by Tatum Throne
“Let’s go.”
Hunter pulled him out of the arena and into the night as the chanting and catcalls started within the arena. The lightning storm was wicked hot as they crossed away from the arena. They rushed through the valley to where they both had entered this world through the wormhole. They watched as lightning spiraled and whipped across the sky. He shouldn’t go. He should run back to the arena and protect his lover.
He looked at Hunter. “I should stay here.”
Hunter grabbed his arm as he started to head back to the arena. “You can’t go back. You’ll be killed along with Yorn. I won’t let that happen to you.”
Tears streamed down his face. “I have to go back to him. He saved me. I have to save him.”
“By challenging all those ultra-rich assholes? I don’t think so.”
“I can’t leave him.”
“You have to. It may be the only way to save him.”
“How?” Gage asked.
Hunter rubbed his shoulders and neck. “Look. You’re not thinking straight. Your heart is screwing this up for you. Trust me on this. You need some distance before you can figure out where to go from here.”
Gage nodded, but he looked back toward the arena as the cheers continued to echo into the night. He didn’t want to think about him being raped, but his mind couldn’t stop from the agony taking over. He thought about the last time they were together. He had a feeling that Yorn knew that he wouldn’t ever be coming home to him. That tore him apart inside. Yorn knew and had tried to protect him.
Two bolts of lightning crashed together, spiraling down and striking the ground. Before their eyes the air rippled, creating a fissure that echoed upward, spreading out into an oval. Shouting erupted behind them. Kelin had caught up to both of them. He was going to try to stop them from going. They had to go before he stopped them from leaving. He was still a ways off but too close for comfort.
“Holy fuck,” Hunter said.
Tears were streaming down his face as he listened to the crowd echoing through the arena. He looked over at Hunter who stepped toward the wormhole. He put his hand in it, feeling the energy coming through. “It’s cold as ice. I don’t remember it being so cold.”
Gage cleared his throat, wiping away his tears. “Kelin is catching up to us. What do you want to do?”
“Let’s step through it and see if it takes us back home.”
“You go first,” Gage said.
Hunter nodded. “Okay. You come after me. Promise?”
“Yes. Go!”
The crowd cheered wildly inside the arena. All Gage could think about was how the Elite was fucking his lover. He wanted to kill all of them. That thought had him wanting to go home to get a weapon and to return to this world to protect his lover. Kelin’s shouting had him glancing back over his shoulder.
“Wait!” Kelin roared.
“I’m sorry. Tell him I’m sorry.”
With regret filling his mind, Gage stepped through the wormhole and spun through it. He landed hard on the other side. Dust and dirt coated his face. He blinked his eyes, rolling over. He looked around, searching for Hunter but couldn’t find him anywhere. Gage got up onto his hands and knees. He was just outside the research facility. All the lights inside were off, he went to the door and coded it to try to get inside but couldn’t. Where was Hunter?
He couldn’t find him anywhere. Lightning spiraled around him as the wormhole closed. He looked into it seeing the other side for the first time. Kelin was there, but he didn’t step through. The wormhole closed, taking away the possibility of ever seeing Yorn again. Pain ricocheted through his heart. How could he let go of him like this? He felt foolish and stupid for walking away from the alien he loved. How was he ever going to get back to him?
Pain ripped through his gut as the tears rushed to his eyes. He cried hard. “No. No. No. Not Yorn. Please. Just bring him back to me.”
He turned his face into the dirt, crying his heart and mind out until he was completely spent. He no longer cared if he lived or died. There was nothing left to live for.
After a long time, Gage pulled himself together. He had a headache from the pull through the wormhole, and the crying left him empty. He needed to do something for it. All thought was on Yorn as he went home, unlocking the door to his government issued apartment and went inside. He shut the door behind him, falling back against it. He sighed heavily, loving the feeling of being home, but his heart was torn apart as he thought about how in a different time and place Yorn was being raped.
A noise coming from upstairs in his apartment brought Gage out of his thoughts. Laughter? His ex had been kicked out months ago. What was he doing back here? Gage took the stairs two at a time, slamming open the door. His ex was on his knees sucking cock in the same fucking position he’d been in when Gage had caught them the last time. Shock registered late on his ex’s face as his lover’s cock popped out of his mouth.
“Gage? What are you doing here?”
A hard sense of déjà vu struck Gage in the chest. He looked at the bedframe he’d destroyed the last time he set foot in this apartment. It was fixed with the same sheets that had been covering it the day he ripped them off the bed. The same pain and hurt that Gage had experienced months before slashed through his heart as he came into the room, shoving the dude away from his ex.
“Get the fuck out of my house! Both of you!”
“Gage, please!”
“Get out of here!”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It’s exactly what I think it is!”
Temptation had him wanting to grab the guy and shove him out the window. Panic swirled within his heart as his ex and lover got out of his apartment. He looked around, seeing his ex’s stuff everywhere. This was not how he left it at all. It was as though he’d been dropped back to the moment before he left. Was it possible? That thought had him going to the wall, coding in the number to the lab. Three rings later, Hunter picked up.
“Yo?”
“Hunter?”
“Gage. Oh, thank God. I thought I lost you when we stepped through. Those seconds that lapsed were days for me.”
“What day is it?” Gage asked.
The noise echoed through the line as Hunter looked through something. “It’s March 13.”
“Holy shit. We bounced back to the moment before.”
“How is it possible?”
“I don’t know.”
Gage felt as though all the answers he needed to have were right in front of him. He looked at the time. He had three hours to figure this thing out. If they ever figured this thing out. “Are you coming over to the lab?”
“I’m on my way.”
All of Gage’s thoughts were on Yorn. He wanted to get back to him. He hoped that he was still alive. He hoped that the Elite wouldn’t execute him. He hoped that he wouldn’t sting them when he was raped. There had to be a way to save his lover. He rushed to the lab, finding Hunter already working the calculations out.
“You okay?” Gage asked.
“Yeah. I had one major headache, but that’s about it.”
“Me too.” Gage sat down next to him as he worked the data out on the panel before him. “Have you figured out a way back yet?”
Hunter laughed. “You want to go back?”
“Don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing Kelin again.”
“I saw him on the other side of the wormhole.”
Hunter looked surprised. “You did. Did he try to come through?”
“No. I think he was afraid.”
They worked long into the night. Gage had to find a way back to Yorn. It had been wrong to leave him the way he did. His alien lover needed him, and he was going to find a way back—even if it killed him. He would not let the Elite have a second chance at his lover. The alien was his.
“You have that look in your eye,” Hunter said.
“What look?”
Hunter chuckled. “The one that says you
want something that someone took from you back.”
“Yes. I do, and I’m not going to stop until I have Yorn back in my arms.”
“What if they won’t let you have him back? What if he’s dead?”
Pain lurched through his heart as he tried to steady his hands. Gage couldn’t think about Yorn being gone. He had to go back to find out if he was okay. “I plan on killing anyone who stands in my way.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Hunter asked.
“I know it’s not.”
The lab was as cold as Gage imagined his life would be without Yorn. He had to find a way back to his alien lover. It had been a huge mistake coming home. He’d been afraid and not thinking clearly when he saw the Elite go after Yorn in the arena. He was going after what was his, and would stomp on anyone who got in his way.
Chapter Nine
Yorn dropped his opponent to the ground. He looked across the arena at the slave entrance. It was there that he thought for sure that he caught sight of Gage watching him. How had he gotten there? Sweat dripped down from his forehead and body. He crossed the arena to finish off his opponent. He slung his dagger to the ground as the ceremonial horns blew, signaling the end of the fight. Yorn stepped back as the crowd went wild and as Gage and Hunter rushed out.
He started stripping his weaponry and his clothing before he could even be forced to do so by the slaves who would hold him down. He stood naked before the crowd, working hard to keep his stinger behind the hidden flap of skin that kept it in check. The lightning storm started to rage above them. Yorn watched at the Elite came down from the stands.
The rest of the awning covering the arena was closed as the rich came down to take what they wanted from him. Yorn was ready to get this over with. He worked hard to keep his stinger in place. He was so used to having Gage there ready and willing to suck his venom dry. Now, he wasn’t there and who knew when he would see him again? If he lived through the taking, he knew it would change things between him and Gage. He’d always been faithful to his lover.
The covering locked the lightning storm away as the Elite crossed the dirt arena. The crowd erupted. They wanted to see him submit to someone so wealthy. It was a seduction everyone lusted for. Yorn’s arms were locked and pulled aside. His legs were pulled up, and he was suddenly suspended in the air as he was offered up to the Elite to be fucked.
Tears formed in Yorn’s eyes. He didn’t consider himself weak. He feared that Gage was out there watching him now. He couldn’t stand the thought of his lover watching him get taken against his will. Five of the Elite chosen to take him circled around.
A cock was slapped against his face. He felt the biting sting of the Elite hands grabbing at his cock and body. They stroked him roughly, trying to get his inner cock to pop out. He worked hard to keep his inner cock from showing its head. His talons were locked down tight. He was not aroused, and he never would be for them.
Yorn fought their hold, twisting around, making them work to touch his body. He clamped his mouth shut as they tried to shove a cock into his mouth. He growled low in his throat, warning the Elite that he didn’t have a problem with biting him. The male’s eyes widened, and he backed away with his dick in hand. This seemed to aggravate the Elite, who were trying to get him to submit.
Frustrated and disappointed by his lack of response, the Elite stepped back, giving an order to the slaves to stand him up. He was tied down to the post in the middle of the arena with his hands above his head. He was whipped with a leather strap for not submitting. With each hit of the strap against his body, his thoughts were on Gage.
If he lived through the night, he was going to find him, and he was going to love him. He hoped he would still be around when they were through torturing him. The crowd chanted as each of the Elite took a turn whipping him. His ass, back, and shoulders burned with heat. He stared defiantly out into the crowd, and that seemed to rally them more.
The slaves were watching from their viewing station. They were mesmerized by the fact that he wouldn’t submit. No one ever dared to defy one of the Elite by not submitting. He was violating the rules. They were going to make an example out of him. Yorn was certain of that. All he could do was hold on for a little bit longer. If any of them tried to fuck him, he would fight them off. He would not become their bitch.
The crowd started to chant his name as the Elite came up behind him, running their hands over his ass cheeks. He stiffened as rough fingers were pushed against his rim. He closed his eyes, trying to not think about what was happening to him. Yorn’s stinger flexed out before he could stop it from happening. He flipped around grabbing the Elite with his legs. He stung the male in the chest. He pumped several shots of venom into his system before shoving him away with his legs. He stumbled backward, eyes wide and grabbing at his chest.
Two of the Elite caught him before he fell onto his ass. Yorn’s heart was racing. He couldn’t believe he actually stung one of the Elite. He wasn’t sure if the male would die. He hoped he wouldn’t. The move had been so impulsive that he wasn’t thinking about the consequences. He was only worried about stopping the male from raping him. All of the Elite stared at him with wild-eyed fascination as they watched the male on the ground wither and contort from the venom working its way through his system.
The shocking part was that his cock was rock-hard as he had a seizure on the ground. The male moaned, crying out as he came hard, shooting his spunk up over his chest. The crowd erupted, going wild as they watched the male succumb to his most basic animal needs. Yorn was frightened as they waited for the male to recover. He finally sat up with a wide satisfied grin on his face as though he’d just gone through a wild ride he wanted another hit of. One of the Elite stepped forward.
“Sting me.”
He was fucking serious. “Come closer.”
Yorn jutted his stinger forward, hitting the male in the hip. He shot more venom into his body. The male fell to the ground, convulsing. His sex jutted out from his hips. Pre-cum leaked from his tip. The crowd was on their feet, chanting Yorn’s name. They were intrigued by him and what he was capable of doing. Yorn had no idea it would have this effect on the males who approached him. The male on the ground ejaculated, shooting his spunk all over the place.
The last three males looked at him as though they weren’t sure if they wanted a taste of his fruit. Two of them declined with a rough shake of their heads, but the other approached. Yorn jutted his hips up, stinging the male, pumping the rest of his venom into him and not caring if it killed the male. The male’s eyes rolled back into his head as he stumbled backward, falling to his knees and then hit the ground.
The crowd went wild. The male convulsed for a long time before his cock jerked and shot his spunk across the arena. The crowd was on their feet chanting his name. He was still the favored gladiator among the Elite but how long would that last? The men who had come down into the arena to rape him were slowly getting to their feet. Their stunned, glazed faces were bright with smug satisfaction. Yorn was disgusted but relieved he had put that look on their face and didn’t have to be raped to do it. He expected the Elite to let him go, but they didn’t. They dressed and seemed to talk it over about what to do with him.
Normally, the slaves would take the gladiators away to be taken care of. They left Yorn tied to the post as they discussed it amongst themselves. Drained, Yorn felt his stinger retract into his body. He caught sight of Kelin in the crowd watching him closely. The crowd roared when the slaves cut the rope that held him to the post. He was taken to the bathhouse beneath the arena where he was bathed. Kelin rushed to his side.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be. Where is Gage?” Yorn asked.
“He’s gone.”
Pain rushed through Yorn’s heart as the truth of his words hit him hard. “Did he see what happened?”
“No. He fled with Hunter before. I had no idea he would try to leave. I’m sorry.”
“Where did they go?”
He was really gone. Yorn was shocked that Gage would leave him without saying goodbye but could he blame him? He’d been at the arena. He didn’t want to see him get fucked by one of the Elite.
“Do you think they will ever return?” Kelin asked.
Their eyes locked. Yorn was certain that Kelin was interested in having the one called Hunter. “I hope they will find a way to come back to us.”
They headed out of the arena but were stopped by the trafficker who appeared to be waiting for them. He looked nervous as he looked around. “What’s going on?”
“We need to talk.”
They headed toward his ship on the outer edge of the outdoor market. The trafficker looked as though he was about to run. “What’s wrong?” Yorn asked.
“The Elite have been asking questions about the males that were with you.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing, but they didn’t believe me. They know something is different about them. They wanted to know more about the venom you stung them with and if I could find more gladiators willing to sting like you.”
This was not good. Yorn had worked hard to keep his position within the arena. Now that they had felt what his venom could do when delivered through his stinger, they could easily use him for sexual orgies. That was the last thing he wanted to happen. Why had they let him go?
“Thank you for telling me.”
Yorn looked around. He was being watched. He scanned the crowd. It was filled with the normal gladiator worshipers but someone out there among them was watching him for another reason. “We need to get out of here,” Yorn said.
“Where should we go?” Kelin asked.
