Page 10 of Gladiators of the Vagabond Boxset

I had to drop Jasmin if I wanted to get into her cell, but I managed to pull her unresponsive body along with me through the bars, keeping her head above water as much as I could.

When I reached as far as I could take her, I plunged into the cold and swam as fast as my exhausted body could manage.

I dove into her cell and rushed to pick her up, lifting her head so she could breathe.

Flipping onto my back, I started a backstroke with my upper arms while cradling her atop my body with my lower two.

This was hard on my shoulders. I could feel how my upper right one was getting strained, pain shooting through my arm with each stroke.

At least no one here could see my grimace of pain.

The others had all splashed out ahead of us.

No, not everyone; Pu’il was waiting at the bottom of the steps, and he helped haul me upright.

Concern creased his features as he took in the pale, lifeless female in my arms. He shook his head, pinched his lips, and then carefully reached out and tapped a pressure point in my neck.

Instantly, my upper right arm went numb, relieving me of the pain, even if it made using the arm more difficult, too.

The male said nothing as he turned and headed up the steps in front of me.

I made sure Jasmin was still breathing—which she was—before I followed my gladiator brother up and into the much warmer chamber above.

They were leading us into the cells on this level, forcing most of us to double up with others.

Not Geramor, of course, he got his own cell, vacated now.

I saw how they were doubling up Pu’il with Kitan, for instance.

That was a good choice, those two wouldn’t start a fight; they worked well as a team.

When it was just Jasmin and me, I realized that the grumpy guard in front of us and the three now bringing up the rear were taking us through to the back of this floor.

I’d never been here, but I knew they kept the elite fighting stock here—if there was any present.

A bigger cell, a few more commodities, as a reward.

When I was younger and winning match after match unbeaten, I’d had a cell here for a while.

Only with some dismay did I realize this place had fallen into disrepair.

The two cells, one on each side of the corridor, were a little larger than average.

In one of these, a creature I’d never seen before was pacing.

Green scales, a long prehensile tail covered in sharp blades except at the very tip.

Horns, a short snout filled with sharp teeth, more blades on its head and arms. This creature was a fighting machine.

Even in my prime, I would have been scared to face this beast.

Bright green eyes flicked our way; they looked keenly intelligent, but a moment later, it shook its head and let out a loud roar—followed by a clicking sound and a small plume of fire that curled from its open maw.

Fuck, he breathed fire? They weren’t going to throw us in there with him, were they?

My body went tense, readying for a fight.

If they did, I’d protect the female. I wasn’t going to let this beast harm her.

But they opened the door to the other cell instead, which didn’t even have a cot anymore.

The place was completely trashed, with claw marks covering the walls and black soot everywhere.

They’d had the beast in this one first, and he’d done a number on the place.

Looked like they were out of places to put us, though, so this was it.

Jasmin was now shaking like a leaf in my arms, which was a good sign—even if I feared she’d harm herself with how hard she trembled.

I worried the Krektar would notice her enough to decide to take her somewhere else.

Two of these guards were sporting a variety of bruises, and one even had his arm in a sling.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the two she’d managed to kick off the gangplank when they captured her.

The one in the lead eyed me as I walked in with her on command, his lips curling.

“Bring some chains. We’d better tie up this bastard so he can’t soil the female.

” I wanted to argue that bringing her blankets and medical aid was probably a better solution than leaving her with me for warmth, but I didn’t, because I’d rather have her with me, where I could possibly do something to protect her.

I was immensely relieved that they were just going to chain me up but leave her here.

I’d rather be uncomfortable than have her out of my sight.

I knew I was being an idiot for feeling this possessive and protective of her when it was doomed to fail.

There was no way I could save this female from harm down the road, not unless I managed to escape with her.

But then what? Hide out in the jungle? Live off the land? They’d find us and capture us again.

My eyes settled on the beast across from us, pacing angrily in his cell.

The bladed spines that covered his spine, tail, and arms flared up in a threatening display each time one of the Krektar neared his cell.

He didn’t make more fire or noise, though, and I didn’t protest when they pulled all four of my arms up and to the sides to chain them to the wall.

They let me sit on the floor, though, with Jasmin draped in my lap.

They were idiots if they thought this female would stay unsoiled like this.

I might not have my hands, but if she were inclined, she could still fuck me.

I felt like a youth again—barely fifteen—when the thought made my shaft harden beneath Jasmin’s soft, curvy body.

An image of her slipping out of her suit, straddling my lap, and riding my cock played vividly through my mind.

I barely even heard the growled warning from the head guard to keep my hands to myself.

The master would kill me if I touched his new purchase.

An empty threat, I was already doomed to die soon anyway.

Might actually be worth it to speed things up and find a little bliss before the end.

When the doors shut and I was left alone with Jasmin and the beast across the hall, it was difficult not to think about her luscious body and her fiery spirit.

I forced myself to think of options for escape instead.

I had to get us out. Now more than ever, I had far too much to lose. I couldn’t fail again.