by Anna Hackett
The announcers shouted, trying to be heard above the roar of the crowd, announcing the opposing gladiator House.
Huge, beast-like aliens entered on the far side of the arena. Mia gaped. They were all enormous, with a light covering of silver-gray fur, and four powerful arms. Each one carried multiple weapons.
“The House of Zeringei,” Galen said. “Fierce opponents.”
The Zeringei all wore elaborate helmets, with plumes of different-colored fur on top. A siren wailed across the arena. Fight time.
The House of Galen gladiators rushed forward, weapons up. Mia’s heart lodged in her throat.
“Our gladiators are smaller, faster, more agile,” Vek said. “They will use that to their advantage.”
Harper leaped into the air, right over the head of the lead Zeringei. As the alien looked up to watch her, Raiden came straight at him, cutting him down.
Swords clashed, and axes hit staffs. Mia watched the blur of movements as gladiators ducked and weaved. Vek was right. The House of Galen gladiators were using their increased agility and speed to run rings around the larger, slower Zeringei.
However, the Zeringei gladiators were powerful, and carrying twice the weaponry. She saw Thorin take a hit, the big man flying backward onto the sand. Nearby, Regan leaped to her feet with a gasp.
But Thorin rose and shook his head. Blood covered his chest, his scales showing on his skin, and, with a roar, he charged back into the fight. Regan loudly released a breath and sat back down.
Vek leaned forward in his seat, gripping the railing in front of them. As the battle progressed, he slowly relaxed, his curious gaze taking in the competition.
Mia smiled. She’d been right. She’d known he’d enjoy it.
They watched Saff and Blaine work together, taking down a Zeringei holding four swords. Blaine got nicked once, but didn’t even react. Soon, the Zeringei gladiator was lying on the sand, flat on his back.
“Your gladiators are well-trained,” Vek said.
“I know,” Galen answered.
“Who wants a snack?” Mia stood. She spotted a food vendor heading down the steps in their direction. She loved the salty, popcorn-like snack they sold at the fights. Plus, she’d made it her mission to introduce Vek to new foods. When he’d first come to the House of Galen, he’d only eaten meat, and had been too cautious to try new things.
But she’d seen the pleasure in his eyes, every time she made him try something tasty.
“Two for me,” Rory answered.
Madeline shook her head. “All you do is eat.”
“Hey, I’m eating for two. And one of us is hungry all the darn time.”
The other women called out their orders, while Galen just shook his head.
When Vek stood as well, with a frown on his face, Mia patted his shoulder. “I’m only going to be gone for a minute. See, the vendor’s right there. I’ll be right back.”
Vek studied the vendor, then nodded. He sat and looked back to the fight.
Mia pulled out a small token from her pocket. It was a polished coin, with the head of a helmeted gladiator in profile carved on it. The symbol of the House of Galen. On Carthago, it acted as the equivalent of an Earth credit card.
Mia waited patiently, as the vendor served the small crowd forming around him.
“You are very small,” a deep voice said.
Mia turned her head and looked up. Way up. Damn, the man was tall. A huge, pale-skinned alien towered over her. He wore a pair of blue trousers and no shirt. He was heavily muscled, and she suddenly blinked, as she realized what she was seeing. His skin was translucent. She could see organs pulsing and beating inside him. Ew.
From the bulk of his body and the way he held himself, she knew he was a gladiator.
“Yes. And you’re very big.” She turned back to the vendor.
“I’m big everywhere,” the man drawled, his hot breath brushing the back of Mia’s neck. “You are so small. Can you even take a man?”
Mia stiffened. “I’m not interested, buddy.” She stared at the vendor. Come on. There was only one other customer before her.
“I am very interested, small woman.” He reached out and stroked her hair. “I could make you interested.”
Memories shot into Mia like pieces of space shrapnel. The Thraxian guards on their ship, the Srinar guards in the underground fight rings. She hadn’t been raped or sexually assaulted, but the fear had been a constant companion. As it was, she’d suffered some rough fondling and slimy gazes.
But she wasn’t a damn prisoner anymore. She elbowed the man, hard. “Back. Off.”
The vendor turned to her with a smile, but as he saw the big alien hassling her, his smile dissolved.
“I need nine bags of mahiz, please,” Mia said.
“I want you,” the persistent alien said.
She glanced back over her shoulder, anger flaring. “Well, that’s not your decision, asshole.”
Suddenly, he snaked a hand around her body and clamped onto one of her breasts. She hissed out a furious breath.
Before Mia could do anything else, a deep growl echoed around them.
She stiffened. Oh, no.
Vek charged into view, and tackled the pale-skinned alien. Star-shaped mahiz flew everywhere and people screamed. The crowd drew back, and Mia spotted Vek on top of the alien, pummeling him.
“Vek.” Galen’s deep voice. “Let him go.”
Vek looked up, his golden eyes glowing.
“Vek, babe.” Mia knelt beside him. “I’m okay.”
“He touched you,” Vek growled. “Kill.” The last word was almost unintelligible.
The alien beneath him whimpered, thick, white fluid oozing from his nose.
Mia sniffed. “I think he got what he deserved. I’m hungry, and I’d like to sit with you and enjoy the fight.”
Vek remained in place, vibrating with contained fury, one fist still lifted, aimed at the alien’s jaw. Then with a growl, he pushed away from the man.
House of Galen guards in gray-and-red cloaks appeared.
Galen nodded. “Take him. Let’s remind others what happens when you touch someone under the protection of the House of Galen.”
“I didn’t know she was House of Galen,” the alien spluttered frantically, as he was dragged to his feet. “I didn’t know she had a drakking feral bodyguard—”
Galen took one menacing step forward. “Say one more word, and I will deal with you myself.”
The alien’s mouth snapped shut.
“Come on,” Mia tugged on Vek’s arm. “Let’s get back to our seats.”
Vek reluctantly followed her. A moment later, the vendor reappeared, handing out their snacks.
Mia blew out a breath, letting the adrenaline from the ugly incident flow out of her. She picked up some mahiz. “Try this.” She pressed some of the snack to Vek’s lips. “You’ll like it.”
He took it from her, his beard and lips brushing her fingers. A small, electric zing zipped through her body. From what she could tell, he had nice lips.
He chewed on the snack and, from the way he tilted his head, she realized that he liked it. He nodded, taking some more. Then his gaze moved back to the fight.
Mia found her gaze drifting up to the evening sky above Kor Magna. The setting suns painted one horizon gold, while on the other, the moon was rising. It was larger than Earth’s moon—big and bright. It made her think of Dayna and Ryan. Were they looking up at the sky right now, too? Where were they?
“The House of Galen fighters are superior,” Vek said, a hint of approval in his voice.
“Hell yes, they are,” Rory called out.
In the center of the arena, the fight was almost over. Most of the Zeringei gladiators were down and injured. There was only one left, battling against Raiden and Harper.
The remaining Zeringei went down. He tried to get back up, but collapsed again. Lore stepped into the middle of the arena and raised his hands. Flames flickered up his arms, and he tossed fire
works into the sky. They exploded outward, in a dizzying rush of color.
Vek flinched, but Mia pressed into his side. “Aren’t they beautiful?”
On the other side of Rory, Madeline was smiling. Mia could hardly believe that the contained, composed former space station commander had fallen in love with a charming extrovert like Lore.
The siren sounded again, echoing off the stone, and blending with the shouts of the crowd. The House of Galen gladiators were the winners.
The women all jumped up, cheering and smiling.
Mia smiled and looked at Vek. He looked the most relaxed she’d seen him in a long time.
But sensing something, she glanced back. Galen wasn’t celebrating. Instead, he was reading a piece of heavy paper. A young boy stood nearby, hopping energetically from foot to foot. He was clearly a message runner.
Galen’s jaw had gone tight.
“What’s wrong?” Mia’s heart knocked hard in her chest.
The imperator lifted his head, his single eye meeting hers. It was a frigid, icy blue. “It’s a message from Zhim.”
Mia tensed, her chest going tight. The information merchant had to have news. “Dayna? Ryan?”
Galen nodded. “He’s found something. He’s asked that we go to his apartment in the District to discuss it.”
Mia leaned forward. “I’m coming.”
Galen remained silent.
“I need to, Galen. I…I need to help find them.”
“I go with Mia,” Vek said.
A muscle ticked in Galen’s jaw. “No one appears to remember who the imperator is around here anymore.” But he gave a curt nod. “Fine. I need some gladiators to accompany us, but you can come.”
Vek stayed close to Mia as they exited the arena.
Galen strode ahead, flanked by Nero and Lore. Both men had showered and changed after their fight.
Night had fallen, but there were so many bright lights in this part of the city that it was nearly as bright as day. Vek frowned, staring at the huge, slick buildings that touched the sky. They were all crowded together, and he didn’t like it. Not one bit. There were too many people clogging the streets. And there were so many smells, all of them melding together and confusing his senses.
“This is the District,” Mia said. “It’s the home of decadence. Filled with every kind of establishment to fulfil every desire. The casinos are the biggest draw, after the arena, of course. People come for the fights, and get lured into spending more money here.”
Vek had accompanied the gladiators into the city once before, to help track Mia when she was missing. They’d avoided the District, but he’d still disliked the trip. His lip curled. The District sounded as bad as it smelled. But then Mia’s sweet scent hit him, and he dragged it in like a lifeline.
Soon, they reached a tall building, and Galen led them inside. Their boots thudded on the shiny, tiled floor, and when they reached the doors to what looked like a glass bubble attached to the building, the gladiators entered.
Vek balked. “No.”
Mia held out a hand to keep the door open. “It’s fine, Vek. It’s called an elevator. A carriage that travels up the building. Zhim’s apartment is on the very top floor and it’ll take too long to walk up.” Her nose wrinkled. “Of course, the man lives on the top floor.”
Vek did not want to step into the small space. The idea of being trapped in the glass bubble made his eye twitch. He pulled in a breath, and glanced at the gladiators, waiting patiently inside. Then he stared into Mia’s face. Keeping his gaze on hers, he forced himself to walk through the doors. He clenched his hands as the doors closed. He hated this carriage thing.
They whizzed upward and Vek swallowed a growl. Mia stepped closer and, before he knew it, the elevator slowed, and the doors slid open.
He blew out a short breath.
A tall, lean man, with long, dark hair was waiting for them. He wore a flowing, white shirt, and loose, black pants. Behind him was a large balcony, that allowed for a dramatic view over the sparkling city lights.
“Oh?” The man’s gaze zeroed in on Vek. His eyes were black, with a mix of brilliant-blue and green sprinkled through them. “You brought a friend. I’m Zhim.”
“This is Vek’ker,” Galen said.
“Yes, the blue beast-man from the Srinar’s underground fight rings. My records show you had an unparalleled number of kills.”
Vek tensed. He didn’t like this man knowing things about him, especially the number of people he’d been forced to kill.
Mia stepped in front of Vek. The information merchant’s gaze moved to her.
“Mia Renee Ross of Earth,” Zhim said. “Starship pilot, among many other short-lived careers.”
“Zhim,” Mia said. “Arrogant, alien-tech genius, with poor manners.”
Zhim laughed. “Oh, I like you.”
Vek let out a low growl, stepping forward so his chest was pressed against Mia’s back. He did not like the man looking at Mia, talking to her, or liking her.
The information merchant’s eyebrows raised. “That’s the way it is, is it? So, what species are you, Vek’ker?”
“I do not know.”
A light ignited in the man’s eyes. “We’ll have to rectify that.”
Galen moved forward. “You have news about the women?”
Zhim’s face turned serious. He waved them inside through an elegant archway. “Come.”
Inside was an open, airy space, where white curtains in the windows danced in a light breeze. For a second, Vek managed to forget that he was standing on top of a giant spear of a building. He wasn’t sure he liked Zhim, but he liked the man’s home.
Zhim led them into a windowless room in the center of his penthouse. It looked the complete opposite of the rest of the airy apartment. This room was dark, and covered in screens and things Vek assumed were computer systems. His knowledge of that kind of thing was extremely limited.
The information merchant sat down in a large, streamlined chair behind the largest screen. “I managed to find Ryan.”
Mia gasped. “You found Zaabha?”
Vek had heard the name of the vicious desert arena whispered in the dark of the fight rings. Some fighters were known to disappear in the night, and everyone heard they were sent to Zaabha. A place with fights to the death more bloody and gory than even the fight rings.
“No, I don’t know where Zaabha is,” Zhim answered. “I don’t know Ryan’s physical location, but I found her signature on the system.”
Strange symbols filled the screen. Vek had never been taught to read or write, but something made him suspect that he wouldn’t understand this, anyway.
“I sent out tracers designed to find Ryan.” Zhim grabbed a small, black glove and slipped it over his right hand. “One of them picked her up.”
He touched the screen, and suddenly the stream of data appeared in the air, floating in front of the man. The green lines of text cast a glow on the man’s hawkish face. He lifted the glove, and started moving his fingers through the data. It shifted and danced to his gestures.
“Wow.” Mia leaned forward. “There! I can see some words in English.”
“It’s definitely Ryan,” Zhim said.
Mia read the words aloud. “I’m alive and still in Zaabha. They are limiting my access to the system.” Mia raised her head. “They must have discovered that she’d made contact with us in Catalyst’s lair.”
“Without her help, we would have died there,” Nero added.
Galen nodded. “Most likely.”
“I’m attempting to forge a visual link with her, but it’s not looking like it’s possible,” Zhim said. “Zaabha has incredible security.” He moved his fingers through the lines of text in the air, then swiped his arm across it. “I’ve sent out everything I could to try and make the link. I’ll see if I can make contact, and we can at least have an audio-only conversation with her—”
“Hello? Is someone there?” A female voice filled the room.
&n
bsp; Mia pushed forward. “Ryan? It’s Mia.”
Zhim’s gaze narrowed and his fingers danced. “Ryan, my name is Zhim. I’m here with Mia, and managed to make this connection. I’m helping the House of Galen.”
“Great,” Ryan responded. “Mia, are you okay?”
“Thanks to you. I heard it was because of your help that the gladiators got me away from Catalyst. How are you?”
“Hanging in there.” There was a weary edge to the woman’s voice. “Wait a sec, let me see if I can…”
The screen on the desk blinked and an image of a woman filled it.
As Zhim reared back in shock, Vek studied the woman. She had very straight, black hair that fell to her shoulders. Her dark eyes dominated her small face, and she had pale, white skin. She looked as small as his Mia.
Zhim blinked. “You opened a visual link?”
“Sure did.” Ryan smiled. “Piece of cake.”
Zhim’s brow creased. “Piece of cake?”
Mia grinned. “That means it was super-easy for her to do.”
Ryan’s smile widened. “It’s so nice to see a human face again, Mia.”
Mia lifted her hand to the screen. “I know how you feel.”
Chapter Four
Mia stared at Ryan, emotions tumbling through her.
The woman looked to be about Mia’s size, with some Japanese heritage. Her black hair hid part of her face, but it didn’t quite hide the bruises mottling her cheek. Any relief Mia felt at seeing the other woman dissolved away.
“You said you were okay. Are they hurting you?”
Ryan’s face went blank. “I’m fine.”
Galen stepped forward. “Ryan, I’m Galen.”
Ryan’s gaze moved over Mia’s shoulder and her eyes widened. “Wow.” She glanced past the imperator, taking in Lore and Nero. “Jeez, I knew you guys were gladiators, but just…wow.”
“You’re being mistreated?” Galen asked.
Ryan hunched her shoulders. “Nothing I can’t handle. My captors discovered that I was meddling with the comp system beyond what they’d tasked me to do. Then they realized that I’d made outside contact when I helped you guys with Catalyst. They weren’t very…pleased.” Ryan swallowed. “But at least they haven’t thrown me in the Zaabha Arena.” Horror danced in the woman’s dark eyes.
