As far as Ferox was concerned, that man had forfeited his life as soon as he laid a hand on Velia against her will. The cretin had lived two weeks longer than he should have, but at least now Ferox had rectified his lapse.
Ferox found a stool against the wall and sank down onto it, suppressing a hiss of pain. No sooner had he sat than the ludus’sphysician appeared at his side. The man made critical noises as he examined the wound.
Lucullus followed Ferox and hovered at his other side, fists clenched. Ferox had never seen the man so angry. Usually, when something displeased the manager, he reacted with cold disappointment. But now, he looked as if he were about to combust with rage. “I need a better reason than that,” Lucullus snarled.
The physician cleaned Ferox’s wound with about as much gentleness as if he were scrubbing a floor. Ferox gritted his teeth.
Velia trailed behind her uncle. “Uncle, please. He’s wounded. Surely you can speak once he’s rested.”
Lucullus shot her a sharp sidelong look. “Seeing as he’s currently receiving medical careIpay for, he can talk now.”
“You don’t understand,” Velia insisted, her voice trembling. “This was all my fault.”
Lucullus whirled around to face her. “You? What could you possibly have to do with this?”
“Velia,” Ferox warned as she opened her mouth to speak. Everyone was still staring at them—far too many eyes and ears. Ferox knew she didn’t want anyone to know about the incident, and he wouldn’t let her speak of it here.
Velia met his gaze. “Tell him.”
Ferox jerked as the physician drove a threaded needle into his skin. It had been a long time since he’d had a wound that required stitching, and he’d forgotten how damned painful it was. “Not here,” he ground out. Lucullus would need to know the truth, but it could be shared in private. “We will speak in youroffice at the ludus.”
Lucullus glowered at him. “You’ll come straight there as soon as you’ve been stitched up. I don’t care if you have to be carried in.”
“Fine,” Ferox grunted.
Lucullus stormed off. Velia cast Ferox one distraught look, her gaze flicking anxiously from his face to the bloody mess on his leg, then hurried after her uncle.
“How bad is it?” Ferox asked the physician, whose head was bent over the wound as he worked.
The man shrugged. “Could have been worse. A little to the left and you’d be dead already.” He made another agonizing stitch. “You’ll probably take ill with a fever for a few days. Which will be for the best, since you’ll need to stay off that leg for a while.”
“Very well.” Ferox closed his eyes while the physician finished his work.
“You should rest here before returning to the ludus,” the physician advised as he snipped the final thread.
Ferox hauled himself to his feet. “I need to get back.” He felt somewhat steadier after the brief respite, but his leg still burned with pain. The prospect of walking even the short distance to the ludus was deeply unpleasant, but he had no choice.
Jason materialized next to him, looping an arm under his shoulders. Ferox glanced at him in surprise. “Where did you come from?” Jason wasn’t due to fight today, so he’d remained behind at the ludus.
“Lea fetched me.” Jason supported Ferox as they slowly proceeded to the arena’s back exit.
Ferox felt a rush of gratitude. Lea must have jogged to the ludus, found Jason, and returned with him.
“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me what happened?” Jason asked as they walked—or hobbled in Ferox’s case—through the streets. Thankfully, the streets were empty, everyone else still at the games, so no one was around to gawk.
“No.”
“Lea has a theory.” Jason adjusted his grip on Ferox’s shoulders. “The only reason you’d kill like that is in retaliation for harming someone you care about. Nothing’s happened to me or her, so that leaves…Velia.”
“Lea is very perceptive,” Ferox grunted.
They traveled the rest of the way to the ludus in silence.
Lucullus awaited them in his office. Velia stood beside his desk, fingers twisting anxiously. Jason deposited Ferox in the spare chair, then left with a nod to the other two.
Ferox felt light-headed with pain, but he strove to block it all out and assume a relaxed posture in the chair. Velia was eyeing him with concern, and he didn’t wish to cause her any more distress.
Lucullus’s fiery rage seemed to have cooled, and his usual composure was back. But frustration still simmered in his gray eyes. “Explain,” was all he said after Jason shut the door behind himself.
