Survivor Planet III (6 page)

“Okay, so when we win, what do you get?” I persisted.

“Whatever I desire—except being named of the royal bloodline, or causing them any harm, of course.”

I believed he was being vague on purpose. He didn't want me to know.
So what.
What was more important than him getting what he so desperately wanted—ah, me, getting what I wanted. I dared to ask. “And me? What do I get?”

He stared back out the front of the ship. “You get to go home. That's what you desire most isn't it?”

I nodded. Despite my sudden rapid pulse and lurching belly at the mention of home, I was pretty sure that was indeed what I wanted.

Cade hadn't been kidding about the over-sized skyscrapers. An enormous city, with amazingly tall buildings all lit up like massive Christmas trees came into view. We'd been flying for approximately an hour or so I estimated. And now we'd arrived in what appeared to be a completely new world. Every few minutes throughout our journey here, my mind would suddenly rear up in realization of what was happening and I'd have this incredible rush come over me.
Oh my God! I'm on a frigging spaceship!
But all too soon the excitement would turn to dread as my precarious circumstances came crashing down upon me. I'd find myself covertly watching this warrior beside me and pondering his intentions.

But too, there was another part of me—a secret part—filled with purpose. I'd yet to understand it, but I couldn't deny a sense that everything was happening just as it should.

Cade slowed the ship and lowered it to dip and whiz perilously around the giant structures. My hands gripped the armrests of my seat so hard I was sure I'd leave imprints. He handled the maneuvers like a daredevil pro, yet I breathed a huge sigh of relief when he slowed even more and expertly guided the little ship into a tight spot between several other ships on a rooftop of one of the many buildings. I finally allowed myself to relax as we hovered for a moment and then set down. Unbuckling himself, he got up, then helped me unhook my seatbelt and even took my hand to aid me in rising.

“Okay?” he asked with a grin.

“F…fine.”

“Good.” He let go of me and headed back through the ship toward his bags. “Do you mind taking one of these? I'll give you the lightest.”

I came up beside him and stood patiently while he hoisted up a bag and put the strap around my shoulder. I felt my legs buckle slightly with the weight. “This is the lightest?”

Grinning, he swung another bag over his shoulder and picked up the other two with his hands. “It's not far.”

He led us off the ship and when I stepped outside I couldn't help but stare in awe all around me. The two moons in the sky were huge and lit up like beacons, illuminating the rooftop. We walked over toward a raised dormer, me swinging my gaze all around in wonder.

“You haven't been atop a building before?” he asked me with disbelief.

“Yes, I have,” I recalled that much. “But it was only a six-floor apartment with a roof-top terrace. How high are we?”

“I believe on Earth you measure buildings by stories. This one would be about four hundred stories, give or take,” he said.

I'm sure my eyes bulged, 'cause he chuckled when he saw my expression. We entered the dormer, which was actually an area to catch an elevator. We walked into the enclosed box and after Cade thumb-printed a scanner beside the door, he told me to ‘hold on'. Swiftly we dropped. So fast I could feel the shoulder strap of the bag I carried lift up a bit. I leaned against the wall and braced myself, trying to keep control of the bag and the rising gorge in my belly. Now I knew why he'd given me such a heavy load to carry; to keep me from hitting the ceiling. Seconds later we came to an abrupt stop.

“Okay?” he asked me again.

“Y…yeah.”

The door opened up and we stepped out into a hallway. I'd say it was like any other mega-high rise you'd see on Earth, but it wasn't.

Everything was metal and glass. The light was dim, making it hard to see down the entire length of the hall. As we walked along, the area around us lit up and then dimmed again once we passed. I looked around but couldn't figure out where the light was coming from since it seemed to be all around us. After passing several wide, tall doorways, we stopped. Using a thumbprint device again, Cade paused and then stepped inside once the door swished up. I followed obediently behind. Just like out in the hall, the lights came on as soon as we were inside. I wasn't completely blown away—I'd seen this type of technology before.

The apartment was pretty large, open concept, and visually stunning. One entire wall was made up of floor to ceiling windows. Some kind of blinds had been covering the windows, but upon on entry Cade had fiddled with some buttons at the front doorway and everything appeared to come to life. The color scheme was entirely black and white. It felt pristine, unlived in, and sterile. A complete opposite of the home he had near the games.

“Don't spend much time here, do you?” I guessed.

“Not really. There's two bedrooms, I'll put your stuff in this one,” he began striding towards a doorway. I didn't follow him this time; the allure of the view was too enticing. All around the high buildings I spied small spaceships lit up like little cars zooming around in the sky. I was staring out the window when he came back into sight minus the two bags he'd held in his hands; he still had the other one over his shoulder. I'd set down the bag I'd held. He reached down and picked it up and went into the other room, which was on the opposite side of the apartment.

Soon he was standing by my side. I stared outside, he stared at me. I could feel his eyes boring into me. “What?” I finally asked, turning to look at him.

He smiled, which made him look incredibly handsome, and somehow, more dangerous. “I can't imagine how my world seems to you, since I don't know what life is like on Earth.”

I shrugged. “We're obviously not as advanced as you guys. So yeah, I'm a little in awe.” The subject of Earth made me uneasy. “I have to ask you, why bring me here to prepare for a game? Wouldn't it have been easier to do that at your other place? I mean, it seems pretty busy here.”

He turned his gaze back out to the city. “When I say we must prepare, I admit, things would have been easier at the other house. But, really, all I need to do is teach you to fight. I can do that here.” When he saw I was about to interrupt he held up his hand. “We're not supposed to prepare the girls ahead of time. The other men who won Earth girls had no intention of entering the games with them—at least as far as I know. I'm certain no one guessed my plans. After all, it is highly unusual…” His gaze momentarily dropped to my breasts and Thena's warning sounded in my ears. I had a feeling not many girls given out as prizes in the arena would be able to pass the games conditions after a few hours.

“Won't you get into trouble?”

“As long as you meet the qualifications then it will be allowed.”

So he had to keep his hands off of me. Fair enough. That wasn't what I'd meant though. “When the others find out you're entering the tournament with me, it's bound to cause some trouble?”

He shrugged. “Too bad. There are no rules against obtaining your partner early. It's been done before, though rarely.”

He didn't elaborate but I had the feeling that the lusty men of Calixtus waited to get their partner until the last moment in order to keep her virginal.

“I also have obligations on Calixtus. I have to return to work. There are a few tasks I need to complete before the game.”

“What do you do?”

“I work in governance. Training actually.”

That made perfect sense.

“It's late. You should get some sleep. I have to get an early start tomorrow, but I'll show you how to work the kitchen so you can eat. If you have any trouble, all you need to do is say ‘help' and Trax will aid you.”

“Trax?”

“A control system. It will guide you, protect you,” he said.

“Protect me from what?”

“Others—game collectors, slavers. Do not leave the dwelling and you will be safe.”

“Okay.” I didn't much like the sound of that.

He guided me over to my sleeping quarters and stood at the door as I poked around in the room. Everything was black and white like the rest of the apartment. Folded down from the wall was a desk table with a chair tucked beneath it. There were little black knobs on a section on the wall I figured were drawers to put my stuff into. A wide bed covered by a white comforter sat in the middle of the room, headboard pushed up against the wall. The room was decent sized, so much better than the cramped, straw-filled cell I'd occupied.

“I didn't put your things away. Figured I'd leave that up to you. Thena chose the garments, estimating your size.”

He seemed a little uncomfortable and I suspected he wasn't used to having a woman in his home that wasn't sharing his bed. “Thank you,” I said.

He nodded. “If you need anything, I'm down the hall.” Then he gave me a direct look. “And remember what I said about staying put.”

“I remember.”

“Good. Goodnight then.”

“Goodnight.” I wandered over and sat down on the bed.

As far as I knew this had definitely been the weirdest day of my life.

I awoke to someone's hands all over my body. I'd donned a long nighty before crawling into bed, and now I felt it riding up my legs as they thrashed about. Someone was yelling ‘Stop it! Stop it!'

Someone who sounded like me.

Large hands grabbed hold of my upper arms and a strong leg swung over mine, pining them to the bed. I was sitting upright but leaning back, battling for my life. I felt my head snap back as the hands gave me a quick shake.

“Get your fucking hands off me!”
Why would I say that?
And why did it feel as though there were more than two people in the room?

“Lara, you need to calm down. I don't want to hurt you.” That was Cade's voice. “You're having a nightmare.”

Was I?

“I'm in danger! I need your help,” I cried, not sure who I expected to help me, and even why I was afraid.

“Lara, it's me, Cade. You're safe. You're having a nightmare,” he repeated.

Something was ripping me in half. Flashes of a room I didn't recognize swayed before me, and I lay on cold metal, not the soft bed I went to sleep on. Was it a dream? If so, then why wouldn't it let go of me?

“Let me go!” Though Cade held me tight I wasn't talking to him. No. Someone else seemed to have hold of me and was trying to pull me away. “Ayres! Help me.” Though I could not recall just who he was, that was his name—the faceless presence I'd felt looming by my side. I had only to call him and he would come. This I somehow knew without a doubt.

“Ayres?”

I focused on Cade and faintly saw his gaze flash around the room. A searing heat came over me then and my entire body lit up with rage. My arms and legs were suddenly no longer mine to control. My fists clenched, and lightning fast I broke Cade's hold on me long enough to throw myself backward and raise my feet. With strength I couldn't comprehend, I kicked out, hitting Cade in the chest, knocking him to the ground. In a flash he was on his feet again, but so was I. Bare inches separated us. Both of us stood straight, legs apart, fists raised.

“What are you doing?” Cade demanded. “Do you mean to challenge me, girl?” His voice was incredulous and tinged with concern.

But I was no longer in control of my body. Even my mind seemed to pulse with purpose.
Destroy!
From deep inside me I could feel a tremble of fear and anxiousness. What was I doing? Cade was no threat to me. He was kind, and despite his great size and strength, ever gentle.

And yet, I could not take back the reins.

I felt my body spin round. My leg rose up mid-flight and then connected high with the side of Cade's head. Just as his head snapped back I jumped up again and kicked him in the belly. As he bent forward I raised my fists and swung again and again, connecting with his head and face.

As I beat at him and saw blood flow fast and red, I suddenly felt my legs swept out from under me. I hit the ground hard, and before I could get up my head snapped sideways under a stunning blow from his open palm. I lay on my side against the cold floor, shocked while I felt an even more out of control battle brewing deep within me.

So many voices.

The one I focused on seemed to be screaming the loudest.

‘Stop!' it cried over and over, until finally I felt the rage subside. Bit by bit the feeling in my hands and feet returned to me. Between deep breaths I wiggled my aching toes and flexed my stiff, sore fingers. Gradually, I raised my hands and grabbed hold of my head. Pulling up my legs I wrapped my arms around them and curled up into a little ball trying to make myself invisible. Bare feet, and legs thick and strong stepped into my line of sight. My body tensed preparing for more blows sure to come. At least I now had control. Whatever force had possessed me, it seemed to have let me go.

I groaned.

Pain emanated from my limbs not used to such exertion or violence. And at once I felt terrible fear wash over me. I had done something very bad, and I would be punished for it. That deep angry part of me welled up, but focusing all my determination, I forced it back down again. Whatever it was that it protected me from, I assured it the man before me was not my enemy.

Cade dropped down onto one knee and reached out to me. I cringed and tried to pull away, but his hand only came to rest gently atop my head. “Are you all right now?” he asked.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

His hands were on me again. This time his grip was light as he helped me up and back onto the bed. He straightened the comforter and pulled it up around my waist. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”