Bloodlust Page 5

  An animal's barking caught his attention, followed by happy laughter. Lukiamo found Kira breaking into the open from a copse of trees, followed by a black and white canine. The sound of such joy in her voice brought an ache in his heart at the realization that her life as a gladiator had killed off that natural vibrancy.

  Stepping forward, he followed her progress as she tumbled and embraced the dog that came to lick her. Standing, she threw back a lock of hair, then wiped at the grass tendrils that clung to her conservative white shirt. She reached into the grass and pulled out a stick. Drawing back, she let it fly, and the dog took off after it in a flurry of excitement.

  As he drew closer, her shoulders tensed, and she turned, her hand shielding her eyes against the midday sun. In this environment, she appeared at ease and untouched by the cruelties of reality. “Oh, it's you again,” she sighed.

  Lukiamo grinned at the reluctant acceptance in her voice. Indeed, although he had touched what was under her conservative outfit in her dreams, he had ensured he came only at times when her blood had called to him. Bloodlust ... the heady aroma of it would always reach for him and ensure a smoother, more accepting bonding. Although now he could force the lust to emerge simply at will, he knew all her energies relied on healing herself.

  At that moment, the dog returned, its pink tongue lolling out one side as it regarded him inquisitively. He had read about these loyal type animals that were rumored to be viciously protective of their territory. Lukiamo had a hard time lining up what he knew with what he saw.

  "He's harmless,” Kira commented, kneeling down and ruffling the animal's ears.

  Lukiamo nodded, although he was reluctant to put his hand near the dog lest he have it bitten off. She glanced over her shoulder at him, an eyebrow raised in query. “What? Aren't you going to take off your clothes or something?"

  He chuckled, admiring her upfront nature. “I think not. I would like to just watch you."

  Kira threw the stick, and once again the dog took off after it. Standing, she rubbed her hands together and cast him an inquisitive stare. The air filled with tension and the sexual frustration that lurked beneath the surface. “Who are you?"

  Drawing back in surprise, Lukiamo lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I am who you think I am."

  She rolled her eyes and turned from him. The wind picked up, catching her hair in its gale. He was held in awe by her natural beauty, and he stepped forward to run a knuckle along the column of her neck. Goosebumps rose along her collarbone, and she released a ragged breath. “I don't know who I am anymore,” she whispered.

  Pausing, Lukiamo peered at her, noting the way she refused to look at him. Knowing silence was his best method to encourage her to continue talking, he ran a gentle hand along her arms.

  "I used to be satisfied with my life as a gladiator, but now ... now I don't know. I want something more. I want to feel alive."

  She tilted her head, her eyelids lowered. “You know, I had a boyfriend before I was kidnapped."

  His fingers tensed at the wistful tone in her voice. He didn't like the thought that she still pined after another, while he could think of nothing but her.

  She continued, unaware of his turmoil. “His name was Brad Dillinger. I used to think he would come and rescue me, but I quickly learned no one was coming to save me. The only person who is going to save me is myself. I'm so alone here. So goddamn alone."

  Unable to resist, he pulled her flush against him, his chin dipping near her ear as he breathed in her sweet perfume. “You aren't alone anymore, my love,” he whispered.

  Kira twisted her head, a frown marking her delicate features. “What do you mean?"

  Lukiamo's attention fell to her lips before he stared into the incandescent pools of green in her eyes. Her breath faltered, and her gaze dropped to his mouth. The movement cost him all semblance of control, and he dipped his head to take her mouth with his.

  With a sweeping search of his tongue, he tasted her leashed passion. Her former lover forgotten, he turned her to face him, his hands grasping her backside and pulling her up against him. Groaning at the sweet friction, he delved into her mouth with barely restrained passion, desperate to taste her spirit. To drink the sweet elixir of her burgeoning love and passion.

  While his body screamed for him to lose himself within her sweet pussy, his mind erred on the side of caution, whispering in his ear. Even while her hands rode in his hair and pulled him forward, Lukiamo eased back from her, his breath coming in pants as he gazed at her expression wrought with unfulfilled desire.

  Even now, knowing she wouldn't be objectionable to his advances, it sent another stab of possessive need through him that settled against his already heavy cock. Groaning, he dropped his forehead on hers. “I cannot."

  "Why not?” she rasped. “I want you."

  His eyes slammed shut at the plaintive note in her voice. “I need you well."

  She pulled from him, her eyes narrowing with suspicion, the passion within her clearly abated. “What? This is a dream, isn't it?"

  "No."

  Her eyes flared wide at his response. “You're in my head? You bastard!"

  Lukiamo opened his mouth to respond, but felt the pull to consciousness. He cast her an imploring gaze, hoping she'd understand the depths to which they had both fallen and the futility of it.

  He glanced up at the skies that began to rumble and split asunder. It was too late.

  Chapter 7

  Kira jerked awake with a curse, her eyes snapping open and falling upon her bed partner. Luke. The dream still clung to her consciousness as she jerked from the bed, her ribs only throbbing slightly at the movement.

  Luke blinked at her as though dazed. Pushing up on an elbow, he held a hand out in entreaty. “Kira."

  Stumbling back from the bed, her gaze shot around the darkened room. Her mind remained fuzzy as though she'd awoken from a sedative, and she struggled to gather her wits as she tried to draw together the events that had happened. Nausea whirled in her stomach as her legs wobbled under the trapped feeling that enveloped her. She couldn't stand this darkness.

  "Illuminate!” In an instant, the chamber was awash with light, and Kira pointed an accusing finger at Luke. “You were in my dreams. No, not my dreams, in my head. Without my permission."

  Luke sat up, his expression contrite but clearly unremorseful. “You didn't find my being there objectionable."

  Puffing against the sense of violation that rode along her skin, Kira surged toward the bed, intent on doing him damage. Luke rolled off the bed and stood with his hand held out in entreaty. “Calm yourself."

  Drawing in gales of air, Kira cast him a scathing glare. How dare he think to tell her what to do. “Screw you. It's you fucking with my head isn't it? Making me ... desire you."

  He shook his head. “All the bonding has done is fan the flames of an already existing attraction you feel for me. I cannot force you to do anything, ina loho."

  Kira bristled. “Stop calling me that. You did this to me."

  Luke frowned. “I didn't do this to you. You initiated the bonding, not I."

  Kira's hands clenched as fury blazed through her veins. “I don't know anything of this goddamned bonding. How was I supposed to know fighting you was a fucking form of courtship to you? It's nothing personal, but I didn't choose to fight you. I was made to. Now undo it."

  "I'm sorry, but I cannot."

  "You mean you will not,” she growled.

  His silence was deafening, and Kira's teeth ground together at the frustration that spiraled through her. She couldn't allow her body to control her, and yet her heart knew the futility of it. Twice he'd saved her life, and with each occurrence she'd lost a little bit of her heart to him. For so long, she had survived without a companion, yet now when a man showed her how attractive she was to him, she lost herself completely. It was ludicrous and unfathomable that she would fall so quickly.

  Footsteps drew close, and a gentle hand cupped her elbow, but she kn
ocked it aside, seething that he would think to touch her. “Don't you dark touch me."

  He inclined his head and stepped back, his golden eyes shimmering with misery and understanding. “Had I wished it any other way, I would never think to force a bonding on you. But we are bound together now, and nothing will make me abandon you."

  Kira stalked the room, her mind running over the events that had preceded them. The vulnerability she covered with strict control and cruel efficiency had broken through her will like rice paper. She drew in a harsh breath through her nose. This bonding was slowly overtaking her life and bringing forth a part of her she'd long thought dead. Dead. The word slammed into her at the repercussions that his actions had cost her.

  Facing him, she stabbed a finger at his chest. “You did this to me, you virtually signed my death warrant, you prick."

  Everything about her was unraveling, and she had no way to halt her descent. She dropped her face in her hands and shook her head, misery churning in her gut as she contemplated her future. “I'm dead. I'm dead,” she mumbled in despair.

  "I don't understand."

  Hearing the bafflement in his voice, Kira swallowed back the misery and allowed the soothing balm of fury to roll through her. Glaring at him, she dropped her hands on her hips. “Who are you, Luke?"

  His gaze became shuttered, and Kira tensed at his answer. “It is of little importance."

  Shaking with repressed rage, she stalked toward him, and without clearing it with her head, she drew back and threw a punch to his jaw. His head snapped to the side, but he did little else except face her, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. “Feeling better?"

  Her eyes widened. “No, you bastard. I want to know who you are, and why a man of your own species wants you dead and me along with it. I think I'm entitled to that at least."

  He remained so stoically silent that Kira almost expected he wouldn't answer. “Indeed, it does appear an explanation is in order."

  "Ya think?” she said, her voice thick with sarcasm.

  "I'm the Chief in Corthus, and the day before my induction to Lead Council, I was attacked and thrown into the arena with you."

  Kira nodded. “All right, so you're a military guy. I don't see how your death will benefit this man."

  Lukiamo raked an agitated hand through his hair. His gaze snapped about the room. “I don't know. There has been much dissention in Corthus, and I promised to bring peace to our lands upon my ordination. But even if I had been done away with...” he drifted off, a pale wash running over his skin. “Fiakali."

  "Fiakali? What the hell is that?"

  Lukiamo turned from her and wobbled his way toward the ottomans. Dropping onto one of them, he clutched his head, drawing in deep, slow breaths. “I promised to protect her,” he mumbled.

  It was then that she realized Fiakali wasn't a what, but a who. The thought that he would be distraught over a person who in most likelihood was important to him sent a cold stab of jealousy intermingled with desolation.

  Finally Luke glanced at her, the despair in his eyes shriveled into cold determination. “Do you know who this man that ordered your death is?"

  "No. All I saw was a man in a red sarong with white hair. I didn't see anything beyond that. And frankly I wasn't going to stick around while they sorted out the sordid details of my death."

  Lukiamo's lips thinned. “No matter. I believe I know who the man is. My uncle Fiakali."

  "Why the hell would your uncle want you dead?"

  "Because I would overthrow his hold over several parts of Corthus. He is wanted for genocide, but because of his long-standing service to my father, he was given a reprieve. His death was imminent upon my ordination."

  "Okay, so now I know why he wants you dead, but why me?"

  His gaze bored into her, as though he could see beyond her blasé questioning to the fear beneath. “Because in order to kill me, you must die also."

  Cold fingers of dread ran along her spine at the factual recount of the situation she had inadvertently embroiled herself in. Her knees wobbled, and she swayed toward the bed, dropping onto the mattress as she stared into nothingness, absorbing what had been revealed. “There must be some way to undo this bonding. Some way."

  Lukiamo shook his head. “There is one way, but I would never wish it on anyone. It is too cruel for even the most deserving of criminals."

  Kira waved his reasoning aside. “Come on, it can't be that bad. If you just tell me—"

  "No!” His hand sliced through the air in finality.

  Her lips compressed in a thin line. “I don't—"

  The door to her chambers swung open, and Kira jerked upright as half a dozen umber-skinned guards burst into the room, their yellow eyes blazing with malicious intent as they surged toward Luke.

  Luke jumped to his feet, his fists lashing out toward the seven-foot men as their shock rods of wood and metal tips whipped forward. Aqua light blazed forth as it made contact with his skin. His face contorted in pain as he convulsed and fell to his knees. Kira cried out, hating the pain inflicted on him as she lunged to his rescue, only to have the thin arms of the guards wrap around her, quickly restraining her.

  Luke stared at her through pain filled eyes as they zapped him again with their weapons, subduing him. Two of the larger guards dragged the semi-conscious Luke from the room. As he was carried through the threshold, he was passed by the Prime whose bored gaze dropped briefly on Luke.

  Finally, his obsidian eyes fell on her and the guards holding onto her elbows. With a small incline of his head, they let her go and stepped back.

  Kira glared at the Prime, knowing behind his lifeless eyes he was busy orchestrating her death. “What do you want?"

  Quizar blinked slowly, a small self-serving smile tilting his thin mouth. “So angry, Gladiator J345S."

  She gritted her teeth at the mention of her reference number, hating the way it took away her humanity, making her appear less than substandard.

  He cast a curious stare over her room as though imagining what it would look like unoccupied. His large eyes fell on her. “Keep your rage, it will work well for you tomorrow night."

  "What do you mean?"

  He fingered his beaded necklace. “I rarely give a gladiator ‘a heads up’ as you humans would say. But I do wish a good performance from you."

  Without anything more, he turned and walked toward the door. He paused as the guards sauntered from the room, and tilted his head, exposing his profile. “Good luck. You'll need it when facing a Camia-beast."

  The finality of his words slammed into Kira. She was as good as dead.

  Chapter 8

  The crowd roared with excitement as the sound of metal hitting metal signaled the continual battle between two feature gladiators. Standing in the dark hall, Kira could do little to control the wild beating of her heart or the fear that ate at her composure.

  She was about to enter the dome and fight a Camia-beast. Beside her stood a human male in his mid-thirties, his pallid features a stark contrast in the darkness. He was unfamiliar to her, and she highly suspected he was a recent acquisition.

  Darthor drew up beside her, his speculative gaze upon the iron gate separating her from imminent death. With a sigh, he turned toward her, and it was then she noticed the manacles in his hand. With two cuffs and a long chain separating them, Kira knew what they were for. Without a word, he snapped them on her right wrist and her companion's left.

  The sympathy swimming in Darthor's eyes sent a spark of fury through her as her human will to survive flared to life. All day she'd contemplated her death, but she had already ensured her defeat by doing so. Gritting her teeth, she drew in quick breaths, forcing her heart rate up to stimulate the adrenaline to pump through her veins.

  As Darthor shuffled off, Kira glanced at the man beside her. “What's your name?"

  A wide brown gaze slammed into her. “Michael."

  "Listen, Michael, the only way we're going to survive this is if we stic
k together, okay?"

  "Survive? Survive what?"

  "You haven't been here long, have you?"

  He shook his head. “I was sentenced last night and was brought here."

  "Do you have any experience with weapons?"

  He frowned as though she'd grown another head. “No."

  Great. Just great. “Then what the hell are you here for?"

  His lips thinned. “Manslaughter. But it was an accident, I assure you."

  Kira sighed. This wasn't good. “Look, I don't care if you're innocent or not. If you don't help me, we're as good as dead."

  If it were possible, his skin paled even more. “Wh-what?"

  She pointed to the gates. “In a moment, we're going to go out there and fight a Camia-beast. And if you're not with me on this, your lack of teamwork is going to get us both killed. I'm not about to die on this hunk of junk."

  Michael nodded with one stiff jerk of his head.

  "Right. When we get out there, I want you to grab up a spear and a shield. I'll need you to be my back and I yours. But once that Camia-beast comes out, we need distance. Do you know how to use a spear?"

  His chest puffed out at her question. “I was a javelin champion in my college days."

  Kira nodded. At least he had one thing working in his favor. “Good."

  The gate before them creaked open, the sound of death approaching. Within the arena, the fallen gladiator was dragged from the area while the survivor turned to the Prime, saluting with his fist on his chest before exiting the stage.

  It was time. Drawing on her anger, she clenched her hands before striding out of the hall with Michael trailing behind her. The crowd roared to life once more, and Kira held out her hands in acknowledgement while her mind ran furiously over a battle plan.

  In the middle of the arena, a row of weapons were laid out for the upcoming battle. Kira immediately picked up a mace and net. Without a word, Michael did as he had been told and grabbed a spear and oval shield that covered most of his torso. In unison, they faced the north end where the prime stood. It was then that she saw him.