by Anna Hackett
“Zhim?” Galen said.
The information merchant held up a hand. “Shh.”
Galen’s face darkened, and Winter guessed that the imperator wasn’t used to people giving him orders.
“Zhim.” Galen’s voice had lowered to a growl.
“Just one more second. Yes!” Zhim spun in his chair, grinning at them. “I was just finishing enhancing the video, and I’ve identified who is skulking in the shadows.”
Winter pushed forward, trying to get a clear view of the screen. She heaved out a frustrated breath. The shadows were too dark for her to make out much more than the desert rock formations, and the faint outline of something…someone.
Behind her, the room went silent.
“Drak,” Galen bit out.
Dread solidified in Winter’s stomach. She looked up at Nero. “What is it?”
“There are three people in the image.” His voice was tense. “They blend into the desert landscape.”
“And?”
“They’re members of a desert tribe,” Nero said. “They’re called desert wraiths.”
Harper leaned forward, her shoulder brushing Winter’s. “They look tall and wiry, with a dark pattern on their skin. Like the pattern of stone.”
“Their skin changes color, depending on the time of day and the terrain,” Galen said, running a hand over his hair. “It’s why they’re called wraiths. You could stand right beside them, and not know that they’re there.”
Winter swallowed. The doctor in her was fascinated by these people, and how they had adapted to their environment. But mostly, she was concerned as to why a bunch of tough gladiators were worried. “Are they dangerous?”
Nero nodded. “Very. They’re very territorial.”
Raiden crossed his arms over his chest. “Desert wraiths hunt in a pack and like to skin their victims.”
What? Gut churning, Winter dropped into a chair. Dayna and Mia were out there somewhere, in the territory of these desert wraiths. Please let them still be alive.
“At least this narrows down your location,” Zhim said. “The desert wraiths have a defined area out in the Sea of Desolation.”
The Sea of Desolation? Winter traded a look with Harper. Just great. She looked at Galen. “When do we go?”
A large hand fell on her shoulder. “The desert is dangerous.”
“I know.” She glanced up at Nero. “I already took a trip to the desert, remember?”
She’d been abducted, kept in a cage, attacked by desert beasts. It had not been fun. But none of that mattered when Dayna and Mia’s lives were at stake.
She pushed to her feet. “You need Blue. If there is a trail to follow, he and Nero will be able to follow it. And I need to go with them, in case Blue needs help.”
Nero’s fingers tightened on her shoulder.
“Don’t push back on this, barbarian.” She stared into his eyes. Please.
His fingers squeezed and he nodded.
Something tight and hot inside her, released. “Scary desert people be damned.” She looked at Galen. “I am going to help find my friends.”
Galen heaved out a breath. “I’ll plan the mission. We’ll need a good guide and gear.”
“No guide will take us into desert wraith territory,” Nero said.
The imperator’s face hardened. “I’ll find someone. Now, get some rest, and be ready to leave in the morning. Nero and Raiden? Meet me in my office to help with our plan.”
Winter headed out of the room, her belly churning.
“Winter.” Nero grabbed her arm.
“You can save the ‘it’s too dangerous’ and the ‘you shouldn’t go’ speech. I’m going.”
He stared at her for a moment. “That wasn’t what I was going to say. I wanted to tell you that I’ll keep you safe.”
Winter softened. “Nero—”
“The desert is dangerous, and whatever happens, I will ensure you stay safe and find your friends.” He touched her face, just a gentle glide of knuckles. “Get some sleep. You’ll need it for the trek.”
Then he was moving away with that powerful stride he had.
Confusing, noble barbarian. “Nero?”
He paused and looked back.
“Thank you.”
***
The early light of dawn was washing through the window as Winter tightened her belt, slipping the knife Nero had given her onto it.
She hadn’t slept well. She’d been plagued by sexy dreams of Nero mixed with nightmares of the Thraxian labs and the terrible things that could be happening to Dayna and Mia.
She dropped down onto the bed.
She was heading back into the desert. She’d been dragged there against her will and almost died there.
Taking a deep breath, she stood. She wouldn’t be alone this time. She wouldn’t be helpless, lost, and afraid.
She pulled the knife off her belt, studying the gleam of the blade. This time she was fighting for what she wanted. She slipped the blade back in the sheath.
And it appeared that one thing she wanted was Nero Krahn.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought back a laugh. If anyone had told her a week ago that she’d be lusting after the big brute, and that she’d let him lick her to the best orgasm she’d ever had, she would have laughed her head off.
The night before, she’d stopped herself a dozen times from sneaking out of her bed and into his.
Only the knowledge that she needed to be well-rested for this mission had stopped her.
A knock at her door. She opened it and saw Rory, Harper, Madeline and Regan. Rory’s robot dog, Hero, was sniffing around her feet. Lights blinking along his side.
“We came to say good luck,” Harper said.
Regan grabbed Winter’s hand. “Bring them home.”
“That’s the plan,” Winter said.
“Damn, I wish I was going with you,” Harper said. “But Galen pulled the ‘I need you to stay and hold the fort’ card.”
“Here.” Rory held her hand out. “This is for you.”
It was a pistol. “Rory, I’ve never shot a gun in my life.”
“It’s a laser pulse pistol and I’ve rigged it with autotargeting. All you have to do is point in the general vicinity of what you’re shooting at.”
Winter smiled, tucking the weapon into her backpack. “Thank you.”
“You sure you want to go out into the desert?” Madeline asked.
“No. But for Dayna and Mia, I will. Besides, I’ll be surrounded by some badass, overprotective gladiators.”
“And one particular gladiator that drives you crazy,” Rory said. “I hope Nero doesn’t give you a hard time.”
“Oh. Well. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Rory’s gaze sharpened. “Really?”
Winter looked up. Regan was grinning and Madeline had a small smile on her face. Harper was staring at her.
“He’s been really helpful with the search for Dayna and Mia.”
“Uh-huh,” Rory said.
“I may have misjudged him a little.”
“So he’s no longer rude, abrupt and brooding?” Rory asked.
Winter felt the need to defend him. “Well, he can be all those things, but he’s also protective, and at times, thoughtful.”
“Is that why you looked all disheveled at the party last night?” Harper asked. “With kiss-swollen lips, mussed hair, and flushed cheeks.”
Busted. Dammit, she’d known Harper had worked it out. “Um…”
“Uh-huh. You slept with him, didn’t you?” Rory was grinning now. At her feet, Hero gave an excited, electronic bark.
“What? No!” Winter said. God, she was blushing.
“She’ll just keep at you until you confess,” Regan said.
“I…we kissed.”
“And?” Rory prompted.
“Um, maybe fooled around a little.”
Rory smiled. “Was it good?”
Winter blew out a shuddering breath. “So good. That man’s
mouth…”
Madeline was smiling, too. “We get the picture. These gladiators are good at taking what they want, but they make sure to leave a woman well-satisfied.”
They all sighed.
“I’ve decided to use Nero for sex,” Winter told them.
Rory’s eyebrows shot upward. “Did you tell him that?”
“Yes. He’s a man. He didn’t complain.”
Regan giggled. “I can’t wait to see how this pans out.”
“Look, I have to go,” Winter said. “I’ll see you when we get back. With Dayna and Mia.”
Her friends hugged her. Harper went last, giving her a tight squeeze. “Be careful out there.”
“I’m going to be surrounded by the House of Galen. I couldn’t be safer.” Winter started down the hall. “See you soon.”
***
With his fighting leathers in place and his sword strapped to his back, Nero stepped out into the morning sunlight.
Outside the arena, his group was already waiting to head to the stables. There, they’d get their tarnid beasts and head into the desert.
All of his friends were there, ready to go. Raiden, Thorin, Kace, Lore, Saff and Blaine. He spied Winter dressed in leather trousers that slicked over her legs and hips. By the blade. She wore a loose, white shirt that hinted at what lay beneath it. He’d dreamed of her. He could still taste her on his lips and hear her husky cries. Barbarians did not dream, but last night, instead of sleeping soundly, he’d dreamed of her laid out before him. A prize that was his for the taking.
Drak. He knew better than anyone that letting someone in, under your skin, wasn’t a good idea. And Winter was burrowing deeper than anyone had been before.
She was murmuring quietly to a tense Blue. Then, she turned her head and spotted Nero. She lifted her chin and smiled.
Damn her and her strength. He wished she would stay here, safe and protected, and let him find the women. But if there was one thing he’d learned about Winter Ashworth and her friends from Earth, it was that arguing with her was a losing proposition.
“Let’s get to Varus’ stables,” Galen said with a wave.
Galen led them to the western edge of Kor Magna and soon they passed under a large stone archway into the stables.
Instantly, Nero smelled beasts. A wide variety of them. He sorted through the scents, the hunter in him keen and interested. Big, solid Varus appeared—a grizzled former gladiator.
“Galen! Welcome back. I have the beasts and gear you requested.”
Suddenly, a small figure stomped up to them. “So, you think you can just dump me for another guide?”
The girl was wearing loose-fitting clothes suited for the desert. Her dark hair was pulled back in two braids and a well-worn green scarf was wound around her neck. She stood in front of Galen, her feet shoulder-width apart and her hands on her hips, squaring off with the imperator.
Galen sighed. “You’re a very good guide, Duna. But we’re going somewhere you don’t want to go.”
“I grew up in the desert. I know every part of it better than—”
“We’re going into desert wraith territory.”
Shock skittered over the girl’s face. “What?”
“You heard me,” Galen said.
She tossed a braid back over her shoulder. “Did you all get too much sun?”
Varus stepped up beside the girl, resting his big, scarred hands on her shoulders. “No way I’d let them take you into desert wraith territory, girl.” The big man’s gaze met Galen’s. “I can find you someone willing to take you to the Sea of Desolation. But it’ll cost you.”
“I’ve already contracted somebody. He assures me he’s dealt with the wraiths before.” Galen looked toward the stable hands bringing out the tarnid beasts.
The large creatures had powerful, muscled bodies and six legs. Their scaly skin ranged from night black to dark green. They were steady animals who needed little water, and were good in the desert.
“No,” Blue said.
“Blue,” Winter said. “These animals are—”
The man crossed his arms over his muscled chest, the swirls of his tattoos deepening in color. “No. I walk.”
The tarnid closest to Blue reared up, then slammed its hooves down on the cobblestoned ground. It looked in Blue’s direction, its eyes wide and its nostrils flaring.
Apparently, the dislike was mutual.
“He can walk,” Galen said, as the imperator moved over to talk with Varus.
Nero stepped up to Winter. “I didn’t sleep well.”
She tipped her pretty face up at him, and blew out a breath. “I didn’t, either.”
“I kept thinking about how you tasted. That small nub between your legs. The way you cried out when you found your—”
She reached up, pressing her hand to his mouth. “Shh!”
“I dreamed of you, Winter.”
Something flashed in her eyes. “We’re completely wrong for each other.”
He fought back a scowl. For some reason, he hated hearing those words, even though he knew that they were true. “Agreed.”
“But I still want to use you for sex.”
He sucked in a sharp breath.
“And maybe we could work on reluctant friends.”
“Friends?” Apart from Saff, Nero had never been friends with a woman. Hell, Lore joked that Nero was a pretty hopeless friend on the best of days. “Okay, friend, you’ll ride with me today.”
She arched a brow. “Is that you asking me in a friendly way to ride with you?”
That tongue. “Please ride with me, Winter.”
She shot him a blinding smile. “It would be my pleasure, Nero.”
He lifted Winter up onto their tarnid, and then swung up behind her. He took a second to get settled, setting his gear into the saddlebags on the beast’s sides.
Galen rode his tarnid out ahead of them. “Everybody ready?”
With murmurs of assent, and a wave from Varus and Duna, their group headed off.
They wound through the streets of Kor Magna, tarnid hooves clicking on the road. Several children raced out to follow them, keeping up with them for a few blocks before they waved goodbye. Soon the paved road gave way to desert sand. Nero stared into the barren terrain ahead of them.
“God, I just felt the temperature rise a few degrees,” Winter said.
Blue ran on foot beside them. Nero wasn’t sure how long the guy could keep it up, but for the moment, he moved in an easy, loose gait that said he could keep going for a long time.
“We are meeting our guide at the Sahar Crossroads,” Galen said. “Then we’ll travel as far as the Tent City Oasis to spend the night. It will be tomorrow before we reach desert wraith territory.”
The next hour of the journey was actually quite enjoyable, despite the growing heat. Nero handed Winter a loose scarf and showed her how to wrap it over her head to protect herself from the harsh sunlight. She looked around eagerly, asking him to describe the scenery in detail.
Just over a week ago, she’d been dragged into this desert unwillingly, caged like an animal. Now, she reentered, filled with determination and curiosity.
A spine of steel, indeed. She continued to amaze and bemuse Nero.
“We’re approaching the crossroads,” Galen said.
Nero scanned ahead. Heat shimmered off the hot sand, and he could just make out a pile of rocks ahead. A marker.
The dual suns were high overhead, heat beating down on them. Every now and then, Winter fidgeted, and he could see that she had perspiration on her brow.
“Make sure you take regular sips of water,” he warned her, handing her the water bladder.
“Yes, Mom.” She dutifully took a drink.
He shook his head. Always a sarcastic comment from that mouth of hers. His gaze fell to her lips. So plump and perfectly shaped.
Nero jerked his gaze off her lips and glued them to the landscape ahead. The last thing he needed on a tarnid was a hard cock.
Then he saw something. Another dark shape, and it wasn’t a trail marker. Nero gave a sharp whistle and Galen turned to look. The imperator followed his gaze and nodded. He’d seen the shape as well. All around, the gladiators tensed.
It wasn’t much longer before the dark shape resolved itself into the silhouette of a tall man. He was walking toward them.
As he got closer, Nero recognized the swagger. It was Caravan Master Corsair.
Corsair was well-known for running one of the best desert caravans on Carthago. His muscular frame was clothed in standard desert clothes, the same color as the sand around them. A dark leather weapons belt was slung around his lean hips and a harness crossed his chest, holding various knives that looked well-made and well-used. Unruly brown hair, streaked with gold by the sun, curled around a rugged face. He smiled, teeth white against his tanned skin, and humor dancing in amber-gold eyes.
“Welcome to the Barren Sands, House of Galen.” Corsair gave a charming bow.
“He’s our guide?” Raiden asked.
“He’s the best in the desert,” Galen said. “You can save the swagger, Corsair. It’s wasted on us.”
“But you lured me away from my caravan with so much coin, Galen, so I feel compelled to give you your money’s worth.” The desert rogue shrugged. “Besides, I know that you’re a man who understands the value of a show.”
The hunter in Nero was watchful. There was something about Corsair that reminded Nero of the giant leonis hunting beasts on Symeria. The animals appeared lazy, lolling in the sun, but when you turned your back, they pounced with deadly efficiently.
“So you want to head into desert wraith territory?” Corsair pulled out one of his knives from the strap running diagonally across his chest. Then he plucked a piece of fruit from his pocket—a round red, dara fruit. He started cutting it open. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” Galen gave a nod. “We have reason to believe the women who were abducted from the House of Galen are in their territory or at least moved through there.”
Corsair raised a brow. “And who has balls big enough to enter desert wraith territory?”
“The women were taken by a man known as Catalyst.”
“Never heard of him.” Corsair popped some fruit in his mouth. “The wraiths don’t let people just wander through their territory.”
