“I think we’re beyond that now.” Lazet patted Urel on the shoulder. “They’ll be looking for blood.”
“Let’s make sure we don’t give it to them,” said Urel.
Melody nodded in agreement with Urel. She didn’t want to see any of them get hurt by the Fraken.
Urel swung his arms in front of him. “I was wondering if Melody’s offer to find me a mate was genuine.”
“Can’t you stop thinking about that?” Lazet grinned at him. “I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.”
“I do have some experience with humans,” said Urel.
“In what way?” Lazet quirked an eyebrow.
“Most likely not in the way you are thinking,” said Urel. “They’re an interesting race.”
“They are physically fragile, though,” said Lazet. “A single blast from a Fraken lightning stick will kill them.”
“It didn’t Eloise,” said Urel.
Melody’s hand flew to her mouth. Had Eloise been injured? Why hadn’t Lazet said anything about this to her?
“She’s a tough one,” said Lazet. “I wasn’t sure what Axen was doing with her when he first announced he’d brought her out of the game and they were mated. But when I saw her on the screen, she held her own. Maybe he has a particularly strong human female.”
“Or they could all be like that,” said Urel. “I would like to find out.”
“If they are, then any human Melody sets you up with will eat you alive,” said Lazet.
Melody grinned at the comment. Lazet was right; the women she knew from the bar would be far too feisty for Urel. But her thoughts strayed to Jessie. Would she make a good match for him? If not her, there would be others. The choice on Earth was plentiful, and there were many who wouldn’t mind Urel’s blue skin and large eyes in exchange for being with someone who cared for them and who wasn’t going to collapse because of radiation sickness.
Lazet pointed ahead. “The comms link is active. Let’s see what the Fraken think of this game so far.”
Melody hurried along beside them, keen to learn what the Fraken wanted as well. Whatever they were going to tell Lazet and Urel, it wasn’t going to be good.
***
“Explain yourself.” The Fraken, nicknamed Freddie, glared at Lazet.
“I’m giving you something to entertain the crowds.” Lazet leaned against the comms link, and Urel stood to one side out of shot of the screen. “Bet the audience figures are up.”
“Not for the right reasons,” snarled Freddie, his scarred face looming on the screen.
“Surely more viewers mean more bets?”
“They are not betting on the right thing,” said Freddie.
“What are they betting on?” Lazet grinned at Freddie. He could imagine what it was; despite the Fraken’s best efforts, rumors would be circling that someone escaped the games and had taken their prey with them. And it wouldn’t be difficult to figure out the escapee was Axen, their best and fiercest warrior.
“Not your concern,” said Freddie. “But you need to finish this game.”
“I’m keeping everyone entertained. It’s what you commanded me to do,” said Lazet.
“Going to pretend this is just fun for you?”
“What else would it be? I have no interest in the human woman.”
“She is not unattractive,” said Freddie. “But I do not like the color of her hair. I would remove it.”
Lazet shrugged, Melody’s hair was incredible. “It makes her easy to spot when she’s trying to hide.”
“You have displeased us. You saved her and the Deorg from the water. And you have the Deorg with you now.”
“Again, it’s all for your viewers. Perhaps I want to keep the Deorg as my pet. And besides, what fun would the audience have not seeing any bodies as I end this game?”
Freddie tapped a talon on the screen. “You are deceitful.”
“Not true. I always give you a good game.”
Freddie glanced away, and Lazet knew what he was doing, checking the viewing figures and bets placed. “Are you interested in sampling the goods yourself? Is that why you keep your prey alive?”
“It’s a possibility.” Lazet would be sampling Melody, but when they were both ready and far away from any Fraken interference.
“I have taken many human females and have always enjoyed myself, although they break easily. The one you have in there looks like she needs to be broken in thoroughly. The audience is interested in seeing that happen.”
Lazet swallowed his rage. Vorten men did not take women against their will. “As you said, she’s too easy to damage.”
“There’s no need for you to hold yourself back,” said Freddie. “After all, your aim is to kill her. Why not take some pleasure as you do so?”
Lazet nodded. “If the opportunity arises, I will make the most of it.”
He saw movement out of the corner of his eye but kept his gaze on Freddie. Urel had slipped to one side and opened the access panel on the comms link. Lazet needed to keep Freddie distracted long enough so Urel could insert the coded message.
“What kind of show would you like me to put on?” asked Lazet. “A clean kill, or do you want more chasing?”
“How can we trust you?” asked Freddie.
“I have never let you down,” said Lazet. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. Whatever your audience wants, whatever will make you the most e-credits.”
“She is strong willed,” said Freddie. “That is something that needs to be taken out of her. The audience wants to ensure she is thoroughly broken before you end her life. These humans have been making too many demands since they joined the Intergalactic Council. It is not appropriate for such an inferior race to expect so much and give so little.”
“You want me to make an example of this human?”
“I do,” said Freddie. “Perhaps if other humans see how we will treat them if they continue to throw around orders, it will bring them into line. Make the kill dramatic.”
Urel gave a discreet cough as he moved back to Lazet’s side.
“What if I decide not to?” asked Lazet.
“You will finish this game,” said Freddie. “You have one more opportunity to prove yourself loyal to the Fraken.”
“I’m not loyal to you,” sneered Lazet. “I’m loyal to my warriors and my people.”
“And your Elders,” said Freddie. “And they decree you take part in the games. We have already sent word informing them of dissension in their ranks. They will be considering this issue with great interest and deciding upon a suitable course of action to end the problem before it becomes entrenched.”
Lazet bared his teeth. What he was doing was going against the instructions of his Elders, and it pained him to acknowledge that.
“I see you understand my words.” Freddie’s teeth stretched his scars into hideous shapes as he smirked. “There is only one way out of there.”
“If you say so,” said Lazet.
“I know it,” said Freddie. “There might have been an isolated incident you are aware of, but that has been dealt with. If you’re thinking there is a way out, other than to kill your prey, you will be disappointed.”
Lazet felt a stab of worry in his gut as he glanced at Urel. The Fraken were smart. They could have discovered how Axen and Eloise escaped and fixed the glitch in their system that enabled messages to get through. Could it be the plan to get out was no longer viable?
“You must kill the woman,” said Freddie. “If you do that, we will consider a less fatal punishment when you come out of the game.”
“There will be no punishment,” said Lazet.
“I assure you, there will be,” growled Freddie. “And it will be public and brutal. A clear demonstration not to go against Fraken orders.”
Lazet shook his head, his hands going to his weapons.
Urel touched his arm. “Perhaps now is not the time to engage in conflict.”
Lazet let out a slow breath, knowing Urel was
right. It would do no good to incite the Fraken further. “So, if I agree to kill the woman, we both get out alive?”
Freddie nodded and switched his attention to Urel, his lips curling back as he did so. “Show yourself, traitor.”
Urel shuffled into view of the comms screen, his head lowered.
“This Deorg is in collaboration with our enemy,” said Freddie. “He might get out of the game alive, but after that, he must die.”
“He has done nothing wrong,” said Lazet. “I’ve kept him alive because I’m curious why you would even put a Deorg in the games. He’s no threat to me.”
“We believe differently,” said Freddie. “He has conspired against us, and that is punishable by death.”
“You are mistaken,” said Urel softly. “What proof do you have that I work against the Fraken?”
“A missing warrior,” snapped Freddie. “Do not deny your involvement.”
“I work for you,” said Urel. “My loyalties are with you.”
“You have been disloyal,” said Freddie.
“I want Urel out of this game alive,” said Lazet. “One prey per game, that’s the rule, and you’ve broken it by sending him in.”
Freddie glared at him. “You will both get out. But whether you are alive for long is another matter.”
“We need our safety guaranteed,” said Lazet.
“Not planning an escape, are you?” sneered Freddie.
“Like you said, it’s been done before,” said Lazet. “I’ll get out if I have to, and I’ll take Urel with me. But I’m sure you don’t want any more humiliation on your talons.”
Freddie snapped his teeth at him. “It will not happen again.”
“Guarantee our safety, and I will consider your request to kill Melody,” said Lazet.
“It is not a request; it’s an order.”
“Urel must stay safe.”
Freddie glared at Lazet before giving a sharp nod. “Dismember her. The audience thinks this human female is trouble, and they want to see her punished. She has brought the games into disrepute, and that needs to be dealt with. Remove her limbs and present them to the audience as trophies. Only then will I allow Urel to exit the game unharmed.”
Lazet’s stomach rolled at the thought of doing anything so brutal to Melody. “And Urel won’t be harmed, once he’s free?”
“He is not free.” Freddie smirked. “He serves us; he said so himself. The Deorg will return into our service and explain the evidence that suggests he is not loyal to us. If he can do that, we will hold a trial to determine his fate.”
Lazet gritted his teeth. Fraken trials were about as fair as their games.
Urel touched Lazet’s arm again and gave a small nod. “It’s the best we’re going to get.”
Lazet grunted. “Agreed.”
Freddie’s face crowded close to the screen. “You agree to the slaughter of the female?”
“I do. I will remove her limbs and present them to your audience as instructed.”
“You are sensible to obey us,” said Freddie. “Your leader might have escaped, but know this; he has gone to ground. He is nowhere to be found. You have been abandoned and are on your own in this game. It is wise not to do anything foolish. There is no help coming.”
Despite Lazet knowing those words weren’t true, they still dug into his stomach. It reminded him of his own abandonment when he was a child, dumped on a doorstep, left for dead, and abandoned because he wasn’t good enough.
Lazet stood upright and met the yellow gaze of Freddie. “I know what I need to do.”
“Make sure you do it,” said Freddie. “Kill the woman and you may both leave the game.”
Lazet nodded as the screen went blank and the comms link slid into the ground. He knew exactly what he needed to do, get everybody out of this game safely.
Chapter 22
Melody held herself back from rushing out and stabbing Lazet in the heart. What had she been thinking, trusting him? Had he been lying the whole time and intended to do the Fraken’s bidding and end her life?
He’d convinced her that was what he wanted to do as she listened to him bow down to the Fraken. But Melody wouldn’t give him an opportunity. He was lying, alien scum, the same as the Fraken. No, worse than the Fraken. He did their dirty work. He killed when they wouldn’t, and he didn’t care who his prey was or how defenceless they were. Lazet would take her life in a heartbeat and not think about it.
She kicked at the base of a tree as she stormed away, angry at herself for falling for the smooth words of this alien. She should have learned by now, learned nobody was to be trusted. Melody had been cheated on and messed around so many times in business and her personal life. Why could she never learn that the only person she should rely on was herself? She’d been stupid, pinning her hopes on this Vorten she’d met only a few days ago, expecting him to come to her rescue, believing the words he said, and making her think there was hope.
Melody wasn’t going to trust Lazet again. She was in this on her own, and she’d make her own way from now on.
As she hurried back to the fire to collect her bag and Brutus and escape from Lazet, she slid the blade she had into her waistband. At least, she had something to defend herself with. It might hold off an attack for only a few seconds, but she was determined to inflict as much damage as possible on whoever came to take her life.
Part of Melody hoped it was Lazet who came for her. She would enjoy seeing the surprise in his eyes as she slid his own blade into his ribs. He deserved it. He had barely hesitated in agreeing with the Fraken that he would kill her. It showed he was loyal to his own kind and the Fraken.
She dashed a hand over her face. Her previous excitement about getting out now seemed like a joke. Melody had been so looking forward to seeing Eloise, though. But Eloise must have been fortunate in her game. She’d found a decent Vorten, one who’d helped her and realized she was worth saving. But maybe that had been a lie as well? Lazet could have lied this whole time, made Melody believe there was a way out, fooled her into trusting him, so he could kill her, just as the Fraken wanted.
Melody reached Brutus, her nostrils flaring and breath gasping out of her as she stopped by the fire. She wouldn’t have much time before Lazet and Urel returned. They were faster than she was, and she needed to get as much distance from them as possible.
She untied her bag strap from Brutus, who’d devoured the food and was sniffing around for more. “We need to get out of here.” Melody spotted Lazet’s bag by the fire and emptied the contents into hers. She might as well get everything she could to increase her chance of survival.
Lazet’s voice drifted through the trees, and Melody twirled around. She was out of time.
Sucking in air, she realized she’d have to face Lazet, see if she could figure out who he was truly loyal to. Was it the Fraken, the Vorten, or her?
Lazet appeared from behind a tree, Urel following closely behind him and nodded at her. “Everything is in place.”
Urel smiled at Melody. “Shouldn’t be long now.”
“I bet it won’t,” said Melody, her palms sweating despite the cold.
Lazet looked over at her. “Are you going somewhere? You’ve got your bag.”
Melody looked at the bag hanging over her shoulder. “I thought we were going to escape?”
“We are,” said Urel. “But the message I sent through will take time to get there. And it will need to be decoded once it’s arrived.”
“And the Fraken are aware of what we’re doing,” said Lazet. “Axen will need to be more inventive as he figures out a way to get us out of here.”
“All we can do is wait?” Melody glared at Lazet.
“And be on our guard,” said Lazet. “We’re running out of time.”
“You mean I am,” said Melody.
Lazet tilted his head to one side. “What’s wrong?”
Melody shrugged. “Everything about this game is wrong. Everything about you, as well.”
&
nbsp; “Meaning what?” Lazet strode towards her, but Melody danced out of his way.
“Meaning I don’t trust you.”
“Why not?”
“You lied.”
“Not to you.”
“How am I supposed to know that?” asked Melody. “You say one thing to me and another to the Fraken. There could be any number of devious plans floating around in that head of yours.”
Urel stepped back. “There’s something I’d like to check on. I’ll be back shortly.” He disappeared, leaving Melody and Lazet with just Brutus watching them with his large dark eyes.
Lazet approached Melody again. “If you’re worried about the outcome, I’m not going to promise it will be easy. But we are getting out of this.”
“You might be,” said Melody, “but I don’t trust you now.”
“What’s made you change your mind?”
“I know you’re going to kill me.”
***
Lazet stared at Melody. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes narrowed. “Why do you think that?”
“I know what your plans really are,” said Melody.
He remained where he was. Every time he tried to get closer to Melody, she backed away. Something had gotten to her. “What do you think the plans are?”
“I heard you.” Melody gestured wildly with her hand. “I followed you when you went to speak to your masters. You told them exactly what you’re going to do to me.”
Lazet shook his head. “None of that was true. You know we need to keep the Fraken guessing for as long as possible. They’re aware something’s wrong, but they don’t know how involved any of us are. What could I do, tell them our plan and expect them to sit back and enjoy the show?”
“I followed you because I need to know I can trust you,” said Melody. “And I’m glad I did. At least now, I know what a liar you are.”
Lazet couldn’t decide if he was angry or amused. “Did it occur to you that I was lying to the Fraken?”
Melody glowered at him. “You sounded convincing to me.”
“Because I needed to be,” said Lazet. “They have to believe this game is still under their control.”
“If you stopped keeping secrets from me, I might be able to believe that,” said Melody. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m getting out of here. I’m going to look after myself.”
Lazet (Vortex Alien Warriors Book 2) Page 15