by Anna Hackett
“Over there.” Sam pointed. “Go wake him up.”
Kace was next closest to Sam, and she quickly shook him free. His face was covered in sweat, but he nodded at her. They were all being forced to relive nightmares.
She looked around desperately, and spotted Galen. She sprinted to him. He was on his knees, his muscles tensed and veins popping out of his neck.
“Galen.” She cupped his cheeks. “Galen.”
“Have to save Raiden.” His voice was harsh. “Have to save the royal family and Aurelia.”
“Galen, it’s Sam. We’re on Carthago. Come back to me.”
His hands clamped down on her arms and he yanked her closer. Suddenly, she was somehow in his memories.
She felt sunshine on her skin and stone pavers beneath her knees. She looked over her shoulder and gasped.
In front of them, she saw Thraxians fighting with armed guards in rich red uniforms. Galen stared at the fight, face hard. It was a younger Galen, with a handsome face and two glittering-blue eyes. He wasn’t in uniform.
“I was hiking in the hills,” he whispered. “It was my day off. I left Raiden alone. While I was strolling through the trees, my world was being torn apart.”
Her heart clenched. Then Galen raised a sword and leaped into the fight.
Nearby, a very young Raiden was battling with another Thraxian. The ground shook, and Sam looked up. They were outside a beautiful palace, like something out of a fantasy story. But as she watched, a tower toppled, crashing to the ground and breaking into chunks of rock.
Then Raiden stumbled. “Galen!”
The young prince’s bodyguard charged toward his young prince, his tattoos flaring blue-green. Sam’s gut churned. She knew there was no happy ending for this scenario.
“Your family is dead, boy,” the Thraxian yelled at Raiden. “And you’re next.”
“No!” Enraged, Raiden rushed at the alien.
Galen charged at them. “Raiden, stand down. Get to safety!”
The Thraxian lifted a huge, clawed hand and sideswiped the younger man, sending him flying. Raiden collapsed in a pile and didn’t get up.
“No.” Galen skewered the Thraxian with his sword. The Thraxian fought back, swiping at Galen. His claws slashed up Galen’s shirt, opening up several deep wounds on Galen’s chest.
Pain made Galen’s face spasm. He fell back, and the Thraxian fell on top of him.
The Thraxian pushed to his knees, yanking Galen’s sword out and throwing it away. Gold blood oozed from his gut wound. Then he roared and gripped Galen’s head, his claws hovering right over Galen’s left eye.
“You are a failure,” the Thraxian said. “I’ll make you watch while I gut your young prince.”
Emotion poured through Sam as she watched and felt everything Galen was feeling—pain, despair, helplessness.
Galen twisted and jerked, but the Thraxian was heavier and stronger. He had Galen pinned.
The Thraxian kept talking and behind them, another palace tower toppled over.
Then Sam saw the knife in Galen’s hand. He was desperately trying to stab it up into the Thraxian, but the Thraxian’s arm was long, putting him just out of reach. Galen only needed another inch, and he could sink the knife into his attacker.
Suddenly, Galen went still. Then, before she realized what he planned, his tattoos flared and he reached up with his other hand. He yanked the Thraxian closer.
The Thraxian’s claws sank into Galen’s eye.
He didn’t scream or flinch. Instead, he rammed the knife deep into the Thraxian’s chest.
Oh, sweet Lord. “Galen,” she said in a broken cry.
Then jarringly, she blinked, and the images dissolved. Sunlight gave way to flickering shadows. The paved courtyard gave way to an underground cavern.
Galen was on his knees, staring at Sam, the same deep groove in his brow, and agony in his eye. She leaned forward and kissed him.
He blinked.
“Sam?”
“I’m here.”
He blinked again and one strong arm snaked around her. He pulled her close. “Sam.”
“We’re okay, but we have Thraxians to beat.”
His face turned to stone. “Thraxians.”
She nodded. “It’s time to save the day again, boss-man.”
Galen focused on Sam’s eyes, shaking off the past. His gut was churning.
The feel of her warm fingers on his skin helped him pull himself together. He glanced around and saw Harper, Raiden, Kace, and Lore working to wake the others.
His gladiators were all caught in the grip of some strange tech. Galen scowled. He’d seen this before, being tested by insane tech genius Catalyst, and Carthagoan scum, Gabriez. It looked like the Thraxians had made it even stronger.
“Get the rest of them free,” he said.
Sam touched his jaw. “You sure you’re okay?”
He nodded. “I’m fine now.” He pressed his hand over hers. “Help them.”
With a nod, she raced off, headed toward Saff.
Slowly, Galen pushed to his feet. Everything hurt. Sam had seen his worst failure. He blew out a breath. She’d seen what had left the scars on his soul.
Shaking it off, he moved to Nero, gripping the man’s shoulder. “Wake up, gladiator.”
Nero blinked at him, his face set like thunder. “Galen.”
“Yes. On your feet, Nero.”
Once Nero was up, they moved through the rest of his team, waking them from the tech. Soon, they all stood, white-faced and shaky.
“Drakking Thraxians,” Thorin snapped. “I’m going to kill them all.”
A deep howl echoed around them. They all spun.
“Now what?” Saff yanked a net device off her belt, ready to throw it.
Several beasts slunk out of a dark tunnel, drool dripping from their fang-filled mouths, and their gazes locked on the gladiators.
“This way,” Kace yelled.
They all sprinted toward the wide entrance to the maze. It was the only place to go.
“We could take them,” Nero yelled.
“There will be more,” Galen said.
They headed into the maze tunnels.
“We need a way out,” Sam said.
They sprinted through the twisting tunnels. The walls were carved rock, with several dead ends. Suddenly, a wild screech echoed through the tunnels.
They all stumbled to a halt. Galen heard the pounding of hooves on dirt. More creatures were coming.
“This way,” Harper called.
She’d found a small trap door in a side wall. Dropping to her hands and knees, she crawled through it, Raiden right behind her.
They all squeezed through, and came out in another wide, maze tunnel.
As one, they jogged through the twists and turns. But it wasn’t long before they were met with a shouting crowd of Zaabha fighters. Swords clashed. Galen rushed forward, slamming his blade against a fighter’s sword. Beside him, Thorin swung his axe, and Kace’s staff moved in a blur. His gladiators fought hard, and nearby, he saw Sam leap into the air, taking down a fighter.
“Down here,” Raiden yelled.
There was an empty tunnel leading away and they followed Raiden, leaving the Zaabha fighters groaning on the rocky ground.
As they turned a corner, Galen’s instincts were screaming at him.
“We’re being herded,” he said.
Sam’s face tightened. “You’re right. Beasts and fighters popping up and driving us in a certain direction.”
Moments later, they broke into a circular space with a sand-covered floor. They all stumbled to a halt.
It looked like an arena, except for a circular hole in the very center of the floor. Vek growled.
“What the drak?” Blaine stepped forward. “This reminds me of the underground fight rings.”
“What’s with the hole?” Raiden asked.
Blaine looked up, his face dark. “Usually something lived in it, and the Srinar liked to feed it losin
g fighters.”
A low, groan-like sound vibrated from the hole.
Sam spun her sword, her gaze on the cavity. Galen watched as a huge, clawed leg came out of the hole, then another and another.
“Fucking hell,” Blaine muttered.
Seconds later, an enormous, scaled creature had pulled itself out of the hole.
“What is it?” Sam asked.
“Looks like a killer crab mated with…something bad,” Harper said.
The creature had a set of six eyes above a huge mouth, rimmed with sharp teeth.
“I’m not certain, but I believe it’s called a khodor,” Galen said. “Obviously banned from every arena I know.”
The animal opened its huge mouth, giving them a view of several rows of jagged teeth. Then suddenly, a black substance sprayed out of its mouth.
The slime hit Nero, slamming the gladiator into the rock wall.
“Drak!” He struggled, but the sticky substance held him. Lore rushed to help him.
There was another spray of black and Galen dodged it, slamming into Sam and knocking her out of the way.
The creature screeched, lifting several legs and slamming them down. The ground vibrated under them.
Another spray of black goo caught Saff. With a shout, Blaine rushed to her, hacking away at the sticky, web-like substance with his sword.
Finally, Nero was free, specks of black still stuck to his chest. Lore stepped forward, pulling something off his belt. He tossed something toward the animal.
Fireworks exploded in the creature’s face. It let out a loud screech.
“Work together,” Galen shouted. “Distract it.”
“What are you going to do?” Sam asked.
“Get on it. Find a weak spot.”
“Galen.” Lore appeared, pressing several pouches into Galen’s hands. “Just in case you need them.”
“I’m coming with you.” Sam slid her sword into her scabbard.
Galen didn’t bother arguing with her, just yanked her close for a quick kiss. Then he turned and climbed the maze wall beside him.
Sam followed. The creature was darting in at his gladiators. The gladiators were taunting it—yelling and poking at it with their weapons.
Galen climbed to the top of the wall and balanced precariously on the narrow surface. He helped Sam up beside him.
As the monster moved past them, Galen leaped onto the creature’s back. Sam landed beside him. They both gripped the rough scales, the edges biting into their fingers.
“Now what?” Sam looked around. “I don’t see any weak spots.”
No. The armor-plated scales were tough, and they completely covered the creature. “We get up to the head and drop one of Lore’s pouches inside.”
Sam grimaced but nodded. “Let’s do it.”
They both stood and ran up the beast’s back. It moved beneath them, and Sam slipped. Galen reached out and grabbed her hand.
Together, they moved up to the creature’s head.
“Galen, look.”
From another tunnel, he saw Thraxians and Srinar pouring out into the space below. They were all holding some sort of projectile weapons and shooting at his gladiators.
Galen scowled. He couldn’t worry about them right now. First, he and Sam had to bring this creature down. “Come on.”
He grabbed one of Lore’s pouches and lobbed it towards the creature’s mouth.
But as he did, the creature moved, skittering sideways. The pouch hit the edge of the mouth and bounced off. The beast reared, and Galen quickly dropped down and pressed his body to the scales. Sam did the same, holding on as the creature moved beneath them.
“Hold my feet,” Sam said.
He frowned. “What?”
“Hold my feet and I’ll lean over and get a pouch inside.” She held out a hand and Galen set a pouch in it. Then she moved onto her belly and slithered closer to the creature’s mouth.
Galen didn’t like her plan, but he clamped his hands around her ankles.
She slid closer to the beast’s gaping mouth. His gut hardened. Then she was dangling right over its teeth. She dropped her pouch into its mouth.
Galen quickly pulled her back.
Nothing happened.
“Shit,” she muttered. “Galen—”
Thump.
The muffled sound came from inside the creature. A second later, it reared up, screeching wildly. Its legs waved madly.
Galen grabbed Sam as they slid. He yanked her to her feet. “Jump!”
They leaped off. When they hit the ground, they rolled.
A leg slammed down beside them. Galen tackled Sam and they rolled. Another leg rushed at them, and this time, Sam rammed her shoulder into him and they rolled again. The creature teetered away, letting out a mournful groan. Then it finally collapsed.
Thank drak. Galen smiled and heaved in a breath. As he shifted to roll to his feet, he sensed movement beside him.
Only to be met with a sword at his throat.
Sam moved as well, and an axe was pressed to her chest.
Drak. They both looked up and froze.
Galen stared into Raiden’s blank face. His one-time charge and prince calmly held his sword at Galen’s neck. Beside him, a slack-jawed Thorin lifted his axe, holding it above Sam’s head.
“Raiden—” Galen’s words faded away.
Both men had silver implants—one on Raiden’s neck and another on Thorin’s cheek.
“No,” Sam breathed.
Galen’s hands curled into fists and he quickly glanced at all of his gladiators.
All of them were wearing implants.
Chapter Fourteen
Sam sucked in a horrified breath.
All the House of Galen fighters had implants. On their necks, arms, or faces. She looked at the Thraxians and Srinar and saw that the weapons they were holding could actually shoot the implants.
“Galen,” she whispered. “We need to get out of here.”
His face was set like stone, a muscle ticking in his temple.
“Bind them,” a Thraxian barked.
Nero moved forward, the implant on his arm gleaming dully in the muted light. He was carrying a chain with sturdy cuffs at each end.
He grabbed Sam’s arm and snapped the cuff around her wrist. As he tightened it, she glared at the Thraxians. Next, Nero fastened the other end of the chain to Galen. They were now chained together with a few meters of chain between them.
Shit, they needed to do something. Whatever the Thraxians had planned for them, it wouldn’t be good.
“Galen.”
“We can’t leave them.” His gaze moved to Raiden.
“We aren’t any good to them dead.”
She saw the torment on Galen’s face. Then he pulled something off his belt. She frowned and watched as he threw it.
A cloud of gray smoke exploded around them. One of Lore’s tricks.
Galen grabbed her hand and yanked her up, the chain rattling. Then they ran.
Behind them, she heard shouts. In the smoke, she bumped into someone and heard a grunt. But Galen yanked her on.
“There.” She spotted a way out.
They sprinted down the maze tunnel. Sam lifted the chain so it didn’t drag and slow them down. They moved through several turns and intersections, arms pumping.
Soon, the sounds of chaos and confusion died away behind them. Finally, they stopped. Sam sucked air into her aching lungs.
Galen pressed a hand to the wall, his face no longer impassive. She felt the fury rolling off him.
“Galen—”
He turned and punched the wall, blood spraying from his knuckles. He punched it again and again.
She grabbed his hand. “Enough.”
He tried to pull away, but she held tight.
“I know,” she whispered. “I’m here. Hold on to me.”
He gritted his teeth and wrapped his arms around her. “We left them. We left Raiden.”
“I know.” She squeezed him, s
haring her strength. “But we’re going to rescue them.”
“They’re under drakking Thraxian control.”
“We’re going to get them back.” She went up on her toes and kissed him, rough and hard. It took a second, but he kissed her back, his fingers clenching on her arms.
“We need to find the scientist and the implant controls,” she said. “Zhim said the scientist was here somewhere. He’ll know how to disable the implants.”
Galen heaved in a breath. “We’re in a maze. How the hell will we find him?”
“I don’t know. But we won’t give up.”
She watched him rein in his fury and he nodded. “Let’s see if we can get these chains off.”
Galen grabbed a rock and smashed at the chain. Sam tugged at her cuff.
It was no use. They were too sturdy, specially designed to hold unwilling prisoners.
“Forget it,” she said. “Let’s get moving.”
Together, they turned and moved deeper into the maze. With the chain tethering them together, it took them a few minutes to work out how to run while linked. The burning torches made light and shadows dance. The maze was eerily empty, but occasionally she heard moans and the distant sound of fighting.
Galen was brooding and she knew he was thinking of his people.
The Thraxians thrived on hurting and enslaving others. Sam didn’t understand how they could do that with no conscience—she’d spent so many nights, nursing her wounds and wondering about it. But it didn’t matter what had turned the alien species so uncaring and bloodthirsty, this had to end. They had to rescue their friends.
“Galen.” The static-filled crackle came from Galen’s belt.
He reached down and snatched the communicator. “Zhim?”
There was another crackle.
“… Connect… Can you hear…?”
“I can barely hear you. We’re underground. Where are you?”
“… Ryan… Rillian.”
“We need to find the scientist,” Galen said. “My gladiators have been implanted. All of them. We have to help them.”
“Scientist signal… Center… Above.”
Suddenly, the communicator cut off and Galen cursed.
“Center above,” Sam murmured.
“Zhim and the others must be up in Zaabha,” Galen said. “We need to get out of here and back to the surface.”