Anzil (Gladiators of Krix #2) - Miranda Martin Page 0,9
it does in mine,” he says. “It is dangerous out here. You should not be out here, especially alone.”
“I’m fine,” I say.
“You know what the last thing the Widows’ cursed fool says before he meets his fate?”
“I don’t know anything about your widows or this stupid planet,” I say.
“I’m fine,” he says.
I open my mouth to retort, but before I can, I process what he said and what he means. “You’re an asshole.”
“I am considering having my name changed,” he says. “That way you will be crying my name out all the time.”
He grins, and it’s savage, self-deprecating, and enticing all at the same time. An impossible combination, but somehow, he pulls it off. I roll my eyes then look for my pack of supplies. It’s a short ways off, so I walk over to it. I bend over to get it without thinking, and he whistles.
“Are you kidding me?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.
“You can’t blame me for appreciating the view,” he says, eyes glued to my ass.
I sigh, pick up my pack, then walk back to him. “Let’s go.”
“Why are you out here, really?” he asks, looking around.
A dozen smart remarks pop into my head, but the earnestness in his eyes stops them cold. I shut my mouth and frown. I can’t trust him. He could be spying, or he’ll try to stop me for his own reasons. He wants me, and he likes his position here.
“Nothing,” I say at last.
“You are a terrible liar,” he says. “You should never do it.”
“I’ve heard as much,” I say.
His eyes scan the area and stop staring at the ground off to my left. Following his gaze my stomach drops and cold sweat trickles down my back. Damn it. I forgot my map! I move to grab it but he pushes me aside and grabs it first.
“What is this?” He holds it up, studying it. He frowns then a smile forms. “This is good. Crude, but good.”
“It’s mine.”
I try to snatch it but he lifts it over his head making it way out of my reach.
“Not so fast,” he says. “This is why you go outside the walls, isn’t it?”
I glare not wanting to answer him but he’s got me dead to rights.
“Yes.”
He folds the map slowly then hands it back to me. “Don’t get caught.”
We stare at each other while my pounding heart slows its gallop. He’s not going to take it? Or turn me in? What’s his game? He motions towards the ludus, and I lead the way, climbing up the dry bank. I’m most of the way up when the soft dirt gives way and I’m sliding back down. He puts a hand on my ass to stop me from falling over.
I’m acutely aware of it, and it burns as if all the blood in my body rushes to the that point of mostly innocent contact. My nipples harden, my mouth dries out, and a ridiculous urge to shift so his hand will rub my ass surges through my thoughts.
I snap that stupid thought off in the bud. The mission comes first. Mission before pleasures. I could bang him. He wouldn’t be my first one-night stand, but what right do I have to be finding any pleasure while Nevaeh, Scarlet, Camilla, and Paisley are experiencing god knows what?
None. That’s what right. Not a damn one.
He pushes, and I dig my feet into the dirt and climb my way up the small embankment. He’s so damn tall he can almost step out of it, or close enough. We walk side-by-side to the ludus.
On the good side, at least I don’t have to figure out a way back in. And I did see some more landmarks to add to my map. Take the wins I can and make the best I can out of them.
Chapter 6
Kiara
“Morning,” Kennedy says as I dump my bowl into the bin she’s holding.
“You doing okay?” I whisper.
“Yeah,” she whispers, eyes darting around.
Slaves aren’t supposed to be gossiping, and they’re absolutely forbidden from talking to gladiators, which I nominally am.
“Good,” I say.
Someone steps out of the servants door, and she rushes off with the bin of dishes under one arm. I don’t get to see the girls very often, so any chance to make sure they’re all okay is good with me. I walk out onto the training grounds, but Ductores is waiting.
“Stables,” he orders.
“Still?” I complain.
He moves like a cat stalking its prey. He moves with a grace that belies his massive size. He