Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(20)

Madeline looked sideways at Lore. “The healer said light exercise. I don’t think they had gladiator training in mind.”

Lore shot her one of his lazy grins. “Don’t worry, dushla, I’ll go easy on you.”

They walked over to the rack of weapons that had been set out for the gladiators. Sunlight gleamed off the huge swords, giant axes, and other things she couldn’t identify. That was something else Madeline had plans to learn about. Galen had a team of people who made and maintained the gladiators’ weapons. She’d seen the receipts for purchasing metals, leather, and equipment, and she was sure she could optimize—

“Ah, this will do nicely.”

Madeline saw Lore holding what looked like the hilt of a sword without a blade.

She frowned. “What is it?”

“Laser sword.” He pressed a button and a bright blade of light shot out.

She blinked. “Wow. Um, what happens if I touch the blade?”

“It isn’t set to full power. You’ll get a faint burn—” that grin again “—and a hell of a sting.” With an experienced move, he spun the sword and it made a faint humming sound. “It’s light, and should be easy for you to use.”

She took the weapon gingerly. It was far lighter than she’d imagined. She moved it slowly through the air.

Lore grabbed another large hilt. The blade on his laser sword was also blue, but longer than hers. He looked a picture of the perfect galactic gladiator: tall, handsome, and strong, a high-tech weapon in hand.

He gestured her over to a clear spot on the sand. “We need to get you used to the sword, and to loosen up your muscles. Follow my moves.”

He started to swing the blade through the air, going through what was clearly a set of moves he knew by rote. His big body moved gracefully across the sand, and, for a second, she just stood there, mesmerized.

“Madeline? Move your sword.”

Right. She shook her head and followed his poses.

At first, she felt stiff and awkward, but she was surprised to find herself relaxing into it. It was nice to be outside exercising, the sunlight on her back. She’d been working on space stations so long, she was used to running on treadmills in small station gyms. And then she’d spent a very long time locked in a Thraxian cell.

Her muscles warmed up, and soon she was moving the laser sword more fluidly. Lore halted to correct her a few times.

Finally, he called a stop, and she retracted the blade, grinning. “I was getting good.” She pushed her sweat-dampened hair back. “Very good.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. How about we move onto something more challenging?”

Desire ignited in her blood. Madeline could never refuse a good challenge. “What did you have in mind?”

“A sparring match.”

Madeline paused. He was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. She assessed their strengths and weaknesses, just as she would have done if she’d been facing a hostile crowd in the boardroom.

Lore would never hurt her. She knew that deep in her blood. Her chest tightened. Never before, not once in her life, had she ever looked at someone and known they wouldn’t cause her harm.

“Okay, gladiator, you’re on.”

They separated, flicking their swords back on. They circled each other on the sand.

He approached, lightning-quick. Madeline barely had time to block his first swing. He was so fast. Their swords sizzled where they touched.

“Remember, you need to focus on your opponent,” he said. “Every fighter gives off some clue when they are about to attack. Look for those, anticipate.”

Nodding, she stepped back, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet.

She launched herself at him. He easily blocked her hit and spun. She felt an electric sizzle at the small of her back. Like the nip of ants.

“Ouch.” She turned, frowning at him.

He grinned. “You need to move faster.”

Determination filling her, Madeline focused. They sparred, attacking and blocking, spinning and dodging. Perspiration ran down her face. His blade touched her a few more times, each hit making her angrier and more determined. She was going to get a hit in if it killed her.

“Ahhh.” She lunged wildly and he moved, her weapon inches away from him.

“Don’t lose your temper,” he said, spinning.

She bit back a retort. He was right. She dragged in a deep, calming breath. She just hated losing.

She attacked again, their swords striking. She knew he’d be anticipating her to go high, because that’s what she’d been doing so far. Instead, she tried the unexpected and went low.

Her laser sword nicked his side, and she heard him hiss out a breath.

“Got you!” Madeline retracted her sword, and threw her hands in the air like a champion. “I did it!”