by Anna Hackett
He watched that pointed chin of hers lift. “I’m perfectly capable of getting around the House of Galen. Besides, the healers gave me this.” She tapped her temple.
That’s when he saw a tiny, metallic circle pressed against the skin of her temple. “What is it?”
“It’s a vision device. I can see.” Excitement leaked into her voice. “Well, sort of. I can’t see colors, everything is in shades of blue. And the bruises I’ve collected from running into things are proof I’ll need to adjust. I can miss some detail, especially in the distance, but otherwise, I can see quite well.”
Her gaze moved over his face before sliding down his body. Nero resisted the urge to shift under the scrutiny.
“Wow…you have excellent musculature.”
As her gaze lingered on his abdomen, Nero drew in a sharp breath.
Her head jerked up, her cheeks turning pink. She fingered the device, then waved a hand. “I’m sure you’re not interested in any of this. It is still a weakness, right?”
Nero felt a muscle tick in his jaw. On the mission to rescue her in the desert, he’d been concerned for her safety. She was blind and the desert was dangerous. He’d made a mistake in telling her that on his home world, she would be considered a weakness. His words had come out very wrong.
“I realize that without perfect vision you think I’m—” she tapped her chin “—what did you call me before? A burden?”
“I was explaining about my planet, Symeria, and about the fact that it puts you at a disadvantage—”
She gave him a sharp smile. “Well, now I’m not so useless.”
He heard the sarcastic edge to her voice. “I never said you were useless. You did.”
She froze, her white gaze lifting to his face. “I guess you never actually used the word.”
“No, I didn’t. I simply wanted to protect you. As you discovered, the desert beasts are vicious, and being unable to see them coming put you at great risk.”
She swallowed and didn’t say anything. No doubt she was remembering the beast that had attacked them.
Nero straightened. “I will not apologize for wanting to keep you safe, but perhaps what I said was also colored by your own thoughts.”
She expelled a breath. “Maybe…I jumped to conclusions. But you do have a gruff, short and opinionated demeanor.”
“I am a gladiator. I do not pander to people.”
She hissed and shook her head. “Do you have to be so gruff all the time?”
“Yes.”
Winter rolled her eyes. “Well, you are good at it.”
“I’ve had lots of practice.”
She studied his face carefully for a moment. “Did you just make a joke?”
He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Right. You have no sense of humor. How could I forget?” Her gaze drifted over his body again, and she straightened. “Wait. You were out looking for Dayna and Mia.”
“Yes.” He watched as her face lit up, and bit back a growl of anger that he’d have to disappoint her. “There was no sign of them.”
Winter’s shoulders sagged, her face falling. “It’s been over a week.” There was desolation in her tone.
“We will find them.” Nero’s hand itched to reach out and cup her slim shoulder. He stiffened his spine. Why the hell did he feel the need to comfort her? He’d never comforted anyone.
She gave a small nod. “You have a fight tonight.”
“Yes. Against the House of Aviar.”
“I’ll be there.”
He thought of her in amongst the crowded stands, surrounded by strangers, the noise swamping her. “Will you be able to see well enough?”
That chin lifted again, and he was certain she was grinding her teeth together. “I want to test the device out, and I can smell and hear perfectly fine. I can eat the food, and talk with my friends. Regardless of what barbarian gladiators think, I’m still a fully functioning woman.”
Against his will, his gaze ran down her small form. She was tiny compared to him, but under her cream-colored dress were curves that were perfectly in proportion to her form.
He jerked his gaze away. He had no interest in Winter’s form, or her sharp tongue. He felt furious at the unwelcome rush of desire.
“If you get injured tonight, I can patch you up in Medical now,” she said sweetly. “But I can’t guarantee a pleasant bedside manner.” She strode off down the corridor. “Goodbye, barbarian.”
There was no hesitation in her step, and anyone looking at her from a distance wouldn’t be able to guess that her vision was impaired in any way.
Her words echoed in his head. She’d said goodbye like she meant to say, “Eat sand and die.”
Nero shook his head. He needed to report in with Galen, and not worry about a stubborn, smart-mouthed Earth woman.
Chapter Two
It felt so good to see where she was going.
Winter walked down the hall toward the living area. She was also ridiculously pleased that she’d gotten ready for the fight, and the party afterward, by herself. Without having to rely on anyone else. To be fair, she’d spent most of the last hour in her room looking at everything. She already knew her space by touch, but adding another sense to her impression of her room was awesome.
But not quite as intoxicating as looking at Nero Krahn for the first time.
A breath shuddered out of her. The man might be annoying, scowly, and lacking in manners, but he sure was a sight to behold.
He was big and broad-shouldered, and his muscles… God, every inch of him was tight and hard-packed. He only wore a harness topped with fur across his chest, and she’d noticed he had tattoos on one side of his body. Intriguing alien images. She wondered what story they told.
He had dark hair, just a little long and wild, and dark scruff on his strong jaw. She desperately wondered what color his skin was, and the hue of those intense eyes.
He’d been right. He’d said some things to her, in his gruff, insensitive way, and she’d maybe read more into it than he’d meant. She still hadn’t quite worked through it all in her head.
“Winter, you look amazing.”
Rory’s bold voice jerked Winter out of her thoughts of Nero. Of Nero. God, the man drove her crazy, and the very last thing she needed was to be thinking of him.
Winter touched the silky fabric of her dress. “Regan helped me buy a few new things. After a lifetime spent in ugly scrubs, I decided it was time for a change.” Time to embrace her new life. She ran her palm over the fabric again, enjoying the feel of it. It was short, had a high neckline in front, but the back…well, there wasn’t much back. She could feel the cool air on her skin. She felt sexy for the first time in forever.
“You go, girl.” Rory was currently sitting at the long dining table, cradling a bowl and eating…whatever was inside it. The goopy, dark mass did not look appealing, although Winter hadn’t worked out all the alien foods, yet.
She paused behind one chair and went still. She’d sat at this table with Dayna and Mia after their rescue from the fight rings, gorging themselves on all the food on offer. They’d been giggling like schoolgirls, so relieved to finally be free.
But now Dayna and Mia weren’t free.
Someone reached out and squeezed Winter’s hand. She looked up at Harper.
“We’ll get them back,” Harper said in her steady voice.
“Are you reading my mind?”
A smile turned Harper’s lips. “It’s written all over your face. And I’m thinking of them, too.”
Winter did her best to shake off the melancholy thoughts. Harper was wearing a sexy dark dress that Winter guessed was black. “You’re not fighting tonight?”
Harper shook her head. “No. But Blaine is.”
Blaine Strong was another former member of security from Fortuna Station. After he’d been abducted, he’d been forced to participate in fights to the death in the Srinar’s horrible fight rings.
But at the House of Galen,
his torment was easing, no doubt helped along by the wild and dangerous female gladiator, Saff, who’d claimed him. Just being around the pair made Winter feel hot and bothered.
“How’s it going in Medical?” Regan asked.
The subject perked Winter up. She loved her work. “Great. The Hermia healers are fascinating.” The Hermia had incredible medical knowledge, and the ability to direct biological energy in the body. “And with this device—” she tapped her temple “—I can help out with even more tasks, now.”
At first, without the ability to see, Winter hadn’t been sure that there was much she could help with in Medical. But the Hermia had been patient with her, and sure, she’d probably never be able to do surgery again. Her gut churned at the loss. She’d loved the challenge of surgery, of knowing she was enhancing and saving lives.
But the technology here was so different, and there was so much for her to learn. There was a lot she could still help with.
“I’ve also been working with the blue alien who was rescued with us,” she said.
“Mia’s blue beast-man?” Rory asked.
The blue-skinned alien had helped protect Mia, Dayna, and Winter in the fight rings. He’d been fighting down there so long, he was more animal than man.
“Any progress with him?” Regan asked, sympathy in her voice. “Mia said he was wild and couldn’t talk.”
Winter frowned. “Not as much progress as I’d like. He’s calming down a lot, and he’s talking a bit. He still hasn’t told me his name.” She wondered if he even remembered it. “All he does is ask for Mia. Other than that, he doesn’t say very much.”
“He bonded with her,” Regan said. “She used to go down and sit with him.”
“No one knows what kind of alien species he is,” Winter told them. “But from what I can tell, he’s got incredible senses. He got out of his cell the other day, and I found him in Mia’s room. He clearly tracked her scent there, and she’s been gone for over a week.”
“Hmm, sounds like he’d give Thorin and Nero a run for their money,” Harper said. “Thorin has a hell of a nose, and Nero can follow a trail that I can’t see at all.”
At the mention of Nero, Winter felt a familiar jolt.
“The fight’s starting soon,” Madeline said, interrupting the conversation. “Let’s head up to the arena.”
Excitement left Winter a little giddy. As a doctor, watching people attack each other with sharp weapons should horrify her. But the arena was the lifeblood of the city of Kor Magna, and she knew these fights were never to the death. They were entertainment for the masses. Displays of skill, prowess, and experience.
And good-looking, athletic men and women.
“I can’t wait to watch the fight,” Rory announced. “I want to see my baby daddy getting hot and sweaty.” She rubbed the mound of her belly.
Winter smiled. Not only had Rory fallen in love with an alien gladiator, she was also expecting his baby. “How you feeling?”
“Amazing. And huge. This Antarian baby is growing exponentially.” Rory grabbed Winter’s hand and pressed it to her belly.
Winter’s smile widened. She’d always wanted kids, and she couldn’t wait for Rory’s to arrive. If there was anything that underscored embracing a new life, it was making one.
Soon, a reverberation of sound reached her ears. The closer they got to the arena, the louder the noise.
The din of an eager, entertainment-thirsty crowd.
Rory linked her arm through Winter’s, and they stepped out of the tunnels. The sights, sounds, and smells hit her. She stopped for a second, gathering herself against the sensory input. The crowd was roaring, and she stared eagerly at the tiered seats leading down to the large oval of the sand-covered arena floor.
As they moved down the steps toward the front-row House of Galen seats, Winter listened to the cheers, the snatches of excited conversations, the impatient shift of feet. Everyone was waiting for the gladiators to arrive.
She only tripped twice before Harper waved them into their seats.
Winter sat, feeling the hard surface beneath her. She curled her hands around the cool metal railing in front of her, and wondered how many other enthusiastic people had sat here, waiting for the fights to begin. She breathed deep, smelling sizzling food and unwashed bodies. She stared down at the arena floor, taking it all in. The sand looked paler compared to the arena stone and the spectators. God, she wished she could see some colors, but she could imagine the different hues.
She couldn’t wait to see the gladiators.
“Wow, look at that.” Rory had her head arched back.
Winter looked up. A huge, electronic mesh covered the top of the arena, glowing electric blue through her vision device. She frowned. “What’s it for?”
“We’re fighting the House of Aviar,” Harper said. “They fight with these giant birds, and the mesh keeps them contained.”
Rory bounced in her seat. “I can’t wait to see it.”
Suddenly, the sounds of the crowd muted, like someone had turned down a volume dial.
“What’s happening?” Winter asked.
“The House of Galen has arrived.” There was a smile in Rory’s voice. “God, they are easy on the eyes.”
Winter leaned closer to the railing, and saw the gladiators enter the arena through a tunnel below. She made out Raiden and Thorin’s powerful forms in the lead. Raiden’s cloak snapped out behind him, and she could just make out the dark ink of all his tattoos on his skin. Beside him, Thorin was a huge presence, carrying a giant axe. The man was big and wild and brutish. Except when he looked at Regan.
Kace and Saff followed behind the men. Kace had the straight bearing of a soldier, while Saff sauntered across the sand with her lithe, powerful body. Rory waved madly at her man and put her fingers to her mouth to whistle.
“There’s my handsome military man,” Rory said. “And Saff looks as badass as always.”
Next up was Blaine, with a gladiator that Winter couldn’t recognize—a lower-level gladiator, she guessed. From here, she wouldn’t have picked dark-skinned Blaine as being from Earth. With the leather harness and dark leather pants, he looked every inch the gladiator. His gaze appeared to be on Saff, a smile on his face.
Lore and Nero brought up the rear.
As Lore spun to find the House of Galen seats, his long, dark hair brushed his broad shoulders. He blew Madeline a kiss and the woman’s cheeks turned pink.
Rory elbowed the woman. “Can’t wait to see what tricks your fiery gladiator has up his sleeves tonight.”
Madeline just smiled.
“Ah, look, and Nero is scowling this way,” Rory added.
Winter’s heart tripped. “He’s always scowling. I’m pretty sure the only thing he can do is scowl.”
Rory nodded. “Doesn’t matter. He does it well. He has that fierce barbarian look down pat.” She sighed. “And all those big, hard muscles.”
Winter wasn’t going to look at his muscles again. So the man was built. She preferred a man with an interesting, intelligent mind over brawn and bad manners. She did note the fascinating strips of fur on his leather harness, though, and the bands around his wrists. She wondered what animal they’d come from.
As the gladiators crossed the sand to the center of the arena, there was the sudden, loud screech of a bird.
The sound echoed through the arena, and the crowd gasped as one.
Winter lifted her head. Several big birds of prey were circling overhead.
They were huge.
“This is going to be good,” Harper said.
A horn blast echoed out across the arena. The fight had begun.
Chest tight with excitement, Winter watched the House of Galen gladiators spin to face the gladiators charging at them from the other side of the arena.
The rival gladiators were a mix of species, and all wore heavy leather gauntlets on their arms.
Swords and axes crashed together. The fight was a whirl of action—leaps, lunges
, and spins. Each brutal blow made the crowd cheer or boo. Winter wished desperately she could see more detail with her vision device, but it was enough that she could see the way the big, hard bodies moved across the sand.
She watched Thorin charging across the sand, swinging his axe. Blaine was whirling, using two swords tonight. Saff tossed a net that tangled around a rival gladiator’s knees, taking him to the sand. Kace swung a staff with fast, deadly swings.
Suddenly, a huge shadow swooped down from above. The alien bird was about the size of one of the gladiators, and covered in dark feathers. It had huge claws and a very sharp beak. It arrowed down, swooping at Raiden, who dived and rolled out of the way. As he swung his sword at the bird, it flapped its wings and flew away.
All around the arena, the gladiators ducked out of the way of the attacking animals. Winter heard sharp whistles, and realized some of the Aviar gladiators were giving the birds commands.
One bird landed on the sand. It struck at Lore, who tossed something up over his head. Fireworks sizzled into the air, bursting into a ball of bright sparks. The birds above screeched and scattered.
The bird on the ground suddenly darted forward with a flap of wings, and slammed its head into Lore’s chest. It drove the gladiator to the ground.
Madeline shot to her feet. “Get up, Lore.”
“He’ll be fine,” Harper said.
Winter watched as a powerful form charged into view. Even from a distance, she knew it was Nero. He raised a sword, swinging it at the attacking bird. The bird leaped into the air, wings beating as it hovered above him.
Nero took three running steps and launched himself into the air. He grabbed onto the bird’s feathers, dragging it down to the ground.
The crowd screamed, feet stomping.
Nero and the bird rolled in the sand and, a second later, the gladiator leaped to his feet. He slashed at the bird, avoiding the snapping beak and claws, and sliced its wing.
