by Anna Hackett
They sat quietly for a while.
“Bad night?” she asked quietly. “Did you have nightmares?”
His sleep was hardly ever restful. For so many years, he couldn’t sleep deeply, for fear of someone attacking him. And when he did sleep, he saw the faces of all the people he’d been forced to kill. Saw their blood spraying on the sand. He shrugged a shoulder.
“The nightmares will pass in time,” she said. “Mine are much better.”
“I would take your nightmares, if I could.”
“You have enough of your own.” She leaned into him. “The House of Galen has an arena fight tomorrow—or probably today, now. I asked Galen if you could come and watch, and he approved it.” She glanced at the bars. “If you’d like to come, I’ll convince him not to change his mind.”
A chance to watch a fair fight intrigued Vek. He knew that Kor Magna’s arena was famous, and that spectators came from many different planets. It was also a chance to breathe fresh air.
“They aren’t fights to the death,” she reassured him. “Just House versus House, in a display of strength and prowess. You have to try and stay calm, and I’ll be right beside you.”
Most of all, it would be a chance to be with Mia.
Vek pushed down the aggression churning through him and nodded.
She rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “Good. We’ll have fun. Now…how about I sing for you?”
His chest tightened. He loved when Mia sang.
She started singing, her voice rising and falling. The words didn’t always make sense to him, but really, he just liked the sound of her pretty voice.
Vek shifted her onto the floor beside him, and then lay down to rest his head in her lap. He gripped one of her calves, liking the feel of her skin under his hand. She stroked his hair, and started another song.
One by one, his muscles relaxed, and his breathing evened out. He fell asleep to the sound of her voice. And there were no more nightmares.
Chapter Two
Mia shimmied her hips to the music floating through her room. Nothing like a little classic Rolling Stones to get the blood pumping.
She was so grateful to Harper for getting her some music from Earth. Mia hated to think how much her friend had paid the local information merchant, Zhim, for the songs. She looked into the mirror in her bathroom, running her hands through her short, blonde hair. It was time to get Vek for the arena fight.
Her fingers brushed over a scar at her temple, hidden by her hair. It was where Catalyst had plugged her into his computer. The crazed madman had used people to power his system. Her mouth went dry and she swallowed, rubbing the scar. She was free and Catalyst was dead. She repeated the words like a mantra.
Mia grabbed some earrings and slipped them into her ears. God, it felt strange to have things. For months, she’d worn the plain, shapeless outfits the Thraxians had forced on her. It was silly to wonder if Vek would like them, or the way she’d fluffed her damn hair. The man had been locked up and forced to kill for years. She was pretty sure he didn’t notice clothes or accessories.
The beat of the music caught her and she closed her eyes, belting out the words. She’d always loved music, from the moment her mother had forced her to learn piano and violin. Of course, Mia had preferred singing and rock and roll. She smiled. She’d always been scribbling down lyrics she’d never dared show anyone, dreaming of being a singer.
She swayed and sang, her chest filled with all the good emotions she’d been missing for so long.
Then she opened her eyes, and her gaze fell on the dangle of the earrings. Her singing cut off and she heard the tinkle of the pretty stones. Pain shot through her. She’d bought them from the underground markets with Dayna and Winter, after the three of them had been freed from the fight rings. Mia pressed her hands to the sink and closed her eyes.
Dayna and Winter had been passengers on Mia’s ship to Fortuna Space Station—the research station that had orbited Jupiter. It had been an uneventful, routine supply run…until the ugly, spike-covered Thraxian ship had appeared. It had already attacked the space station and destroyed it.
After Mia’s ship had been attacked and they’d been taken, those two women had become her lifeline. First, during their captivity on the Thraxian ship, and then when they’d been condemned to the underground fight rings.
Dayna, a former police detective, had been fierce. She’d held them together and kept them alive when hope had faded. Winter had been blinded by the Thraxians’ experiments, and Mia had been beaten more times than she could count. Dayna had been the only one of them trained to fight, and she used her skills and sensible, logical head to protect them.
Now, she was missing. They’d all been snatched in broad daylight, right from the House of Galen, and while Mia and Winter had been rescued, Dayna was still out there, somewhere.
Or dead.
No. She was alive. Mia had to believe that. Wherever Dayna was, she’d be fighting to survive and working to escape. And they also knew there was another human woman out there, too—Ryan. The woman had aided the House of Galen in rescuing Mia. Mia vowed they’d find both the women.
They’d bring them both home.
The Stones had given way to U2, jerking Mia from her thoughts. She moved over to the tiny device she’d been given to play the eclectic collection of Earth songs and shut it off. She needed to get Vek. Pushing away the sadness and frustration, she headed out. She passed two House of Galen workers, who both smiled warmly at her. Mia smiled back, and hurried down to the cells.
She hated that Vek was still imprisoned, but she knew it was necessary, for his safety, as well as everyone else’s. For now, at least.
But for the next few hours, she was springing him. They were going to watch the fight and enjoy some time together. She thought of her friends again, and her steps faltered. She reminded herself that Galen had people continuously searching for Dayna and Ryan, so Mia just had to wrangle some patience and wait. Which sucked.
She arrived at Vek’s cell, nodding at the guards. Inside, she saw Vek was in control of his emotions, but pacing.
“Hi, Vek.”
“Mia.” His head lifted. His golden eyes were clear today and he looked as relaxed as Vek could get.
“Excited to see the arena?”
He nodded. The guard opened the door, and Mia waved Vek out into the hall.
“Good,” she said. “It’s my first fight since—” her smile slipped “—I got back.”
She saw Vek’s body tense. “Since you were taken from the walls of the House of Galen by the Srinar and sold to Catalyst,” he growled.
Her gut churned at the thought of the man. Vek said the aliens’ name like he’d sunk his teeth into something nasty. She felt the anger pumping off him.
The deformed Srinar had run the underground fight rings. She knew that Vek hated them just as much as she did.
Mia reached out. “Hey.” She stroked his arm. “We’re both okay. You helped rescue me, and I’m right here, free and healthy, because of you.”
He gave her a jerky nod.
She stroked his skin and the corded muscles of his arms. Pure strength. That was Vek. She watched as his markings darkened under her touch. She had to admit, touching Vek calmed her, as well. He was strong, protective, and she knew he’d always come for her, no matter what.
“You should be afraid of me,” he said.
She blinked. “Never.”
“Even now, people are afraid or wary of me.” He glanced at the nearby guards, who were watching him like hawks.
She knew it was true. His wild rages had people wary, and that was understandable. “I’m not afraid.” She stepped closer, pressing her hands to his bare chest. “So, shall we go and watch the fight?”
A single nod.
Mia looped her arm through his and led him down the corridor. “We’ll eat some salty mahiz, and listen to Rory’s hilarious running commentary.” Which usually involved lots of drooling over the gladiator the w
oman was head-over-heels in love with.
“Rory talks too much,” Vek said.
Mia laughed. Rory, a fellow human survivor, was never afraid to speak her mind. “That she does.”
Mia pressed her palm to his arm. Vek stared at it for a second, before he placed his large hand over hers. She looked up into golden eyes that made her think of old, polished pirate treasure. Heat radiated off his powerful body, and she realized he was extremely tense. She stroked his wrist, feeling the tick of his pulse.
God, she really wished that his face wasn’t hidden by the beard. She wanted to see all of him. It didn’t matter if others were afraid of him, she wasn’t.
Not that her feelings toward him were all pure. She could admit privately to herself that she had the strongest urge to climb his big, hard body, wrap her legs around him, and drive them both wild. Down, girl.
“You’re safe with me,” she murmured.
He released a shuddering breath and nodded.
“We don’t have to go to the arena. We can stay here and play cards. I have another game I want to teach you.”
His golden gaze was unwavering. “I would like to accompany you to the fight.”
She smiled. “Good. Let’s go.”
As they walked through the corridors of the House of Galen, Vek studied their surroundings. He hadn’t spent a lot of time out of his cell.
It didn’t take much for him to see the place was well run. While the decorations weren’t ostentatious, the place was scrupulously clean, everything was in order, and there were quiet signs of wealth. He could see that from the quality of the gladiators’ harnesses and weapons alone.
But he wouldn’t forget that the House of Galen had been attacked, and Mia and the other women stolen from these very walls. One hand curled into a fist. He would protect her. Wherever they were, whatever they were doing, he would always defend Mia.
They turned another corner and, as always, he felt that wild rage that never went away churning in his gut. Galen’s healers had said it was caused by the years of being pumped with drugs by the Srinar. The healers had no idea if it would ever stop.
He searched for a distraction. “You are well, Mia? After what Catalyst did to you?”
Her step faltered, and Vek mentally cursed himself.
She recovered quickly. “Yes. I have some missing memories from my time in Catalyst’s lair. The healers keep scanning my brain, but they tell me everything looks fine. The scars I have are very faint and hidden by my hair—” she swallowed “—but I’m still a bit freaked about being plugged into his system. The thought of cables sticking into my body…” She shuddered. “I’m glad I can’t remember it, but then I wonder if the images from my imagination are worse.”
“I have many missing memories, as well,” he said.
She squeezed his hand. “I just remind myself that I’m safe and free.” Sadness crossed her face.
“You are thinking of your friends.”
She nodded and turned them down another corridor. “Dayna and Ryan are still missing. They’re out there, somewhere.”
Her voice was so sad and it stabbed through him. He wanted to take her pain away, comfort her.
But he didn’t know how to do that. He’d never comforted anyone before. He squeezed her hand, like she’d done to his.
She forced a smile. “For the next few hours, let’s go and enjoy the show in the arena.”
They exited out the solid double doors of the House of Galen. The guards eyed him warily, but Vek ignored them. Mia led him down one of the public corridors, and now Vek tensed. There were so many people in the small space. Lots of different smells melded together, clogging up his senses. A few people sent him curious, cautious looks.
He heard a low, distant noise, like thunder, that he recognized all too well. It made the muscles in his shoulders tense even more. It was the roar of a restless, hungry crowd. He slowed his pace.
“Vek?” Mia pulled him to a halt.
“The crowd…”
“Yes, they make a lot of noise. But remember, no one dies in this arena.”
He dragged in a breath. “I know.” He urged her on, following her up some steps.
The next moment, she pulled him out a door, and the wind hit his face.
Vek jerked to a stop. Sensations cascaded over him like a flood. The bright, afternoon sunlight from the planet’s dual suns. The mix of smells—sweat, different species, cooking food. Overwhelming sound—the stomping feet and shouts of an impatient crowd. He blinked, confused, for a second. Usually the roar of a crowd like this meant he had to kill.
“Vek.” Mia pressed a hand to his chest. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
He gripped her like a lifeline and pulled in some deep breaths. He lifted his face to the sky. The golden light warmed his skin, a fresh breeze ruffled his hair, and the scent of Mia pushed out everything else. The tension within him eased by the tiniest fraction.
“I want to watch the fight,” he said. “If you’ll stay by my side.”
Her fingers flexed on his skin. “Of course, I will.”
Gripping his hand again, she led him down the next set of steps, passing the crowded tiers of seating. The huge arena was made of old stone, that Vek knew would show the wear of thousands, perhaps millions, of spectators. Every seat was filled, and the place was packed with people.
Mia led him right down close to the railing that surrounded the huge, sand-covered central arena floor. No gladiators were out on the sand yet.
He saw some of the Earth women sitting in the House of Galen seats. A redheaded woman spotted them and waved wildly.
“You’ll enjoy this.” Mia squeezed his fingers. “And I’m going to be with you for all of it.”
Chapter Three
“Hi,” Mia called out to the other women.
The group turned to look at them. Redheaded Rory, blonde, curvy Regan, cool, contained Madeline, and a smiling, dark-haired Winter. All strong, courageous women, who’d survived their abduction and found a place at the House of Galen.
Only Harper and the single human man, Blaine, were missing. That was because they were down in the tunnels, preparing to fight in the arena—both of them now House of Galen gladiators.
Beside Mia, Vek was still, his broad shoulders hunched. She swallowed, wishing she could ease his uncertainty.
“Hiya, Vek.” Rory patted one of the stone benches beside her. “You are in for a hell of a show tonight.”
Mia tugged him over to the seats. The arena rumbled with conversation, punctuated by the occasional laugh or shout. Food vendors hawked their wares and traversed the staircases, as everyone waited for the two Houses to arrive. Mia noticed Vek staring at Rory’s huge, rounded belly.
“You are with child.” His tone was curious.
“Yep, I’m about to pop.” Rory patted the mound. “With one very large, half human, half Antarian baby gladiator.”
“Nervous?” Mia asked.
“Nope.” Rory’s smile was wide and pleased. “Excited. Besides, Kace is nervous enough for both of us.”
Mia thought of the tall, disciplined gladiator. He was very protective of his human mate.
Vek’s gaze moved to scan the crowd. He was still vibrating with tension, and she placed her hand on his hard thigh. She felt his muscles release a fraction.
“Remember, these fights are about pitting skill against skill,” she said. “The gladiators do get injured, but the gladiator houses have very good medical teams. Galen spends a small fortune on his Hermia healers and the technology they use.”
Vek gave her a small nod.
“And there are no projectile weapons in the arena,” Rory added from the other side of Vek. “Everything is close combat.”
“Good evening,” a deep voice said from behind them.
Vek tensed again, and they both looked back. Galen swept into the seat behind them, his black cloak swinging out around him. He nodded, the imperator’s watchful gaze unswervingly on Vek.
<
br /> Mia realized that Galen wasn’t just there to watch the fight, but to keep an eye on Vek. The way that Vek’s golden eyes flashed told her that he understood the same thing.
Her jaw tightened. If they didn’t start trusting Vek, he’d never be able to move past the rages and discomfort, and get on with his new life. Of course, he was still adjusting to everything, but she hated that everyone watched him like he was a danger.
Suddenly, there was the clank of metal gates rising. Vek shot to his feet, looking ready to pounce. Down on the arena floor, gates on either side were opening.
“It’s just the gladiators arriving.” She ran her hand down his arm. “I’m here, Vek.” God, that sound had to remind him of the fight rings. She should never have brought him here. “If you want to go, just tell me.” She slid her hand down to his, entwining their fingers.
Vek stared down at the sand below, then back at Mia. Then, after a tense moment, he sat back down in his seat.
On the arena floor, the House of Galen gladiators strode out onto the sand. The crowd went wild.
Raiden was in the lead, with Harper beside him. Mia smiled. They made a striking pair. Raiden with his oil-slicked body covered in a multitude of interesting tattoos, and his red cloak falling from his broad shoulders. Harper’s dark hair was braided, her body clothed in tight-fitting leather, two swords clutched in her hands.
Next came big, wild Thorin, and tall, clean-cut Kace. Thorin raised his huge battle axe to the crowd, egging on their cheers. Kace was stone-faced, holding a long staff with experienced hands. Right behind the pair were Saff and Blaine. From the stands, Mia could barely tell Blaine was human. The man looked every inch the gladiator, with his dark skin, muscled body and leather harness crossing his chest. His lover, Saff, strode beside him. The woman was magnificent—tall, toned, with a mass of dark braids falling around her strong face.
The final pair were Lore and Nero. Lore was grinning, all charm and good looks, while Nero was scowling. Lore was a showman at heart, while Nero was a barbarian hunter. Both men paused to look at the stands, their gazes zeroing in on the House of Galen seats. Madeline and Winter moved to the railing, waving at their men.
