Thorns of Fate: Serendipity Saga Book One

Chapter Five

I blinked my eyes hard, the sunlight at the end of the tunnel pouring into them. The cheering shook me to my bones but the arena was alive with a buzz of electricity I could feel deep into my skin. I hoisted the shield strapped across my back into a more comfortable position and felt again for the weight of the sword in my hand.

Carson stood at my left shoulder, one hand delicately pressed against the small of my back, the other guiding me by my shoulder. Three burly guards dressed in armor and wielding spears marched closer from behind us.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, the vision that may very well be my last unfolded before me. The Coliseum floor was developed into a round arena directly before me. It led up the rafters behind, to a tower filled with private seating for VIP guests. At its center, stood the figure of the Emperor, flanked by his wife on his left and his evil mistress, Cassandra on the other side. I could see her icy gaze locked on me even from this distance.

All around the arena were thousands of Romans, on their feet and shouting all of their frustrations into the sky. The fervor was palpable. Electricity shimmered across my skin from that heavy feeling in the air.

Carson shivered at my side. I glanced at him to find him staring at me with an unexpected intensity. He quirked his eyebrows, confused. "You've got this?" He said, leaning to whisper delicately in my ear.

I returned my gaze to my impending doom, truly wondering about my odds. "I've got this," I responded.

His hand squeezed on my shoulder and moved me to my waiting location at one end of the arena.

"Good luck," he whispered, releasing me and stepping back onto the sidelines.

A clanging began emanating from the Emperor's booth. The crowd quieted from a raucous roar to a dull whispering. It was really the best they could expect during such a spectacle.

"Welcome," roared the voice of the Emperor. "Today is quite a grand occasion for us. Before us, we have a traitor among the realm." His hand waved in my general direction and several attendees booed. "Today, she will face her crimes in gladiatrix tradition!" He boomed.

The crowd roared again, a shriek that stung my sensitive ears. "Let the gods decide her fate!"

And with that shrill cry, gates before me opened. The first string of fighters left the sidelines. I suddenly found myself flanked by a heavily muscled squadron of gladiators. The two on either side approached me slowly, brandishing long shimmering nets. The one slowly advancing on me held aloft a sword and shield much like my own.

I glanced up, making eye contact with the wench in the stands for a brief moment. I felt the energy in our gaze build in me. She spewed venom in the glare.

Cassandra was tall and thin, build like a lithe dancer. She had long blonde hair, swooping to the backs of her thighs. For this ridiculous spectacle, she had it sported partially in braids and gathered into a pile on top of her head, laced through a tiara that adorned her scalp. She had huge round eyes filled with blue orbs of hatred and supple pink lips. Essentially, she looked like a princess and got away with damn near anything because of it.

She wore an elegant green velvet dress that draped her body as though it had been painted on. I grinned, knowing that fabric had to be pretty hot in this weather.

I subconsciously wiped my free hand across my forehead, relieving myself of a sheen of sweat already gathering there.

The three men approached.

"If this is how you wish it," I leapt to the side, smashing my elbow into the nose of the man on my left. It spewed blood and his head rocked back at the blow. "This is how it will be."