Zara (5 page)

“
It’s no trouble.  How do we do this?” Maya asked.

“
Let me show Luke and Lucy the picture Taurus did of Zara’s daughter.  See if the girl might look familiar.  She may have been brought to their orphanage for a time.” Trig handed the picture to Maya who showed it first to her little girl who shook her head no.  Then she handed it to her son.  He stared at the picture for a long time.

“
Son?  Do you recognize her?” Taurus asked, clasping his shoulder.

“
Yeah…I do.”

“
How?” Zara leaned forward in eagerness.  Here was someone who actually had seen her daughter.  She couldn’t believe it.

“
She’s one of the kids being forced to fight.  She refused to hurt me more when we fought.  Her handler was furious with her.”

“
What did he do to her?” Zara asked.  She felt sick to her stomach before she had heard his answer.

“
He whipped her.”

“
Zara?” Trig called her name.  He was worried.  She sat there motionless, saying nothing and staring into space.  He saw this plenty of times.  People would go into shock, their systems seem to shut down, and then they finally come out of it.

Maya waved to Taurus to take the kids out of the room
.  “See if you can find Zara a soda!” she called after him.

Zara barely heard what was happening around her
.  She had images of her sweet innocent Angel being whipped.  Oh God no.  How could anyone hurt a child.  Her body started to wake up and she felt the prickly feeling when her foot would fall asleep and then it would finally wake up.  When she came back into focus, she felt humiliated.

“
Sorry.”

“
Are you okay?” Maya was at her side, pushing her hair out of her face. 

Zara smiled at the small
mostly human female.  She was the kindest person she had ever met.  “I’m fine.  Just feeling embarrassed.”

“
Don’t be.  You’ve been through a lot and the burden on your shoulders for you to carry on your own is great,” Trig reassured her as he stood.  He had squatted next to her, but she had not even noticed. 

She looked around
.  “Where are the kids?”

“
Taurus took them to get you a soda.”

Zara nodded
.  She hated being trouble for people.  She looked down at her hands in her lap.

Maya frowned
.  “Special Agent Roberts, could you give us a moment alone please?”

Trig nodded not sure what to do
.  Zara always seemed so invincible.  To see her sitting there with vacant eyes and completely vulnerable, knocked the wind from him.  He never wanted to see her like that again.

Once Trig was gone Maya engulfed Zara in a big warm hug
.  “It’s going to be okay.  You are no longer alone in this.  We are your family and we will help you.”

No one had ever said those words to her before
.  Zara didn’t know what to say.  “Thanks, Maya.”

Taurus came in with his daughter who was carrying the soda for Zara
.  Maya looked for their son.  She gave Taurus a questioning look.

“
Luke went with Special Agent Roberts to the sketch artist.  He’s going to describe as many people as he can remember from the fighting ring.”

Maya looked worried
.  She didn’t like the kids being out of hers or Taurus’s eyesight.  Taurus kissed her lips quickly. 

“
He’ll be right back.  If not, I will tear this place apart room by room till I find him.”

Maya giggled
.  The stress leaving her body.  “This building stands no chance against you.”

“
Please stop with the PDA.” Zara rolled her eyes and took a sip of her soda.

“
What’s P…D…A?” Lucy asked.

“
Nothing.” Maya glared at Zara who only shrugged back.

Zara watched how the little girl hugged onto Maya with such adoration
.  She could only imagine what that would feel like.  Angel would probably hate her on sight for not finding her sooner, for failing her.

About
ten minutes later Trig returned with the little boy.  They were laughing and smiling.  Trig had away with kids.  He had a way with everyone, especially the women. 

“
Come on, everyone, we might as well go back to the GCFA ship.  I’ll have the last interview come to us there.  Do you think I can bum some free tickets off you for tonight’s fighting event?” he asked Zara.

“
Of course.  I’ll arrange for the tickets to be left for them at the box office gate.  What are their names?”

“
Lassiter.  It’s just Kiki Lassiter who is the foster mother for Tod.”

“
Okay.”

“
Oh good, we can all ride back on the same shuttle!” Maya said with glee. 

Zara groaned
.  Maya in tight quarters was going to be hell to deal with.  She dragged her feet as she followed the Taurus clan out the door.  Trig pushed her to move faster.  He seemed to enjoy her discomfort.

“
No lagging behind.  We wouldn’t want to miss the shuttle ride now would we?”

She glared at him
.  She could really hate him.

Just as they stepped out of the
doors of the IDJ Headquarters, someone called Zara’s name and she turned.  A shot rang out and missed her head by less than an inch.  Trig pushed Zara down and behind him as he whipped out his gun and looked around for the shooter.  Officers came flooding out into the surrounding area.  One officer came back toward them carrying a gun.

“
Sir, we have the weapon, but the shooter got away.”

"
Damn it!"  Trig looked at Zara.  “Are you okay?”

“
Yeah, asshole has a bad aim.”  She stood looking a little dazed.  This was the second time someone tried to shoot her.  She was not as popular as she thought.

“
Come on, let’s get you back.”  Trig ushered her to a nearby shuttle.

Once they arrived back at the GCFA ship, they parted ways from Taurus and his family.  She also said goodbye to Trig because she had to get ready for her fight that night. 

Trig headed to his suite
.  He felt this incredible urge to go after Zara, to hold her and kiss her.  He wanted to comfort her somehow.  But it wasn’t going to happen.  She wouldn’t let it, not yet.  But it didn’t stop him from wanting it, from wanting her.

He sat on his sofa stretching his legs up
and out on the coffee table.  The pictures the sketch artist made for him earlier lay on his lap.  The IDJ were going to run the images through their database.  He should know something soon.  He brought the images back with him.  He wanted to brand it into his head.  There was one man’s image that held his attention the most.  A portly man with a bald head. Something about the way Taurus’s son spoke of him with hesitation and fear made him stand out.  He also said this was the handler for Zara’s daughter.

“
I’m going to find you, and when I do, I am going to make sure justice is served,” Trig said to the image.

*****

The handlers all had the same look on their faces.  The big bosses were not pleased with them, especially after information had been leaked from one of the orphanages a few weeks ago.  The fat man scratched his bald head.

“
What do they want us to do?  Should we pack the brats up and move to a new location?”

“
Not yet,” a man in the corner smoking a cigarette said.  “Keep the events by invite only thing.  No one gets in who has not been invited.”

“
But if the IDJ suspects something, wouldn’t it be better to cut our losses?”

“
They don’t have any evidence to support their suspicions.  There are plans in motion to try to neutralize and do damage control.  Just keep the fights going and keep a low profile.  If things heat up, take your best fighters and dispose of the rest.”  The other handlers nodded their understanding as they took their seats to watch the GCFA televised fights.

*****

“Welcome everyone to the beautiful sports arena here at the North Eastern Delta Region.  I am Poland and this is my fellow commentator, Johann.  We are coming to you live at the Galactic Cage Fighters circuit event.”

“
Poland, what is in the line-up for this evening?”

“
First up, we have Zen the Sin against a Voltan.  Hammer is fighting a Cyclops.  Zara will be pairing up with the new Felon halfsie, Roxy the Red.”

“
Whoa, Zara is pairing with a practical unknown fighter.  This will be a tough one for the Amazon to carry through.”

“
You are right, Johann, and you haven’t even heard who their opponents will be.”

“
Don’t keep us in suspense.  Who are they up against.”

“
Two
full
Beastials.”

“
Wow, this is going to be interesting.  Don’t go away folks.  You don’t want to miss all the action.”

“Come on, Trig, the fight is going to start any second!” Rachel pounded on Trig’s door to his suite. 

His door swung open and Trig came strolling out wearing a button up blue shirt tucked into a pair of tight black leather trousers and black leather boots
.  His short dark hair gleamed and he had changed out his diamond earring for a gold hoop.  Rachel burst out into laughter.

“
What’s so funny?”

“
You look like a damn pirate.”

Trig looked down at his attire and smiled
.  “Aye...me ladies love a pirate.”

Rachel rolled her eyes
.  “Please don’t piss off any jealous boyfriends or husbands while you are here.”

“
I only go after the single ones.” He reached out to tickle her.

“
She is not single, human,” Rage growled from the other end of the hallway.  Trig jerked back his arm so fast he almost fell backwards. 

Rachel laughed again
.  She went into Rage’s waiting arms.  He kissed her like a starving man.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her up cupping her ass with his hands. 

“
Too much PDA!” Trig yelled at them as he scooted around them.

“
Never enough,” Rage growled, releasing her reluctantly. 

“
I need to do a security check on the VIP section.” Rachel grabbed Rage’s hand and dragged him behind her.

“
Do you know if the Lassiters showed up?” Trig asked.

“
The tickets are still unclaimed,” Rachel informed him.

“
Shit, they’re probably not coming.  Ms. Lassiter was the most resistant when I asked for her to come in with her foster son, Tod.  I am going to have to go to her tomorrow then.”

They ma
de their way down to the lobby of the GCFA ship.  The spaceport arena was just off the ramp.  Trig looked at the long line of shuttles still waiting to unload.  Rachel handed him a security badge for him to wear.  Both she and Rage had one on.  Rage really didn’t need a badge.  Who wouldn’t recognize the GCFA male champion.  But for this evening, he was helping with security so Rachel made him wear a badge too.

The security guys straightened up when they saw Rachel approach
.  The arena’s security team had been introduced to Rachel and her team earlier that day so they knew she was someone important.  They jumped to attention to please her. 

“
Miss Kegan, your security people are in place,” one of the security guys said while the other one moved the security rope out of the way.

“
Thank you for your help,” she responded, barely looking at them. 

Both security men watched her walk by in her tight white t-shirt and dark blue skinny jeans
.  The men practically drooled but Rachel kept going.  Trig shook his head.  Rachel never did know the effect she had on men. 

Once they were inside the arena, Trig could spot security near each of the different sections
.  Every other section had security officers from the GCFA ship.  He was impressed with how almost every inch of the huge arena had security coverage.  Rachel did a great job coordinating everything.

“
The first fight is about to begin.  Why don’t you take the empty VIP seat while Rage and I go to the holding rooms in back?”

“
Okay.” Trig sat down in the VIP seat.  He looked around and spotted a bunch of beautiful young women lining the VIP section.  They winked and waved at him.  He smiled back.  What a view.

“Poland, do you hear that?”

There was a pause and the crowd went crazy clapping and yelling
.  “That is the sound of Zen the Sin entering the arena.  The ladies love him, and so do a lot of our male audience.”

“
I hear he is currently involved with two women.  But they shouldn’t expect it to last.  Zen is a free spirit and doesn’t stay with anyone for any length of time.”

“
I have an insider that says Zen was caught sleeping with one of the other fighter’s woman right before the event this evening.”

“
I wonder who that could be?”

“
I don’t know, but if it’s true, Zen might want to make this fight last a lot longer tonight.” Poland and Johann chuckled.

Zen walked out of the holding room where the fighters await their match.  He heard the last bit the commentators said.  Where the hell did they get their information?  He hadn’t been with anyone since two spaceports ago and he never went after another male’s female.  He shrugged it off and put on his game face.

“
Zen!  Sin!” a female from the crowd called out. 

The rest of the whistles and crude remarks blended altogether
.  His ears were extra sensitive.  He had to have special earplugs made to dampen the sounds.  The smells were also overwhelming.  Unfortunately there wasn’t a plug he could wear for that.

He made his way to the cage in the center of the arena
.  The lights were bright as they followed him along the way.  Out of his peripheral view he saw a piece of clothing fly his way.  He reached up and grabbed it midair.  It was a pair of panties.  He got them or bras thrown at him all the time.  He put on a show for the crowd by bringing it up to his nose.  Thank goodness, they were a brand new never worn pair. 

He climbed into the cage and waited for his opponent to come
.  It didn’t take long.

Furious
, the full Voltan, strutted into the arena.  There were quite a few boos.  He seemed to enjoy the crowd hating him.  He bounced back and forth on the balls of his feet.  He had fiery red hair and dark brown eyes.  He stared at Zen with hate-filled eyes.

“
You’re dead, Sin!”

Full species usually didn
’t like halfsies very much.  This Voltan, Furious, had good reason to hate Zen in particular.  Some guys were just not that forgiving.  Zen shrugged his shoulder and blew the guy a kiss, which pissed the Voltan off and had steam shooting up from the roots of his hair.

“Did you see that, Poland?  Zen is just antagonizing the Voltan.”

“
The Voltan is out for vengeance.  He is literally fuming here.  Rumor has it that Zen the Sin slept with Furious’s woman and after one night with the Sin, she refused to go back to the Voltan.”

“
Oh…a real love triangle?”

“
Well, Zen isn’t with the female in question any longer.  It seems she dumped the halfsie shortly after she left the Voltan,” they chuckled and commented the female played both males.

“
This is going to get ugly.”

“
Not to mention bloody.”

The bell rung out announcing the start to round one.  Trig watched as Zen and his opponent circled one another.  He thought he saw some sparks coming off the Voltan.  He definitely didn't like Zen one bit.  Furious, the Voltan, landed a hook to Zen.  He stepped to the left and followed up punches before he wrapped his arms around Zen.  It almost looked like they were hugging.  Zen struggled to get free while Furious fought to take Zen down. 

Zen was able to land some big punches to the Voltan
’s head.  After he placed a few elbow shots, he was able to break the Voltan’s hold on him.  He didn’t give the Voltan time to recover.  He landed a rapid session of punches.  Blood dripped out of the Voltan’s nose.  His opponent threw his legs up for an arm bar but he got nothing.  Neither could get a good hold on the other.

The bell rung out ending Round One
. Taurus’s mate, Maya, was working as ring girl.  She walked across the cage swinging her hips.  She had on a pair of leather shorts and a corset.  When she was making her lap back to the exit of the cage, she paused and did her famous split.  The crowd went wild calling out, “Split Girl!  Split Girl!” Zen smiled, Maya hated the nickname, and Taurus hated that she still worked.  He liked Maya.  She was a nice person and wasn’t bad to look at either. 

The bell rung for Round Two
.  Furious landed a left hook to open the round.  Zen kept up with every punch swung his way and returned some of his own.  It was hard for the Voltan to stick anything.  Zen moved smoothly, gliding around his opponent.  Zen took a right hand to his body and momentarily went to the ground.  Furious tried to prevent Zen from getting back up but Zen moved like a cat right out of his reaching hands, springing up and landing on his feet.  Furious fumbled in his attempt to reach Zen.  Zen worked his guard.  Furious worked for an arm bar but gave it up and went back to guard.  Zen wasn't giving up his position.  Another arm bar attempt by Furious.  Zen held his ground and the end of Round Two was called. 

For Round Three
, Zen went in kicking at the Voltan’s body.  Furious tried to look for a takedown, but Zen reversed it and ended on top.  The male was made out of rubber or something the way his body moved and flexed.  There were a few short elbows from Zen.  Furious came back with a half-hearted arm bar attempt.  Furious couldn’t get back to his feet.  Zen held his own.  There were cuts and bruises on both.  The Voltan’s sweat was keeping his heating abilities from working to his favor, but the entire arena smelled strong of the steam that came off him.  One last punch and the Voltan was out for the count.

“Zen the Sin wins the match!”

“
That was fantastic, Poland.”

“
I can certainly see why Furious’s girlfriend preferred Sin.  He is able to move so fast and smooth.”

“
Looking forward to seeing the next match with The Sledge Hammer.  You don’t want to miss a moment of it.”

There was a small break between matches for the audience to get refreshments.  It also gave the GCFA crew time to clean up sweat and blood that may be inside the cage.