Captured By The Warriors

by Daniella Wright

  “How much?” her voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

  “Fifty grand,” he said. She shook her head, knowing that Lance would never part with that much money. Fear began to permeate through her skin like electricity. Lance was targeting Kyle, and she wanted to know why.

  “Let’s go now,” she said urgently, taking his face in her hands. “Just leave the city with what we have.”

  “No no no,” Kyle replied, placing a hand on her shoulder, which she shrugged off.

  “Yes, we’ll go now. We have enough for two bus tickets out,” she said desperately, her hands shaking. She looked him in the eyes, willing him to change his mind. “We don’t need any more money.”

  “We do,” he said, taking her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head. “I’m doing this for us. For our future. Just think—a house. With a garden. In the country.” Laney found herself crying. She was trapped by Lance, yet again.

  “No, he won’t let us go,” she sobbed.

  “I’ve been in this game for a long time,” he insisted. “Just one and done. I promise.” She buried her face in to his chest, inhaling his scent. She knew that she needed to convince him otherwise, but did not know how.

  ~*~

  Laney picked up the motel phone, dialing the one number that she had memorized. When the person picked up, a bright female voice saying:

  “Hello?” Laney whispered into the phone:

  “Meet me at the rendezvous spot,” and then she hung up the receiver, silently placing it on to the cradle. She looked at the bed, where Kyle lay fast asleep. She scribbled a hasty note to him, telling him that she had an urgent errand to attend to, and would meet him back here.

  Pulling her jean jacket on over her cami and a pair of yoga pants, Laney left the motel, walking quickly down the city sidewalks. She pulled on a pair of designer sunglasses that Lance had given her. She couldn’t wait to get out of the city and get a job so that she could buy clothes and things that had no connection to her violent ex-boyfriend. She sighed deeply, walking quickly.

  She found herself soon in the downtown area, where she boarded the subway. She headed for the central business district, getting off on Canal Street, and walking a few blocks from the subway exit. She glanced behind her casually, checking to see if anyone was following her. She looped around the block, pretending to window shop as she watched the passersby in the glass of the storefront windows. Satisfied that she hadn’t been followed, she returned to Canal Street, entering a bright, airy café. At a back table, she saw a woman wearing a pair of dark Chanel sunglasses. She was dressed in a simple black sheath dress, and fit in with the other customers well. She was sipping a latte from a large ceramic cup, the foam sticking to her perfect red lipstick. She was blonde, with a pixie cut, and she smiled when she saw Laney. Laney walked over carefully, attempting not to draw unwanted attention.

  “Meg,” she said. Meg Davis, Laney’s best friend and cousin to Laney’s ex, stood, giving Laney a hug. They sat down at the table, where Laney’s place already had a latte and a croissant sitting at it.

  “I ordered for you already,” Meg said.

  “Thanks, I haven’t eaten yet today,” Laney replied.

  “Sure,” Meg said, keeping her voice in a hushed tone. “So, why are you still in the city?”

  “I haven’t been able to get out. Dan was at the bus station, so I’ve been hiding out in rival gang territory. I won’t tell you which.”

  “Much appreciated. To what do I owe this pleasure?” Meg cocked an eyebrow. “I’m already walking a tight line with my cousin for bringing you to the hospital.”

  “Thank you so much for that, by the way.”

  Meg leaned forward, placing a hand on Laney’s forearm. She squeezed it comfortingly.

  “I would do anything to help you, my dear.” Laney nodded, her throat choked with grateful tears. She sighed, swallowing them back. “But you need to get out of town. Stat.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Meg asked. “I can get you safely to a bus station right away.”

  “I have a new boyfriend,” Laney explained. “He’s sweet. But he is insisting on doing a fight tonight. Lance’s promised him fifty grand.”

  “There’s no way he’s going to get it.” Meg paused for a second. “Do you think Lance knows about you and this guy?”

  “I have no way of knowing.”

  “Hm. It’s a strange coincidence, don’t you think?”

  “Seriously.”

  “As far as I know, Lance has gotten himself involved in some black market animal trafficking trade,” Meg said, taking a sip of her drink. “It is an animal that can only be contained by this strange, woven metal collar. It has these weird patterns on it. It’s super heavy.”

  “I’ve seen one,” Laney said.

  “What’s it for?”

  “Dragons.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “I’m not, Mi,” she said. “You have to tell me where this fight is being held.”

  “How does this have anything to do with dragons?”

  “My new boyfriend?” Laney said. “He’s a dragon shifter.” She watched her friend’s mouth drop open in shock.

  “Well, great—he can get you out of the city.”

  “He wants to fight for the fifty grand.” Meg shook her head.

  “Men can be so bull-headed.”

  “You have no idea what it’s like when they’re dragon-headed.”

  “Bet that’s hot,” Meg said, making Laney laugh. “I’ll tell you where the fight is being held. He’s definitely going to need backup.”

  Laney walked as quickly as she felt was safe back to the motel. She stood fidgeting in the elevator, coming up with the best way to tell Kyle about going to see Meg. When the elevator doors slid open on their floor, she walked rapidly down the hallway, her hands shaking a little as she stuck the key into the lock. She pushed the door open and Kyle stormed across the room. His face was full of fury, and Laney stepped back into the hallway.

  “Where were you?”

  “I needed to get more information,” Laney explained, feeling unsure. She had never seen Kyle angry before.

  “At what cost? Did anyone follow you?”

  “No.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” He stood down, rubbing his chin. His brows were furrowed. He walked over toward her, and she flinched. He paused, taken aback and then pulled her gently into a hug.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he said. Laney nodded. She looked up and into his face. He leaned down, kissing her, deeply. Placing her hands around his neck, she let him take her over to the bed, where he began to undress her. Worked to unbutton and then unzip his jeans, returning his kisses passionately. He guided her gently, until she was on her back, and he trailed kisses along her jawline, stopping to nip the lobe of her ear. She inhaled sharply, feeling herself respond to the heady sensations of being near to him.

  He paused before entering her, looking her in the eye, asking her permission. She smiled and nodded. He knew exactly what she needed—to feel that she had her power back—power that Lance had taken from her. He made love to her gently, slowly, drawing it out luxuriously. Laney was left feeling completed, and sleepy. She curled up beside him, drifting off to sleep.

  Laney awoke from a deep sleep to find herself alone in the room. She looked around, and then her gaze fell upon the bedside table. There was a note, scribbled on the back of her own note that she had left for Kyle earlier.

  On my way to the fight. Wait for me here. When I return, we will go and find our dream house, together. Love, Kyle.

  Laney’s heart sunk in fear. Kyle was walking right into Lance’s trap. She fought back tears, choosing instead to hold her head high. She was going to go to that fight and save Kyle, even if that meant facing Lance and his abuse.

  ~*~

  The docks by the river were redolent of the sound of gulls and the deep lowing of freighter horns. The warehouse that Meg had
told her of was made of corrugated metal, painted the deep crimson of Lance’s shell company that had been created as a front for his black market dealings. She had a switchblade in her high-heeled boot, which she had kept in her duffle. It made her feel better to at least have a weapon, despite its smallness.

  She could hear the sounds of voices inside of the warehouse. Two large men stood at the door. They were dressed in plain black t-shirts, and dark gray slacks. They were well-muscled and enormous; people who would cow a grown man. The one to the left looked her up and down, the slow speed of his action making her feel violated. She fought the urge to tug on the hem of her short black dress. She wished that she was wearing clothing that covered her, but she needed for Lance to believe that she was coming to reconcile.

  “Password?” he asked, a dangerous grin spreading across his face lasciviously. Laney fought the urge to gag with revulsion.

  “Flakka,” she said, naming the rather nasty drug that Lance’s twisted sense of humor found to be entertaining to feed to his fighters before sending them into the ring.

  “That one,” he said, “Is rather expired, missy.”

  “But—” Laney began as the other bouncer turned, frowning. Surprise spread across the man’s features as he recognized her.

  “Laney.” He smiled dangerously. “Lance has been looking everywhere for your hide. I’d hate to be there when he tans it.” He reached out, grabbing Laney roughly by the shoulder, but before he could drag her off, Laney yelled out.

  “Wait! Stop!” he paused.

  “What could you possibly say to make this go differently?”

  “I’m here to make it up to Lance,” she lied, looking him in the eyes in a manner that she hoped was coming off as sincere. He looked a little doubtful, but he nodded, letting go of her shoulder.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  ~*~

  Lance sat in the stands beside a large dirt circle that was enclosed in a metal cage. The stands were on a raised platform beside it, and there was a large standing room, full of rough-looking people dressed in dirty, ragged clothes milling about. The roar of voices was tremendous.

  Lance was a large man, all muscle—he had a sharp jawline, and an outward attractiveness that had initially drawn Laney in. Before his attitude had become abusive, his size had comforted her, and his jokes made him seem warm. What girl wouldn’t want to be with a strong, handsome man? As a stray, she had wanted the attention, the power that had come with being seen as Lance’s girlfriend. She had found, to her surprise, that in becoming his girlfriend, she had lost any power that she had possessed.

  He came across as cheerful and attentive, but underneath, Lance was a snake. He believed that his word and desire was law, and those who broke that law would live to regret it. Lance certainly made sure of that.

  Looking at him in that moment, Laney could not see past his darkness. She recalled the black fury in his eyes as he had beaten her into submission the week before. She kept my hands balled at her sides to hide the fact that they were shaking. She needed, in that moment, to be strong—for Kyle.

  When he saw her, Lance smiled. It was a crocodile’s smile: all teeth and cold, reptilian eyes. It was terrifying. She believed that he would kill her, if it suited him.

  “Back now?” he said, his tone light. “Where has my little bird been all week?”

  “I…I want to apologize, Lance.”

  “You certainly should,” he said, beckoning. She walked over to him, and he grabbed her by the hair on the back of her head, kissing her brutally. She tasted blood, her lip having grazed her teeth. He let go, smacking her across the face with his hand. She held her cheek as tears welled in her eyes.

  “I don’t appreciate playing games, chickadee,” he hissed. “You led me on. I hope that you have learned your lesson.” She nodded, shaking uncontrollably.

  “Good,” he said. “And I thought today was a good day before. Now it's even better, now that I have gotten back what is mine.” He gestured for her to sit in an empty chair that was beside his own. She sat down next to him, and bore his caresses. They had pleased her at the beginning of their relationship. Now, they disgusted her. Periodically, he would pinch Laney when he felt that she wasn’t paying him enough attention.

  The fight began; two large men entered the ring. They were dirty, unrecognizable. Her heart was in my throat, but she relaxed a little when she realized that neither one of the men was Kyle. The men went at each other, and the one had the other backed into the side of the ring. They scrabbled against each other, grabbing at each other’s throats.

  One man went down, and the other took the advantage, throwing his body on top of the other and brutally pummeling his opponent’s face. Laney winced at the utter brutality before her, looking over at Lance to be sure that he had missed her pained look. He was fixated on the fight, leaning forward in his seat as the final blows were delivered.

  Lance clapped his hands, grinning and proclaiming loudly.

  “It looks like things are going well,” she commented, keeping her eyes on the ring.

  “Better than well, my dear,” he said. “I have a big lead in on something amazing.”

  “I heard that there was going to be a big fight today.” she was treading on thin ice here.

  “Yes,” he said, as two men entered the ring. “Later. You should see the one guy. He’s an animal.” He laughed, looking around at his cronies, who laughed, as well, happy to be in on the joke.

  "There's big money in animal sales,” he added.

  "But he's a person, isn't he?” she asked, overplaying her confusion. Lance did not need to know how much she knew. “You're not doing dogfights are you?”

  “No, no, Chickadee.” He waved his hand in the air as though to clear it of her stupidity. “This is something better. You can see if you want to. You came back at just the right time. We are going to be rich."

  He paused, frowning as an idea came to him. He looked at her with the quickness of a cobra, striking without warning. His voice was thick with suspicion.

  "Speaking of which, why did you come back today?" She shook her head, smiling beatifically.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lance.” He blinked, and then laughed; using a hand to wave away the thought, clear the air.

  “You are too stupid to know anything,” he said, leaning in and kissing her. She laughed in response, pretending to agree and reciprocate his false affection. When he finally pulled away, he chucked her on the chin and she smiled at him seductively.

  “Can I see the animal?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes, baby,” he replied. “You will see it all.” He clapped his hands, turning to demand a drink. He entwined his fingers in Laney’s hair, tugging it as he ordered liquor to be brought to him. Laney’s stomach squirmed anxiously at the dread of a drunken Lance.

  ~*~

  It seemed as though days passed, but it was mere hours, before the final fight. Lance had progressively drunk himself into a blithe mood the entire time. While he was in a good mood, alcohol tended to make his moods unpredictable, and tended to spur violent outbursts. Laney made sure to speak less and less as he grew more intoxicated so as to draw less attention to herself. She did not need to give Lance any extra reasons to want to kill her.

  Laney watched as Kyle and another man entered the ring from opposite sides. Lance’s drunken joking with his cronies faded into the background. The focus of Laney’s entire world shrunk down to Kyle Danner, wearing only a pair of worn jeans.

  Lance’s hand clapped Laney on her back, drawing her back to the real world, where she was in the company of her dangerously drunk ex. She felt as though the force from his hand had almost ejected her from her seat.

  “There he is,” Lance crowed.

  “Who?” she asked her heart was in her throat. Everything hung on the tiniest, thinnest of threads at the moment. Everything—her entire future, Kyle’s life—hung in the balance.

  “The animal,” he explained. “You’l
l see—this is going to be good.” The two men were facing each other down, sizing each other up. The bell rang, and Laney watched as Kyle sprung toward the other man, both of them shifting. The other man was a large bear—it seemed as though the fight were unbalanced in favor of the part-bear, until Kyle resolved into his dragon-form, rearing up onto his hind legs, and let out a shriek. He was beautiful in his strength, graceful in form.

  The half-bear flew at him, and Kyle deflected him with a swipe of his forelegs. The half-bear was cast against the far side of the ring. It got to its feet, stunned, but not out yet. Regardless, Kyle didn’t waste the advantage that the stunned half-bear’s fumbling to make another foray gave him. Kyle arched his neck, letting a stream of fire shoot forth from his jaws. It was brilliant, lighting up the darkened area of the warehouse. Cries of awe at the heat and size of the flames echoed from the crowd.

  The half-bear reared through the flames, raking his massive claws across Kyle’s underbelly. Kyle shrieked, snapping at the half-bear with his lizard-like maw. He clamped down on the half-bear’s throat, tearing it out. The fight was over in a matter of minutes.

  ~*~

  The standing room began to empty as the spectators filtered out. Lance stood, and Laney followed him. Lance placed his arm around Laney’s shoulders. It was heavy and bulky. She felt bowed beneath its weight, suffocated.

  They stepped toward the side of the ring, where Kyle stood, his hands in his pockets. He had a large wound across his chest where the bear shifter had raked its claws across him during the fight. As she looked on, Laney saw the cut begin to close. She was trembling in fear. This was going to have to be played on point if Kyle were going to get out of here alive. She had given up on herself, she realized. As soon as she had seen Lance, she had known that he would never let her go. She was here to save Kyle. Lance’s arm dropped from around her shoulders.

  “Danner! My man! Good show,” Lance’s jovial voice boomed. Laney kept her expression blank and cool and her gaze on the ground to the left of Kyle’s feet. She inhaled, looking upward and directly into Kyle’s eyes. She silently willed him to believe that this wasn’t a betrayal. Kyle’s eyes were large, confused. He frowned at her angrily as Lance shook his hand. Stepping back, Lance clapped him on the shoulder.