Page 6

I ease the throttle forward and eye the blue laser grid of scanners that check my ship as I enter. They let me pass, and the gate remains open. But I’m certain they have an idea of my payload at this point. At least my hyperspace armor-plating concealed the missiles. I’m sure if they knew about them that they would bring this procession to a full stop.

The building displays a green light over a docking site as I enter the atmosphere and lower my ship closer to the race grounds.

Making it inside was just one barrier. Now I’ve got to find her and find the two who know that her father hid his stolen goods.

That’s the rumor. But I’m not sure everything is as it seems with her family or their crew. It never is.

After my ship is locked in, charging, and powered down, I get up from my seat and lower my rear ramp.

“Ooh!” A woman in a blue Abr uniform jumps aside and clutches her tablet to her chest. “Quick ramp.”

“Has to be in war zones,” I reply.

“You must be Elix, personal security for Zariah Landing?”

“Yes.”

She stares at me like I have antennae growing out of my head.

“Something else?”

“The race is about to start. Your client is assigned to Room Six, bottom floor, basic accommodations. She has been banded Red. Bio stats have been relayed via the wristband she won’t take off.”

“Figures.” I’m certain it’s linked to her ship, just as mine is to me.

Cameradrones fill the hallways, buzzing like large flies. I can already tell this place is going to be a logistical nightmare. But perhaps they will catch the brute that wants her for the wrong reason. It burns me inside to think of him or anyone touching her without savoring such a beautiful creature for what she is instead of her reputation.

She deserves to be respected.

The woman beside me tells me about the race and all the mingling events afterward, where Zariah will have options if she doesn’t want to participate, and how I can keep my eye on her from the observation areas.

She gives me the code to log into their system so I can load maps into my wristband. I thank her, wait for her to leave, and then, in the shadow of my ship, I initiate my blocker for external tracking systems and prevent Abr from accessing anything on my wristband or my ship. That’s always how others sneak in trackers, by claiming my use of a system entitled them to know everything about who is using their system.

Screw that.

I log in and find Zariah in the race arena with another female. I’m relieved to see she’s made a friend until I realize why their orbs move so erratically.

They’re fighting!

I run through the hallways, searching for a path toward her.

I find her three floors below me in the grass, swinging a fist at another woman who blocks it and elbows her in the back. There isn’t a door anywhere nearby to get me to Zariah. When I wheel around to continue my hunt, I see a human in black armor standing with crossed arms at a window, shaking his head as he watches them.

“Why do you laugh?” I challenge.

His gray eyes lift to mine for only a second before darting back to the fight. “Only Teol would befriend a stranger and try to train her before the race.”

“They’re not fighting?”

“Hell, no. Should’ve seen them two minutes ago, laughing hysterically, probably over some dick joke. Teol has a dirty mind. I’m not sure there’s a man in the whole universe that can handle her. It’s why she wanted to try this.”

He offers me his hand. “I’m Keo. My sister calls me Numbnut but in an affectionate way.”

I take his hand, and we shake. “Elix. That’s Zariah.”

I look down at her as she stumbles back and falls. Teol offers her a hand and helps her up.

Maybe I didn’t need to come here.

“You’re an endangered species, Lazariot, right?” Keo moves back into his place against the window wall. “Rejected by your mate? Heard you were all on lockdown somewhere trying to save your species.”

“My species rejected me,” I say bitterly, remembering back to hitching a ride on a cargo vessel off-planet as a kid.

“What in stars for?”

I stare down at Zariah and wish she would see me. Then again, I’d rather confront her in private so her surprise doesn’t cause a scene. “We are dying off because they didn’t believe in intermixing tribes. Two tribes, no home.”

“Ouch. Double the skills or none?” he asks.

“Double.” Plus a few. “So your sister, does she teach hand-to-hand combat or something? Is that why she’s doing this?”

“Yeah. Started beating me up at a young age.” He laughs, then grows very quiet. Keo runs a hand over his tattooed neck. “I got in with the wrong crowd. She straightened me out. Little sister became the big sister. After an enlistment with the Terran military as an alternative to jail, I’ve dedicated the rest of my life to her. She stopped me from making some big mistakes.

“How’d you end up guarding Zariah?”

“Recent bar fight. Just before she got here, actually. A human trafficker tried to snatch her up. Had to push the request through fast. I owed her for a past life debt. Nothing violent. I was just a starving kid.” Hunted for my skills.

“Sounds like you’re already even then.” Keo smiles.

I’m not sure, but I can’t let that be what others see, or they’ll doubt my reason here. “Not enough time to let the dust settle and be sure she’s safe. I am the backup measure.”

“You’re a pretty serious guy, you know that?” Keo clearly hasn’t been caught up in enough battles to know what I mean.

I face him. “Where did you serve your enlistment?”

“Nytheralian territory.”

“Any deep space, unpatrolled Sol Territory?”

Keo shifts between his feet. “No, no serious deployments. I was just security.”

“That’s why you aren’t serious.”

Keo seems to get the hint as he hangs his head and nods. “Fair enough.”

I scan the other females that gather outside with Zariah and Teol. Turning my back to Keo, I covertly search on my wristband for him and his sister. They are MAMA instructors, vetted by Terran and Nytheralian empires. The trouble is, I know that everything I find can be forged. I’m supposed to be one of the good guys, and I entered Zariah into a contract she doesn’t yet know about.

Anybody can be anything, anywhere, with the right alliances. I owe Aurelius a debt of gratitude.

The males’ Abr transport should arrive soon. I check the screens, the other personal security officers, and the teams in the observation room. Quiet chatter is all I hear. I close my eyes and isolate the various voices.

“She was so excited, she literally trembled the entire way here. I don’t get it.”

“Mine spent the trip researching different species and making a list of her interests.”

“You know those alien males are just using this as an excuse to go on a hormonal rampage and turn into animals. But when we do that, it’s considered r—”

“Ah.” A female voice—older, weathered, practiced—interrupts him. “This kind of behavior you speak of is only permitted here or in designated homelands, where females are aware of it and willing participants. There are drones everywhere. Our security systems are designed to stop any such activities that a woman changes her mind about and also to control any male who gets out of hand.”

I don’t think Zariah is aware, and it stirs a deep protective urge in my bones. I need to tell her—warn her.

The woman gets onto a small box. “I know you are all anxious regarding the week ahead. But there are rules you must follow.

“You cannot intervene unless the life force of your human Protected is in jeopardy or there is an imminent threat to multiple racers. There will be aggressive actions taken toward your Protected. They may cry, scream, and get dirty. You are here for their safety, not to judge their choices.

“Any racer who feels unsafe need only say ‘no’ and security measures will be initiated. If a male prevents a woman from speaking in any manner, he will be contained. As a last resort, if these security measures are rendered ineffective, you will be given the okay to enter the race grounds and intervene. Otherwise, you will remain outside of the play arenas at all times.

“Please be aware that any actions you take in a race arena will be televised. Some of your actions in the other areas may be televised. But all games are live and will not be edited. Let me repeat that. They will not be edited as they are live . Any questions?”

A young man raises his hand.

The older woman points to him.

“Let’s say our Protected is of a gentler nature, and perhaps realizes she isn’t ready for this. If she hides herself in the field, do we have permission to collect her?”

“Yes, after the race or game is finished.”

“Will cameras focus on her in such a state?” he adds.

“No. This is intended to be a fun way to get to know one another and pair up with mates. It doesn’t always happen that way, so drones tend to stay where the action is highest. We can speak privately if you are concerned.”

“Any other questions?” She glances in my direction and almost gasps.

I’m torn between watching Zariah and running. I don’t know what she sees or wants with me, but it’s rare that surprise encounters have ever been to my benefit.

“The race will start in about twenty minutes. That’s all for now.” She steps down with the help of a large Abr guard who’s slightly taller and thinner than I. The woman walks through the crowd, directs to a door with her eyes, and leaves through it. I’m certain she wants me to follow, but I’m not sure if I should.

I’m here for Zariah, not myself.

“Where are you going?” Keo asks. “They’re going to race soon.”

I check the screens. A large transport has been detected at the edge of lunar space.

“Just need to check on something.” I slip through the doorway and find the woman standing in a small office with two guards. My gut tenses, expecting a fight.

“Easy, Lazariot. Sima buude kinmashka acinim.” You are Protected here.

My body weakens, and I slump back against the door. I have not heard my native tongue since I was a child.

“ Onalla .” Thank you.