Page 61 of Gladiator's Captive
Sayk seemed to steep in a bath of pure wrath, tiny spikes growing all along his skin, his eyes flashing blue flames.
“All right, Muharib.” He inhaled, seeming to make his decision. “I believe you.”
Sayk turned to the city again, a resolute, savage expression on his face.
“I have been planning to overthrow Wylder for months now.” Sayk sucked on his fangs, the sound frustrated and dry. “Most of my enforcers are with me, but Wylder’s men outnumber us ten to one. He’s still too powerful.”
Ten to one? If the enforcers were all Huugwor or Muharib, it would be no problem, only it wasn’t. Most of them were humans.
“It is too much.” I nodded in agreement. “You need to have the population on your side.”
What Sayk needed was a revolt, a revolution.
“They’re too afraid of him, of his men,” Sayk told me, his face full of rage. “He’s been elected chancellor for ten years in a row. I know he’s rigged the election, I just can’t prove it.”
“We don’t have the luxury of time,” I reminded Sayk. “We have to get rid of him now.”
Sayk shot me a sharp glance before nodding. “It won’t be long now. I have almost everything I need to expose Wylder for what he is. Then there will be no mercy from them. Or from me.”
I had the feeling Sayk knew more than he let on.“What do you have on him?”
What could Wylder do that would make the entire city turn against him? What crime would offend a city of criminals?
Then I knew. Before Sayk even spoke, I knew.
“My enforcers have been investigating disappearances in the lower city for months.” Sayk and I locked gazes and the city below faded away. “He sells them to the Galactic Empires.”
“This is it,” I agreed. The only crime that was still a crime in Tartarus. “All you need is proof.”
“I have proof. All I needed was a man to stand on my right. A man who was a true leader, who could inspire people to fight.” Sayk put a hand on my shoulder. “You are that man, Rager. The man I have been waiting for.”
I stared at him, this man I barely knew. I was putting in my faith in him, but I knew my trust was not misplaced. I had seen enough bad in the world to know a true heart when I met one.
And Sayk, under the thick steel of his personality, possessed a true heart.
“Tartarus was always a republic, electing its chancellor every year. Ten years ago, Wylder won the election and he’s been holding on to power ever since. He rigged the elections, using his money and power to intimidate or kill whoever stood in his way. He’s always been so careful, so cunning, I never could prove anything against him, until now. His greed has become his undoing.”
“Who will be chancellor after Wylder is gone? You?”
I stared at Sayk, at the way the man stood alone. He was a true leader, one who didn’t need or want the power, but who could wield it for the good of all. This was what made a man worthy of power, in the end.
“It’s been decided.” Sayk nodded. “But only until we can hold real elections.”
“And I will stand at your side,” I said, taking my position at Sayk’s right.
Sayk shook his head while I stared, confused.
“Not just at my side, Muharib,” Sayk said. “You will be my commander.”
I tried to hide my surprise, but Sayk was shrewd and he saw it. I was ready to take over after Sayk, but this didn’t mean his men would follow. Especially his right-hand man, Ry.
“How many people know about this? Did you tell your mate, Huugwor? Does she know what you’re planning?”
“Only the handful who need to know.” Sayk’s cold, emotionless stare answered me better than his words. He did not tell Doc. “Knowledge of this is dangerous. Wylder would not shy away from torture if he got wind of it. Ignorance is the best protection.”
I nodded, understanding passing between Sayk and me wordlessly. We had to keep this to ourselves to protect our mates.
“What about your right-hand man, Ry?”
