Page 56 of Baited

“I can, can’t I?” he says with a hint of a smile.

“Time to move, gladiator,” the guard growls.

Blayn ignores him and brushes his lips over mine before shouldering his way past the guards, wings slamming into as many as he can manage before he steps through the doorway to gasps and cheers.

I shove my way through the big Zarvu in order to see what’s happening. The hall is large and full of species from everywhere in the galaxy, all dressed up in their finery.

“What’s happening today?”

“It’s the procurator’s cup games. The winner will receive two hundred thousand credits,” one of the Zarvu says. “Champions have come from everywhere.”

No wonder the captain wanted Blayn back in the dome!

I watch as Blayn makes his way down a section which is cut off from the rest of the hall by means of a holo projected barrier, towards a raised area where the other Gryn gladiators I met are already situated.

Blayn’s dark wings are stiff as he moves past the crowd and mounts the low stage. He scowls out at the crowd as Maxym shoves a sword into his hand. As one, they lift the weapons above their heads.

“Before these witnesses and my fellow gladiators, I swear I will give my body to the dome. I will be flogged, burned, beaten or slain, whatever the procurator orders. This is my oath and my bond.”

All four Gryn bellow out this blood chilling chant as one. It causes the room to erupt with yells, burbles, and other noises. The swords shimmer and disappear, as holographic as the supposed barrier, and the crowd surges forward.

The other gladiators take a step back, but Blayn stands his ground. Hands, or things which pass for hands, grasp at him. He lifts a lip in an impressive snarl but doesn’t move a muscle. The Zarvu stood in the doorway next to me rush out and perform crowd control, shoving back those clamoring to get closer to the Gryn.

Relief floods through me. Blayn is stood with his fellow gladiators, holding his wings high. I can still see the tension in his face, but he isn’t about to exact any sort of violence on those pushing to get closer or on anyone else. Instead he glances over to where I’m stood in the doorway, and for a brief second, there is his little smile.

The smile he has for me.

BLAYN

Every part of my body is on fire, except for my wings, my feathers itching as if I have feather mites again. I need to nest for my Izzy, and as I hurry her through to the gladiator quarters, I’m already planning down to the last detail.

“Blayn.” The captain steps in front of me as I enter the quarters. “You have games to compete in.” He looks at Izzy and back to me. “The procurator is impressed at your significant improvement, and he has agreed your…female…may stay with you for the time being. But first you have to fight.”

Izzy puts her hand to her mouth, her blunt little teeth biting down on her skin.

“Fight?” she whispers.

I sigh with the force of a thousand winds. “The captain is correct. I will need to fight today.” I glare at him until he leaves. “I am sorry, myeregri. I can’t nest for you now. It will need to wait until I am done.”

Izzy takes in a breath which doesn’t sound right. It sounds like she is struggling to get oxygen.

“I know it’s your job,” she says, not looking at me. “I understand you need to fight…”

I take her chin between my thumb and forefinger, the tip of my claw skimming her delicate skin as I lift her face up so I can see it. Water runs from her eyes.

“What’s wrong, my sweet mate?”

Her hand curls around my wrist, hardly even able to encircle half of it.

“I don’t…” Her chest stutters. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Not a vrexing chance of that happening.” Rych strides through the main part of our quarters with only a towel around his waist. “More chance we’d get hurt instead.” He huffs and strides into his room.

Izzy stares up at me, and I don’t know what to say, or do, or anything other than give her a ky-ss. Her mouth moves strangely over mine as I do, and when I look, she’s smiling.

“Is that true? What Rych said?” she asks.

“Vrexer,” I mutter to myself, given I can hear him slamming around. “I don’t know why he’s here and not with the others in the ante-chamber getting ready.”

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