Chapter Twenty

Keyan dumped the male in the center of the arena and turned to face me. "Master Drach bought Jedrick and he is long gone. In mind and body too."

"Is he? I find that hard to believe." My hand dropped to the hilt of my sword.

"It is the truth."

"Then why is your left eye twitching? Is it because you're lying?"

Keyan's twitch got worse, and he pointed at the male. "You two are in the next death match."

"Gee, you shouldn't have."

A gate opened and five Macropus charged towards us. Cak-cak-cak. Cak-cak-cak. Cak-cak-cak.

I linked with them mentally. "Stop."

The Macropus stopped.

"Sit."

They sat.

Keyon frowned and walked toward them. "What is wrong with them," he shouted at the guards.

The guards shrugged.

The arrogant traitor just stood there with his back to me. You couldn't cure stupid. He knew I could control critters. Did he run or take me out? Nope. I implanted Keyan's image in the Macropus's heads. "Sic'em."

Cak-cak-cak. Cak-cak-cak. Cak-cak-cak. Leaping a good fifteen feet, they landed on top of Keyan. One grabbed an arm and another a leg, and a swell game of tug-a-war started. Cursing loudly, Keyan tried to fight them off.

The crowd went nuts. "Eat him. Eat him. Eat him."

Ugh. Did the spectators have some Rodan in them? Keeping an eye on the Macropus busily chewing on Keyan's armor, I linked with Zarek, "Do you know a Tuxrai by the name of Drach?"

"He runs the gladiator games on Etruscan."

"Keyan claimed Amir sold Jedrick to him."

Zarek's growl echoed in my head. "I will inform Wulf. Keep the fool busy while we deal with the remaining slavers."

"Won't be a problem, sir."

The male on the ground groaned. I glanced at him and did a double-take. He was a dead ringer for Malik, Zarek's murderous son; except this guy was about seventeen and his scar was on the wrong cheek. Not only was he underweight, but his entire body was covered in scars and bruises. "Esme protect the kid."

She jumped on his chest and puffed her fur up. "Keep safe."

The left side of his face all clawed to hell, Keyan finally managed to pull his laser pistol and vaporized theMacropus.

I strolled over to him. "Mean buggers, aren't they."

"You find this amusing?"

"Kinda." I pointed at Malik junior. "Where did the Amir find the boy?"

"Do not know. Do not care. Your precious battle commander is now a mindless puppet dancing to his master's commands."

Trying to ignore the mangled body parts and blood-stained soil, I circled Keyan. "Why should I believe you? You're a liar and a traitor who doesn't have long to live."

Keyan threw his head back and roared with laughter. "I shall enjoy cutting you to pieces."

"Oh, so the death match is now between us. Why didn't you say so? And did you forget I'm a berserker?"

He spat at my feet. "It matters not. My skill with a sword surpasses Jedrick's and even the Overlord's."

"Really? Remember the Nemi pleasure palace? Jedrick won that duel and the female too. I was told your male parts are undersized and unable to please females."

Baring his fangs in a ferocious snarl, Keyan drew his sword. "Once you are sprawled on the sand bleeding and broken, I'm going to fuck you in front of the crowd. The only touch you will ever know is mine. Once I claim you, you are mine for all eternity."

Never! A howling, black anger catapulted me beyond the point of reason. Shrieking like an enraged banshee, I attacked.

Our swords clashed violently, as I parried his cunning cuts and slashes. The blows reverberated painfully down my arms. Fear trickled up my spine as I realized even with my berserker power, I couldn't match Keyan's strength.

"Drop your sword and surrender to the inevitable. You will spread your legs for me and take my seed." Phantom fingers dug into my crotch and a thick tongue invaded my mouth."

Nausea rose in my throat as I blocked his mental attack. "I will never surrender to you!" My fury at his obscene touch played out in a series of vicious cuts.

Laughing, Keyan parried my blows, and slammed the hilt of his sword into my shoulder, knocking me off balance. I tripped over a body part and fell.

Kenyan kicked my sword away. "Take your clothes off."

"Go to hell!" I pulled my boot knife and hurled it. Keyan moved at the last second and the blade sliced across his uninjured cheek.

Fury burning in his eyes, Keyan raised his sword. "Now you die."

"No, you do." The cocky fool had forgotten all about my laser pistol. In one quick movement, I drew it and fired.

Keyan teleported and the laser bolt hit the far gate.

"Ballock's balls." I scrambled to my feet and mentally scanned the area. Where was he?

Poof! Keyan appeared in front of me, and his armored fist slammed into my face. I flew backwards and landed next to the kid. The world spun dizzily around me.

"No sleep. Get up,"Esme cried.

"Trying."If I didn't want to die, or be raped, I needed to fight, but my body refused to move.

Jedrick bellowed his terrifying war cry and all I heard was the violent clash of blades.

"Oh, thank the Goddess. That's Jedrick, right?"

"Him mad,"Esme whispered.

The crowd roared in approval and chanted, "Battle Commander. Battle Commander. Battle Commander. Battle Commander."

The kid helped me sit up. "He is the best fighter I have ever seen."

"Jedrick's one of a kind." I shook my head, trying to clear my vision. "What is your name?"

"Slave."

"That won't do. How about we call you Ted."

"Ted." The kid grinned. "I like it."

I took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you, Ted."

Keyan's head rolled to stop by my right boot. "Oh good. The fight is over."

Jedrick roared his battle cry.

"It is, but the Battle Commander is still angry, and he is staring at us," Ted said nervously.

I patted his hand. "Don't worry, I can handle him. Help me up."

Ted lifted me effortlessly.

Jedrick growled.

"Do not approach Jedrick, the beast is in control,"Zarek commanded.

I countered with, "Don't kill Ted. He can't help it if he resembles, he who shall remain nameless."

"Ted?"

"Esme, I need you to protect Ted until I can calm Jedrick down."

"Kay. Him mad."

"Wouldn't you be? He was chained, beaten, and forced to fight for almost two years?"I staggered over to Jedrick.

With the cold, unblinking stare of a killer, Jedrick inspected me. "Mine."

"Yes, I am, and you belong to me." I wrapped my arms around his waist. "I've missed you so much. Don't ever leave me again."

Jedrick hugged me tightly. "Mine."

"Zarek's warbird is hovering overhead. Why don't you teleport us up and we can get some food." I wrinkled my nose. Goddess, did he stink. "Sorry, my love, but you are in serious need of a bath, and a clean uniform wouldn't hurt either."

"Mine."