Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(27)
She straightened. “Thanks. And thanks for your help.” She scanned around for Lore. “We got the information we needed.”
Rillian nodded. “As far as I know, there is nothing below the Glass House except the kitchens.”
Where the hell was Lore? “Well, I guess that’s why these guys are so good at hiding the fight rings.”
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her from behind. There was no time to panic, and she recognized Lore’s strength straight away.
“Thanks, Rillian.”
The casino owner nodded and stepped back. “If I hear anything else, I’ll let Galen know.” The man walked away.
Lore dragged Madeline back to their dark corner near the kitchen entrance. Far away from Sile.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. “The guy is creepy. But he gave me the information we needed. There’s a fight planned…right beneath the Glass House.”
“Beneath? There’s never been any talk of anything beneath the Glass House.” He scanned the room. “Galen will look into it.”
She huffed out a breath. “I wish we knew more.”
“It’s a good start.”
The door to the kitchen swung open nearby and some servers walked out holding loaded trays.
Lore stroked her hair. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure. Sile was definitely interested in me, but I couldn’t tell if he wanted to kiss me or serve me sautéed.”
“You’re safe now.”
The door opened again, but this time, it wasn’t kitchen staff who exited. It was three big, burly aliens. The men were all laughing.
Something pinged on Madeline’s radar, and it must have done the same for Lore, because he pulled her deeper into the shadows. Then he pushed her up against the wall, pressing his body against hers like they were two lovers having an illicit tryst. He pressed his lips to her throat and she tightened her hands on his shoulders.
But his body was taut, his attention on the men.
“The Srinar are busy organizing the fights. The human and the beast will be the star attractions. Can’t wait to see them tear into each other. Nothing civilized left in either of them.”
“I want to see that human guy with the dark skin fight,” another man said. “Guy’s vicious!”
“The tattooed, blue alien is good. He’s stronger, wilder.”
“The other guy is smarter and faster.”
As the men moved past, Madeline got a faint whiff of stench. Like these guys had been somewhere that smelled horrifically bad.
“I also hear the Srinar have a dag’tar lined up. They are sneaking it in tomorrow,” one of the aliens added, excitement in his voice. “I’ve never seen one before.”
“Talk about vicious. I’ve heard those creatures rape their prey before they eat it!”
“I heard the Thraxians gave the Srinar some more of those Earth women to set loose with the dag’tar.” Sick pleasure rode the alien’s voice. “We’ll see how they fare.”
The laughter of the guards disappeared into the noise of the party.
“Women?” Lore whispered.
Madeline’s heart hammered in her chest. She was in shock. She couldn’t believe what she just heard. “I never saw any other humans. Only Blaine.”
“Well, it sounds like there are more women down there, and the Srinar are going to feed them to a dag’tar.”
“Which is what, exactly?”
“It’s the worst sort of creature you could imagine.”
Madeline swallowed. “Well, we can’t let this happen to whoever they have captive down there.”
Lore’s face turned considering as he stared at the kitchen door. “I have an idea.”
Madeline frowned. “Galen said no risks.”
The door opened again and two servers rushed out. Lore took a step toward them. “I have a really good idea.”
Chapter Nine
Lore dragged the two unconscious bodies of the servers back into the kitchen entry area. Thankfully, there was an area where the servers stashed their personal belongings, and they weren’t visible to the main part of the kitchen.
He took a moment to strip the black uniforms off of them, then dumped the bodies inside a cupboard. He tossed one set of clothing at Madeline.
Lore turned and pulled the too-tight jacket on. Behind him, he heard the whisper of fabric as Madeline slipped out of her dress. He sucked in a breath. He was a gladiator and a man used to getting his own way. And he wanted Madeline Cochran. He turned his head.
Blue eyes met his. “A gentleman would keep his back turned.”
She was naked, except for two tiny wisps of underwear that looked like the finest of netting. She slipped the jacket on, covering her gorgeous breasts.