Page 33 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

33

It Will Be Her

B laze

This must have been an industrial part of town back in the day. Now, it’s just seedy and mostly abandoned. Tucked next to a decrepit, hulking warehouse are cement steps leading to an unused basement door. The short stairwell is sheltered and almost invisible to a passerby—and there aren’t many of those in this mostly deserted area.

After we descend the six steps, Xzavic sits with his back against the brick wall and pulls me into his lap. I’ve had worse places to sleep when I was in the military. It’s not so bad with his warm body to comfort me.

Leaning against his chest, his arms around my waist, I allow myself to breathe deeply for the first time since my owner’s henchmen hovered me to The Game . This experience is surreal. To be fighting for our lives and having all of it broadcast is odd enough. To do it against the backdrop of falling in love with a seven-foot blue alien is the unbelievable part.

He’s kissing the top of my head, as if we were on a date. I won’t complain.

As I pull his hands more tightly around my waist, I listen to the reassuring beat of his heart. He’s a good male. I wish I knew him better. If we had more time, I’d ask about his childhood and his hopes and dreams. But we don’t have time. All we have is now.

We have a decent view of a large screen down the alley and across the street. It reminds me of an old drive-in movie screen, only this one is comprised of smaller vid screens, some of which aren’t working. It’s like a checkerboard with a quarter of the squares gone.

It’s been playing highlights of The Game since we sat down. Now that there are only six contestants, I guess there’s not a lot of action.

Jahzara Zedd’s beautifully evil face comes on the screen and announces, “Welcome to this evening’s show. I know we’re all eager for the big finale. I’m betting it will all be over by this time tomorrow. We’ve gotten special permission from the Federation which has granted a limited gaming license. Be sure to place your bets via the link below.”

She points a perfectly manicured emerald-green nail toward the bottom of the screen.

“Too bad one of the screens is black or we could vote,” I say. If I had money, I’d vote for Titan. I feel the swiftest pang of sadness, knowing if it comes down to the two of us, I’ll spare him the trouble of killing me. I had a lot of time to think as we slogged our way here after this morning’s assault. I’m at peace with it. Well, as at peace as a person can be when contemplating suicide.

“For your viewing pleasure, here is the Titan Slayer Highlight Reel.”

“Hey!” I playfully punch Xzavic’s thigh. “You got top billing! Have you been bribing someone?”

“You caught me,” he says, then nips my ear. “I have so many extra credits I thought, what should I buy? Freedom? No. Some ammo canisters that have a full charge? Nope. I know, top billing.”

I turn my head and mock-bite his bicep. It’s hard as steel and I’m lucky I didn’t break my teeth.

We watch from our hidden perch in this little hidey-hole, as the feed portrays exciting moments from our escape from the gym until last night.

Warmth radiates in my chest as I watch Xzavic’s affection for me grow. His initial irritation didn’t last long. After we had sex in the ruins that first night, he couldn’t hide his soft expression when he gazed at me.

And my feelings for him are just as obvious.

He called me Love several times today. I won’t mention it. It was just after the near-rape. Neither of us were in a good place at that moment and shouldn’t be held accountable for our actions when in the height of emotion.

He dips his head, his breath fanning across my cheek, as he whispers in my ear, “I love you, Blaze.”

Tears cloud my vision. My chest tightens, and my jaw clenches. This moment feels profound.

Titan

That just blurted out of my mouth without my permission. Now that I’ve said it, I don’t expect her to say it back. It would be terrible for both of us if she did.

“It’s not fair, you know. This whole crazy experience isn’t fair,” she says.

“Aye.”

Zedd’s mocking commentary of what Blaze and I shared last night drones on, then she teases the audience with, “Did you think this was a love match?” her voice is provocative. “Wait until after this information from our sponsor. The next part of our episode is going to shock you!”

“Shit!” I say, my jaw tightening. Are they going to show this morning’s assault? Of course they are. Their ratings are going to spike through the roof.

“Blaze,” I say even more forcefully than that first hour we met when I told her I wouldn’t slow down for her or protect her. “You’re going to turn your head and burrow under my toga. You’re going to close your eyes and let me hold you. I’ll hum in your ear and tell you about my homeworld. You’ll need to listen because there will be a quiz at the end. Do you hear me? You will not watch what’s coming next.”

She cranes her head to look at me. I expected fire to flame out of Blaze’s pretty brown eyes, but instead she looks at me as if I’m the best thing in the galaxy.

“You want to protect me?” Her palm splays on her chest above her heart and her eyes brim with tears. “No one has ever tried to protect me before. You saved me this morning. That was to protect my body, but to protect my heart? That’s even more special.”

She reaches up, awkwardly captures my neck, and pulls my head to hers. The kiss she grants me is the sweetest thing I’ve ever felt. My heart swells with love. I swear to all that’s holy that I will get this woman to the flag unharmed, I will vanquish our enemies, and when it all comes down to one, it will be her.