Page 45 of Gladiator's Captive
“Yes.” Sayk shook his head and inhaled deeply. “No. It’s complicated.” Sayk pursed his lips and annoyance flashed in his eyes. “It would be much easier if she wasn’t so damned stubborn.”
I smiled. This was a problem I was rather familiar with. “I know a good solution to that kind of problem,” I said. “Serena is headstrong, too. But not so much after some time across my knees.”
Sayk chuckled and the darkness lifted from his mood by a bit. “Something Huugwors and Muharibs have in common, then. We like our mates feisty, but I suspect it’s only because we like to tame them so much.”
Sayk’s face took a surprised expression as the words fell between us. He hadn’t mentioned Doc being his mate, and I suspected he hadn’t even accepted it himself.
Or told Doc.
Complicated, for sure. You don’t realize the trouble you’re in, my friend.
“Not a word of that to Doc.”
“Not a chance.” I nodded sincerely. “I’ve got enough female problems as it is.”
We left it at that as the long hallway ended with a massive stone door. Sayk pressed his hand into a panel to the side and the holographic metal molded to his palm.
“This is advanced technology you have,” I said aloud.
“Not what you expected, I take.” Sayk stepped aside as the stone doors tilted to reveal a sight like no other. “This won’t be, either.”
I stepped forward without speaking as the sight of Tartarus spread below us. Even if I had wanted to talk, I couldn’t have. Tartarus was contained under a massive dome carved in the mountain’s belly. Light came from the ceiling through a series of mirrors and wells dug in the stone, creating a soft, diffused glow.
The population below was no less entrancing, moving in a mass of bodies and noise. From the high observation point where Sayk and I stood, the city looked like an anthill, with people moving through narrow streets lined with buildings that seemed put together as an afterthought.
My eyes strayed to a large circular space set roughly in the middle of the town. It was lined with what appeared to be shopkeeper stalls, but the center remained empty. An uncomfortable yet familiar feeling started low in my limbs as I stared at it.
“This is the Sandbox.” Sayk spoke with obvious disgust. “It’s our arena, a wonderful form of entertainment courtesy of our chancellor. People love a good fight, even here. Only difference is, the fighters actually get the money. And no one forces you in.”
I grunted, unable to look away.
“People are the same everywhere. Some find joy in the blood and suffering of others.” It wasn’t a question and Sayk didn’t answer. “Is that why you took me up here, Sayk?”
“Rager, the Breath of Death.” Sayk leaned on the railing above the city. His cold blue eyes scanned the writhing mass of bodies down there with a remote interest before turning to me, sharper than ever. “You would be a perfect enforcer. People would respect you, fear you. Honest men are hard to come by in a place like this.”
“Me, working for you as an enforcer?” I lifted my brows as Sayk sustained my gaze. “You barely know me. A few minutes ago, you suspected my mate of being a spy for the Galactic Empire.”
I eyed Sayk cautiously as the Huugwor nodded.
“Like I said, Tartarus is a dangerous place and honest men are hard to come by. If you accept, I would make sure you and Serena had a comfortable life together. Tartarus is dangerous, but it can also be home.”
Sayk’s offer was tempting. I could see he was right. I could choose to stay and build a life here, a life free from the Galactic Empire. A life where I could give Serena all she needed.
Arenius is still too close. He will never stop looking for her. The only way to keep her safe is to go far, far away from the reach of the Empire. Only then can we truly build a new life.
“No.” My tone was final and Sayk didn’t argue. “I need passage out of Valcan for both of us.”
“This will cost you,” Sayk answered, not showing any sign of anger at my refusal of his offer. “More than the load of illegal weapons we recovered from your broken-down transport.”
I turned a surprised gaze to him, but Sayk didn’t look back.
“What, you expected us to steal from you? We’re a bunch of outlaws, but that doesn’t mean we’re completely amoral.”
Sayk chuckled wryly and I understood that was exactly what most of the population of Tartarus was. Outlaws and thieves, deserters and criminals. An honorable thief was a rare thing, but Sayk was one.
How did you come here, Huugwor? Were you a gladiator, like me?
I doubted it, but it wasn’t impossible. I wanted to ask more, but didn’t. I didn’t come to Tartarus to make friends and Sayk’s problems were his own.
