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She gritted her teeth, fighting the wave of heat pouring over her face.

“The name’s Vic.” Erv digging his fingers into her shoulder lanced pain through her.

She jerked out of his reach, casting him another glare.

“Yes, I’m still a virgin, not that it’s any of your business.

” Fargen hell, she’d worked hard to keep something of herself private and hers alone.

“Impressive.” Sebastian turned his back on the arena and splayed his fingers on the desk as he leaned over it. She snorted. Like she cared what he thought. “As I see it, you have two things you value: home and your virginity. The former is denied you, but your virginity is a prize many will want.”

“I am not your whore.” She clipped each word, twitching away from Erv in case he wanted to abuse her again. “No, home isn’t valued.”

Sebastian arched a white fluffy eyebrow. “Then your freedom?”

She bit her lip, trying to keep her face impassive. Fargen hell.

“Only after ten years, if you survive, can you fight for it. Work your way up the ranks and during a deca-match, you can challenge for your freedom.”

“Ten years?” She gripped her knees. “No, fighting for you makes no sense, not when I have the tokens.”

“Look around you, gal. Why would I need your tokens?” Sebastian sank into his chair, balancing his elbows on its arms while he steepled his fingers. “Test her, determine her rank, and throw her into the arena.”

“As you command, Mr. Carne.” Erv gripped her upper arm and hoisted her to her feet.

Hell fargen no . She tossed a glance at Carne and grimaced. Nothing she said would save her. She had to escape though, but how? Slumping with her ass almost touching the floor, she forced Erv to drag her.

When he huffed and bent to grab her other arm, she elbowed him in the ribs, spun into his embrace, and kneed him in the groin.

Without pausing to ensure he crumpled mid-groan, she bolted, sprinting out of the office.

The first two red doors were locked so she ignored the doors and headed for the practice grounds.

When she burst through the door with Erv’s thundering steps behind her, she swept her gaze across, searching for exits.

The contenders paused in mid-kicks, punches, or lunges to gape at her.

Too many doors lined the walls, so she aimed for the double gates on the opposite side.

Erv was closing in, and a few kids were eager to assist him, like crabs in a bucket.

She didn’t hesitate, taking down those too close.

With her hands at her side, she roared like a wounded lioness.

When they hesitated, she weaved through them, hoping to dodge their futile attacks.

Her frantic breaths tore from her throat when she slammed into the gates.

They didn’t budge. With a shuddering breath, she faced Erv, a sense of helplessness engulfing her .

He had halted a few meters away, gripping his side as he too fought for air.

Worse, he wore a satisfied grin on his ruddy face.

“Fire. Fargen hell, gal, you may have skill but you lack strategy.” He straightened and gestured behind him. “How many enemies have you just made?”

“Like I care. I want out, now.” She’d intended to sound commanding, but instead, her voice cracked as the seriousness of her situation settled upon her.

Her thoughts pinged. Her mind reeled, unable to accept the lack of options closing in on her.

A buzzing in her ears drove a blast of agony to her temple.

She winced but didn’t dare shift her gaze or appear the slightest bit weak.

“There is no escape.” Erv drew the small black box from his pocket and waved it. “Had you made it through the doors, you would have been stunned.”

Tears threatened to spill, but she shook her head, denying them freedom when she had none.

She curled her fingers into fists, digging her nails into her palms as she raised her hands in front of her face.

Others had gathered behind Erv, some bleeding or limping, a few running an eager gaze over her body.

She smothered a shiver, letting it tingle her knees.

“Gladiators, meet Vic. Ande,” Erv swung out his arm, “train her.”

She growled, holding each person’s gaze with blatant challenge.

A young man stepped forward, his skin dark, his hair and eyes black. “Come.” He held out a hand, offering her refuge.

She hesitated, not sure she could trust him. Scanning the crowd, she waited, tense, like a cobra ready to strike. Erv flicked his hand, and they dispersed. Inhaling sharply, she lowered her fists but didn’t relax her stance.

“Come.” Ande waited, letting her decide even though she didn’t have any options left.

Taking a step, she slipped her hand in his and allowed him to tug her behind him. He led her through a weathered door and along a narrow passage that opened into a long room.

“This is the canteen.” The stench of burned food filled the air.

He pointed to another door as they strolled between the metal trestle tables.

“The ablutions. Don’t ever shower alone.

” He held her gaze until she nodded. They stepped through double doors into a room lined with bunk beds.

No windows meant no escape. “You can sleep next to me.”

She stiffened, curling her fingers into fists. “Farg, no.”

“You’re pretty but not my type if you get my meaning.” He focused on a blond man sprawled on a bunker. “Stick with me, Vic, and you might survive this.”

Clasping her hands behind her back, she opted for a casual air, as if she hadn’t been about to pummel him. “How long have you been here?” She tested the bunker he bumped with his booted foot.

“Four years.” He flexed his arm, showing a bulging bicep. “I get my freedom in six years if I don’t lose a challenge or die during the deca-match.”

She winced, running a fingertip over her bleeding and bruised knuckles. The pain was negligible compared to the panic squeezing her ribs. Aware he studied her, she drew in slow, silent, and deep breaths.

He tapped his gray vest. “We need to find you a uniform.” Dark gray pants clung to muscled thighs, hiding nothing from her admiring gaze. Also in gray, a sleeveless and padded vest molded to his chest. “Come.”

Throwing her legs off the side, she pushed off the bunker and hurried after him to an open door. Inside were shelves lined with folded garments. He grabbed items and tossed them at her before pointing at thick black boots.

While she peeled off her oil-stained worker breeches and dirty tank, she kept her gaze on his back.

He faced the metallic wall, the gesture of privacy appreciated.

As she crisscrossed the straps of the vest around her waist, he tapped a red button on the wall.

A panel glided aside to reveal a window.

Her breath lodged in her throat. A tear slipped past her defenses, and a deafening roar consumed her mind.

“There is no escape.” He dipped his head.

Through the portal were endless parsecs of space with the curve of Earth in the left corner.

“Farg.” She gasped and pressed a splayed hand on the cold glass.

“Yup, welcome to the Conqueror , Carne’s out-in-space training academy.”