by Anna Hackett
Kace swung his staff, knocking a sword to the ground and swinging his staff into his enemy. He spun, lunged, and took down a Srinar. Hit. Spin. Strike. He lifted a boot and kicked another incoming Thraxian in the chest. The alien shouted as he knocked into two of his fellow species, taking them all down.
Rory stepped up beside him, her staff up. Together, they fought through the wall of fighters.
But more and more kept coming. He could see Rory was tiring, and a second later, her staff clattered to the floor.
But she kept fighting, using her deadly hands and feet.
Kace spun again, but this time, a hard blow hit his side. He stumbled, and felt the slash of a sword against his shoulder. He gritted his teeth against the pain, ignoring the slide of blood down his chest.
He saw two Srinar grab Rory, pinning her to the ground.
“No!” He spun his staff, slamming past a Thraxian fighter.
Rory was cursing fiercely and struggling. Kace knocked a Srinar out of the way, then stumbled to a halt.
The Thraxian imperator had yanked her off the floor, and was holding her squirming body against him, a dagger to her throat.
“I need her dead.” The imperator shook his head. “You should’ve taken my offer, Antarian.” He looked at his remaining men. “Kill him.”
Five Thraxians rushed in. Kace fought hard, but there were too many of them. He absorbed the blows, and took two more down. Then he felt a blade slide between his ribs.
He grunted, but kept fighting.
“No!” Rory’s scream.
Movements slowing, blood coating his chest, he swung at another alien. He wouldn’t give up, not while there was still breath in his body.
He had to save Rory.
***
Rory had never been more afraid.
The Thraxian imperator held her in a hard grip, his claws digging into her skin. The blade was cutting into her skin and she felt a trickle of blood down her neck.
Her lungs were tight. It was nothing compared to the blood pouring down Kace’s chest. Even though his shirt was black, she could see it was soaked. He was fighting, still spinning that wicked staff. But he was slowing down, and his fingers were sticky with blood.
For every alien he took down, another stepped forward to fight him.
She swallowed a sob and then watched, as Kace fell heavily to his knees. His head hung forward, sweat dripping from his hair.
The Thraxians and Srinar circled him. Rory lost sight of him as they started to kick and hit him.
Get back up. “Damn you, get back up, pretty boy.” She willed him to rise, as though her thoughts would give him more energy.
Then, a Thraxian went flying into the wall. She saw Kace back on his feet. He was swinging his fists wildly, his moves uncoordinated.
Rory felt as though her chest had turned to stone. He was really hurt. She watched him go down again, a vicious blow that snapped his head back. She wanted to close her eyes, pretend it wasn’t happening, but she didn’t. They were in this together. She could see the swelling and bruising marring his face and her heart hurt.
He was her hero. Fighting for her to the end.
“Why?” She turned her head and shouted at the imperator. “Why do this? Why do you want to kill me? You said it before, I’m nobody from a nowhere planet.”
The Thraxian dragged her around the room, but kept his gaze on Kace. “Because of the Talos.”
“What the hell is this damn Talos?”
His claw tapped her neck. “It is an implant. You and the other woman were implanted with them when you came to the House of Thrax.”
Her brow wrinkled. “The translator implant?”
He shook his head. “No. Another implant hidden below the translator implant. The Talos is experimental. It is supposed to control our slaves, make them more pliable and biddable. Controllable.”
Kace coughed, then his voice rose. “It is against the rules of all the houses.” Rory turned and saw Kace on his knees, his face swollen. One blue eye looked straight at them.
The imperator growled. “I will not hear about rules from one of the House of Galen. You break them to steal gladiators from other houses all the time.”
“You say steal, we say rescue. There are few rules in the arena, but one is followed by all and has been since the first stone of the Kor Magna Arena was laid,” Kace continued. “No technology to enhance or control a gladiator. You have broken that cardinal rule.”
The Thraxian imperator lifted his chin, his veins glowing orange. “Don’t worry, Antarian. The Talos failed. We are not using them now.”
“Naare. The Varinid gladiator who is close to earning his freedom.” An expression of understanding softened Kace’s hard expression. “He has the implant.”
Rory saw something cross the imperator’s face, but it was hard to read.
“Yes. But Naare’s implant was faulty. He was an early test case, and it destroyed his brain. Like I said, we are no longer risking our investments by using it.”
“You haven’t been controlling me.” Rory felt sick and horrified at the thought that her body had been violated, this implant inside her without her knowledge.
“No. For some reason, the implant failed to affect you and the woman.” The imperator cast a glance at Madeline. “Now, I can’t afford for anyone to discover the implants. If the other houses knew…no, I cannot have that.”
“You mean you’re afraid of Galen. He would dismantle your house piece by piece.”
“I am not afraid of Galen,” the Thraxian spat. “But no one needs to know about the Talos.”
Dread settled in Rory’s gut. Now that Kace and Rory knew the truth, the odds that they’d get out of this hellhole alive had dropped to zero.
“Finish him,” the imperator ordered.
The attack on Kace doubled. Each vicious blow made Rory flinch. When Kace fell down onto his hands and knees, struggling to get back up, she couldn’t take it anymore.
She thrust an elbow back into the imperator’s gut. As he grunted and the knife fell from her throat, she spun, and slammed a kick into his stomach.
He released her, crying out. She snatched the dagger from the ground and spun away. She threw herself at the group attacking Kace. She sliced open the arm of a Srinar, then spun and stabbed at a Thraxian.
She rolled up close to Kace. She loved her gladiator. She wasn’t going to let them die here on this dirty floor.
She stood over him, holding the dagger up at the Thraxians. “Come on, you bastards.”
“Rory…no.”
She looked down at Kace. “Sorry, but we’re in this together, pretty boy.”
Chapter Fifteen
Pain. Kace couldn’t separate the pains and aches anymore.
He knew he had broken ribs, and the blood loss was making him lightheaded, but he fought to stay conscious. His injuries were beyond his body’s capabilities—he couldn’t slow the blood flow or dampen the pain anymore.
All of it was blanked out by the panic he felt growing in his chest. He had to keep Rory safe. She was his heart, his everything, his reason for being.
And the two of them were going to die here.
He reached for her, pulling her closer. She lifted the puny dagger, fire in her eyes and a ferocious look on her face.
He knew she’d fight to the death.
Suddenly, the door to the room rattled. Everyone went still.
The imperator frowned. “Whoever it is, send them away.” His burning gaze zeroed back in on Rory and Kace. “Time for you to die.”
The door shuddered, like a great force had hit it. The Thraxians shifted nervously.
Suddenly, the door flew inward, mowing down the closest Thraxian.
Kace watched through his one good eye as Thorin charged into the room. He looked like a wild animal, his arms covered in dark scales.
The House of Galen gladiators rushed in behind him. Kace felt a sense of relief. Whatever happened now, Rory would be safe.
&nbs
p; Raiden and Galen were in the lead. Lore and Nero followed. Saff strode in, a dark smile on her face as she wielded a sword, Harper by her side.
With a cry, the Thraxians and remaining Srinar charged forward.
“For honor and freedom,” Raiden shouted.
“For honor and freedom,” the other gladiators replied.
As the sound of fighting echoed around them, Kace felt Rory desperately trying to get her shoulder under his.
“Come on, pretty boy. On your feet.”
“Really not pretty now.”
She shot him a smile, but he saw the heartache behind it. She touched his beaten face. “You’re always pretty to me.”
“For the House of Thrax!” A Thraxian rushed at them.
Rory jumped to her feet and swung out with the dagger. She sliced the alien’s arm open. He slapped a clawed hand over it, stumbling away.
With some grunting and groaning, Rory got her shoulder into Kace’s side, and helped him to his feet. Pain was like flames licking at his body. He wasn’t sure he could make it.
They moved out of the center of the mêlée, shuffling slowly. He wasn’t sure how far he could walk, but right now, for Rory, he kept putting one foot in front of the other.
As they neared the couch, he spotted Madeline. Whatever drugs she had been under the influence of had worn off, and she was blinking, trying to focus on her surroundings.
All of a sudden, the Thraxian imperator rushed in front of them.
He grabbed Madeline by the hair, and jerked her up on her feet. She screamed, showing the first sign of life. She started struggling.
“No,” Rory cried.
The Thraxian pulled Madeline in front of him like a shield, edging toward the door that led away from the underground arena.
The coward was using her as a shield and a way out.
Kace had always known the Thraxians lacked honor, and this was a brilliant display of it.
“We have to stop them,” Rory said.
“Rory…I can’t fight.”
She stared at his blood-soaked shirt. She had to know she was the only thing keeping him upright.
Suddenly, Lore appeared beside them. “Drak, military man. You aren’t looking too good.”
“Lore.” A rush of dizziness washed over him. He had to ensure Rory’s safety. “The House of Thrax were testing implants on their slaves and gladiators. Mind control implants called the Talos.”
Lore cursed. “Don’t worry about that now, we need to focus on getting you all fixed up.” He reached for Kace.
“No,” Kace said. “Rory’s friend. The Imperator of the House of Thrax took her.”
“Please, Lore,” Rory implored him. “Catch him before he kills her. Bring her back.”
Lore cursed, glancing to the doorway. “Okay, you two stay down until the others have cleared the room.” He shoved a small field medical kit at Rory. “You need to stop the bleeding. By the looks of things, he can’t afford to lose any more.”
Rory took it. “I’ll take care of him. You bring Madeline back.”
Lore nodded, his tawny hair brushing his shoulders. “I will.”
***
Lore
Lore moved stealthily through the doorway. It led into a long corridor.
Ahead, he heard a woman scream in pain.
Battle focus cooled his rage. On his world, women were to be worshipped, not hurt or abused.
He turned a corner, and saw the Thraxian imperator dragging a struggling woman beside him. She looked tiny compared to the giant alien.
Muttering a low curse, Lore pulled some powder from the pouches attached to his belt. He took three steps and tossed the powder into the air. It hung there for a second then it exploded, filling the corridor with a cloud of silver-gray smoke.
He heard the Thraxian cursing and shouting. He heard the woman coughing.
In the smoke, Lore saw shifting images—winged serpents, hunting cats, women with flowing hair and silver eyes. May the totems of my people keep me safe.
Keeping his eyes lowered, Lore rushed through the smoke. He slammed into the imperator. The alien let go of the woman and Lore tackled him to the ground.
As he pinned the larger man to the ground, Lore pulled his dagger from the sheath on his thigh.
“You chose the wrong women to hurt, and the wrong house to cross.”
“Drak you, Galen scum.”
With a cry, the woman surged forward and kicked the alien. “You bastard!”
Without any regret, Lore stabbed his dagger into the Thraxian’s neck. Orange blood spurted. The imperator’s eyes bulged and he coughed, blood staining his black lips.
He fell back, the noisy sound of his labored breaths escaping his ruined throat. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would keep him down for the moment.
Lore turned to the woman.
She stood there, shaking, staring at him in the dissipating smoke. Her eyes were blank.
No. As he stared at her eyes—an interesting shade of blue that looked almost violet—he saw they weren’t blank. They were filled with sadness and hurt.
“I’m here to help,” he said.
She gave him a slow nod.
“You’re Madeline. Harper, Regan, and Rory sent me.”
He saw a faint shudder run through her body. She was short like the others, with a compact, feminine body. She tugged the minuscule dress around herself.
“It’s time to get out of here. You with me?”
He saw her lift her chin, and spied a spark of life in her sad eyes. “What’s your name?”
He heard the faintest snap of command in her voice, buried deep. Something told him his pretty survivor was used to giving orders. “Lore. My name is Lore.”
“Lore.” She said it like she was turning it over on her tongue.
“Actually, I have a very long family name that lists my mother, grandmother, and their mothers before them. Once we’re safe, I’ll tell you all about it.” He held his hand out to her. “But only if you ask me nicely.”
“I’m not nice,” she whispered.
“Dushla, I don’t believe that for a second.”
With a shake of her head, she placed her hand in his. “I don’t know what that word means.”
He pulled her close, careful not to touch her. He could feel the tension in her body, her skittishness at being close to someone so big. She’d been held captive a long time, and he knew she was going to need time to heal. “It will be my pleasure to teach you the words of my people.”
With his other hand, Lore snagged the imperator’s arm and dragged him behind them.
As they moved back toward the others, he could still hear fighting, although the sounds were less fierce than before.
Suddenly, Rory and Kace hobbled through the doorway.
Lore dumped the groaning Thraxian. “You two okay?”
“Fine.” Rory barely blinked at the imperator, savage satisfaction on her face. Then her face softened and she held out a hand. “Madeline.”
With a sob, Madeline threw herself at the other woman. Lore leaped forward to catch Kace, and Rory hugged the woman tightly.
“You’re safe now,” Rory murmured. “We’re getting out of here. These are my friends.”
Lore took a quick look at where Rory had patched Kace’s wounds. The bandages were already soaked with blood.
“How bad?” he asked quietly.
“I’ll survive,” Kace answered. His gaze drifted to Rory. “I have a very good reason to live.”
Lore smiled. Another gladiator succumbing to love. His sisters would love this. They all loved to see a strong man brought to his knees.
“Ready to get out of here?” Lore said, raising his voice.
“Hell yes.” Rory moved back to Kace’s side, her face concerned.
“Then let’s head home,” Lore said.
“Home,” Madeline murmured. “Home.” A broken sound.
Her pain stabbed at Lore. Helpless against it, Lore wrapped an arm around he
r. She was a tiny little thing, but he also sensed a steady strength in her. It had been beaten down, but he’d help her remember it.
Behind them, he heard the familiar clang of swords. Time to give his fellow gladiators a hand.
Lore pulled another illusion off his belt. He stepped closer to the door and tossed it inside.
This time, when the smoke exploded into the air, it caught fire, flames running along the flammable substance.
Cursing and shouting filled the air. A second later, the sounds of fighting stopped.
“Lore, how many times do I have to tell you not to use your illusions inside?” Galen muttered.
“You’re welcome.” Lore pulled Madeline through the door, watching as Rory helped Kace.
Galen appeared, flanked by Raiden and Saff. All of them were sporting a few wounds, but nothing major. He saw Madeline staring at them, her mouth dropping open.
He guessed they made for an intimidating sight—Galen with his scarred face and eye patch, Raiden with his tattoos, and Saff with her long braids. All three gladiators were holding blood-stained swords.
“Madeline.” Harper rushed forward. “Are you okay?”
Madeline gripped Harper’s arms, her bottom lip trembling. “It is so good to see you, Harper.”
Harper squeezed the woman’s hands. “You’re safe now.”
Madeline nodded, and when she took a step closer, her knees went out from under her. Harper caught her before she fell, and Lore stepped forward and scooped her up.
She turned her head to face him. “I don’t like being carried.”
There was that faint sound of authority again. “Sorry, dushla.” He held her tight against his chest. “Until you’re back to full strength, I’m your own personal gladiator.”
Violet eyes met his, held. Lore felt something spark there, a quiet whisper filled with promise.
Then her eyes widened, and moved over his shoulder.
He turned in time to see the Thraxian imperator stagger through the door, sword in hand. He bared his black teeth, his lips pulled tight over the tusks on either side of his mouth. He roared at them.
Galen stepped forward, and with a few swings of his sword, knocked the Thraxian back. Another thrust, and Galen’s blade buried itself deep in the imperator’s chest.