pit.”
Cerria pushed forward. “Chain the gladiator up and let me have him. I want him.” She licked one of her claws, her gaze on Lore’s chest.
“Sorry, love,” Vashto said. “They want the fight ring this bad, I’m going to give it to them.” He raked a look down Madeline’s body. “It’ll be a shame to watch you get torn apart.”
Madeline’s stomach turned over, her arm tightening on Lore.
Cerria laughed. “Well, that’s not a bad consolation prize.” The woman’s smile was sharp. “Good luck.”
“Screw you,” Madeline said.
Vashto waved at the guards. “Bring them.”
Madeline was torn away from Lore, and the guards dragged them out of the cell. She was half carried, half pushed down a tunnel, until they were both shoved out into the fight ring. A simple, dull sword was tossed at Lore’s feet.
The dag’tar’s body was gone, and fresh sand had been sprinkled over the floor. It didn’t quite hide the blood stains.
The crowd stomped their feet, the sound like thunder in her ears. They’d been denied the carnage they’d been expecting, and now…they were out for blood.
She swallowed. Lore reached out and grabbed her hand. She saw he’d picked up the sword, testing its weight.
The tenor of the crowd changed. She and Lore turned and looked behind them.
The three women had been pushed into the pit with them.
Madeline hurried over to them. “Are you okay?”
The tall b
runette with long, tangled, curly hair nodded. “I should be asking you that.”
“We’re still standing,” Madeline said. “We came here to get you three and Blaine out. You’re human.”
The woman nodded. “And you’re Madeline Cochran.”
Madeline frowned. “Do I know you?”
The woman shook her head. “My name’s Dayna Caplan. Former New York City Police detective. I’d just moved into security.” She gestured to the black-haired woman. “This is Winter, she’s a doctor.”
Madeline saw that Winter’s eyes were covered in a milky-white film.
“The Thraxians blinded her.” Dayna’s anger was tightly leashed. She waved at the tiny blonde. “And this is Mia, she’s a spaceship pilot.”
With a burst of clarity, Madeline realized who they were. “You were on the supply ship from Earth that was due at Fortuna Station.”
Dayna nodded. “We saw the attack on the space station.” The woman heaved in a breath. “They came after us next, and there was nothing we could do.”
Madeline nodded. “Okay, well, everything’s going to be okay. We’re going to get out of here.” She saw all the women darting looks at Lore. “And this is Lore.”
The women stared at him. “He’s…an alien,” Dayna said.
“Yes, but I promise you, he’s one of the good guys,” Madeline said. “We’re a long way from Earth. He’s…” Madeline flicked her gaze up to his.
“Hers,” he said. “I’m the man in love with her.”
The other women were staring at Madeline with wide eyes. She took a deep breath and continued. “There are other humans here from Fortuna Station. We’ve found asylum with the gladiators of the House of Galen. It’s safe, and the gladiators are helping us. We can talk more about this later, but right now, we need to find Blaine, and be ready to get out of here.”
“How?” Dayna asked.
“The House of Galen will come,” Lore told them.
Madeline prayed Galen and the others would be there soon. “Until then, we just need to stay alive.”
The metallic, rattling clank of the gate echoed through the pit, and they all spun. The crowd started chanting anew.
“Stay back.” Lore spun his borrowed sword, moving to stand in front of the women.
