“Yes,” I said truthfully, feeling this answer right down to my bones.

Valentin stared at me for a long minute, then nodded. The turncoat guard suddenly held out his gun, and ordered, “Out!”

I stared to the hallway, as did Luka, Zaal, and Valentin. The three males prepared to strike, when a small female chiri walked through. Her head was bowed as the guard flicked his chin for her to stand before us. When she raised her head, and swallowed in pure fear, I noted the right side of her face.

It was scarred. Her hands trembled at her front. She was young, very young.

“Maya?” I guessed.

Maya’s eyes widened when I addressed her by her name. Her eyes then filled with tears and rolled in thick drops down her face.

Valentin looked to Maya and asked, “Inessa’s chiri? The one that told her about me?”

Maya watched Valentin, and questioned, “Valentin?” Valentin nodded his head in reply. “Then she was right?” Maya confirmed, and her hand flew to her mouth. She shook her head and then looked to me. “Ilya, Master took her to a torture room. He has her tied up with ropes and has lashed her back.” Maya sniffed and wiped at her cheeks. “He retrieved me from her quarters. I have fed her and allowed her to drink. Master is keeping her alive. He wants to draw out her death as punishment for her betrayal with you.”

Maya looked to the other males, then she stepped closer to reveal, “One of the chiri told me they were being sent to drug you tomorrow if you make the final. He knows that under the drugs you cannot win against the other warriors.”

I glanced to Luka, Zaal, and Valentin. “Galina, the chiri he commanded to drug you, told me of the order. News is traveling of you and Inessa. The chiri don’t want either of you to die. You are the champion, they respect you.” Maya blushed and said, “And I have told them all of how Miss Inessa has treated me from day one. They want her to survive. We all want you both to survive.”

Valentin walked off to one of the cells as Maya spoke, and Maya flinched when the sounds of his pained bellow traveled to where we stood. I gripped the bars and asked, “Is she in pain? Is she being strong?”

Maya nodded her head. “She is being very strong, but…” She glanced away, chased her tears. “But she is in great pain. Her back…” Maya shook her head like she was ridding the image from her mind. “Her back is heavily wounded. Her arms are not much better.” She sucked in a breath and said, “I’m worried she won’t last as long as Master wants.”

I gritted my teeth and walked back to the mattress on the floor. I lifted it and hauled it against the wall. “I fucking hate him!” I screamed. My neck bunched as I shook with rage.

“Ilya!” someone called, but I couldn’t calm down. “Ilya!” the male repeated. But I was lost to my anger, the red haze descending again over my eyes. The cell door opened. When I looked to see who had entered, Luka approached. “Calm,” he said slowly. “Breathe.”

I did as he said and took a deep breath. I saw Valentin appearing at the doorway looking equally pissed off. He stood with his hands balled at his sides, but he was holding back his anger and pain.

I had to do the same.

I forced myself to calm. When I did, Luka addressed Maya. “Can she hold on? Can you help her keep strong until tomorrow?”

Maya looked among us all, and nodded her head. “Master will be busy with the tournament. I’ll try to feed her and keep her as strong as possible.” Maya then looked to me and timidly walked forward. I stared down at the small chiri and watched her lift her head to me. My stomach tightened on seeing her scarred face. I remembered Inessa had told me it was an acid attack because she had refused to fuck a guard.

I felt nothing but respect for the young female in this moment.

I waited for her to speak. When she did, my heart shattered. “Miss Inessa sent me here to tell you that you are in her heart forever.” She swallowed, her gaze racked with pain. When Maya managed to regain her composure, she said, “Miss Inessa said she has your name readied on her lips and will find you in the next life.”

I heard Valentin curse under his breath. I stared at her brother falling apart. Then I looked to Luka and Zaal. Luka nodded. “Maya,” I said, and she blinked back her tears, “tell moy prekrasnyy to hold on. Tell her that her brother is here. Tell her that he, along with me and a few others, are going to win us our freedom.” Maya gasped and swept her eyes around all the males in the group.

“So it is true?” she exclaimed. “I have heard rumors of a revolt, but the older chiri that have discussed it in private will not speak of it when questioned.”

“Yes,” I replied. “It is tomorrow, during the final.” I reached out and touched Maya’s arm. She flinched. I immediately withdrew my hand.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. The skin on her good cheek reddened. “I … I find it hard to be touched by males since…” She pointed to her scar, and I nodded in understanding.

“It’s okay,” I soothed. Maya’s shoulders sagged in relief. “Just tell my Inessa that we are coming for her. Tell her that her wish will soon come true. We will leave this place together. We will choose our lives. We will be together every day aboveground.”

“You will?”

“We all will,” I responded, and saw the flame of hope flicker in her gaze.

“I’ll return to her now,” Maya stated, and turned to leave the cell. Just before she did, Maya added, “You are the champion of the Blood Pit. You must win today. Win it for her.”

Maya left, but her words struck my heart. I would win it for Inessa. I wouldn’t put on a show. I would take the kill, then rest for tomorrow.

Luka placed his hand on my shoulder. “We have to go to our cells while the tournament is on. We must keep up appearances. But you win this next fight, then tonight, we will go over the plan for tomorrow.”

I nodded, then sat on the floor. Luka and Zaal left the cell. I felt someone hovering in the doorway and looked up. Valentin was watching me with suspicious eyes. His arms were folded over his chest. I waited for him to speak. When he did, he said, “My sister has had nothing but pain and heartache in her life.” He pointed to his chest, then said, “I failed to save her. I couldn’t secure her freedom.” His strict and forceful voice softened, then cracked with emotion. I saw his blue eyes glisten with tears, as he said in a husky voice, “She deserves someone to love her. Really love her. Treat her right. Treat her like the printsessa she is. Inessa deserves a warrior. A champion that will protect her and keep her safe.”

I paused, then replied, “I know.”

Valentin’s eyes narrowed, then he darted to his cell. My mind raced with a mixture of excitement and fear. Because although many obstacles stood in our way, freedom was close. Inessa had to hold on so we could be together.

* * *

An hour or two passed, then a guard walked in to take me to the tunnel. My muscles were weakened and my body was tired. But I was energized more than ever before.

I wouldn’t lose this fight.

I jumped to my feet, and the guard handed over my Kindjals. They had been removed from my cell when Master took Inessa away. I held them in my hands as the guard held the gun to my head. When the cell door opened, I looked across to the other cells. Luka, Zaal, and Valentin watched me go.

This time I didn’t jog to the tunnel; I sprinted. I sprinted all the way, pushing my legs to their absolute limit until I burst from the mouth and launched myself, Kindjals high, into the pit. My opponent charged, swinging his scythe, but I didn’t play his game. Ducking the curved blade, I sent not one, but both of my long Russian Cossack daggers, one after the other, flying through his stomach until their sharp blades sliced through his spine. My opponent separated, torso and legs now sliced apart. As they thudded into the sand, I turned and ran back to the cells.

Luka, Zaal, and Valentin nodded their heads in approval as I reentered my cell, coated in my opponent’s blood. I threw my Kindjals to the ground and righted my bed. I slumped down to the mattress and forced myself to close my eyes. When the tournament was done tonight, I would convene with the remaining champions and plot out tomorrow’s riot.