Page 39 of Gladiator's Captive

I wanted to protest, to tell Rager to leave me, to save himself, but as he cradled me against his chest, darkness enclosed my mind.

My last thought was that it had been worth it.

Chapter Twenty

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Rager

Serena’s head rested on my chest, her breathing shallow and fast. She stopped sweating hours ago and her soft, pale skin was red with sunburn.

Emotions—guilt and fear, hatred and rage—fluttered under the surface, but I kept them at bay. There was no time to feel. The only thing that mattered was to get to the steep slope of rocks that loomed ever closer.

Not long now. An hour, maybe two. The sun still hammered, but it was lower and lower, reddening the desert ground like pearls of blood from the sky.

My feet were still steady, but my head pounded and my mouth was as dry as the sand below. I couldn’t go much longer, but I couldn’t give up, either. Serena needed me.

I pushed on, forcing my pace faster, knowing my time was counted. Another hour passed and the shadow of the mountain blanketed Serena and me.

This was it. The key lay there, at the base of that mountain.

With the utmost care, I placed Serena down on the soft sand and turned around, searching for the key to Tartarus. I had only the vaguest instruction on how to find it.

Only in my dreams, I stood alone. I had been the only one to brave the heat of the days and the cold of the nights.

I walked on, reluctant to leave Serena behind, but knowing our only chances of survival was to find the key.

Another hour passed by as I wandered the dry mountainside, always further from her. Always finding nothing.

The sun was gone and the light from an indifferent full moon shone on the dryness of the mountain.

I twisted around, kicking a small rock in an attempt to vent the rising feeling of despair that refused to stay at bay.

This place was made for death and despair. I had been a fool to hope and now, Serena would pay the price. I should have left her behind when she could no longer run. Should have left her at the outpost and let her forget all about me.

She should be home right now, preparing for the marriage her father arranged for her.