Page 20 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“But you know ways around them.Don’t you?”The steam made Alaysia’s red hair curl against her temples.“You’ve been here three years.You must know something.”

Marcella studied her for a long moment.“I might.But information like that comes with a price.”

“Name it.”

“When you and your warrior make your move, I want in.”Marcella’s voice dropped lower.“I’ve waited long enough for my chance.Help me get out, too, and I’ll help you contact the Niri warriors.”

Alaysia’s heart pounded harder.More people meant more risk but also more help.And Marcella knew the ring’s inner workings better than anyone.“Deal.”

“Smart girl.”Marcella nodded approvingly.She folded a sheet with practiced efficiency.“The food vendors…” she whispered.“They’re our best shot.”

Alaysia’s hands stilled on the laundry.The constant hum of the industrial washers covered their conversation, but she still leaned closer.“How?”

“They come from all over Jorvla.Different districts, different levels of the city.”Marcella grabbed another sheet.“More importantly, they leave.Every day, multiple times a day.”

Hope flickered in Alaysia’s chest like the dim lights overhead.The steam made her skin prickle with sweat, but she barely noticed.“And they’re not searched as thoroughly?”

“Food is perishable.Guards don’t want to waste time going through every crate.”Marcella’s eyes darted to the door before continuing.“Plus, some of them have been delivering here for years.Guards get lazy, familiar.”

Alaysia’s mind raced with strategies.Her fingers gripped the damp fabric she held.“Can any of them be trusted?”

“There’s one.Old woman named Kira.She’s got a soft spot for the slaves here.”Marcella lowered her voice further.“Sometimes sneaks extra food to the younger ones.I can approach her.”

“But will she be able to reach the Niri warriors directly?”

“Probably not.”Marcella shook her head.“But she knows people who know people.Word will spread, especially about a captured Niri warrior.That kind of news has a way of finding the right ears.”

The plan wasn’t perfect, but it was more than they had last night.“When can you talk to her?”

“She delivers later this morning.”Marcella stacked the folded sheets.“I’ll speak with her then.I’ll arrange for you and Dernin to meet her soon to get your message out.”

Alaysia touched Marcella’s arm.“Thank you for helping us.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”Marcella’s expression was serious.“This is just the beginning.Now get back to the slave quarters before anyone notices you’re missing.”

Alaysia hurried through the dim corridors back to her quarters.They needed help, yes, but they also needed time.Time for the word to spread, time for help to arrive.Time for Dernin to keep winning his matches.

She just hoped they would have enough of it.

Marcella’s footsteps soon echoed across the stone floor as she approached Alaysia’s bunk several hours later.The familiar collection of cosmetics and hair tools clinked in the basket she carried.

“Time to make you shine again, dear.”Marcella set down her supplies.

Alaysia stretched, her muscles still tense from the early morning’s scheming.The thought of watching more fights and knowing what they did to Dernin made her angry.But now, they had a plan in motion.

“At least today I have something to look forward to besides being ogled,” she said, climbing down from the bunk.

Marcella pulled out a gilded brush.“Hold still while I tackle this mane of yours.”

The brush caught in Alaysia’s tangled red waves.“Ouch!”

Marcella’s hands never paused in their work, but her voice dropped to a whisper.“Everything’s set.You and Dernin will meet Kira in two days to pass off your message.”

Relief flooded through Alaysia’s chest as Marcella weaved her hair into an intricate style.For once, the poking and prodding felt less like preparation for display and more like armor for battle.Each pin and curl were another step toward freedom.

Chapter 11

Dernin

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