Page 102 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
Now I’m fully wrapped in him. His right arm drapes around me, my leg rests over his, and my hand has somehow found his chest—like it belongs there.
“Sleep now,” he murmurs, firm but soft.
And I do. I feel safe. And for the first time since I arrived in this hellhole, I drift into real, peaceful sleep.
It’s been three days.
Every day repeats the same way. At dawn, two guards escort me to the lab and greenhouse. At night, they bring me back to the hangar. I wash up at the lab’s sink to avoid having to shower in the main building.
Then I reunite with the fighters of the Arena and my two guardians, now bound by a kind of uneasy truce. After dinner, Ayden joins me in our shared alcove. It’s hot in the hangar, so once we’re hidden away, I take off the loose dress I wear during the day and lie down in just my underwear. Ayden removes his shirt but keeps his pants on.
There’s a strange tension between him and Nov.
Ayden told me, in hushed whispers, that Nov won’t be participating in the standard arena fights. He’s set to faceDanuk, the ruler of this place, in a final duel that will decide who controls the Red Arena. That match will apparently close out the festivities in a few days.
We’ve talked quietly about our limited options. If Nov wins, he can’t let us walk away alive. That’s exactly why Logan was killed—because he threatened to expose Vagantu to the Confederation.
So why is he helping us now? Why is he giving Ayden tips on how to survive against a Penubian or a Varnak? Why hasn’t he turned Ayden in for being with the Confederation? No answers. Just questions.
So far, there have been no new incidents. Ayden and Nov’s presence has scared off Donald—the bald creep who makes my skin crawl.
But tonight… something’s different. The tension’s heavier than ever. Everyone’s sizing each other up. Alliances are forming.
It’s only a matter of time before things blow up.
When Donald walks up, flanked by his sidekick Ralf, I sigh inwardly. Of course. Had to bethesetwo. They’ve got that aggressive, mean-dog look that never leads anywhere good.
“We talked it over,” Donald announces.
“Oh no, hope you didn’t sprain a brain cell in the process,” Ayden reply with a mocking grin.
“You mocking us?”
“Gee, I wonder what gave you that idea. So, you two geniuses had a chat, huh?”
“Yeah, we did. And we decided it’s our turn to enjoy the girl. She’s the only female in the whole damn place. It ain’t right that you’re the only one who gets to have her.”
What a surprise. Neanderthal logic at its finest.
“Then we’ve got a problem,” Ayden says calmly. “Sam’s not going anywhere with you.”
Nov stays silent, arms crossed, eyes locked on Donald.
I back slowly toward my pod, heart pounding. If Ayden ends up facing both of them alone…
“We’re not asking,” Donald sneers. “We saw the Srebat isn’t touching her, so it’s just you. Two against one. We’ll take our shot.”
And then chaos explodes.
Donald lunges at Ayden.
Nov intercepts Ralf as he reaches for me.
Others jump in—some to help, some just for the thrill of a fight.
Guards by the door watch with eerie amusement, their smiles twisted.
And then the Penubian moves. Silent. Deadly. His eyes glow with something terrifying. In a flash, his fangs sink into Donald’s neck. The scream that follows halts everything. Donald crashes to the floor, convulses… then stills. Dead.
