heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm

by Heart Of The Betrayed (lit)

  Eight

  "I’m sorry, Dana."

  "Sorry? You’ll be sorry if you force me to retaliate, Southlander!"

  Stiffening, Zar drew back. "Don’t push my patience too far. You saved my life, which is why you are free to go."

  "I go nowhere without Garret and Jase." Dana stepped forward.

  Garret’s mouth went dry when several lasers swung up to point at her heart. He knew her temper as well as her loyalty to her friends, and had no doubt she’d fight in an instant. And be killed. "Dana, stop!"

  All heads swung around to face him.

  "Stay out of this, Garret."

  "Don’t be foolish. Go while you can."

  "Yes, go while you can," Gera sneered.

  "You won’t get these traders unless it’s over my dead body," Dana growled.

  "That can easily be arranged, warrior, and with pleasure."

  Stepping between them, Zar regarded Dana thoughtfully. "You would willingly die for these males?"

  "Yes." The answer was swift and true.

  Fleetingly, warmth flooded Garret, but the look in the Southland leader’s eyes didn’t bode well for his lass, and fear filled him.

  "If you kill her, your life won’t be worth living!" he promised savagely. "No amount of chains will keep me from finding you!"

  "Aye," Jase agreed, blue eyes glittering with helpless rage. "I’ll be right behind Garret to finish off what’s left of you, Zar!"

  Gera’s expression was of lustful gloating. "I cannot wait to have you both chained down at my mercy, traders! I’ll soon have you both so tame you’ll beg for my touch!"

  Grey eyes raked her contemptuously. "I’d sooner die myself."

  "Would you just? That may happen yet. Some men who don’t break have died."

  Just the thought of the cruel slaver torturing Garret was enough to make Dana’s blood boil.

  Seeing the intention of attack, Zar warned brusquely, "Don’t be a fool, Dana. One move toward any of us and your friends die."

  With an effort she got her emotions under control, cursing inwardly. Normally in these situations she was controlled, calm and focused, yet the thought of danger to Garret was enough to cause her to lose all control, endangering them all. What the hell was the matter with her? She turned her attention back to Zar.

  "You would do anything for these males, yes?" A calculating expression on her face, Zar ran one finger back and forth over her bottom lip. "Fight for them?"

  Perplexed, Gera looked at her. "Zar, what--"

  "Yes, I’ll fight," Dana cut in curtly.

  "Very well, warrior. I will give you the opportunity to fight for your friends."

  "Fight for them? Zar, no! You can’t--"

  "I can, Gera."

  "You mean to allow her to fight for ownership? Are you insane?"

  Cold eyes raked the slaver. "Remember the laws?"

  Confused, she replied, "Of course I do, but I don’t understand. What are you talking about?"

  "The law of Ownership by Combat."

  She paled. "Combat?"

  "You know of this."

  "But-but it has never been done here! It’s a law used in Northland!"

  Ownership by Combat. Dana flashed a glance at Garret to see anger and concern combined on his face, his lips taut with helpless fury. She turned back to the women. "This law, is it what I think? I fight someone for ownership of my friends?"

  Zar nodded. "For any male. It is either that or they will be sold at auction tomorrow." Her expression was merciless. "And they will be sold, I promise you. Try to stop it and you’ll be shot."

  "So I have the choice?"

  "By law, yes. Combat or the ownership goes to someone else, in this case the slaver. What’s it to be, warrior?"

  Dread filled Garret. The thought of the lass he loved fighting for their freedom, risking serious injury or death, filled him with fear and rage. "Dana, nay!"

  "I accept, Zar."

  "Dana!"

  "Silence!" barked one of the guards.

  "Nay!" He surged forward. "Dana!"

  A sharp crack sounded and he was flung back. With a roar Jase lunged for the woman who’d fired, but another crack sent him spinning around, too.

  Stunned, bile rising in her throat, Dana covered the distance easily, dropping to her knees beside Garret, and reaching for him.

  "Rest easy," Zar said. "They have merely been stunned."

  The steady rise and fall of the muscular chest reassured Dana and she glared up at the Southlander. "If they’re hurt, I swear--"

  "They’ll awaken in three or four hours."

  "This place sickens me. When is the Ownership by Combat?"

  "Dawn."

  "That’s only four hours away!" Gera objected.

  Was it so late already?

  "Very good." Sarcasm laced Zar’s words.

  Gera flushed.

  Zar gestured to the unconscious traders. "They will be put in the slave cells until they awaken. I suggest you get some rest. You’ll need it."

  Dana leveled a threatening look at the advancing guards, who halted immediately. "My friends stay with me."

  "Don’t be a fool," Zar returned calmly. "I can have them and you killed right now. Be grateful I’m honest enough to offer you the choice of fighting for them."

  "And if I win? Are you honest enough to release us?"

  "Regardless of what you think, warrior, I live by the law."

  I live by the law. A thought suddenly occurred to Dana. This might be her only chance. "Then if I am to fight for my friends, I choose to fight for ownership of Rominac as well."

  "No!" Gera roared. "No, it’s not possible! Not allowed! Not--"

  Zar narrowed her eyes at Dana. "What’s your game, warrior?"

  "My business. If law states I can fight for ownership of any man, then I fight for all three. My two friends and Rominac."

  "You presumptuous bitch!" Gera started forward.

  "Hold!" Grabbing the slaver’s shoulder, Zar jerked her to a halt. "It is the law, Gera."

  "But--"

  "Enough! This whole thing has worn my patience!" Zar’s jaw was clenched tight. "Very well, Dana, you have the right to fight for all three males. Now step back. The guards will call the slaves to shift your friends."

  It took eight slaves, sweating and groaning under the heavy weights, to carry the traders away. Frustrated, all she could do was watch. Within minutes she was alone, three guards outside the door and another three at the window.

  In four hours she was to fight for the freedom of the Daamens, Rominac, and no doubt her own life, for she would not leave without them, win or lose. Dana’s jaw clenched and she flexed her fingers. She would beat the slaver in combat but somehow she didn’t think it would be easy. Zar had something up her sleeve.

  ~ * ~

  With a groan Garret awoke, sitting up groggily. Gingerly touching his temple, he massaged his aching head.

  A chill breeze drifted through the bars of the cage. Cage? In a flash, memory returned, and he bolted upright. He was in a cage made of iron bars, situated just inside a circular stone wall that stood twenty feet high and encircled a huge, round arena. The ground was nothing but dirt.

  The arena was deserted. He gazed through the bars to see a raised dais topped with a canopy behind the wall to his left. Going by the rails that ran around the top of the wall, raised benches circled the wall so that people could witness the battle.

  Where was everyone? The gloom of the morning showed early dawn. Ownership by Combat. When?

  "Garret?" Shivering and blinking his eyes, Jase pushed to his feet. "Where the hell are we?"

  "This must be where Dana is to fight."

  "If she is to fight Gera, there’s no problem, my friend. Our Reeka lass can wipe the ground with her."

  "She shouldn’t have to fight for us! What if she gets hurt?"

  "I know. She should have left and returned with help later."

  Garret studied the cage. "I can’t see any locks. L
ook for it. We have to get out of here, rescue Dana and Rominac, and run like hell!"

  A hurried but thorough search met with no success.

  "Bloody hell!" Garret shook the bars in frustrated rage then delivered a savage kick to them. "Damn these slave-keeping bitches to hell and back!"

  A sudden movement caught his attention, and he looked toward the wooden gate swinging open not far from the cage. Jase came to stand beside him and together they watched Zar and Gera enter, speaking softly.

  "Gera looks calmer this morn," Jase observed.

  "Aye and that worries me." Garret raised his voice. "Southlander!"

  Zar glanced across at them. "Ah, I see you are both awake." She approached leisurely, stopping out of arms reach.

  "Where is Dana?"

  "She’s coming. You are indeed fortunate in having such a loyal friend."

  "We are, and that is why I ask you to stop this combat."

  "Stop it?" One brow arched in mild surprise. "You wish to be our slaves?"

  Big hands gripped the bars tightly. "Nay, but I would rather that than see Dana get hurt."

  "She has chosen."

  Knuckles whitened. "You can stop it."

  "I won’t. She has chosen, and in Southland, women have the choice."

  "This is foolishness! Let me fight one or more of your slaves instead!"

  "You’ve no say in this, Daamen. Just pray that your friend wins this combat or," she gestured to Gera waiting at the gate, "The slaver will own both of you."

  "Hear me now, Southlander," he snarled. "If anything happens to Dana, I’ll kill you and your slaver!"

  Surprise registered on the cold features. "Isn’t killing a woman--or anyone, for that matter--rather unusual for your race?"

  "Think what you will, but you’d better start praying that she doesn’t get killed, for I swear, there will be nowhere you can hide from me!"

  Although hiding it, Zar was relieved that thick iron bars separated her from the giant. Tension and fury made his handsome face dangerous, and the hard muscles in his arms flexed as his hands gripped the bars.

  "He’ll not be alone in this." Jase glared at her.

  Turning, she strode back to Gera, saying as she neared, "You were a fool not to put obedience collars back on those Daamens while they were unconscious."

  "It’ll be more entertaining to watch them rage while their warrior friend is beaten."

  Zar’s eyes narrowed. "If she dies, they’ll tear us apart."

  The slaver smiled. "Oh, she will die, don’t doubt that. She has to, for she won’t leave without those men."

  "I hope you know what you’re taking on. Garret will personally murder you without a qualm, given a chance. I’ve seen it in his eyes."

  "You worry too much. Once she’s dead, we’ll stun and collar the Daamens."

  Grimly, Zar watched a smaller cage being wheeled into the arena.

  "Where do you want him?" the woman steering the cage asked.

  "Beside the other two. After all, she fights for all three."

  Gera scowled. "You shouldn’t have allowed the bitch to lay claim to Rominac as well."

  "She has the right under the Combat law. She can fight for as many males as she chooses."

  With a disgusted shrug, the slaver turned away. "It won’t be long and she’ll be dead, anyway. We lose nothing."

  Women started to arrive, chattering excitedly. Their silver jackets and pants shone dully in the dawn light. Taking the raised benches behind the wall, they gazed down into the arena.

  An alarm rang and a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes went to the heavy metal gate in the far side of the arena as it swung open and a solitary figure stepped into the arena. Sunlight from the rising sun picked out the blonde hair stirring softly in the breeze. The warrior stood straight and tall, gazing about calmly before setting her sight on the leader of the Southlanders, seated in a chair atop the dais opposite.

  Without hesitation Dana strode forward, her long legs gracefully covering the distance, each step strong and sure. She noticed the cages containing the men but kept her attention focused on Zar. Finally she halted twenty feet from the wall. Dressed in her warrior’s garb, her eyes hard and face grim, she was a formidable sight to the much smaller Southlanders.

  "I’m here, Zar." The words were clear in the chill, early morning air.

  "So I see." Standing up, she spoke loudly. "Everyone here bears witness to the fact that you have agreed to Ownership by Combat. Do you still wish to continue?"

  Impatience flickered through Dana. "I detest ceremony and pomp. Let’s get on with it."

  A faint smile of amusement curved the harsh lines of the Southlander’s face. "Very well. It is allowable for the combatants to choose a stand-in to fight for them if they so wish. Your foe," she gestured to Gera, "Has chosen a stand-in. Do you wish the same?"

  Contempt filled Dana. "You won’t fight me, slaver?"

  "I have chosen a stand-in." Gera shrugged.

  "You have chosen a coward’s way out." The contemptuous words clipped through the air and were greeted with a roar of approval by the watchers.

  Silence fell when Zar raised her hand. "The one Gera has chosen is strong. It could well be a battle to the death."

  "So be it," came the swift reply.

  From the cage, Garret cursed. "Bloody hell, Dana! Nay!"

  There was no indication that she heard him.

  "You choose to fight, warrior?"

  "I fight my own battles. Let it begin."

  Zar hesitated, then said grimly, "You may wish differently when you see who you fight. I would think about--"

  A deep, bellowing roar of rage cut through her words. A heavy thud sounded behind the closed metal gates, followed by the sound of women cursing and swearing, a crackle of laser fire and the harsh crack of a whip.

  Seeing the thrilled horror register on the faces of the watchers, a chill ran down Garret’s spines at the murmur that arose.

  "The mutant beast!"

  "Gera has chosen the beast!"

  "The Reeka is dead!"

  "Shit!" Garret swore. "Dana!"

  Expression unreadable, she kept her gaze on the metal gate.

  "Dana, don’t fight it! I’ll do it! Choose me!"

  Turning, she gazed up at Zar.

  "So, you’ve heard what you’re up against, warrior. Trust me, he is worse to face." Zar waited silently.

  "Damn it, Dana!" Jase gripped the bars, face pale as the roaring rose again. "Choose one of us!"

  Impassively, Dana asked, "What am I allowed to fight with?"

  For the first time Garret noticed that the customary sword and laser were not strapped to her body. "Damn it to hell! Talk to me, lass!"

  "Perhaps you should talk to your friends, warrior," Gera sneered. "While you still can!"

  Dana’s brow arched in contempt and Gera clenched her fists. The silent insult cut deeper than words--especially as a snicker swept through the watchers.

  Another roar rent the air and a woman appeared beside Zar, speaking low.

  Nodding, she drew herself up straight. "Your opponent is impatient. Your decision. If you choose to fight, you do so only with this staff." She tossed a thick staff, as long as Dana was tall, over the wall to land at her feet. "Three choices, last chance. Fight the stand-in, choose someone to fight for you, or forfeit and hand the men over to the slaver."

  "Goddamn it, Dana! I’ll fight it!" The iron bars rattled alarmingly.

  A cruel smile twisted Gera’s lips. "Your woman fights for you, male. How does it feel to be so helpless?"

  Zar glanced uneasily at the furious Daamen. "I suggest you speak with them, warrior, then I will hear your choice."

  For several seconds Dana stood still. She was ready to fight, not talk, for what good would that do? Garret would only try to talk her out of her choice to fight.

  The metal gate shuddered under the onslaught of whomever was being held behind it, and curses filled the air along with yells to ‘Hurry up!’ Adr
enaline started to pump through her veins, sharpening her senses, a familiar sensation before battle.

  And possible death.

  It was the last thought that finally made her turn and approach the cage, stopping before Garret and Jase.

  "You must leave!" Garret said urgently.

  "No."

  "You’ll be killed out there! Leave us, you can return later!"

  "It could be too late for you by then. My decision stands."

  "I beg you, lass, please!"

  "I can’t do that. I’m a Reeka and we never shirk our duty."

  "Duty?" He almost snarled in frustration. "Getting yourself killed is a duty? For the love of God, Dana, don’t do this!"

  Slowly she stepped back. "I have no choice."

  He could see her mentally slipping into the Reeka’s fighting mode, her eyes hardening and becoming distant, withdrawing from those around her. "Please, Dana, my life won’t be worth living if you die! Go to safety!"

  "If I die, traders, and you two ever get back home, tell my cousins I love them." She hesitated and her gaze locked with Garret’s lingeringly. "Garret, I..." She faltered and sighed. "Never mind. Whatever happens, take care."

  He watched her turn and stride away, knowing that she dismissed them from her thoughts. Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he started to pray silently.

  "Your choice, warrior." Zar waited.

  Picking up the staff, Dana weighed it in her hand. "I fight."

  Triumph gleamed in Gera’s eyes. "Then there’s no need to waste any more time. Ready yourself."

  Zar called out, "Let the Ownership by Combat commence! Open the gate!"

  Dana turned to watch the gate swing slowly open on the opposite side of the arena. An eerie silence fell over the Southlanders, an air of expectation, quivering, unseen but felt. Every gaze was on the metal gate.

  Suddenly it thrust open and a roar rent the air. A figure burst into the arena. The watchers recoiled at the sight of the monstrous mutant that entered at a lumbering run.

  Oh, shit. A cold spiral twisted up her spine.

  Garret and Jase stared in horror.