The Change: Episode one Read online

  The glass cut into my ankle as I stumbled over the rocks, and the pain brought my pink vision to the front. I wondered if the Network knew it gave us a slight version of infrared?

  “Uug!”

  I ducked a second swipe of angry talons, feeling blood gush down my back from the gouge. Damn them!

  My stride lengthened again as the anger made my muscles bulge. Silence had fallen, other than my own…

  Wwwiiii…

  I rolled over the pointed ground, protecting my neck with my hands. The flare behind me said I’d had a narrow miss, and I grinned in the darkness. Fire didn’t scare me anymore. I had spent too much of my life feeling the heat to fear it.

  I ducked a second flash, but ran straight into the third one and felt my cloak flame up. I quickly pulled it over my head.

  The fire blasts were random, constant blinding sparks to ruin my pink vision, and I understood that yes, the Network knew, and they’d compensated for it.

  I wondered how the others were doing and pushed myself harder, breath coming in short, even falls. It went still and dark suddenly, and I tried to be prepared for anything.

  “Zzzzz….”

  The blade flashed up on my right, and I scooped a handful of glass and rocks to throw ahead of me as I ran.

  The rocky floor sharpened, shredding the side of my foot as I slid. The motion saved me from losing my head and put me under a hip-level grinder that spun out of the wall.

  I stayed lower, still tossing a path that bounced off the stone walls.

  Another blade whirled over the top of me, slicing through part of my hair, and I felt the betrayal then. The Network didn’t really want us to come out of this one. It was an ugly feeling that had my eyes flashing red and my feet carrying me on legs that jumped, leapt, and ducked me under death.

  When I saw the tiny prick of light ahead, I began to force the heat back. I wanted them to think I’d made it without flipping.

  Not sure where the others were, I rolled under a final blade and darted into the center to break the ribbon.

  “And that’s our winner, folks! The bounty-hunting teenager will be one of our contestants in tonight’s feature match!”

  The Network would choose my opponent… if they lived, I thought, but realized at least two of the other tunnels would have been clear of death-causing dangers simply to have at least two survivors for the final match. Likely only mine had been rigged. Had my being directed to that gate been random or intended?

  I didn’t stay around to see who placed second. Winning was all I cared about now. They could torture me, but I’d never quit, never break. What I needed was here, and I would have it at any cost… even Angelica’s life.

  I realized that and accepted it with a snarl of pain that had people scurrying back as I strode the halls on my shredded feet. I left puddles and heavy swirls of blood as I went, and it was intentional. I wanted them… the Network, to know it would take more than pain or surprises in the dark to get rid of me.

  4

  “The note just came.” My Mother’s voice held my relief. “They want 200 million UDs and amnesty from being hunted.”

  When situations like this came up, we handled it our way. Together, the Pruetts were hard to beat, and I was smart enough to know I needed their help. My Mother was sparkless most of the time, but on bounty runs, when my Father was in danger, she was merciless. I much preferred that version of her, but either way, I could now concentrate on my opponent, my goal.

  I gave a short nod, looking back at her with hard eyes. “Take care of it the way we always do.”

  Angelica, along with her captor, would be there somewhere in the throng of drunken, bitter women who had bought passage to tonight’s match. My Mother would make sure the trade-off was set there, and we would risk the Network’s wrath for not telling them.

  My parents didn’t argue, and I was glad of it. The reporters had given me a way out, a way to have Angelica’s life and still leave with what I’d come for. My parents would handle it from that side of the cage, and I would be free to do what I did best. Kill.

  5

  “Feature Cage Match!”

  The scarlet-clad blonde waited in patient stillness, and I could see no softening in her golden gaze. Good. Her actions hadn't earned it from me either, and I played on any possible fears she might have. I grinned.

  Maybe she paled, but we were too far away to be sure. We stood at the gated entrances to the cage, waiting to be let in to spill each other’s blood.

  Outside the cage area, the crowd was roaring in anticipation. Women were screaming, red-faced and drunken, some being beaten on by guards for being too unruly, and I turned my attention away from it. There were no bachelors again for this match, and I shoved that image away as well.

  The blue lights flashed as the gate slid down, and I strode confidently toward my life or death. I was as ready as I could be, and I dropped my cloak to the floor as I neared the cage, studying my opponent.

  The Bombshell had delicate cheek bones set on a thin, hard face that had clearly seen a rough life. Platinum hair hung to her hips in wild strands that I doubted drew any reaction when pulled. I felt my need to see blood rise to another level. I would draw a reaction from her.

  I moved forward. Before I could step into the cage, the bars between us rose, stopping the match.

  “Halt!”

  A piercing shout echoed, and I looked up to see my parents in the center of the front row of benches. The crowd parted to show them facing off with my Korean opponent, who had Angelica wrapped up with a knife to her throat. The foreigner had underestimated us as well, I thought, a bit surprised to find out how many people were in on the attempt to hurt me. There was already a body on the floor that I identified as the bald reporter.

  I watched my Mother deliver a death blow to the Korean’s throat with her claws, as my Father jerked Angelica’s unconscious body from her arms. The Korean wouldn’t get the chance to make that mistake twice.

  "Halt there!"

  The guard's cry froze them this time, then the gate was sliding back down and the Bombshell moved my way with a snarl of hatred that surprised me.

  “And that makes this the final match, folks! Are ya ready?”

  I had time to realize I'd been wrong, that she had been behind the abduction, in league with the others, and then the rage was blasting through me. I met her attack with a scream that was primal. No one double-crossed us. No one.

  I swung a hard fist to her jaw and was immediately rocked back as she retaliated with a nasty kick that I took in the gut, but managed to catch.

  Using the opportunity, I jerked her in a wide arc and twisted her ankle like a lid. Around us, the crowd roared again.

  Before it would break, she raked her nails down my evading back, and I spun her against the cage, unwilling to let go.

  She slammed her claws through my clothes and into the skin of my shoulder, and I growled, slinging her into the side of the cage.

  The Bombshell struck out, raking my neck, and I delivered a vicious hit to her temple that sent her eyes into full red as the Change swept through her. That red jumper ripped as her muscles swelled, and her platinum hair shot out in wild growth. Her claws became talons as she flipped, and I felt my own body start to mirror hers.

  The hormones surged, sending teeth into fangs and new strength into my hands, and this time, I met her attack with enough force to drive her back.

  Using the power of my thicker legs, I slammed her into the corner. Her arm popped loudly as it broke, and I pinned her with the weight of my Changeling body, driving blows repeatedly into her chest and gut, claws digging into her skin with every hit.

  Her blade sliced into my leg in a desperate attempt at survival, and my hands grabbed hers, twisted viciously.

  Snap! "AAhhh!"

  I spun, delivering alternating, repeated punches. When she sagged against the bloody chains, I barely noticed.

  "Match to Pruett! She's won it all!”

  6

  "Bring out the bachelors! Bring out the males!"

  It was the chanting roar of the crowd that made me pause; their lusty shouts for the prize to be awarded that returned my fragile control. Daniel!

  My heart thumped as I stepped from the cage and moved up the stone steps to The Block, blood dripping from my Changeling fists. I’d earned my slot. I'd won him back. Who cared that it had been too easy, or that I'd never felt less human? Daniel was mine!

  The dazed bachelors, who hadn't been expecting to put in an appearance for another night, were herded into the arena in only their underclothes. Pale and terrified, the cowering slaves were slapped and pinched by the unruly crowd as they were hustled up the steps by twitchy guards in a crew of twice the normal size.

  I spotted him right away, his horrified stare as he saw who'd won. My face was as pale as his, I’d shared my own food for years before my parents discovered my obsession, but I appeared indifferent to his terror.

  They lined the males up in front of me now, even pushing them to kneel at my feet, and I struggled to complete the plan. The Network couldn't ever know I'd come for just him.

  I opened my mouth… "No black hair!"

  At my call, the crowd screamed and brunettes were led away through the caged walkway I’d come down to start the match.

  I waved a hand, fighting against the Change as the mob shoved closer to us. "No green!"

  Another group was cut from the herd, removed among the laughter and drunken shouts. Blue eyes begged me for mercy, pleaded to be left.

  "That one!"

  His face crumpled in terrified dismay as I pointed, and the crowd bellowed its approval at my choice. Flickering crimson and onyx, I gave them what they wanted one last time.

  I grinned.

  The loudspeakers drowned out the mob.

  "And that concludes this episode of the Bachelor Battles! Tune in next week for another..."

  7

  Suddenly without the need for my departing guards, I made my way into the hall as the guard tried to hold back the crowd that was congratulating me and each other on gaining the prize, winning the bet. My patience was only a threadbare blanket around me. The Change was impossible to keep caged the way I'd been doing, and I went to my new rooms with quick feet, sure he'd already be there.

  The private areas for winners were a complete contrast to the deliberate, camera-ready décor of the games halls. These walls were a blank gray slate that my Changeling eyes wanted to splash blood across.

  No carpets softened the steps of my boots, and they drew instant notice from the guards at each intersection. I didn’t need to flash my ID, they knew who I was, and I ignored their hulking forms and lethal eyes. I had my own fire hidden behind these identical doors and glassy floors. The farthest apartment would be ours while the Network verified the win, and I swung the door open as if in a dream.

  He stood near the couch, face pale, bruised. His clothes were filthy, his scent overpowering, and yet, there was only need as I moved closer. The door closed and locked automatically behind me, throwing us into dimness.

  Daniel had been on the edge of manhood when sold, body finally starting to recover with the extra food I’d been able to provide. His thin face had haunted my dreams, but that image shattered now. The young boy I’d been so attached to was gone, I realized, stunned for a moment by the differences.

  I had gotten only a quick glance into his cell, but there was no way to mistake it here. He was still taller than me, though not by as much now, and the hands he had clenched at his lean hips, were big. Flames, hot and hungry, crept through my mind.

  Rugged and wild, Daniel now had a pouty mouth that with his lightly stubble-covered jaw, gave him a secretive, sexy look… but it was the pain in those stunning blue eyes that couldn’t be ignored. This wasn’t my twelve-year-old playmate. This was a full-grown man… one I would play with, just not in the same manner.

  I grinned.

  Daniel flinched back as if I'd threatened him, and I understood in a blinding wave of agony that smothered my rage. He didn't know who I was. He held no memory of me! Of us!

  The pain came, sharp and fierce, and it sent my eyes back to flat black, returned my control. I’d known he was being hurt, but I’d been sure he had my promise to see him through. It was crushing to find out otherwise. He’d been completely alone.

  I moved toward the washroom to keep from scaring him further by the sight of my pain on my bloody face. It shouldn't have come as such a surprise, his not remembering me. It had been nearly ten years, and I in no way resembled the girl he’d known. Still, our bond had been strong enough for me to spend the last decade training so that I could rescue him, and I scrubbed away the filth from my last match with an aching heart that I soothed as best I could.

  He was mine now, bought and paid for in blood, and I had a lifetime to remind him of how close we had been despite the poverty and callousness of his family. And mine would help him adjust, I thought, letting the hot water beat away my pain. My parents had come together under similar circumstances. My Mother’s photo was the one I'd admired in the hall on my first day here, my Father, her prize. Pruetts had been playing these games since before I was born, but I was determined that our children would not. It had to end somewhere.

  Chapter Six

  Daniel

  I didn’t know what to expect when she turned away. My previous… renters had attacked me the instant we were alone, and her control was unexpected. Eyes tinted red, she was clearly a Changeling. Why wasn’t she easing her pain at my expense, like the others? I was braced to take it.

  I stared in confusion, vaguely noticing her hair was so dark that it shined blue in the flickering light. She was dripping blood, covered with it in places, and had a limp that made me hurt for her a little. She’d gone through hell to win her choice of the bachelors. Why me?

  She turned back, almost like she was reassuring herself that I hadn’t run away, and I froze as a ghost of old voices swept over me.

  “When we grow up, you’ll be mine?”

  “Sure. I’ll love you and the Change will go away.”

  “I’ll love you, too, not just for the painkiller.”

  “I know. We’ll always be together.”

  “Yes.”

  I blinked, and the voices faded like they always did. Why had this violent, tattooed woman triggered a flash of the life I couldn’t remember? I’d dreamed of being chosen, of finally having a loving owner and a true home, but deep down, I hadn’t really thought I’d be picked.

  Hoping she wasn’t one of those who liked to punish, I ignored the throbbing of my new mark to make sure she found things okay when she came out. I couldn’t do anything about the way I smelled until she gave me permission, but I was allowed to straighten and cook. I hesitated to touch her things though, the few I saw strewn around the room, and in my filthy condition there was no way I could get near food. I settled for remaking the linens on the couch where I’d been lying. There was nothing to do after that, and the scent of my fear began filling the room.

  Candice

  It appeared he hadn’t moved when I stepped from the washroom, and I paused in the doorway as I studied his emotional state. He was fragile. From those clenched, trembling hands, to that deer caught-in-the-headlights glaze over his eyes. He needed to be gently loved back into who he was… and I didn’t have it in me. Knowing that would make it both easier and harder. Not ready to start his retraining, I studied him, starting at the top. I didn’t think I had the control to work my way up.

  His hair wasn’t long, but it was obvious that he’d never had a real cut. The shaggy, uneven locks fell over his forehead and ears in a golden mane that fit him perfectly. It was darker, not nearly the bright curls I’d been so fond of watching move with the apocalypse winds. Now it was streaked with dark brown, and I wondered if he’d had to dye it for one of his renters.

  I swallowed the revulsion, the absolute fury. I would stay away from those doors or we’d spend our time in pain, and I wasn’t wasting it now that I had my future back. I knew I wasn’t the only one who’d suffered, though.

  Daniel was also scarred, physically as well as mentally. It was subtle and mostly hidden, but I picked out the nail marks along the grooves of his hairline, the top of his forearms. He’d been hurt so much. Would he ever be able to trust or really accept what I had to give?

  Only time would tell, and I went back to my appraisal of the prize I’d killed so many to win.

  He wore a network jumper, dirty and reeking, and it clung to that wide chest in a way that outlined the swells of thick muscles and accented the slight bulge waiting for my use. Saliva flooded my mouth, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

  I saw the mark on his forearm, the one proclaiming him now my property… The Network had the ability to power this city, keep food growing indoors, and to run the labs where scientists were currently working on a cure for the Change. It wasn’t a city of light, but it was way beyond the Wild West setting of the Borderlands… and they’d branded him.

  My hatred of the Network, which had already been growing, took a sudden leap. If I ever came face-to-face with the bitch who had marked him, I would kill her - just doing her job or not.

  His eyes filled with worry at my expression, and I headed for the small kitchen area. “Join me.”

  Daniel moved slowly, warily, and I kept my distance as I prepared our first meal. After a minute, he perched on the edge of the stool, watching my every gesture, expression.

  When I cracked the eggs, I saw his flinch from the corner of my eye. They’d taken him, hurt him, and left me with this trembling shell instead of my mate. What was I supposed to do? I’d never considered that he might not remember me.

  My grip on the wooden spoon was more than I’d meant it to be, and it snapped in half with a loud crack that sent him flying off the stool and across the room.