To Kill A Gladiator

Chapter Seven: Felix

This one was a real struggle so I apologise if it wasn't what you were expecting.

"No."

"Why not!" She cries angrily, her hands on her hips.

"What's he ever done for me?" I ask.

"Nothing but-"

"But what?" I interrupt. Cami had burst into the clearing just a few moments before, after quickly explaining to me the predicament the Emperor was in she told me her plan.

I didn't like it.

"It's not about what he's done but what will happen if he's killed." She says desperately, almost pleading.

Enlighten me." I retort. She is obviously stupider than I thought, thinking that I would agree with her plan.

"He has no heir! There will be fighting on the streets between the supporters of each claimant. People will die!" Cami says, her voice getting louder as she speaks. She wants this, but I can't imagine why.

"I'm not going back." I say firmly. Yes, that was her plan, to send me back off into the arena to fight Marcus's man. To kill him before he kills the Emperor. I had gone to the arena by choice but had very quickly realised that the arena was a slaughter house and I have no wish to return.

Cami is silent for a moment.

"Fine."

I blink, "What?" Surely not...

"You won't go, so I will." She says, looking me in the eyes. I stare back into her own cursed eyes, filled with anger and determination.

"Oh will you now?" I say turning from her laughing. I can't believe it, it was ridiculous, Cami in the arena? She wouldn't last very long, that was for sure. She's too small and too...

"Yes. Yes I will."

"Don't be so stupid."

"I'm not, if you won't try and stop him who will?"

"So according to you, that would be you..." I say, still not quite believing it. She must be mad, or ill.

"Yes it would." Cami replies, hands on hips, glaring at me.

"You do realise that you would have to defeat everybody to get to the final and you're... You're just a girl!" I say, smiling ironically but inside I'm sick with dread at the idea of her going to fight. But looking at her I could tell she wasn't going to change her mind. I hadn't known her for very long but I could already tell she was never going to change her mind with me laughing at her.

"Please don't do this." I say looking into her eyes, pleading with her.