I screamed. He screamed. We screamed together until his trembling form stilled beneath my hands, his features permanently fixated in a mask of horror and pain, perfecting the expression forever ingrained on my soul.

He was true to his word. He never gave me an answer.

A relentless ringing sounded in my ears, my head thrumming against the continuous beat. My fingers scraped against the rough textured walls, wavering legs dragging me down endless tunnels.

“I’ve found a stray!” sounded a male voice from afar. I refused to turn. Instead I bolted.

I didn’t get far, instincts and senses lost within a thick foggy haze. I was tackled to the ground.

“Her last patron was a rough one,” the stranger sniggered. “Let’s put her with the rest.”

My body was dragged upright, the abrupt motion churning my stomach. I immediately vomited, then sweet oblivion engulfed me whole.

Chapter 28Micah

Covered in stale champagne, darkening bruises and whining battle scars, my mind thumped with each small movement, a minor fog still lingering from the depths of my concussion.

I refused to think about Oscar. Refused to think about my Variant. Refused to think about August, my sisters and their homicidal tendencies. All my energy was needed to escape this fucking dungeon.

I’d awoken hours before, sweet, soft breaths fanning my face as my head was cushioned in the bust of my newfound friend, Lily. We now sat shoulder to shoulder, our backs leaning against the far wall, perusing the underground warehouse that had been converted into a makeshift gym.

A large group of Forbidden Garden flower girls huddled amongst the state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Some of them, like me, had their wrists bound by cheap rope.

There were ten guards in total—all lowly foot soldiers in the Ludus, from what I could gather. I’d pinpointed the one who tackled me to the ground. He was in charge, his stern voice distinctive amid the rest. A scar stretched over his lips, lifting every time he sneered (which was often). They called him Scarface. Truly original.

Lingering moans of pleasure snapped me out of my stupor. Down a short corridor, the guards escorted willing flower girls to a separate back room, where they’d provide services in exchange for food (not that I’d call crumbed stale chips or tasteless protein bars ‘food’, but who was I to judge?).

Besides our current company, the surrounding Caverns were deserted. Distant rumbles intermittently vibrated through the underground, the contagious cheers of a sizable crowd escalating louder.

The Gladiator Games were fully underway, and the further time elapsed, our guards grew more restless. Their desire to join the entertainment transitioned into frustration, aimed towards us.

Two of the younger guards attempted to slip away, only for Scarface to slap them around the heads among an earful of insults.

“I can’t believe we have to fucking babysit,” one of them whined, rubbing his head. “Why can’t we go and watch?”

Scarface growled. “You know why.”

The other turned to us with a feral snarl. “Which one of you bitches helped the bartender escape?” He yanked the hair of the flower girl closest to him. “Fucking spit it out.”

Scarface whacked him again. “Boss wants to interrogate them himself.”

“And when will that be?”

His features stalled. “After the games.”

The second-in-command snaked between us women, perusing as if we were a herd of cows ready for auction. His copper hair gleamed unnaturally in the artificial light. “Must be important, if Boss is coming himself,” he said. “We’ve been given our orders, boys, but since we’re stuck here, I’m sure the girls will compensate us in some way.”

My attention piqued. It was impossible to reach Maximus on a regular day. Even if you did make the journey down here like I did, you’d be cast out before you could even reach the inner ring and get a glimpse of his holiness.

Another opportunity presented itself and the decision took weight in my gut. I’d stay right there until I met the elusive Maximus in person.

“You don’t look scared,” Lily whispered.

“What makes you say that?”

“People that are scared don’t have that expression on their face.”

I regarded her. “Expression?”

“Like you're contemplating every single way you can make them suffer.” Her chin tilted to the guards.

The side of my mouth lifted ever so slightly. “Your face doesn’t exactly scream ‘scared little girl’ either.”

“I know what it is to be scared…and they aren’t it.”

I pitched a brow. “Thankfully, none of those reasons are here.”

Her swirling purple eyes shone with understanding. She had someone she loved, someone she would protect above all others.

I tipped my head back. “Once my skull stops splitting open, I’m going to get out of here. Want to come?”

Lily gave a nervous laugh, but didn’t say no.

We sat in companionable silence, her presence surprisingly soothing, my Variant content to soak in her calm aura.

The Ludus had nothing to fear. Not right now, anyway.

Unfortunately for them, the unpredictable denominator wasn’t me—it was my sisters.

I simply hoped their patience held off long enough for my stay to be beneficial.

Who am I kidding?

For the utmost time, my stomach rumbled aggressively.

Scarface grinned, leaning back on the leg press. “I’ll give you something to eat anytime, pretty Rose. You know the price, you just have to eat me first.”

With a glare of pure disgust, I spat at his feet. “I’d rather starve.”

Mocking laughs erupted through the room, his scar stretching in a grotesque grimace.

I was tired, hungry and uncomfortable. He didn’t want to fuck with me right now.

The guards were huddled in a loose circle at the entrance, when suddenly some cheered in glee and others groaned.