“Am I smarter?” I press.
“That depends; have you hired your own tutor yet?”
With a laugh, I tilt my head, batting my lashes at him. “Am I prettier?”
His lips curve. “No. If anything, you’re looking haggard.”
“Thanks, Ev.” Time to drive my point home. “Am I worthier than I was just a few days ago? Has my awakening made this world better?”
“No …” The word is hesitant, but I give him a sharp nod, needing him to understand. “I’m happy Gerith woke becausehe’shappy. But it doesn’t make me love him any more. I already love you both as much as anyonecanlove. Power is a tool. You can use it to protect, to defend, to increase your wealth … and those without power have tools of their own.”
He slowly nods. “I hear what you’re saying, but I still want to wake.”
“You will.” Some of the gladians begin to walk past the common room. “Listen, I need to go.”
Evren’s eyes sharpen. “You’re walking back into the arena.” It’s almost an accusation and I sigh.
“You know this is part of it, Ev. But this is the last challenge.”
Panic flickers across his face and I lean even closer to the mirror. “You know me. You know I’ll do whatever it takes to survive.”
Evren swallows, sucks in a breath, nods. When his eyes meet mine again, most of the panic has been replaced by grim resolve.
“Can I talk to Gerith?” I ask.
Another sneer. “Elva took him away for training.”
Cold rage bursts through me. I know why Elva is working with Gerith. Leon was wrong. She won’t kill him if I die. She’ll keep him. Any vampire would love to have a well-trained gold sigilmarked on an invisible leash.
I unclench my jaw, forcing a bright smile. “Tell him I love him.”
“I will. We love you, too, Velle.”
This time my smile is real, at least until Evren disappears, and only my own reflection stares back at me.
I need to find my lightest armor and make my way to the meeting point in the ludus for the ultimus conquestus. And I need to win.
That vampire bitch won’t make my brother into her tool.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Thanks to my two previous wins, I had enough money for Leon to buy me lighter, breathable armor. We’ve only used it in training, but my heavier armor would make me sink like a stone in water, so I strap on the magically altered breastplate and make my way toward the meeting point.
After our two challenges, only twenty-four of us gladians are left. For the third challenge, we’ve been divided into two groups. I’m in the first group, which will walk into the arena to meet whatever horror the emperor has arranged for us while the others are forced to listen until it’s their turn.
Maeva is waiting outside the barracks, and she scowls at the sight of my armor. “I’m in the first group with you. And you’re the second person I’ve seen wearing that. Clearly you know something I don’t.”
“I only heard about it this morning,” I whisper. “Do you know how to swim?”
She heaves a sigh. “I’m passable. But I wouldn’t say it’s one of my best skills.”
“Go change. I’ll wait.”
With a sharp nod, Maeva hurries away.
Booted footsteps sound, and Neris’s eyes meet mine. Her expression is tight, and my stomach clenches.
“Tiernon—”
