off even more. “You don’t get to…”
“Kiara,” he says, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “I am sorry. I spoke only to protect you.”
I glare, lips trembling, but I can’t hold it back any longer. Tears fall freely down my face, and I’m shaking. Anzil pulls me into his arms, turning us around to shield us from any prying eyes. He looks around quickly, then holding my hand, he pulls us through the house. In moments we’re in his quarters and he shuts the door behind us.
“I can’t take this place,” I say, tears still falling. “I have to get my girls out of here.”
He takes me in his arms, holding me tight.
“I know,” he says. “We will. Soon. We must, but we must do it right. If we do it now we’d only be caught and killed.”
“They beat Kennedy,” I sob.
“I am sorry,” he says. “Pain will heal. Death will not. Trust me, we will get free.”
“The free movement?” I ask.
“Yes,” he says. “Somehow, we’ll find them.”
“What is wrong with that guy?” I ask.
He doesn’t ask who. It’s obvious who I’m talking about. He makes small, comforting noises and holds me tightly against his chest.
“He is a small, weak man. Scared. Terrified, even. So he lashes out and controls what he can,” he says at last.
“I fucking hate him.”
“So do I,” he says.
“And I’m not a bad lay!” I yell, pushing off him.
“No,” he says, his hands cupping my face. “You are the best tumble I’ve ever had. The only female I ever want to tumble. Only you. Forever.”
He kisses me with the passion of desperation. I throw my arms around his neck and cling. My tears stain his neck, but he holds me silent, accepting. We don’t have long, and I know it. Our time is not our own.
Letting him go, I straighten up then walk to the bathroom and rinse my face with cool water. Looking in the mirror, there is no hiding my puffy eyes or the fact that I’ve been crying. Damn it. Okay, well, the way out is the way through, so to speak.
I take a deep, shaky breath, let it out slowly then return to the main room. He’s waiting for me, and when I see him my heart skips a beat and my breath hitches again. Somehow he’s become my rock. I can see the pain written on his face. That he said those things to Dominus hurt him.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say. “And thank you. I know you were protecting me.”
He nods, but words aren’t necessary for me to see his relief.
“I will always protect you,” he says. “No matter the cost.”
“We should get out there before Ductores has our hides,” I say.
I cross the room and give him a hug. Rising on my toes, I kiss him then we walk out of his rooms and go to meet destiny.
Chapter 16
Kiara
“This arena is shit,” Anzil grouses.
“It is a small arena,” Xyron says.
I don’t know the difference. This is the first arena I’ve been in. We’re beneath the stadium in small, shoddy rooms that are dug into the ground. The crowd above is loud, shouting and stomping their feet. The more excited they get, the more dirt rains down on us.
“What’s next?” I ask.
“Before your turn a body man will come and oil your skin,” Xyron says.
“I’ll oil her skin,” Anzil says.
“What the fuck? Oil my skin? Why?”
“It is standard for gladiators. It makes you harder to grasp. They do not want the games to be a wrestling match,” Xyron says.
“Oh,” I say. “Thought of everything, didn’t they?”
“Yes,” Anzil says.
“These aren’t blood games, right?” I ask.
“They are not,” Xyron says. “But if the crowd is disappointed in the performance, the Governor can give a thumbs down, in which case the winner must kill the loser.”
“You’re kidding me?” I say.
“I do not kid,” Xyron says.
“It’s the show,” Anzil says. “Make sure you draw blood. Don’t finish your opponent too fast. This is why Ductores and I pushed so hard in your training. You are very skilled, but your skills are for a fast death. You did not have the stamina. You do now.”
“Thanks,” I say.
He’s right. Marines don’t fuck around with death. We bring it and we move on. This is a different mindset completely. Violence for sport and entertainment.
“When do I go on?” I ask.
“You are one of the showcase matches,” Xyron says. “You’ll be next to last.”
I nod and pace, trying to keep the rumblings of my stomach down