by Anna Hackett
He had to get to Harper.
Chapter Eighteen
Harper’s heart was pounding as she scrambled on her hands and knees through a ventilation duct. Thorin had boosted her up into the ceiling. As she moved along it, she was well aware she was leaving a trail of blood behind her.
One cat had scored a hit with its sharp claws, tearing through her leather trousers and gouging her side. She was bleeding, but she didn’t think it was too bad. The insane stinging on her side sucked, but she’d live.
God, she hoped that Thorin, Nero, and Lore were okay. The image of Raiden appeared before her eyes, but she slammed down on that thought.
The dense blackness made her feel like she was drowning. Once again, she was alone in the dark. She pushed that disheartening thought away and stopped to look at the wrist map Thorin had shoved at her. It was far too big on her wrist, but she appreciated the faint glow of light. She needed to go a little farther ahead and then climb upward. After that, she’d take another shaft right down to the prison cells.
Ignoring the pain of her bleeding side, she kept crawling. Once she found the vertical vent, she climbed up, pressing her boots to the slick sides and edging her way upward.
Partway up, she paused to catch her breath. She wondered if Raiden had found the commander. Was he okay?
Quit thinking about him, Harper. He left you. She started climbing again.
She climbed out of the vertical shaft and pulled herself into the horizontal section of the duct. She was sweating now and feeling a little shaky. She rested her head against the cool wall, refusing to let the tears come.
Touching her side, she swiped at it with the hem of her shirt, trying to mop up some of the blood.
Then she heard a sound echo through the vent duct.
It sounded like something scraping across the metal. Had someone followed her? The duct was too small for any of the gladiators, or the Thraxians. Even the hunting cats would have a hard time fitting in.
The sound came again, followed by a long, deep rumble that reverberated in the air around her.
A chill ran down her spine. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a cat. It was something else.
Shit. She started moving again, scrambling as fast as she could. She came to a crossways and stopped. Which way? Dammit, she’d gotten herself confused. She turned and kept going.
At the next crossways, she knew she was lost. She turned her wrist, studying the map.
Then she heard something else. An animal breathing. Behind her.
Harper turned, staring into the shadows. She couldn’t see a damn thing.
Then slowly a face appeared out of the darkness.
Her chest locked.
This alien was the thing of nightmares. It had a large, triangular-shaped head, with smooth gray skin, and a row of shiny black eyes. It opened its jaws, drool dripping from them.
It moved slowly forward and she saw it had several long legs, it’s bottom half making her think of a spider.
It let out a bloodcurdling shriek and rushed forward.
Harper jerked herself backward. She hated to turn her back on it, but she could go faster facing forward. She turned and started crawling.
She heard it coming after her, claws scratching in the metal. It made the deep rumbling sound again that made her stomach turn over.
Ahead, she saw that the duct descended. Harper reached for her remaining sword. She pulled it out, turned. She threw herself backward, sliding wildly downward, like she was on a slide. She held her sword up, ready if the damn alien caught her.
The duct leveled out and she skidded to a halt.
She looked up and saw the creature sliding down the duct toward her. She glanced back behind herself, looking at her options for escape.
Her heart stopped. No. It couldn’t be.
It was a dead end.
***
Raiden rushed through a corridor and skidded around the corner. Ahead, he saw Thorin battling a hunting cat.
The bodies of several other hunting cats lay sprawled on the floor. Lore stood against one wall, blood running down his arm. His chest was torn up, covered in claw marks. Nero was cleaning off his sword.
“Where’s Harper?” Raiden demanded.
Thorin finished the cat and lowered his axe. “See you came to your senses.”
“Where is she?”
“I got her into a ventilation duct.” He pointed upward. “She was bleeding, and I figured it was the safest place for her, and she could reach her friend faster.”
Raiden relaxed a little bit, but he wouldn’t be fully satisfied until he saw her with his own eyes. Touched her. “She’s heading towards the cells?”
Thorin nodded.
“Then let’s find her and get off this damn ship.” Together, the four of them moved in the direction of the cells.
They hadn’t gone far, when Raiden heard a deep, rasping rumble that echoed through the walls around them. He looked up. The sound was coming from the ventilation system.
Everything inside Raiden went cold. He knew that sound. It was a nama. One of the nastiest aliens he’d ever known. They were strictly banned from the arena.
He looked up. “It’s in the ducts. It’s hunting her.”
He took off at a sprint. He followed the noises the creature was making.
Raiden focused on the sound, pushing himself faster and faster. Then he realized the sound was duller. He stopped. “Double back! We moved away from them.”
Hold on, Harper. He heard the sounds of a scuffle in the ducts. The nama screeched.
“Harper!” he roared.
He moved farther down the corridor. He could hear the sounds of bodies slamming against metal. The nama screeched again.
With a roar, Raiden snatched Thorin’s axe. He swung it and slammed it against the wall. The panel dented. He swung again and again.
“Stand back.”
Raiden didn’t want to stop, but he looked at his friend. Thorin ran forward, ramming the wall with his shoulder. He moved back, and Raiden swung the axe at the loosened panel.
The axe tore through the metal.
Raiden shoved the axe back at Thorin, and gripped the ragged metal. Ignoring the sting as razor-sharp edges ripped into his hands, he heaved, pulling it apart. He had to get to Harper.
He tore until the hole was big enough to shove his body through. He pushed inside. “Harper!”
Instantly he saw her. And just beyond her was the nama.
She was jabbing her sword at the creature, the stench of its blood filling the tight space.
The single-minded need to protect his woman washed over him. He reached in, grabbed her, and yanked her back.
She cried out, twisting as he pulled her into the corridor, struggling against him.
“Harper! It’s me. You’re okay.” He pulled her away from the wall.
She blinked at him. “Raiden?” She was covered in blood and gore.
“I’m here.”
Suddenly, the nama rammed out of the hole in the wall, screeching.
Raiden pushed Harper aside, and pulled out his sword. Thorin stormed forward with his axe.
They slashed at the creature, and then Harper joined them, thrusting her sword into the beast’s belly.
Stubborn, courageous woman. The nama pulled back, writhing. Thick, black blood sprayed over them all.
A second later, the creature fell back into the duct.
Raiden spun, grabbing Harper. “Are you okay?”
Half of her face was covered in blood, and her clothes were soaked with sweat and filth. He cupped her cheeks, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
When she tried to pull away from him, he held her tight. “I’m making up for my lapse in judgment. Harper, I screwed up. I should never have left you.”
Something leaped in her gaze, but she didn’t lean into him. Instead, she pulled away, and gave him a small nod. “We can’t talk about that now. I need to find Regan
.”
His jaw tightened, hating that he felt the distance between them. But she was right, and he was going to make things up to her.
“Let’s move.”
***
They finally reached the holding area.
Harper crept quietly, very conscious of Raiden moving right behind her. The lighting in the area was dim and she peered at the row of cells along one side of the room.
Bile crept into her throat. She took in the regular spacing between the doors, the slim patch of bars letting the jailors look into each cell. Horrific memories rushed forward and she shuddered. Exactly like the cell she’d lived in.
Then, she spotted something ahead in the corridor. Something pale hanging from the ceiling.
She frowned, signaling to the others. She stepped closer and sucked in a shocked breath.
Regan’s pale, naked body was chained, dangling in the corridor in front of the cells.
Oh, God. Without thinking, Harper rushed forward. A strong arm circled her waist, holding her in place.
“Let me go—”
Lights clicked on. Going from darkness to bright light in a flash left Harper blinking.
Then her heart clenched. Behind Regan stood a wall of Thraxians. In the center was a tall Thraxian with an air of authority, his horns larger than those around him. By the way Raiden hissed out a breath, she guessed this was Commander Yoxx.
“You,” Raiden breathed.
The commander studied him. “One of the last of the Aurelians.”
“Yes,” Raiden said. “Because of you and your evil species. I am Prince Raiden Tiago, of the Royal House of Aurelia.”
The commander’s eyes widened. “The missing crown prince. I always thought you’d died on the planet.” The Thraxian shrugged his shoulders. “We sell our services to the highest bidder. Destroying your planet wasn’t personal.”
“And killing my parents, raping my sister?”
The commander inclined his head, an expression that had to pass for a small smile tugging at his ugly, wide lips. “We’re allowed to enjoy what we do.”
Raiden lunged forward, and this time it was Harper who blocked him, keeping her body pressed against him.
“Raiden, you need to keep your cool. He’s purposely antagonizing you.”
She pressed herself against him, hoping to hold him. She turned and looked at the Thraxians.
“You’ve been using my friends as bait,” Harper said. “Toying with us. How does that fit with you just selling your services to the highest bidder? This feels personal.”
“We still enjoy a challenge. All of life is a game to fight and win. We worship strength and power and those who wield it.” The man’s orange gaze settled on Raiden. “And this one causes trouble for the House of Thrax here in the Kor Magna Arena. I figured flushing him out, and taking him down, was a worthy cause.” He nodded his head at his guards. “Kill them.”
As the Thraxians advanced, Harper looked up at Raiden. “You with me?” She looked at Thorin and Lore. “We need to work as a team to take them all down.”
Raiden gave one hard nod. “Together.”
Harper drew her sword at the same time as Raiden. His friends flanked them, and they rushed forward.
With single-minded determination, Harper fought. Her sword crashed against the swords of the Thraxians. She heard her gladiators bellowing, fighting with their usual frightening intensity.
As Raiden engaged two Thraxians, keeping their attention on him, she slid in low, slicing at their legs.
She glanced at Regan’s still form. Her friend was hurt and in danger. Harper was ready to end this.
“Harper.” Raiden gripped her waist. “Ready?”
She nodded, bracing herself. In one swift motion, he tossed her upward. She flew through the air, swung her sword, and took down two Thraxians. Then she was up, leaping, and sliding her legs around the neck of the next Thraxian. She overbalanced him and brought him down. Raiden was waiting to finish him.
“Kill the prisoner,” she heard the commander scream. “Take away their reason for fighting.”
Harper spun. She saw a Thraxian with an axe heading toward Regan.
No! Harper renewed her fighting. But there were still too many between her and Regan. She wasn’t going to be fast enough.
She saw a blur of movement out of the corner of her eye. Thorin! He was closer.
“Thorin! Get to Regan.”
The big gladiator looked up. When he saw the Thraxian heading toward Regan, he hefted his own axe and charged forward.
A Thraxian swung at her. Harper ducked and hit back. At the same moment, she saw Commander Yoxx make a run for the door.
“Raiden!” When he caught her gaze, she pointed at the fleeing alien. “Get him.”
For a second, Raiden hesitated.
Raiden deserved his closure, and the commander deserved not to leave this place. “Get him! Don’t let him escape.”
Raiden rushed forward, lifting his sword. The commander pulled his weapon, and she saw the two swords clash with a deafening clang.
Then, a vicious blow hit her legs, behind her knees. Harper fell, slamming into the floor, all air leaving her lungs. She rolled…and saw a very familiar Thraxian standing over her with a large staff.
Scar Face.
She leaped to her feet, swinging her sword. The guard countered with his staff. They traded several blows, each powerful hit shuddering up her arms.
Then he swung again, down low. Harper jumped over it.
Enough. She lunged at him, aiming for his chest.
His heavy staff swung down, not aimed at her sword.
It slammed into her thigh. She felt pain like a hot blade, and she heard the bone snap. She went down with a cry.
The next hit slammed into her ribs. She grunted.
“You were always trouble,” Scar Face growled.
She tried to roll, ignoring the burning pain tearing through her body. He slammed the staff down again, on her other leg. This time, she screamed.
Then she heard Raiden’s roar. “No!”
Chapter Nineteen
Thorin
Thorin charged toward Harper’s small friend. As the alien nearing her raised his axe, Thorin brought his down, slamming into the Thraxian’s back.
The big alien shouted and spun. He swung his axe wildly.
Thorin methodically beat the alien back until he slammed into the wall. Another chop of his axe, and the Thraxian slumped to the ground.
Spinning, Thorin moved to free the female. He really hoped that Harper’s friend was still alive.
He stopped and blinked.
She’d gotten herself free of her bindings. She stood there, naked, rubbing her bruised wrists.
“You’re with Harper?” she asked in a melodious voice.
He nodded. She had the prettiest blue eyes he’d ever seen, in such a small, delicate face.
“Good.” She took a step toward him and then collapsed.
Thorin raced forward and caught her, pulling her up against his chest.
“I don’t think I can walk,” she said matter-of-factly.
“I will carry you.” He pulled her closer. Even though she had a curvy body, she was so tiny, so small, and so fragile.
Something stirred inside him. Something he hadn’t felt for a very long time. His jaw clenched. He stared down at his large, scarred hands against her pale skin. They looked wrong against her smoothness.
Suddenly, her eyes widened. “Look out!”
Thorin automatically took a step backward. He saw the injured Thraxian guard rushing at them, blood gushing from a head wound.
He felt fingers at his belt. The female grabbed his dagger and reared up. She jammed the blade into the Thraxian’s chest.
The alien made a gurgling sound and fell backward.
The female sagged back against Thorin’s chest, eyeing the bloody knife with horror.
Gently, he took it from her.
“I’m Regan,” she said.
>
“Thorin.”
“Nice to meet you. Can we get out of here, Thorin?”
He pulled her closer, strange protective instincts flaring to life inside of him. “Yes.”
And then he heard Raiden’s roar. Thorin looked over and saw Harper slumped on the ground, writhing in pain. A big, scarred Thraxian was standing over her, his staff raised ominously.
“Harper,” Regan said, her voice frightened.
Thorin watched, as Raiden sprinted, leaping over dead bodies. He rammed his sword into the Thraxian.
***
Raiden thrust his sword deeper into the Thraxian’s worthless body. Then he wrenched it free, not even watching as the alien fell.
Raiden fell to his knees beside Harper. “Harper.”
She tried to move, but fell back, her face pale. “I think I’m going to pass out. Hurts.”
He ran a shaking hand over her cheek. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
She looked up at him, her gaze a little unfocused. “I’m glad you came back.”
He pulled her into his arms, hating when she cried out. She had broken bones and needed the healers. She bit her lip and slumped against his chest, unconscious.
He looked to the others. Lore looked even more battered, but he was on his feet and Nero was helping him. Thorin was cradling Harper’s friend, Regan. She looked tiny in the big man’s arms. “Let’s get back to safety.”
As they raced out of the ship, Thorin moved up beside him.
Raiden looked at Regan. “She okay?”
“She has a name,” the woman said, in a quiet but annoyed voice.
Raiden felt a smile threatening. Apparently the females of Earth had a few things in common. “Sorry. Regan. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“She’d already got herself free of the restraints,” Thorin said in a bemused tone.
“How’s Harper?” Regan asked.
“Hurt. She’s passed out from the pain.”
“She’ll be fine once we get her to a regen tank to heal.” Thorin’s gaze went to Raiden’s. “The commander?”
“He got away.” Raiden shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
And it didn’t. Nothing mattered right now, except that the woman he loved was hurt. His arms tightened on her at the realization. He loved her. Loved her? He searched his feelings, knowing without a doubt what he felt was real. He couldn’t lose her.