V'hor's Nestmate

by Michelle Howard

  “I am Serpine.” Spoken as if the answer was enough. Eva tipped back her head to read Vanquish’s expression, but his odd shaped eyes were on Mannid and there was no missing the rigid body pressed behind her own.

  Mannid held his hands palm out and shrugged. “Have it your way, Vanquish. Not sure how well the Earth female will hold up.”

  It confirmed Eva’s earlier assessment. Mannid was aware she’d die in the fighter’s bed. The novelty of having a human pet had worn off. She was relieved to be away from him, but from what she’d seen, Vanquish wasn’t much better.

  “Penetration is not the only means of finding pleasure with a partner.”

  Her head snapped up unsure how to take that declaration. The bargain Mannid sought bothered her, but the ice in the green-gold glare bothered her more. Cold chills swept up her spine as he refused to break the contact.

  Run. Run. Run. The warning popped into her head and Eva jerked her gaze away to search for alternate exits. The arms she’d forgotten about her waist squeezed lightly.

  The fight. Vanquish had to fight tonight. She forced herself to relax in his hold. There would be plenty of time later to plan her escape now that a new window was open.

  “Ten minutes until gates open. Ten minutes until gates open.” The familiar page warning of the upcoming fights blared from the overhead speakers.

  Vanquish glanced around at the crowd scurrying toward the two arched entrances which opened into the lower level of the pit. He flicked two fingers at Mannid and released her. “I have to prep. Enjoy the match.”

  “Wait!” Mannid bounced on his feet. “Do we have a deal?”

  A fine tremor of excitement ran through the question. Disgust wasn’t a good enough word to cover what Eva felt for Mannid, but she was appalled at the callous way he planned to hand her over to a stranger for a price. A price that would lead to her death.

  Vanquish looked down at her. “Are you going to resist me?”

  “She won’t, she won’t!” Mannid cut in, almost slathering in his enthusiasm for the credits he was on the verge of making.

  The look Vanquish aimed at Mannid had him taking a hasty step back. “Does she have a translator?”

  “Yes, of course. Had a medic check as soon as I procured her.” Offended, Mannid brushed at nonexistent dirt from his pants.

  Vanquish faced her. “Are you going to be difficult, female?”

  Did he really care about her answer or was this all a pretense? She studied his appearance. The loose hipped posture reflected no concern about her response, yet those odd shaped eyes held her enthralled. On Earth when given the brochure on alien worlds for potential husbands, Serpines weren’t listed.

  It made sense in light of their poisonous sperm. Eva could die and no one on this wretched world would care. Her death would be chalked up to another insignificant slave gone. Her heart slammed against her chest. Could she take the risk?

  “Answer him!” Mannid went to cuff the side of her head, but his wrist was caught in a firm grip.

  “Don’t. She’s mine now.” The low issued warning seemed to work and Mannid nodded. Vanquish eyed her. “Will. You. Be. Difficult?”

  After witnessing how fast he moved, she had no desire to resist. “I won’t be difficult.”

  Vanquish stared a moment longer as if doubting her word, but spoke to Mannid as he released his wrist. “Bring her. I want her sitting in my reserved box when I come out.”

  Mannid rubbed his hands together in glee.

  “If you damage her further, I will gut you and wrap your entrails around your neck as you take your last breath,” Vanquish added calmly, but there was nothing calm about the burning light in his eyes.

  He faced Eva, but they exchanged no further words. Then he swaggered off, leaving them all to watch him slam the glass door open and exit.

  Chapter 3

  Sweat gathered under Eva’s arm pits and nerves had stiffened her muscles to the point of pain. The announcer hyped the crowd with his commentary during each fight. Alcohol and drugs flowed freely and inhibitions were long gone. The gorier the fight, the more excited they became.

  So far she’d watched an alien hacked to pieces with a sword, another forced into sexual copulation after his loss and now gore splattered her cheek as a green creature beat his opponent into a pulp.

  She wiped at her face to clean the gray chunks and swallowed back a wave of bile rising in her throat. Checking the crowd, her gaze clashed with Mannid. It was hard, but she managed not to wince at the glare he sent her way. Grumbling the entire time, he’d followed Vanquish’s instructions and deposited her in a hard straight back seat among several empty ones roped off in the large underground auditorium.

  For the first time in weeks, Eva sat alone and unattended. Freedom seemed closer with every moment away from her former captor. The collar and leash were still about her throat, but for the first time she held the other end. Tiny wings of pleasure fluttered in her chest. Soon, she promised herself. Soon.

  “Preeeeetttyy.”

  The rough croon jerked Eva’s attention to the male in the section to the left and slightly behind her. She craned her neck and winced at the fleshy, purple face, twin sets of eyes taking up a large portion of his boxy face and crooked grin. A long tongue poked out and swiped over his upper lip revealing thick gums.

  Ugh. She turned her back on him. He was an Angork. She’d seen them before doing business with Mannid. Humanoid for the most part. The one leering at her had to be a smuggler or trader. Those were the only type to frequent The Pit. This place was a haven for the criminal element.

  “Now prepare to scream! Get to your feet! Here’s what you’ve all been waiting for!”

  She faced the huge floor as the announcer spoke. Only a waist high barrier separated those in private sections from the lower ring. Guards were stationed every few feet around the perimeter to prevent anyone in the crowd from interfering and to give the illusion of protection for the rowdy audience.

  “Vanquish and Jolox!”

  A loud roar shattered the air. Thumping steps approached from the far right tunnel. A grated gate rose slowly, allowing a massive man with horns onto the arena floor. His chest was bare, but he wore knee length pants and black boots. His skin was burnished gold and appeared shiny beneath the bright lights. Claws as long as her fingers extended from each knuckle which he slashed against his own chest and drew yellow liquid from the deep cuts. Blood?

  Another roar ripped from his elongated throat as he smashed his fists together and snarled at the cheering audience. Eva shivered and shoved her hands under her butt to still the trembling.

  From the opposite end of the arena on the left, the grate slid up with a rattle and clank. With less fanfare, Vanquish walked out in nothing, but the brown leather pants he’d worn earlier and scuffed sturdy boots that didn’t go beyond his thick calves. In terms of size, he was smaller and shorter than his opponent. His torso on the lean side, but stretched taut with muscles.

  His hair had been teased into a spiky faux hawk. Eva curled her fingers as the desire to mess up the deliberate style rose.

  Ignoring the horned beast at the other end of the pit, he scanned the audience, stopping only when he found Eva in the front. She straightened in her seat as he headed her way. The crowd screamed louder if possible and something close to pride curled about Eva’s chest.

  No, no, no. She was not going to take pride in being owned by another being no matter how appealing he was.

  His pace across the floor was smooth and graceful. Where Jolox was loud mayhem, Vanquish was quiet confidence. He stopped at the barrier, head tipped back to see her clearly. His gaze landed on the collar about her neck then narrowed. “Mannid sent me the key.”

  “Um...alright.” Did he just want to remind her that she belonged to him now?

  It didn’t matter. While he was immersed in his match, Eva had every intention of heading for a door and a way out of here.

  Vanquish raised his arm in the air, hi
s fist knotted. She flinched, but all he did was toss a gold ring in her direction. Eva caught it on the fly and gaped at the square key chip attached. Was he serious? Eva’s lips parted, but before she could think of an appropriate response, he said, “Don’t run from me, Eva. You won’t like it if I have to search for you after the fight. ”

  Her nipples budded beneath the thin top. Oh, God. She couldn’t possibly be aroused by his edgy tone.

  “Neither of us wants to see you hurt. Say you understand me, chupaja.”

  His gentle tone didn’t match the cruel intent implied in his words. Unsure of the strange word he used for her, Eva nodded. He tipped his chin up in dismissal and strode toward Jolox. The chanting crowd went wild. And Eva stayed in her seat while trying to figure out if she’d finally cracked under the pressure.

  Had she agreed as a lie or was she really considering staying with the fighter who had the deadly reputation?

  ***

  Mannid watched the entrants of tonight’s last match. This bout alone was worth several million and he would receive a healthy portion of the proceeds once payouts were completed. Nothing compared to the volume of credits on the line when Vanquish was listed to fight.

  More and more patrons flocked from all around to see the Serpine battle. Word had spread about his ruthlessness in the arena and the vicious pleasure he took in killing. Vanquish was a cold bastard. Devoid of emotion. Alcohol, fighting and sex sharing seemed to be the only vices he cared about.

  Until tonight. Mannid fisted a hand at his side. The bastard had forced him to hand over his pet, Eva. The Earth woman was his prized possession. He could have refused Vanquish, but his greed at the time overruled his good judgment. She sat in the stands, separated from the more rowdy patrons by the special box set aside for the top fighters in case they wanted to invite guests.

  Her chin tilted high, her long legs crossed, drawing attention to her sultry beauty. The gold top highlighted her round breasts and the shortness of the skirt gave peeks of her pert ass when she walked. Mannid groaned and rubbed at the ache in his cock.

  Penetrating her would have caused devastating damage requiring expensive medics to repair so he’d held off. Stroking and imagining how tight and wet she was gave him a modicum of relief at night. A side benefit was Eva’s hatred of the act. Hatred she couldn’t hide no matter how hard she tried. Her loathing only aroused him all the more. Eva’s forced submission to his control and subsequent humiliation guaranteed an ecstatic finish each time.

  Too bad he hadn’t had long enough to break her spirit. Training her to heel would have been the ultimate high. He hoped the Serpine killed her in a violent fit of lust the moment she defied his efforts to take her to his bed. It was the only thing that enabled Mannid to assuage his pride at losing her.

  If only he could have convinced Vanquish to his way of thinking without giving her up. Credits and Eva still in his possession would have made for a most excellent night.

  Chapter 4

  Even if Vee hadn’t made the agreement with Mannid, this match with Jolox would have been difficult. He would have won, but victory would have come at a price. Instead he would take his first deliberate fall. Vee risked one last glance at the female.

  Because of soft brown eyes and a glimpse of fighting spirit, he was about to suffer a world of hurt. Rydak hadn’t been pleased. He and Bane questioned him the moment Vee unmuted his comm inside the tiny private prep room.

  “Do you know what you’re doing?” Rydak got straight to the point.

  “No.” How could he explain the protective instincts rising due to the presence of a woman he didn’t know and had no emotional ties to?

  Bane’s snort filled his ears. “Clearly.”

  “I’ll contact Torkel and update him on this new development.” Rydak ignored Bane’s comment. “The meeting between Mannid and Grutak let’s us know they’re familiar with one another and potentially working together. We just need solid proof of the connection. Tying Mannid to this can bring down the entire operation because he’s the money behind it.”

  And that was Vee’s end goal. The reason this mission was vitally important. Eva was a different story. Unexpected and a major risk. Vee couldn’t explain why he’d pushed for Mannid to turn her over. The Jutaks couldn’t free every woman sold into slavery and this mission had a lot at stake. Too much to let it fall through because Vee wasn’t thinking with his head.

  At least Bane and Rydak agreed to a wait and see approach. Uri and Khane would remain with their hidden shuttle in case an emergency evac was needed. The trust implied in this mission was merely one of the many reasons Vee stood by these men daily and with pride.

  “Defeat is coming, Vanquish!”

  Across the make-shift arena, Jolox stomped his large feet and lowered his thick neck. The horns at the side of his head unfurled into short spikes thrusting forward.

  Vee snarled. This was really going to be painful.

  Putting thoughts of Eva away, he charged toward the Togolor with a fraction of his normal speed. The move still caught Jolox by surprise and he came to a lumbering stop at the center of the ring. Vee jumped and aimed a double kick at the broad chest presenting an easy target.

  Contact. The impact vibrated up his legs. Jolox fell, the floor thundering from the weight of his large body.

  “Vanquish! Vanquish!

  The audience chanted his name. Vee hid a grimace. He liked his solitude. Liked working behind the scenes and under the radar as a Jutak. This was the first mission requiring him to talk and be congenial in the face of criminals he’d prefer to shoot.

  Vee hated it.

  The enlarged vid screens above zoomed in on his image. Biting back an actual groan of annoyance, Vee made sure to posture and wave as he stood, using Vanquish’s signature smirk.

  Jolox rolled to his feet and Vee pretended not to notice, playing to the crowd. The brawny Togolor lunged and wrapped an arm rippling with bulging muscles about Vee’s lower half, dragging him to the ground.

  Instinct and training kicked in. Vee lashed out, delivering blow after blow to Jolox’s chest and groin. The giant Togolor wheezed and fell off of him into a curled position as he grabbed his throat and gasped for air.

  Cursing for reacting too hastily, Vee rolled over and straddled Jolox. One hard punch in his thick mid-section. The action served two purposes, one it freed the trapped air allowing Jolox to take a deep breath and second it distracted the crowd who was now on their feet screaming.

  “You will pay, Serpine.” Jolox roared as he shoved Vee aside and clambered upright. Color turned his face a deep red, sweat dripping from the dark hair falling about his horns.

  Vee remained on one knee, head tipped down, battling the urge to defend himself. Losing this match would be harder than he expected. He hadn’t realized he’d be his own worst enemy, fighting the constant desire to destroy Jolox and release the remnants of anger from Eva’s situation. Pretty little Eva who’d been sold in a Marenian slave ring no doubt. It was how most Earth women ended up captured.

  The Togolor grabbed a section of Vee’s hair and jerked him close. Vee surged with the motion, relieving the pressure on his scalp. As if tired, he wobbled on his feet.

  Jolox leaned forward and whispered, “Maybe after I kill you, I help myself to the female you spoke to in the audience.”

  The words ignited a well of fury within Vee. He delivered a flurry of brutal punches up and down Jolox’s torso, forgetting in the haze of blind rage the agreement with Mannid in his need to refute Jolox’s statement.

  Excited screams from the stands muffled the low growls rumbling from the Togolor’s broad chest. The pained sounds brought Vee’s focus back enough to ease his assault and Jolox took the opportunity to bury a fist in his unprotected stomach.

  Fuck! Vee flew backward and slammed into the ground on his back. A wave of nausea followed. Taking advantage of his downed position, Jolox charged forward and kicked his side.

  Vee could have avoided it, but chose
not to. For the crowds viewing pleasure, he made sure to skid along the floor of the arena. The rough ground abraded his right hip as the cheap leather snagged and ripped. Gritting his teeth against the burning sensation, Vee stayed down and killed the urge to retaliate.

  High off his belief in victory, Jolox slapped his hands together and took a lumbering step toward him, boot raised high to stomp. Vee swept out his leg and Jolox staggered about before regaining his balance, a sneer twisting his lips. “Not so good a fighter like they say, Vanquish.”

  Fucker didn’t know how lucky he was today. Vee called on every ounce of his willpower to halt the desire to end this quickly. Control. Must have control. His mind entered a white zone, all emotion shutting down at once.

  Crowd noise became muted, distant thoughts faded. Nothing but this battle mattered. He concentrated on his opponent and identified his weak spots. One part of his brain calculated how to take Jolox down in the most expedient efficient manner possible.

  He could end the match in less than five minutes. It was unfortunate he couldn’t do any of those things.

  Instead, Vee zeroed in on how to sustain the least damage as he let himself get pummeled. Feigning a struggle, he and Jolox grappled. Punch for punch was exchanged.

  Blood and spit flew from Jolox’s angular features above Vee. He let Jolox hook an arm about his neck and spin him until they both stood upright. Hot air blasted his left ear as Jolox yanked back, pulling Vee against his broad chest. “I’m going to enjoy killing you. No more Vanquish the undefeated.”

  Vee went limp. Unbalanced, they both toppled forward. Vee slivered from the slight gap created, swerved around and head butted Jolox. Pain sizzled as one of the horns sliced a gash across his temple. Wet liquid splattered and dripped into his eyes. He was dazed for all of a second.

  Jolox lunged and lifted Vee high over his head length wise. He turned in a full circle, taunting the crowd. “I will break him. I will destroy Vanquish, your champion.”