Zander’s limp body.
“Healer girl, they’re trying to kill me.” Caesar spoke through gritted teeth. “Make them stop.”
Seconds passed like hours. Leila looked at Caesar, through Caesar, and cocked her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t seen anything.”
Caesar’s face went flaming red. “You bitch! You stupid bitch!”
She dug beneath her cloak, tossing her blade to the floor. “Oh look, it appears I’ve dropped something. How careless of me.” Her eyes shrank into slits. “I’m such a stupid bitch.”
As Caesar gaped at Leila in horror, Enzo snatched up the blade.
“No,” Caesar croaked. “No, no no no…”
Lit and seething, Enzo moved slowly, steadily. He reached Tobias’s side, nodding at him before pointing the blade at Caesar’s throat.
“No! Dog, stop! Get away! GET THE FUCK AWAY!”
Caesar’s screams ripped through the sanctuary, fading to silence as soon as his hot blood poured down Tobias’s hands.
Tobias flinched awake, stirred by voices. He sat upright, glancing around Enzo’s tent—his home for the night, as both men had lost their tentmates the evening before. Caesar’s screams still echoed in his mind, yet what truly stung was the memory of Enzo’s grief-stricken face.
Enzo.
His bed was empty.
Where’s Enzo?
Tearing from the tent, Tobias stumbled to an abrupt stop. Servant girls filled the sanctuary, strapping iron plates onto the men, but no matter how many times he searched them over, Enzo was nowhere to be found.
“Sir?” A woman appeared at his side, plates slung over her arms. “May I?”
Tobias nodded, and the woman fastened the armor across his shoulders. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“Today marks the halfway point of the tournament. You’re to continue the rest of the challenges above ground, in the palace.” She offered a smile. “Congratulations. It’s quite an honor to make it this far.”
A flurry of nervous excitement swirled within him, though it died once he looked down at the buckles along his chest. “Are we to fight?”
“The armor is for the spectators. Citizens climb the fortress walls and watch as the competitors are freed from the labyrinth. There will be much celebration, I’m sure.”
Relief swept through him, though he dismissed it. “Where’s Enzo?”
“Enzo?” The woman wavered. “The Dog?”
“Yes. The Dog. Where is he?”
“Gone.”
Tobias braced himself. “Dead?”
“Honorably released.”
“He’s been released? By whose orders?”
“The Savior’s heart is filled with mercy.” She laced the last vambrace up his wrist. “You’ll make your way to the palace shortly. I pay tribute to your courage.”
With a bow, she headed off through the sanctuary, leaving Tobias with his churning mind. The other men congregated around him, gushing about the recent turn of events, but Tobias kept quiet, his thoughts singular.
There’s a way out of this tournament.
“We’re going to the palace.” Flynn slapped Tobias on the back. “Can you believe it?”
“I’m just glad we’re getting above ground,” Raphael muttered.
“Did you hear about Enzo?” Tobias said.
“I know.” Flynn shook his head. “Poor bastard, he’s missing the best part.”
The softest sound pulled Tobias from the conversation—a woman clearing her throat. Leila peeked out from among the tents, her hood over her head and finger pressed to her lips.
As subtly as he could, Tobias ducked away from the horde and swerved behind the tents. “Leila…” He glanced from side to side, checking for prying eyes. “I take it you’re not supposed to be here.”
“Not exactly.” She peered over his shoulder. “Keep your voice low.”
“About last night—”
“You needn’t explain yourself. Fuck Caesar. May he rot in the ground for all eternity.”
Tobias exhaled. “Enzo…he was honorably released.”
“I know.”
“He was released by The Savior. That means She has some semblance of power in this tournament. And maybe I could appeal to Her, could help Her see reason, and you and I—”
“She can only release one man,” Leila said. “Just one. And She chose Enzo.”
Tobias’s hope instantly dissipated, his insides heavy and raw.
Leila’s face dropped. “Tobias…”
“It’s all right.” He forced a smile. “It was wishful thinking. Nothing more.”
Leila took his hands. “I don’t have much time. Listen carefully, all right?”
“Always.”
“You’ll be leaving the labyrinth and entering the Garden of Megaera. It’s filled with statues, each in the likeness of a past Savior. Absolutely stunning, flawless faces immortalized for all eternity.” She gripped his hands tightly. “You mustn’t look at them. Any of them.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t look at them. Don’t touch them. Make your way through the garden, and do so quickly.”
“You sound worried.”
“I am.” Her eyes became larger, lit with an all-too-familiar fear. “I’ll be waiting for you. In the palace.”
“I’ll see you there.”
“Promise me. Promise you’ll see me there.”
Tobias leaned into her, trying to appear reassuring. “I swear