Weapons Master Galactic Gladia - Anna Hackett Page 0,2

a stronger opponent directly. And they hated losing.

“Those cyborgs have you shitting your pants, don’t they?” Bellamy said.

Vossol moved fast. He grabbed her by the neck and dragged her up, then slammed her against the wall.

Ow. The back of her head hit the metal wall, and she bit her tongue. She tasted blood. The Edull weren’t as physically strong as most people, but Vossol was an exception.

The alien pushed her upward until she was scrambling on her toes. His gloved fingers tightened on her neck.

“The House of Rone is asking questions, searching for a way to find her. They are also scaring off our allies and customers in the capital city.”

Bellamy tried to draw a breath but couldn’t. Black spots blotched her vision.

“Our ticket sales for the next race are down,” another Edull said.

“And some competitors have pulled bots out of the race,” another added.

“All because of you.” Vossol’s eyes felt like they were boring into her. “One useless Earth female.”

Bellamy spat at him.

His fingers clenched harder, and she choked and struggled.

Can’t. Breathe. But still, she lifted her chin and glared. She wouldn’t show him any weakness.

All her life, Bellamy had gritted her teeth and persevered. Apart from her grandmother, she’d basically been alone her entire life. Anything she’d wanted had been denied, or she’d fought for it, tooth and nail.

Her vision blurred, the lack of oxygen making her brain foggy. It wandered. To shaggy, brown-blond hair, moody gold eyes, a sexy mouth set in what she guessed was a perpetual scowl.

A big, grumpy lion.

She’d never get to see him again, and she didn’t even know his name.

Vossol tossed her roughly to the floor. On her hands and knees, Bellamy dragged in air.

“If we kill her, we’ll bring the wrath of the House of Rone down on us,” the Edull leader said.

Good. “I’ll enjoy watching those cyborgs tear you apart.”

His breath rasped. “We can’t kill her directly, but we can still get rid of her.”

Bellamy stilled, a shiver going down her spine.

“Take her to Zulnath.”

An Edull stepped forward. “The desert crime lord?”

“Yes. He’s foolish enough not to care who he angers. Even if it is Magnus Rone.” Vossol’s eyes glowed again.

Bellamy knew he was smiling behind his red mask.

“Zulnath likes to feed people to his pack of rabid caquls,” Vossol added.

Bellamy had no idea what a caqul was, but she guessed they weren’t small, fluffy, and cuddly.

“Take her.” Vossol waved a gloved hand.

Someone grabbed the back of Bellamy’s shirt and dragged her up. As she was hauled out of the battle arena, her gut churned. Cyborgs, if you’re coming, please come soon.

Chapter Two

Maxon prowled across his workshop.

He couldn’t focus. The design for his latest gun was not working. He slammed his fist on the workbench, then swiveled, snatched up a tool, and threw it across the room.

It hit the wall with a clatter and fell to the floor.

A house worker unwisely chose that moment to enter. The young man was carrying a tray of food and drinks. When the man saw Maxon and the broken tool, he froze.

“Out!” Maxon roared.

The man backed out and bumped a bench. Several parts fell to the floor.

“Fool,” Maxon said. “What are you doing? Get out of my space.”

The man turned and fled.

A second later, there was movement in the doorway. Magnus appeared.

“Are you done terrorizing my staff?” the imperator asked.

“Probably not.”

“I know your emotions have never been dampened by your cyborg enhancements, but you’re on edge, even for you, Maxon.”

Maxon scraped a hand through his hair.

“I know you forget it sometimes,” Magnus continued. “But you aren’t alone.”

Spinning, Maxon threw himself into a chair. He leaned forward and dangled his hands between his knees. “I keep thinking of her.”

“Bellamy.”

He growled. “Yes, Bellamy. It’s insane that I think about her this much. I only saw her for a few minutes.” She’d been brave, fearless, reckless. “She’s nothing to me, yet I keep imagining what the crudspawn Edull are doing to her.” Maxon dragged in a ragged breath. “She’s small.” He met Magnus’ gaze. “How do you handle knowing Ever and Asha are so fragile?”

“Because they’re not.” The imperator’s eyes glowed neon blue. “Asha’s a child, so yes, she needs protection. But Ever can protect herself.” He smiled. “My mate is very smart. All the women of Earth have been through so much, but they are smart, resourceful, and resilient. So is Bellamy.”

“I just…” Drak, he couldn’t put it into words. “I just have this impending sense of doom, Magnus. That she’s in terrible danger.”

Magnus went stiff.

Maxon