Weapons Master: Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #6

by Hackett, Anna

  Beast mode? He shook his head, nuzzling her neck. Her skin was covered in a sheen of perspiration.

  “If I see anyone else who’s keen to hurt you or mess with your head,” she said, “be warned, I’m going to take them down. Anything to earn beast mode again.”

  Drak, she was so far under his skin that he’d never get her out. He nipped her shoulder. “Be quiet.”

  “I don’t think you like me quiet. I think you like me moaning your name.”

  Looking at her flushed face and the sparkle in her eyes made his cock start to harden again.

  Her eyes widened. “Already?”

  “You don’t have to defend me or talk to earn beast mode, Bellamy. You just have to breathe.”

  She bit down on her lip, shifting against him. “Well, my chest is rising and falling, Ace, so get to work. I’m more than ready for round two.”

  Maxon took her mouth with his and scooped her off the floor. “Bed next.”

  “I’m all yours, cyborg.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Okay, she felt a bit nervous.

  Bellamy fidgeted as she stood in the large room. Maxon told her this airy, spacious hall was where they met groups of clients.

  Galen and his king friend were due.

  It was not every day a mechanic from Earth met a galactic king. She stood there flanked by Maxon and Magnus wondering if people curtsied on Carthago. Shit, she didn’t even know how to curtsey.

  The doors opened and Galen entered first, looking as badass as always. A man followed behind him, and the air clogged in her lungs.

  Oh, wow.

  When they’d said king, she’d pictured an elegant, aristocratic man in royal robes and a crown.

  This man was nothing like that.

  He was big—several inches taller than Galen. His powerful torso was wrapped in metal armor, with a bronze medallion resting right in the center of his chest. His massive biceps were bare, his strong forearms covered by metal gauntlets. Blood-red fabric was tied to a metallic belt at his waist, and his powerful legs were clad in dark leather. She noted the hilts of two swords peeking over his shoulders, so they were obviously strapped to his back. His face made as much impact as his body. Shaggy, black hair framed a face that was rugged and more than a little dangerous, and stubble covered a strong jaw. She had no trouble imagining this man running into a fight, leading his horde of barbarian warriors into battle.

  This man was a warrior king.

  “I’d like to introduce Overlord Rhain Zhalto Sarkany,” Galen said.

  “Good to meet you.” Magnus inclined his head. “We’re grateful for your assistance.”

  Overlord Sarkany nodded. “Galen explained the situation.” The king had a deep voice that held a bit of grit and a lot of command. His strong jaw hardened. “I’ve met plenty of species like the Edull. Whatever I can do to help you bring them down, I will.”

  “Thank you, Overlord Sarkany,” Bellamy said.

  The king’s silver-gray gaze moved to her, and the weight of it made her want to look away. This was a man with power and authority bred into his bones.

  “The Edull held me captive,” she said. “I’ve seen the horrors of the battle arena up close.”

  The man nodded. “I see you’re dedicated to getting your justice. I’ll do my bit to help. I understand the need to fight for what you believe in. Please, I’d be happy for you to call me Rhain.”

  Maxon moved closer to her, his big body brushing hers.

  Hmm, someone was a little jealous.

  The overlord’s lips twitched. “I see your man is dedicated as well.” Rhain turned back to Magnus. “I have an invitation to the race, and it’s expected that I’ll take an entourage. I can slip five of your people in.”

  “I’m too recognizable,” Magnus said. “As are many of my cyborgs with obvious enhancements. Bellamy has to come, as she knows the arena best. In addition to that, Maxon, and my second, Jax will come with you. And two of my lesser-known and newer elites, Zaden and Seren.”

  “Very well.” Rhain swept them all with a stormy gaze. “We leave in two hours.”

  “Magnus,” Galen said. “I’ll have a team on standby close to the arena. Just in case.”

  Magnus nodded back. “I’ll supplement your team with my cyborgs. And myself.”

  Galen nodded, and the king raised a hand. “In two hours, then.” Rhain turned and swept from the room, Galen in tow.

  “The Edull are going down.” Bellamy felt a vicious satisfaction through her belly.

  “Bellamy, you’re too noticeable, and too recognizable,” Magnus said. “You’ll need a disguise.”

  She nodded at the imperator.

  “Go and see Avarn. He can help.”

  “Gotcha.”

  As she headed out of the room, Maxon was on her heels. He was quiet, and she could tell he was troubled.

  She turned to face him and pressed a hand to his chest. “Okay?”

  He shook his head and pulled her close. “I don’t want you anywhere near the Edull.”

  God, this man cared about her so damn much. “I know. We do this, we destroy them, and the battle arena, then they are out of our lives forever.” She rubbed against him. “After that, I plan to spend a lot of time working on new designs in your workshop.”

  He grunted.

  “Fair warning, I’m going to rearrange your tools.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I am.”

  That earned her a growl that made her smile.

  “And I’m planning on lots of wild sex with you.” She patted his chest. “So be ready, with that cyborg stamina of yours.”

  “Bellamy—”

  She kissed him. “We’ll get through this, Maxon. Together.”

  She left him—a scowl firmly in place on his face—with a wave and headed to Medical. Avarn helped her with a disguise that was kick ass. Quinn brought her fighting leathers. Ever delivered an outfit that the king’s people had sent. All the women stopped by to wish her luck.

  “You’re doing this for all of us,” Simone said. “And everyone we lost on the Helios, and Fortuna Station. Everyone who died at Bari Batu.”

  “Hell, yeah.” Bellamy clasped the woman’s hand, and then hugged her. The other women all moved in, and they shared a huge group hug.

  Bellamy had never had loads of girlfriends. She’d always been one of the boys. But this felt nice. Real nice.

  She pulled on the fighting leathers, then a rich, red robe with gold cord for a belt over the top. The fabric was soft and expensive—fit for the entourage of a king. Some interesting bronze jewelry—a hammered necklace and bracelets—completed the look.

  Then she headed out to meet the rest of the team.

  As she approached, she saw the cyborgs were dressed a little different than her. Jax, Maxon, Zaden, and Seren were all in fighting leathers, but the men had a purple sash across their bare chests and Seren’s went over her fitted, leather halter top. They all had bronze gauntlets wrapped around their forearms.

  “Look at you guys,” Bellamy said.

  They turned.

  Maxon saw her and scowled. He strode up to her and lifted her off her feet.

  “Hey, Ace.”

  He fingered her new ponytail, his scowl deepening. Avarn had stimulated her hair to grow, and changed the color to black. It was now just past her shoulders and the color of coal.

  Maxon touched the corner of her eye. They were now gray, not green. Then his hands slid down her bare arms. There were no signs of her tattoos.

  “Avarn has some kick-ass tech for creating disguises.”

  Maxon grunted.

  “Hey, I’m still me. My hair and eyes can be changed back. My ink is still there, just hidden under dermal-something-or-other.”

  She felt some of the tension in his body ease.

  “Are you ready?” she asked.

  “Drak, no, but let’s get it done.”

  They turned, and Magnus’ neon gaze swept over the group.r />
  “Go. Rillian’s ship will take you to meet Rhain’s entourage in the desert. Mace, Acton, Toren, Quinn and I are going to join Galen’s team. We’ll be close. Be careful and good luck.”

  Bellamy lifted her chin. She didn’t need luck, she had the House of Rone.

  * * *

  He hated tarnids.

  Maxon wrinkled his nose and held the reins of the beast loosely.

  Rhain’s entourage moved slowly through the desert. Several people were holding banners, as they rode six-legged tarnids—the beast of burden of choice in the desert. The rest of the entourage were hard-eyed, battle-hardened guards.

  He and the other cyborgs were dressed to match the guards—fighting leathers with a twist of purple fabric, swords on their backs, and daggers at their hips. Maxon had plenty of his own weapons tucked away in his waistband.

  He also had several stealth weapons hidden around his body, along with some explosives.

  It always paid to be prepared.

  He looked sideways. Bellamy was on her own tarnid and smiling. Enjoying herself.

  He drakking hated her black hair and changed eyes. He hated that she had to hide. He reminded himself that it wasn’t permanent, and that this would be over soon.

  Then, he felt a ripple of very unfamiliar fear. He locked it down. He saw that despite enjoying the ride, Bellamy was hiding her nerves. She was smiling, but her hands were constantly moving on the tarnid’s reins.

  And his intuition was screaming at him. An impending sense of doom had settled on him like a heavy cloak. They were headed into danger and he knew their mission wouldn’t go as planned.

  Bellamy sucked in a breath and her gaze arrowed straight ahead.

  He turned and saw the glimmer of Bari Batu in the distance. The towers of the city rose out of the sand like the fingers of someone drowning in a trap.

  And then he saw the battle arena.

  It was oval-shaped, its walls rising high out of the sand. It was made of dark-gray metal, banded here and there with rusted parts and large screws and rivets. Curved metal sheets made up the roof, covering the track itself.

  Bellamy stared at it.

  “Bellamy?”

  She jolted. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”

  She wasn’t. He hated her being anywhere near this place. “You’re not okay.”

  She swallowed. “I’m a little bit not all right, but once I destroy that place, I will be.”

  As they got closer, he saw more travelers heading into the arena. Sandsuckers. Going to watch innocent people die.

  “This time, you aren’t alone,” he said.

  She reached out and grabbed his hand. “You’re going to make me think that you aren’t really grumpy and that you’re secretly sweet.”

  He snorted, and that made her smile.

  Soon, they reached the entrance of the battle arena. Slaves, overseen by Edull guards, were directing guests and taking tarnids to pens.

  Overlord Sarkany stood in the center of their group—tall and imposing. They closed in around him. Bellamy was too short for a guard, so she was dressed as a retainer.

  Still, Maxon kept her close.

  They moved through the arched doorway, and Maxon spotted lines of Edull guards. He sensed Bellamy stiffen.

  “Easy,” he murmured.

  Rhain’s group was waved inside.

  As soon as they entered, Maxon heard the roar of the engines and the din of the crowd. Inside, the seats were filling up. His gaze went straight to the bots on the track.

  Bellamy’s jaw looked like rock. He saw the echo of old nightmares in her eyes.

  “Warm-up races.” She dragged in a breath. “Let’s do this.”

  They followed Rhain to a private box with a clear view of the track and plush seats. Bellamy gripped the railing, her gaze glued to the warm-up races.

  Drak, Maxon hated this place.

  The cyborgs clustered together.

  “Okay, we need to get to the slaves’ cells and free the prisoners,” Jax said.

  “Quickest way down is that tunnel over there.” Bellamy nodded her head to a tunnel entrance in the stands. “It’ll take you right down there.”

  Jax nodded. “The other job is to find the mag-tech. Once the slaves are free, and we scare the spectators out, we’ll blow the mag-tech and bring the arena down.”

  “Fuck, yeah,” Bellamy whispered.

  “Seren and I will free the slaves,” Jax ordered. “Bellamy, Maxon, and Zaden, find the mag-tech.”

  Maxon nodded. “We have the proposed location that Zhim’s supplier suggested.”

  “One level down, close to the maintenance workshops.” Bellamy lifted her chin. “I can lead us there.”

  “I wish you good luck,” Rhain said. “If you need assistance, just let me know.”

  “Stay here,” Jax said. “If you go missing, the Edull will know something is amiss.”

  The king nodded. “I do dislike missing out on a fight. Go. Do what needs to be done.”

  Jax and Seren left first. Bellamy and Maxon stood at the railing, discreetly watching the pair move through the crowd. They disappeared into the tunnel.

  “Ready?” Maxon asked.

  Bellamy nodded, her eyes lighting up.

  Beside her, Zaden’s face was serious, and he gave a single nod.

  “We need to take the main stairs down one level,” she said. “Below is a recreation area, and from there we can move into the tunnels to the workshops.”

  “Let’s move,” Maxon said.

  They walked through the crowd, and passed several Edull guards, who barely paid any attention to them.

  They moved down the stairs.

  The level below was a food area, with bars and stalls, and groups of people milling around. They were all having a great time.

  “Assholes,” Bellamy whispered.

  Then Maxon heard raised voices.

  They all turned and saw a group of Edull storming across the space. Bellamy froze.

  Maxon saw her glaring at one particular Edull, who was clearly in charge. He wore a red mask over his face, and was surrounded by others, who were trying to keep up with him.

  The Edull glanced their way.

  Maxon felt a tremor go through Bellamy—like she was holding herself back from attacking the alien.

  A part of him wanted to pull her closer and wrap an arm around her, but he had to keep up their disguise.

  “Look away,” he whispered.

  She glanced down and the Edull swept past them.

  “Bellamy? Who is he?”

  “The asshole in charge. Vossol.”

  Maxon stifled a curse. Vossol was the one who’d sentenced her to death at the Meridian Outpost. Maxon swiveled, reaching for a weapon. He was going to kill the crudspawn.

  “Hey.” Bellamy gripped his arms. “Stand down.”

  “He hurt you. Tried to kill you.”

  “And failed. Hold it together.” She cupped his jaw. “Stay with me.”

  Maxon shuddered, struggling for some control.

  “Okay?” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Let’s go ruin his night.”

  “I like your thinking, Ace.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Seeing Vossol had ignited an even fiercer need in Bellamy to see this done.

  She listened to the roar of the bots above. Soon, the real races would start. That meant they had to hurry.

  They stepped into the maintenance area. She led Maxon and Zaden through to the main workshop.

  Inside, several prisoners were working on bots. Bellamy had spent a lot of time down here. Parts of bots, both new and recycled, were piled all around the room. Many were damaged—bent, twisted, dented.

  There were no Edull in sight.

  Bellamy hurried over, and recognized a nearby prisoner welding pieces of metal together.

  “Hern?”

  The man frowned and shoved up the goggles covering his face. His eyes widened. “Bellamy?”

  “Yeah.�
� She tugged on her new hair.

  “I thought they killed you.”

  She grabbed the man’s hand. “Nope. Killed a few of those nasty masks myself when they tried.” She glanced at Maxon. “I’m House of Rone now.”

  Hern looked at Maxon and Zaden. “Cyborgs?”

  “Yes. We’re taking the arena down. Tonight.”

  There were gasps from the other prisoners.

  “Our friends are springing people from the cells right now. I need you guys to go when you get the chance. Get out of here.”

  “What are you going to do?” Hern asked.

  “Do you know where they keep the mag-tech?”

  Hern’s eyes widened even further. “No. They keep it protected and never talk about it.”

  “We’re going to find and destroy it.”

  A grin brightened the older man’s crusty face. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

  A young woman pushed forward, grease streaked on her cheek. “I see lots of Edull guards around the ventilation room. They never let me in, and they are very protective of it.”

  Bellamy’s pulse leaped. She shared a glance with Maxon.

  “Thank you,” she said. “We’ll check it out. Get out when you can.”

  “Take care, Bellamy.” Hern glanced at Maxon. “Although, it appears you have help. Keep an eye on her, cyborg. She’s fearless.”

  “I know,” Maxon replied.

  “Come on.” Bellamy led Maxon and Zaden through a door.

  They moved down a narrow tunnel and she felt the vibrations of the bots racing around the track above. As they moved lower, the temperature increased.

  “The ventilation room is down here.” She turned a corner. Two Edull flanked a curved door.

  “Hey,” one rasped. “This is a restricted area. No guests.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Bellamy made her voice breathy and high-pitched. “We’re lost.”

  The other Edull stepped forward, a staff clutched in his hand. “You need—”

  Maxon and Zaden attacked.

  They were swift and deadly, and seconds later, both Edull lay slumped on the floor against the wall.

  Nice. Bellamy hacked the electronic lock and the door opened.

  It uncovered a circular, open elevator. They stepped onto the platform and she touched the controls.