17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

P yne

M’barra is strangely subdued at dinner tonight, which is a welcome change from her usual flirty demeanor. Granted, I’m not in the mood for conversation either. My mind is consumed with worry for Becca, the deadly immunity challenge we faced today, and concern about just how hard Klst will push things in their bedroom tonight.

I move the food around on my plate, barely tasting it as I replay the most horrifying moments. The worst one stands out—Becca, teetering on the edge of that poisonous pit, her eyes wide with terror. The way my heart stopped when I thought she was going to fall. The helplessness I felt, being so far away, unable to protect her.

How is she going to survive another challenge without me by her side? The thought makes my stomach churn, a cold sweat breaking out on the back of my neck.

I spot Arisha entering the dining room, her gauzy silver gown shimmering under the lights. She stands straight, not a hair out of place, cool and confident. Looking at her, you’d never know she watched all the contestants in the room fight for their lives only hours ago. Before I can second-guess myself, I’m on my feet, striding toward her with determined steps.

“Arisha, we need to talk.”

She arches a perfectly manicured eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. “Pyne. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I take a deep breath, my fists clenching at my sides. “I want to be teamed with Becca again.”

“In case you failed to notice, I made the rules perfectly clear. The teams have changed until I say otherwise.”

Having been a slave most of my life, I know how to bury my self-esteem and throw my dignity aside. After the last year as I traveled with the gladiators, I thought those days were behind me, but for Becca, begging will come easily.

“I’ll do anything. Please.”

Arisha’s eyes glint with amusement as she taps a finger against her chin, drawing out the moment. “ Anything ? That’s a bold offer, gladiator.”

I grit my teeth, my patience wearing thin, then humble myself further after remembering the stakes. “Just name your price.”

She heaves a dramatic sigh. “Well, as it happens, the Iridian team has approached me with the same request. Apparently, they’re not happy with their current partners either. Something ridiculous about fated mates.”

My heart leaps, a flicker of hope igniting in my chest. “So you’ll do it? You’ll let us switch back?”

Arisha’s smile turns sly, a dangerous glint in her eye. “I’ll consider it… on one condition.”

I brace myself. By the smug look on her face, I already know I won’t like her offer.

“If you want to be reunited with your precious human, you’ll have to fight the iridescent alien. To the death.”

The words hit me like a blow to the solar plexus, knocking the air from my lungs. Fight the alien? To the death? The Iridian is spindly, built for dancing or office work. He’d be blown over in a stiff wind. I’m not sure his arm could even hold my weapon of choice, the gladius sword.

It wouldn’t even be a real match. With my size and training, I could snap that willowy creature in half without breaking a sweat.

I open my mouth to refuse, disgust churning in my gut at the thought of such a senseless, brutal act. But then I catch a glimpse of Becca across the room, her face pale and drawn, her eyes haunted. And I know I can’t leave her to face this nightmare alone.

“Fine,” I grit out, the word tasting like ash on my tongue. “I’ll do it.”

Arisha claps her hands in delight, her eyes sparkling with malicious glee. “Excellent! I’ll make the arrangements. This should make for quite the entertaining spectacle. Although I thought females in my demographic didn’t want to watch gladiatorial fights anymore, I think those already enjoying the Bake Off will be thrilled at the chance to see you in the arena. I’m certainly looking forward to it. Our viewers will be, too.”

As she saunters away, I feel a wave of nausea wash over me. What have I just agreed to? How can I go through with this, knowing the price of my reunion with Becca will be taking an innocent life?

But even as the doubts swirl in my mind, a plan takes shape. A dangerous, desperate plan, but one that might just get us both out of this twisted game alive.

Because I’m not just a gladiator anymore. I’m a fighter. I won't let this corrupt system destroy me… or the woman I've grown to care so much about.