Champion(9)

Harper straightened. “It’s a fruit on Earth.”

Blaine pushed away from the wall. “Thanks to the Srinar, I can’t smell.” His anger surged like a wave and he forced it down. “Saff, did the attackers have a scent? A citrus smell, tangy and tart?”

Her eyes widened. “Yes! They did.”

Galen moved. “The Hezalon. They have a scent like that.”

“Who are they?” Blaine demanded.

Saff’s nose wrinkled. “They’re mercenaries. They work for whoever pays the most.”

“But they are known to do a lot of work for the Thraxians,” Galen said darkly.

“So if the Thraxians are behind this, it’s retaliation for closing down the fight rings,” Blaine said.

“And for rescuing the other humans,” Harper said.

“And for beating the House of Thrax again and again in the arena,” Raiden added.

“There is no love lost between the House of Galen and the House of Thrax,” Galen said. “But this has crossed the line. I will bring them down. But for now, we focus on rebuilding Medical and finding Dayna, Mia, and Winter.” Galen’s voice held a dark promise. “I’ll meet with our allied imperators, and send out word that we are looking for the women.” He paused. “Someone will need to tell our blue guest that Mia won’t be visiting him.”

The blue alien had been a captive in the fight rings like Blaine. He’d joined forces with them and escaped…but Blaine knew he’d been a prisoner for a very long time. The powerful alien, covered in tattoos, was having a very hard time adjusting and withdrawing from the drugs, and had to be kept caged. Blaine was aware Mia had been going down to sit with him every day. The blue alien was far calmer in the small woman’s presence.

He wasn’t going to deal well with her abduction. “I’ll tell him.”

Galen nodded at Blaine. Then there was a sharp knock at the door, and a house worker entered, head bowed. The man handed a message to Galen before backing out.

The imperator opened the paper. Then he looked up and gave them a sharp smile. “The House of Thrax has issued us a challenge. They want to fight in the arena tomorrow night.”

“It’s a trap,” Thorin’s voice was an unhappy rumble.

“Possibly.” Galen nodded. “They no doubt want to hit us while they think we’re scrambling. But if they want a fight, we’ll give them one.”

“I want in,” Blaine said.

Glances were exchanged, and he curled his hands into fists.

“I owe them. I know they attacked your house, your home, but they destroyed my life.” Hot emotion flooded his throat and he fought it down. “They tortured me, they forced me to kill, they pumped me full of drugs. I. Owe. Them.”

Galen watched him steadily for a long moment, then the imperator nodded. “You’re in.” He looked at Saff. “You have a day to get him ready for the arena.”





Chapter Four




From the edge of the gym, Saff watched Blaine with his friends. He had an arm around Regan and Rory. Harper and Madeline stood across from him, all of them looking down. She didn’t need empathic abilities to sense their pain and sadness.

Saff felt a burst of sympathy. So many people here on Carthago had been torn from their lives, separated from their loved ones, but this little group was so far from home, had suffered so much, but they still kept on going.

She was too far away to hear what Blaine was saying, but whatever he said calmed the women. There were a few smiles, Rory punched a fist playfully into his shoulder, and then they all hugged each other before the women left.

Blaine strode across the gym toward her. Galen spent a lot of money keeping Medical well-outfitted, and he did the same with the House of Galen gym. There were weights for strength training, an indoor fight ring and a large, mat-covered area for sparring practice. Various weapons—swords, nets, daggers, and axes—lined the walls.

“You look better.” Blaine came to a stop in front of her.

She nodded. “A good night’s sleep works wonders. I’ve recovered from the poison.” She shifted her feet and pulled in a deep breath. She’d never been afraid to give credit where credit was due. “Thank you for keeping me alive yesterday.”

His gaze ran over her face, and he nodded. “How’s everyone coping after the attack?”

“As best as can be expected.” It hurt to have their home, their sanctuary, targeted. “Galen has taken mad to a new level, but he’s focused on the rebuilding. They started work this morning.”

“That’s fast.”

“He doesn’t mess around.” Saff straightened. “Well, I asked you to meet me here so we can start our training for the fight tonight.”