Page 59 of Baited

I open my mouth to tell him exactly what I think of him when there is a huge cheer from the rest of the assembly, a mixture of Habosu and Yetag.

They’re looking out of the huge window which displays the interior of the dome. The place is massive, far larger than I even imagined. I can hardly see the far end of the dome, although handy vid screens both inside the large hospitality box and outside hover in the air, showing the place from every angle.

The four Gryn gladiators are currently flying around inside the vast dome. It’s the first time I’ve seen Blayn in the air, and I remember to close my mouth as he darts swiftly from one side to the other, causing the clientele of the dome to roar out his name. He shakes himself once or twice.

“He’s rousing,” the captain murmurs in my ear. “He’s never done that before.”

“What does it mean?” I ask.

“It means he’s going to be invincible today.” The procurator cackles before waving vigorously at a Uhatx, who moves swiftly over on tentacles of smoke. “Put ten thousand credits on Blayn to be the victor,” he says loudly.

The Uhatx bows his head, and as soon as he moves away, he’s surrounded by the occupants of the box clamoring to place their bets.

I wish I had Blayn’s wings and claws. I wish I could teach this horrible procurator a lesson, the way he delights in sending Blayn and the others out to kill or be killed in the dome.

“Come, come, little female, mate of Blayn,” the procurator says loudly, coming up behind me and putting his hand in the small of my back, giving me a shove. “Come have one of the best seats in the dome to watch your gladiator perform like he has never done before.”

I’m half pushed, half guided to a bank of seats immediately in front of the vast windows. A glass of something is put into my hand and a plate of brightly colored nibbles placed next to me.

“Enjoy yourself!” The procurator grins ecstatically. “If your mate does well today, I will be sending him to Sartak where I am starting a new dome. He will be the star attraction.”

“Sartak? The weapons center?” I stumble over my words.

“Yes!” He rubs his hands enthusiastically. “They have developed bots which can fight, and they want to see how they do in a combat situation, which works to my advantage.”

“You’re going to put him in a dome with killer bots?” My stomach drops to my boots.

“I’m completely confident he will triumph. After all, you made him into the gladiator he is today, female. It’s too bad you won’t be able to join him.”

BLAYN

No one seems to be moving fast today. Even my fellow Gryn are slow as space worms. As for the competitors, they’re lucky this isn’t a killing match or the place would be littered with bodies rather than body parts.

Of my wound, I don’t feel a thing. It’s as if it never happened.

“Blayn!” Maxym growls at me as I spin around him in the air for the hundredth time. “We’re done here.”

And it appears from the destruction below, we are. The doors to the ante chamber are open, and I dive through, ignoring the clerks until I see the captain.

“Where is my mate?”

“She’s with the procurator,” he says.

I bristle. “I want her.”

He looks me up and down. I’m well aware I’m covered in everything the dome can throw at a gladiator, but I don’t care. I need to get to Izzy, especially if she’s with the procurator. I do not trust him as far as I could throw him, and it would be a long way.

“Come with me.” He dips his horns and walks through the ante-chamber to the hospitality entrance.

I’ve never been through this particular doorway before, and I give my wings a good shake as I enter the rarified atmosphere. I may have left some marks on the pristine walls.

“Stay back, Blayn,” the captain says as I get close behind him. “I don’t want to put you in bonds.”

“I want my mate,” I reply.

“And I’m taking you to her,” the big Knosson states. “But if you want me to trust you, you’re going to have to stay back.”

My feathers fluff. I want to rouse, but I want Izzy more.

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