Shaking her head, Samyra said, “I haven’t although I’ve heard about them of course.”
“Let me introduce you then.” He led her into the spacious stable and took pleasure in her delight as she spoke to each horse and became acquainted. He was sure she’d love them and would probably consider getting a few for their zoo at home. Maybe she’d even learn to ride, which could add a new dimension to her Beast Lady role. Not to ride them in the arena of course but at other times, in trideos or parades perhaps.
And then he could ride, because horses required a lot of exercise.
Dmitri had allowed him to mount one of his sturdy horses and take a few turns around the paddock and Jamirr had been entranced with the whole experience. He and Tazur were deeply bonded, in part because the alien predator in his DNA was feline, or so he’d learned from the other Badari. The knowledge explained a lot and opened more doors to memory for Jamirr. He was getting a much better idea of who he really was, not merely a confused and abused slave rescued by Samyra. But the feeling of riding a horse and being in tune with the animal and it obeying his signals was a distinctly happy one he deeply desired to repeat.
“I’d better be getting back,” Samyra said reluctantly as they emerged from the stable. “I’ve got interviews to do today. I’d rather fight a three-armed Mesotanian with one hand tied behind my back but the press is important to the success of this season.”
“And it’s in the fine print?” he asked with a grin.
“Oh yeah.” Her smile was rueful.
Jamirr wanted to kiss her more than he wanted his next breath so, greatly daring, he drew her into the office alcove, which was deserted, and took her in his arms. She raised her face to his and they kissed, the embrace getting more and more passionate the longer it went on. His cock lengthened and pressed against the fastening of his cargo pants to the point of pain. When he touched her breast through the thin material of her silken top, she gasped and drew away.
“We can’t do this here,” she said. “We can’t do this at all. Just because we’re not on Porter Three right now the power imbalance between us is the same as it always was.” Turning on her heel she strode away.
But he’d seen the glimmer of tears in her eyes and knew she wanted him as much as he was craving her. With a muttered curse he headed for the private Badari running track, determined to work out his emotions on the obstacle course.
Chapter Seven
Two days before the opening of the special season, Kyden took the guest gladiators to the arena for a tour. The group was driven in luxurious groundbuses with House of Badari and the House’s badge emblazoned on the sides. Samyra rode on the bus with the other gladiators although she’d been invited to ride with Kyden in his groundcar. She felt it was better not to stick out too much right now. She’d instituted a daily meeting with Jamirr and Harton to review their status (and to re-emphasize her authority over them, she’d admit to herself) and the two men had reported how there were hard feelings in the barracks over her special position. Let her get on the sands with her sword and she’d show them who deserved special treatment, was her attitude but she did agree she ought to make a little more effort to blend in.
The arena was ancient and huge. Samyra could feel the weight of centuries of battles as she walked into the backstage area with the others. The dressing rooms were about as she’d expected, obviously updated fairly recently, but roomy enough to allow the fighters to have their space if they needed to meditate or psych themselves up before the fights. The showers were high-tech and gleaming. There was an arena medical office in Kyden’s area and of course his private suite, which he didn’t include on the tour.
Benet drew Samyra aside as the other fighters were checking out the lockers and space assigned to them. “Kyden was able to win his argument you needed your own room, since you’re an Owner in your own right.”
She followed him to a door close to Kyden’s and stepped inside the private space with relief. She’d had to dress and undress in the public spaces before, at some of the venues on Porter Three and it was stressful to maintain the minimum modesty she insisted on. It wouldn’t be a problem here. The room was generously proportioned, with an attached bathroom containing a shower in addition to the basics. There was a desk and chair and a couch. Samyra had to force herself not to imagine herself and Jamirr together on those deep cushions, tightening her core in an automatic reaction to the vision.
She’d known Kyden was fighting to get her this concession from the other owners but in the end even though Her House was a small, struggling enterprise on a remote, insignificant circuit, she was the Mistress of gladiators and therefore one of them. And the owners here in the Five Systems were jealous of their standing and privileges and so she was allowed to have this measure of the same.
“I’ll thank him when I see them at dinner tomorrow,” she said.
“He enjoys tweaking the noses of the other Masters,” Benet confided as they left the room and rejoined the group. “It’s a blood sport for him.”
Kyden led the gladiators onto the sands and Samyra was in awe of how huge the stadium was. She’d never fought in any venue even close to this size. She could tell the others were equally impressed.
Signaling for them to gather around him Kyden stepped onto the award platform so all could see him. “Welcome to the Five Systems arena,” he said. “You’ll find things more formal here than where you customarily fight. We’ll be using the standard points system all through the short season, as well as audience polls and votes. I want to get a clear idea of which skills and which fighters the people would like to see more of, as I do have vacancies on my team for the upcoming regular season. There will be various levels of awards, in terms of credits, and we will crown a champion at the end of each week’s competition and at the end of the season.”
You’ll be crowning me, Samyra thought with confidence.
“Some of you may be invited to stay on but even if you don’t receive the invitation, know I’m truly appreciative of your being willing to come to the Five Systems to show our fans what gladiators do in other places and give them a taste of a wide variety of skills. You will be paid the minimum specified in the contract of course but there will be other opportunities to earn credits. Any outside business opportunities must be cleared with me in advance or with Benet.” His expression grew a bit mischievous. “As to anything private, all I’ll say is the ladies of the Five Systems have historically found gladiators to be like catnip and you’ll no doubt have opportunities in that arena as well.” He raised a hand as there were chuckles. “But remember you represent my House and uphold my reputation with your actions so be conscious of the responsibility at all times.” He flashed his talons. “I can be ruthless when it comes to my House.” After a moment he went on. “I’m aware other Houses will be using the competition as a scouting tool and I suggest you put forth your best efforts every time you step onto the sand. Even if you don’t receive an offer from me, you might be recruited by one of the other Houses and your contract does allow for that. We’ll be using the arena officiating crew and their decisions are final as to winners, losers, points awarded and any other issues. These bouts are not to the death. My House doesn’t engage in death matches nor do we kill on the sands barring extreme circumstances.”
Like the time he was alone and facing ten men. Samyra had seen the holos and that battle was truly impressive. Kyden had earned his title Death Dealer and she certainly never wanted to face off with him in the arena.
Kyden was winding up. “All right, take a few minutes to get the feel of the place and the sand and then we’ll be going back to the House where a special lunch is being prepared. May your gods bless and keep you in the days to come and may the best man or woman win.”
There was a cheer and applause and the gladiators scattered to take the measure of the place where they’d be battling for the favor of the audience and points toward the championship, and future opportunities, not to mention bragging rights for years to come.
* * *
The atmosphere backstage on the day of the first fights was electric. Samyra had dressed out in her private room but now stood with the others, waiting for their cue to march onto the field to be introduced. She’d been told the crowd was bigger than expected for an offseason event, which was encouraging. Tazur and the Baradian dogs strained at their leashes, eager to run. Kyden had wrung another concession from the other owners and she’d received permission to take the sands with her beasts for the introduction. The trio of animals were such a part of her brand and interest in them had been growing steadily after Samyra’s carefully curated media appearances so Kyden had argued successfully it was in the best interests of the arena to let her show them off at least once.
Jamirr waited to take over as the handler once her debut parade was concluded. He too was in gladiator garb in case he might be needed as a substitute but wasn’t expected to fight today. There was a pool of five alternates besides him, because Kyden consistently planned ahead for all eventualities. Five more were on call to fly in at a moment’s notice depending on how the fights went.
Kyden and his team of Badari were also backstage, wearing their eye-catching uniforms, ready to lead the parade of gladiators and do their special exhibition to kick things off. Samyra couldn’t keep herself from eyeing them, so imposing and clearly on another level than most of the men here today. Jamirr fit right in with them as they stood loose and ready, joking with each other.
She felt a stirring of concern at how close Jamirr was becoming with all of Kyden’s inner circle but there was nothing she could take exception to. He told her each time she asked no one was trying to subvert her loyalty to him or her ownership. Kyden had made an offer to buy him, which she hadn’t told Jamirr and she’d flatly refused.
