Kaitlyn O'Connor by Enslaved III: The Gladiators Read Free Book Online Page A

“But…the fish-man ‟ s concubine said….”
    Kael ‟ s lip curled up at one corner. He frowned at her quizzically. “Fish-man?”
    It occurred to Loren abruptly that she ‟ d noticed something along their arms and legs that looked a lot like fins, but she dismissed it. If they were…some sort of sea people, they couldn ‟ t survive out of water, she reasoned. “Sorry. He just reminds me of a fish—the face. I can ‟ t remember his name.”
    He seemed to think that was funny, to her relief. He chuckled and said something in their own tongue to the others. She didn ‟ t know what, but the other two grinned at her.
    The newest arrival noticed her incomplete project. “What do dere?”
    Loren felt her face heat. “Not much yet. It ‟ s heavy.”
    “Weigh same as you,” he commented, looking amused. “You tink can lift?”
    She frowned at him and plunked her hands on her hips. “I got one end up,” she said pointedly.
    His eyes gleamed teasingly. “Light end.”
    She couldn ‟ t help but smile. “They both weigh the same.”
    24

    “What name, pretty ting?” he asked, grinning.
    Loren couldn ‟ t help but chuckle. Despite his broken—whatever language—it sounded so much like a pick up line it increased the sense that the Hirachi were human.
    “Name Lau-ren,” Kael said, not sounding the least bit amused. He pushed away from the bars abruptly, turned, and left.
    Loren bit her lip, struggling with disappointment. As hard as it was trying to talk, and understand, when none of them seemed to know that much of a common language, she ‟ d enjoyed the little conversation she ‟ d managed with Kael.
    “Name Balen,” the newcomer informed her, promptly taking Kael ‟ s place and blocking her view of his departure.
    She smiled at him tentatively. “You brought Karen.”
    He frowned as if thinking that over. “Same you but hair different?”
    Loren nodded, moving a little closer. “Is she alright?”
    “Scared…same you. No be scared. We Hirachi take care ob little tings.”
    It was an unlooked for offer that took her breath away and yet, as big and strong as they appeared to be, the Hirachi were badly outnumbered and beyond that, slaves just as she was. She couldn ‟ t decide how to respond. She wanted to jump at the offer and kiss him all over and thank him, but guilt arose as soon as she thought about it. Taking care of her and Karen might well cost them their lives if what they ‟ d said before was true. Or they might die in the next „games ‟ as so many apparently did.
    He wasn ‟ t likely to believe her if she tried for a polite lie, however.
    “I appreciate your willingness to try to help. Believe me, I do. But….”
    Dakaar interrupted. “Can,” he said grimly, obviously observant enough to realize she had doubts about it. “And will.”
    Loren chewed her lower lip. “If I ‟ m your…uh…woman, you mean?”
    Both men looked slightly taken aback. Dakaar frowned. Clearly he hadn ‟ t liked the suggestion that he ‟ d only offered because he wanted to protect the pussy and he felt as torn as she had when Balen had made the offer. “Take care ob little ting because need protect. Too little protect self. Dis is duty ob warrior. Take care ob weak.”
    Loren hesitated. “I ‟ m sorry. I didn ‟ t mean to insult you.” She struggled with her discomfort for a moment and moved a little closer, trying to ignore the fear churning in her belly. “You wouldn ‟ t…? I mean…. I would be your woman if you wanted me to,” she finally managed to say, feeling her face turn fiery red. “I…uh…I wouldn ‟ t feel right if you risked so much for me and I didn ‟ t…offer…uh…you know…something.”
    “You be our woman…yes. Take care,” Balen said. “No. Still take care.”
    The two exchanged a look and turned and left. Loren watched them leave, unhappily certain that she ‟ d stuck both feet in her mouth and insulted them mightily. She wasn ‟ t sorry she ‟ d offered