Protector:A Scifi Alien Romance(48)
“Stop!” A guard’s voice rang out.
Lore lifted his head. He was holding a bedraggled Madeline in front of him, a sword pressed to her throat.
Lore froze, and sensed the others do the same. The other women were forced onto their knees.
“Drop your weapons,” the guard said, no expression on his ugly, misshapen face.
Lore’s fingers flexed on his sword.
The blue alien moved, but instantly, three guards rushed forward and jammed stun batons at him.
He fell to the ground, his body convulsing. The blonde woman let out a cry.
The guard with Madeline dragged her around, his sword biting into her skin.
Lore glanced at Blaine and cursed. Together, they dropped their weapons.
***
Madeline paced in the cell, working hard not to freak out.
She was back in a cage.
Maybe the walls weren’t gleaming metal, or the ugly, skin-like substance she’d seen on the Thraxian ship, but the solid rock and bars didn’t make her feel any better.
She was alone. A captive. Nothing.
She felt herself starting to hyperventilate, and forced herself to slow her breathing down. She was stronger than this. She was so afraid for Lore and the others. They’d dragged Lore away, fighting, and they’d shoved her in this cell just off the fighting pit.
She paced across the cell, turned, and paced back again. Galen, Raiden, Harper, and the others would be searching for them. She wouldn’t be stuck here. They’d all be okay.
Dropping down onto her knees, she pressed a curled fist to her chest. Lore would be okay. She’d see him soon. Besides, she wasn’t the weak, destroyed woman the Thraxians had captured. Now, she was stronger and had something to fight for. If no one came for her, she’d find a way out, herself.
She heard a rumble of voices outside, and suddenly, the cell door swung open. She leaped to her feet as two guards tossed Lore inside. He stumbled, and landed on his hands and knees.
The guards slammed the door closed again, and she raced over to Lore. When he lifted his face, her breath caught in her chest.
It was distended, and starting to bruise. One eye was swollen closed, and blood stained his mouth.
“Lore.” The hyperventilating came back, her lungs so tight she couldn’t get any air in.
His hands cupped her face. “Breathe.”
“I’m fine. Fine.” He was the one who was hurt, not her.
He pulled her close, sliding an arm around her. “You’re not fine, and it’s okay to admit that.”
“You’re hurt, and I’m stronger than this.”
“I’m here for you, Madeline. No matter what. You don’t have to be the strongest, or the one always in charge, or the one always with the answers.”
She reached out, gently touching the one spot on his cheek that wasn’t swollen or bruised. “It’s the only thing I know.”
“You see your vulnerability as a weakness. You haven’t realized that I see it as the soft, lush part of the woman I’m in love with.”
Love? Her throat was so tight. “Love frightens me, Lore. I’m no good at it. You’re going to break my heart.” And she’d never be able to pick up the pieces. It was already dented from what had happened to her, and Lore could shatter what was left of it.
“You have to give it to me first.” His fingers traced her cheekbones. “You have to trust me—” he broke off with a groan, bending forward.
Madeline slid her arm around him, lowering him to the floor. “Take it easy.” God, what if he had internal bleeding? “We can have this conversation again when we get out of here.”
He managed a nod. “The Srinar ‘questioned’ me. I think I convinced them we came alone.”
Suddenly, the door swung open, a shaft of bright light spearing in on them.
Vashto stepped inside, arms crossed over his massive chest. He cast a molten glance at Lore. “You didn’t have to sneak in. You could’ve asked, and I would’ve let you in the pit.”
Madeline spotted Cerria behind the man, smirking at them.
“You’re scum,” Madeline spat at him. “Tossing innocent people in that pit.”
Cerria pushed forward. “Chain the gladiator up and let me have him. I want him.” She licked one of her claws, her gaze on Lore’s chest.
“Sorry, love,” Vashto said. “They want the fight ring this bad, I’m going to give it to them.” He raked a look down Madeline’s body. “It’ll be a shame to watch you get torn apart.”
Madeline’s stomach turned over, her arm tightening on Lore.
Cerria laughed. “Well, that’s not a bad consolation prize.” The woman’s smile was sharp. “Good luck.”