Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(15)
Lore cleared his throat, knowing that they had to walk a delicate line of keeping Cerria happy and not letting her sink her sharp teeth into them. “I’ve always been interested in fighting…and gambling. Both are fascinating games and tests of skill.”
Cerria leaned forward, seemingly diverted. “Exactly! Fun and challenging.”
Lore inclined his head. “It’s part of the reason why I ended up here in the arena.” He shrugged. “But sometimes—” he glanced around, lowering his voice “—I don’t find the fights that exciting anymore. They feel too…staged.” He scowled. “And I don’t get time to bet on any good fights anymore.”
Cerria’s face lit up. “We can hook you up.”
Lore stilled. “Really?” He glanced at Vashto and the man nodded.
“If you want to fight, really fight, we can suggest your name. And as for betting—” Cerria scraped a nail down Vashto’s neck “—we can get you in to bet on the bloodiest, goriest fights in Kor Magna.”
“I might be interested in that.” Lore made another show of looking around and lowering his voice. “It has to be between us. Galen can’t find out.”
Vashto’s brows pulled together. “No, I can imagine you wouldn’t want to cross a man like Galen.”
“He can be…brutal,” Lore said.
“Really?” Cerria’s voice turned considering, her gaze scanning the room for the imperator. Then she leaned forward, crossing her long legs and licking her lips. “These are secret fights. Really good secret fights. They aren’t pretty or flashy.” She poked out her tongue and ran a claw down it, until a line of red blood appeared. “Lots and lots of yummy red blood.”
Lore pretended to look interested. The woman clearly got off on other people’s pain. “They’re fights to the death?”
“Yes.” Cerria’s voice was breathless.
Vashto nodded. “Still keen?”
Lore nodded. “Let me know.”
“There’s going to be a big fight in a few days,” the man said. “It’s hidden.”
“How do I get an invite?”
“Tomorrow night there’s a party,” Vashto said. “People attend, have fun, enjoy the pleasures on offer…and some people will receive invites to the fight.”
“I love a party.” Cerria clapped her hands together. “Come! Come!”
Lore nodded. “I’d love to.” He felt Madeline stiffen beside him.
“And how about right now?” Cerria drew her claws down Lore’s cheek. “How about a private party, gladiator? My man likes to watch me being a bad girl.”
Lore tasted bile in his mouth. “Tempting.”
Madeline shifted closer. “But no.”
Cerria’s nose wrinkled. “She can come too, if you want.”
Lore stood and gave Cerria a courtly bow. “Like I said, tempting, but we have other plans this evening.” He pulled Madeline up from the couch. “I hope you enjoy the rest of the party.” He looked at Vashto. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
As fast as he could, Lore led Madeline away. As soon as they were swallowed by the crowd, he stopped and grabbed a drink. Madeline did the same, gulping the liquid down.
She wrinkled her nose. “I feel dirty.”
He nodded. “You aren’t alone.”
“But it’s a good lead, isn’t it?”
“It is. If I can attend this party and get an invite to the fights, there’s a good chance I’ll find Blaine.” He reached out and touched her hair, pushing it back behind her ear. For some strange reason, Lore loved her ears—they were perfectly formed. “You did well. And you defended me.”
She stiffened. “You’re helping me, so I thought I should return the favor.”
“It wasn’t necessary.”
Now she went even stiffer. “You…you wanted to go with her?”
“Hardly—”
“Whatever.” Madeline waved a hand. “I need to—”
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her close, lowering his voice. “I like some sharp edges, but only when they’re hiding soft and sexy beneath them.” He rubbed his fingers over her soft skin. “I don’t like a woman who gets off on someone else’s pain.”
Madeline trembled, then tried to pull away. “I have to check on the servers.”
“You’re always finding something to keep you busy,” he said. “Don’t you ever just do something pleasurable? For yourself. Or better yet, do nothing.”
She looked like he’d asked if she liked to dance naked in space. “No.”