The shivers do not prevent me from grabbing it and hurrying back downstairs.
“Nice find,” Titan says. “I found nothing.”
“Want your loincloth back?” I offer, thinking it must be weird to be gallivanting around without clothes.
“No. You’re still limping. Don’t worry. I usually fight nude in front of thousands. I got used to it years ago.”
My definitions for odd, weird, and strange changed drastically years ago on the day I was abducted by boar-faced slavers. Things that used to earn those adjectives would be welcomed as normal today.
Even though the word odd has a whole new meaning, it certainly fits now as I wander a Mad Max type apocalyptic wasteland, following the naked, albeit luscious, ass of a blue/green alien gladiator.
We set off to the north. Not only are the two suns hotter today, but it’s windy. Particles of cement far bigger than sand are blowing into my eyes and although we’re walking at a fast clip, the end of the bombed-out city is nowhere in sight.
Finally, I pull off my shirt and fiddle with it until I’ve fashioned a head covering that swoops so low on my forehead it shields my eyes, at least a little. I’m wearing a black sports bra that covers more than I used to wear to the beach, so I just bite back all shame and hurry to keep up with Titan.
I think it’s best to call him Titan. Xzavic felt perfect for last night’s whispered intimacies. Titan is for the daylight.
A glint of metal flashes up ahead. I don’t know how I even noticed it, but by the way Titan’s shoulders straighten and every muscle in his body comes to attention, I’m certain he saw it, too.
Now that we noticed it, I pay closer attention and see what I think are three drones and three humanoids.
“Three of them?” I ask, still unsure of what I see in the shimmering sunlight up ahead.
“Yes. All armed. Two males and a female. Halckon from what I can tell.”
He must have amazing eyesight. I can’t tell their species, nor that one is female.
“I assume they’re fromThe Game. They’re coming straight for us,” his voice is low, serious.
“Should we hide in one of the buildings?” I ask. We’re on the outskirts of the decimated city, but there are still structures to our right.
He stops moving and wipes his mouth with his palm as he thinks. I’m not sure why the thought that he’s handsome darts into my brain, but there it is. There’s something so masculine, so elemental about him. Naked. Powerful. Thoughtful. Not to mention how sexy those generous lips were when pressed tightly to mine last night.
“One against three. Not bad odds,” he mumbles, talking more to himself than me. “If we were in the arena, they’d be dead in three minutes. The one on the left is limping.”
I don’t know how he sees this. I don’t know if this male can read and write, but he seems to be a genius at fighting. Well, I guess that’s obvious. He survived as a gladiator for over a decade.
“Go wait for me in the four-story building on the right,” he says with a flick of his head toward the abandoned buildings.
How does he know what’s on our right? He’s looking straight ahead.
“Give me the bat, you hide. I can take them all,” he urges, his open palm thrust in my direction so I can hand him the spiked weapon.
For the first time since we saw flashes of gleaming metal, he takes his eyes off the group in front of us. He gives me a hard look, his blue eyes hooded, and says, “Go!”
“No. It’s going to be two against three.” My fucking drone edges closer. To hear us better, I assume. This must make for great TV.
“You said we wouldn’t mention last night,” he says. You were right. I’d like to be all business today, but it’s not working. I’ll be too worried about protecting you. The four-story building. Go. It looks structurally sound.” He motions with his chin, then returns his attention to the oncoming group.
I can see them well now. Two red-skinned males flank a shorter female. And by shorter, I mean she’s well over six feet.
I freeze for a moment as I conduct an internal debate. Out of necessity, I’ve taken care of myself my whole life. I’ve never been the weak female who depends on others because, frankly, I could never count on anyone but myself.
Titan isn’t messing with me. This isn’t a trick. Something must have changed for him last night when we had sex. It must have triggered his protective instincts.
“I may regret this,” I admit, “but I think you should have the bat and I’ll keep the two steel bars. You take point. But I’m not hiding in a building.”
“Your eyes aren’t as good as mine. Did you see the male on the right has agladius? A three-foot gladiator sword?”
“Nope. I missed that.”
“This may get ugly.”
“No shit. It’s already ugly. Those guys are seven feet tall.” I don’t want him to be so focused on me he loses his edge. “I’ve been in combat, Titan. Okay, maybe not with swords and rods and spiky bats, but my enemies tried to blow me up. I’m small, I know, but I’m mentally strong. I’ll take the one on the left. You take the other two. I’ll meet you on the other side.”
I wish I’d chosen different words. The other side. Don’t people use that when referring to death?