Maya said nothing for several moments. I thought she could not tell me, but eventually she spoke. “Miss, when you are a chiri, you are nothing to Master and the Wraiths.” She shrugged. “That is both a blessing and a curse. It takes awhile to be ignored like you don’t even exist. But in this place, I have discovered that it may be the best thing of all. I can walk freely, without suspicion. I also see parts of this Blood Pit that no one else gets to, and hear conversations that others would never hear.” A flicker of a smile pulled on her lips, and she said, “I know a lot about this place because I am a no one.”

“Maya,” I whispered in sympathy.

“The monebi are housed in a section of the pit.” Her eyes dropped, then she confessed nervously, “I have asked some of the older chiri about you. They remember you, miss. They were here when you were trained. Some even assisted you when you were used as a guard’s mona.”

I blanched at that news. “I wasn’t given to the fighters?”

Maya shook her head. “No, miss.” She lowered her voice and said, “Master Arziani had a sister. He sent her away because she was a hindrance to him here in the pit. But the Mistress was part of the drug program. She and her lover helped develop the drugs everyone in this place is given.” Maya swallowed and continued, “She was the one that brought you in as a child. You were part of her personal section. You were used solely for her guards.” Maya shrugged. “I don’t know much else, miss. But I am trying to find out for you. I promise.”

“Thank you,” I said, trying to remember anything about that time. Flashes of that dark room, me and someone else hiding under a bed came to mind. I remembered high walls and being led down some steps. And I remembered …

“I waved,” I whispered, and tried to push my mind to remember more.

“Miss?”

Looking up, the hazy vision fading, I repeated, “I was young, I was taken from something I loved with my entire heart … and I waved. I remember waving.”

A crack felt like it broke across my heart. I felt overcome with emotion. I placed my hand over my chest as if to stop the pain throbbing inside.

“Someone you loved?” she questioned. Feeling the ache build in pressure in my head, I said, “I don’t know.”

Maya handed me the glass of water and I drained the liquid, feeling better when I did. I sat back in my chair, completely exhausted.

Maya clearly saw this and took hold of my hand. She stood up. “Come, miss. You need to rest.”

I let her lead me to the bed, where I climbed in. As soon as my head hit the soft pillow, I drifted off to sleep. The last thing I saw in my mind was a female towering over a boy as I looked back and waved. Beating him, causing him pain as the boy tried to reach me.

A female I knew I recognized.

A female that looked not too dissimilar to Master.

* * *

I glanced in the mirror and stared at the dress I was placed in tonight. It was dark green and made of the same transparent fabric as last night. Maya placed large earrings in my ears and curled my hair until it was pulled to one side and hung over one shoulder.

Master had left me alone all day. When I woke, it was to hear Maya running me a bath. And now as I stood in front of the mirror, I knew I was returning to 901. Or another fighter. According to Maya, Master would never receive me dressed in such a way.

This was purely for seduction.

As Maya ensured my dress was secured at my shoulders, I looked to the large wooden dresser in the corner of the side room. I had pushed the linen from 901’s cell behind it. I didn’t know why, but I wanted to keep it. Unwashed. Unchanged. Today I had slept the best I had since I woke here in the Blood Pit, fully conscious and aware of my surroundings. It was his scent that had kept me safe. I couldn’t explain why, but it was certainly the case.

A guard, just as last night, pounded on the door. “Move!” he ordered, and I followed Maya out the door. She stepped to the side as I followed the guard. When I glanced back, Maya was walking in the opposite direction. I wondered where she stayed when she wasn’t assisting me. I made a mental note to ask.

The same guard from last night led the way, down the same hallway. My heart raced when I saw we were heading for the fighters’ quarters. To 901? I still wasn’t sure. My jeweled sandals padded lightly on the stone floor beneath my feet, and we entered the section of the connected hallways where the fighters resided.

Loud, raucous noises came from my left. The guard suddenly paused. His attention was drawn to the cacophony. My face blanched when I thought we would be taking this route tonight. But the noise quietened when several gunshots sounded. I jumped as the sound of bullets echoed through to where we stood.

The guard, clearly sensing it was safe, pushed forward. Relief reentered my body with every step we took toward the champions’ quarters. In just a few minutes we had reached the secluded cluster of cells. Of course the guard stopped before a familiar cell—the largest.

901’s cell.

The guard opened the door. Needing no instruction, I hurried through, the heavy barred door slamming shut behind me. I could feel the guard hovering close. Lifting my head, I scanned the cell. At first I couldn’t see him, but then, in the far-off corner, was 901. He was exercising on the floor. His arms were lifting his body up and down, his bare torso and back muscles bunching with the effort.

I wasn’t sure if he had heard me enter. But then he stopped and jumped to his feet. And he glared right at me.

I staggered back when a flash of anger crossed his face. His teeth bared. Taken aback at his massive height, I stepped out of the way when he rushed past me to the door. He met the eyes of the guard and snarled, “Again?”

The guard stared at him blankly. “Master’s gift. The way you fucked her last night, I’m surprised you’ve forgotten her pussy this quickly.”

“Why has she returned?” he demanded. “I did what Master wanted. I obeyed.”

The guard responded, “Then I guess he wants you to do it again,” and with that he walked away, leaving us alone together in the cell. I stepped back until my back rested closely against the wall.

My stomach rolled at the tone of his voice. I did what Master wanted. I obeyed …

I squeezed my eyes shut at the hurt those harsh words brought. Then I felt him move past me. I opened my eyes and saw 901 walk back to the darkened section of the cell and commence his exercises. Though this time they were done with much more aggression.

I worked my way along the wall of the cell, then sank down into the corner I had slept in last night. A pit had caved in my stomach at his angry rejection.

901 was a cold, tough-minded warrior. I knew this. I could see this clearly, yet I was hurt also, because this wasn’t my choice, either. I had been ordered here. Ordered to serve him by Master. Like him, I had no choice but to obey.

I clasped my hands together on my raised knees as they began trembling with fear. My gaze fell to the bracelet around my wrist. I fought back tears when I thought of how, sometime tonight, it would inject me with a drug and 901 would have to take me.

I risked a glance to him panting heavily across the room. He was now on his back. His knees were raised as he curled himself into his torso, his abdominal muscles flexing and bulging at the action. When I thought of the drugs that would soon flood my veins, I wished that he would just let me be. A hollow feeling caved in my chest, and this time I prayed that he’d leave me writhing on the floor. Last night I had heard the warrior across the hall tell 901 that if he left me, I could die.

I thought back to the past few weeks trapped under Master’s ever-changing moods, his false affection and now being forced to serve 901 as some kind of punishment to his disobedience. More and more, I felt myself wanting to be left alone. Jailed with a male that I repulsed, I scanned the dank, dark cell. In doing so, I felt a peaceful sensation take root in my heart at the thought of never waking up again once the drugs had taken their evil hold.

A sound at the cell door made me look up. A guard was there, opening the door for an old chiri female who held a tray of food with trembling hands. My eyes widened at the mountain of different foods and the large pitcher of water.

The chiri entered silently and left the food on the floor. She turned without ever meeting my eyes. With a deep exhale, 901 jumped to his feet, cracking his thick neck from side to side as he kept his eyes straight forward.