of the hard bread, chomping the hunks of cheese, and stabbing the pieces of fried meat.
As gladiators we eat well, better than the other slaves. They have a mush twice a day, and only once a day do they get meat. I’ve never considered it before. I was resigned to my life. I lived it for me. It only mattered what I could get. The comforts that come with being primus were all I needed.
She awakens dreams, coaxes thoughts of freedom from deep in my core. Ideas that I’d buried deep long ago along with the memories of my home. Saying her ideas are dangerous is an understatement. This entire planet is designed to hold the strong down. The arena games are more than entertainment. They’re a silent war between the Houses of Krix.
“Where is she?” Dominus’ voice echoes from inside the house, coming closer.
A flutter of motion and house slaves rushing around herald his approach. He sweeps out of the door that leads onto the balcony overseeing the training grounds. Two of the house slaves are by his side as he looks imperiously around.
I rise to my feet and bow my head. Kiara remains seated, and my chest clenches tight. He will not tolerate insubordination. I’m acutely aware of the guards taking position around the open grounds. Six of them, heavily armed and itching for a fight.
I nudge her with my foot. She gives me a surly glare but sets her plate aside. Still chewing, she slowly rises, even as Dominus looks down upon us.
“There she is,” he says. “Good. I have news of your missing fellows.” She stiffens, and her hands ball into fists. She’s so tense she is vibrating.
“What is it?” she asks.
“So eager,” Dominus says, shaking his head. “I suppose nothing less should be expected.” The rattle of the guards putting hand to swords is loud. Her insolence is not going unnoticed. “One of them has been spotted on the black market.”
“Black market? What does that mean? How do I get her back?” Kiara asks.
“You? Get her back?” Dominus laughs. “You don’t. I’ll send my men to shut down this illegal market and recapture her.”
Her mouth opens and closes as her shoulders hunch. Her fists tighten, and I’m sure she’s calculating whether or not she can kill him before the guards drop her. I place a hand on the small of her back. Her shirt is soaked with sweat, her spine stiff, as she leans forward, breaking the contact with my hand.
“May I go with them?” she asks through gritted teeth.
“Why would I risk one of my gladiators?” he asks.
“Because your guards are shitty fighters and you want to make sure your investment returns,” she says.
Three guards take a step forward, and the unmistakable sound of steel being drawn is heard. Xyron rises from his meal, watching the guards. She needs to stop. We can take the guards here, but that doesn’t mean we can survive outside House Batius’ walls. We’d be hunted mercilessly, and it would then be only a matter of time until we’re all dead.
Dominus rubs his chin. “A bold claim. Let me see how bad they are compared to you.”
The grin on his face is more of a leer than any sign of mirth. He places both hands on the railing and leans over the edge.
“I’ll take on any of them you like, Dominus,” she says.
“What are you doing?” I hiss.
She gives me a quick glance and winks. I don’t know what that gesture means except perhaps she’s gone insane. The pressures of training and being a slave have driven her from her senses. Desperately trying to figure a way out of this, I look at Xyron, but he shakes his head negative. No help.
“A good suggestion,” Dominus says. “You three, come forth.”
He motions at three of the guards, who step forward as one. “Yes, Dominus.”
They draw their steel and fan out on the sands. I step in front of Kiara, bending my knees and taking a defensive stance.
“Primus, step aside,” Dominus orders. His voice is as hard and sharp as the steel of the guards. My heart slams against my ribs as adrenaline pumps, every muscle singing the song of battle. “This is her challenge.”
I glare at the guards, clenching my fists, gritting my teeth, then I shift my gaze to Dominus. His head is tilted up, imperious, staring down his nose with no doubt or concern that his orders will be obeyed. That balcony is not so high. I could