Page 37 of Gladiator's Captive
As the sun rose above the horizon, I replayed the memories in my mind, trying to find what I had missed. All those years of careful planning, all those words whispered in the dark. Servant girls and corrupted Imperial Guards, all willing to sell information to the champion of Valcan for a price. The price of a quick death for a loved one sent to the arena, the price of a tip for a bet on the next fight.
The price of my freedom had been paid in blood. Gallons and gallons of blood, forever soiling my hands.
And still, the key to Tartarus was nowhere to be found. It should be there, I had followed all the directions with precision. Still, there was nothing in sight but the desert. Only the endless, lifeless desert of Valcan, its deep mountains lurking far away.
No city, no sign. No life.
A great sound ripped the peace of the early morning as the top of the engine bubbled with an internal explosion. Serena woke up at my side, immediately alarmed. She cried out in surprise as noxious black smoke spilled from the sides of the transport. A few minutes later, I piloted the transport to a bumpy stop beside a pile of rocks.
For a dizzying moment, Serena sat silent at my side, her large, pure blue eyes scanning the barren landscape. I watched as the realization came to her face that we were on our own.
“This is not where the key to Tartarus is, is it?” Serena turned those big eyes to me, so untouched by fear it made something rip in my chest. She should not trust in me so. I was not worthy of it.
But she was under my protection, and worthy or not, I would give my life to save hers.
“No.” I shook my head as I told her the truth. “I should have found it by now, but it’s not where it’s supposed to be.”
Serena swallowed and the corners of her lips lifted in a faint smile. “Then we’ll find it together, won’t we?”
Her trust stabbed at my heart like a blade, her smile a slice right between my ribs, but I didn’t find it in me to contradict her. The truth was that I wasn’t sure I would ever find the key. That the key even existed.
I’ve failed Serena like I failed my warriors.
“Rager?” Serena called, her voice so soft it was like a lash. She shouldn’t speak to me so sweetly. She should be mad. She should look down on me with scorn for not being able to keep her safe.
I would prefer her anger, her hatred, even, to this gentle trust.
“Don’t,” I snapped at her and saw her eyes widen. She kept silent, but I could see her features pull down and pain glimmer in her eyes. “I don’t want your lies. I have failed you and I don’t want you to tell me that it’s okay. It’s not.”
Serena straightened and her face took a hard, frozen expression. Anger finally shined through in her eyes as she jumped out of the transport and stepped to the side.
“Then what is it you want from me?” Serena flipped her head up, her eyes shining with wetness. It hurt to see her angry at me like this, but it hurt less than that unshakable, total trust. Anger was familiar. Anger was good. I could take anger.
“I want you to stay beside the transport. The sun will be up soon,” I commanded. Serena inhaled sharply, but didn’t answer. “The transport will provide some form of shade from the worst of the heat.”
At my words, Serena looked around the desert, fear now replacing the anger in her features. She knew as well as I did that she could not survive a long walk in the heat of the day.
“What about you?”
I turned away from her and looked in the distance, to the east. The faraway shape of mountains painted the horizon in threatening shapes, pointed like giant teeth.
This was where the key should be. At the base of the impenetrable mountains in the heart of Valcan’s desert.
“I can make it there.” I pointed to the mountains. “This is where I will find the key. Then I will come back for you.”
Serena looked to where I pointed to, then her lower lip began to tremble. She shook her head, her eyes large and full of fear.
“You can’t leave me here.” The fear in her voice ripped at my insides and I bled there, right between my ribs. “Even if you find what you’re looking for, you’ll never make it back.”
She was right, but bringing her along with me on this death march was more than I was able to. Just like that, my anger deflated like a balloon. Anger was no use to me now.
“I can’t take you with me.” My voice was low and my head felt heavy, but I kept it up. Serena needed my strength, and it was the least I could do to stay strong. “You won’t make it.”
Serena pinched her lips, but she didn’t show any signs of submitting to my decision.
“I’d rather die out there trying than die here without you.”
I exhaled forcefully at her words, then swallowed the lump in my throat. She was nothing like what I had expected. She was resilient and courageous despite the fragility of her body.
