Chapter 24 - Samantha
I’m torn between fear and overwhelming joy.
Ayden is here. He came for me.
But now we’re both prisoners of this disgusting organization. I have no idea what plan he has in mind to get us out of here, and he flat-out refuses to talk to Nov about it—which I completely understand.
I can’t bring myself to trust Nov anymore.
Not after what he did to my brother. Still, something inside me says he’ll keep watching over me while these brutes prowl around.
He already did last night, apparently. I can’t say I’m happy someone died because of me, but I do feel a deep relief that Nov protected me from that man.
After a quick shower while my two bodyguards stood watch outside, followed by a bland meal, it’s time to sleep. The hangar is about to go dark for the night.
I head toward my sleeping pod. Nov has claimed the one right next to mine. But Ayden, being the last to arrive, is stuck with one of the three pods left in the center of the wall—way too far to keep an eye on me effectively.
He exchanges a look with Nov, and it’s like these two—natural enemies, practically wired to hate each other—have found some silent common ground, at least for now. No words are exchanged. Maybe Ayden was hoping to take Nov’s place in the adjacent alcove? But Nov gives a subtle shake of the head—no.
Ayden walks over to my pod, leans down, inspecting the inside. There’s really nothing to see. It’s just a long cylinder, big enough to fit a Srebat, wide enough for a Varnak to roll over without bumping the sides. Inside, only a thin mattress as the sole buffer between your body and the cold.
“Get in, Sam. I’m joining you,” he whispers.
Wait, what? Ayden wants to spend the night in my pod?
Okay, deep breaths, girl. This isn’t some romantic gesture.
He just wants to make sure no one touches me in my sleep.
That’s it. Nothing more. But still… falling asleep wrapped up against Ayden?
Yeah, I seriously doubt I’m getting any rest tonight.
“Sam?” Nov growls. He hasn’t missed a thing.
He’s watching me, clearly waiting for my approval. If I say no, I know damn well he’ll throw Ayden across the room.
“I’m okay with it,” I say softly, cheeks burning.
The giant raises an eyebrow. And in his eyes—just for a second—was that… disappointment?
I slide into the pod, trying really hard not to think about what’s about to happen.
Ayden joins me almost instantly, then lowers the interior screen over the pod’s entrance.
He settles in carefully, but despite the room, our movements keep bumping into each other.
There’s enough space, technically. But our bodies just refuse to stay in their corners.
A knee brushes a hip, an elbow grazes a shoulder.
We’re awkward, clumsy, like two strangers forced to share a bed that’s too intimate.
Neither of us says a word. The silence stretches out, broken only by the uneven rhythm of our breathing.
I stare at the curved ceiling, hyper-aware of every inch that separates us… and the ones that no longer do.
“Ayden?” I whisper.
“Yeah, sweet girl?”
“Are you going to get us out of here?”
“That’s the plan,” he says.
His voice calms me. I close my eyes, exhausted from the tears I cried earlier, and I slowly drift off.
I wake a few hours later, curled up against the warmth of his chest. I don’t move. I just feel—half-awake, floating in this fragile moment.
His hand gently brushes my elbow, slow and rhythmic. A quiet, instinctive caress. It comes, goes, returns again. Soothing. Like he’s trying to reassure me even in his sleep. And I let him, shaken by this unexpected tenderness.
Why does this simple touch stir me so deeply? It’s nothing. Just a gesture. But my body… isn’t listening to reason. It’s Ayden, after all. The only one who’s ever truly lit me on fire, even if that was a long time ago.
My breathing quickens. His pauses—as if he’s felt the shift. I tilt my head toward him slightly, and though he doesn’t speak, he adjusts our position with a quiet gentleness.
Now I’m fully wrapped in him. His right arm drapes around me, my leg rests over his, and my hand has somehow found his chest—like it belongs there.
“Sleep now,” he murmurs, firm but soft.
And I do. I feel safe. And for the first time since I arrived in this hellhole, I drift into real, peaceful sleep.
It’s been three days.
Every day repeats the same way. At dawn, two guards escort me to the lab and greenhouse. At night, they bring me back to the hangar. I wash up at the lab’s sink to avoid having to shower in the main building.
Then I reunite with the fighters of the Arena and my two guardians, now bound by a kind of uneasy truce.
After dinner, Ayden joins me in our shared alcove.
It’s hot in the hangar, so once we’re hidden away, I take off the loose dress I wear during the day and lie down in just my underwear.
Ayden removes his shirt but keeps his pants on.
There’s a strange tension between him and Nov.
Ayden told me, in hushed whispers, that Nov won’t be participating in the standard arena fights. He’s set to face Danuk, the ruler of this place, in a final duel that will decide who controls the Red Arena. That match will apparently close out the festivities in a few days.
We’ve talked quietly about our limited options. If Nov wins, he can’t let us walk away alive. That’s exactly why Logan was killed—because he threatened to expose Vagantu to the Confederation.
So why is he helping us now? Why is he giving Ayden tips on how to survive against a Penubian or a Varnak? Why hasn’t he turned Ayden in for being with the Confederation? No answers. Just questions.
So far, there have been no new incidents. Ayden and Nov’s presence has scared off Donald—the bald creep who makes my skin crawl.
But tonight… something’s different. The tension’s heavier than ever. Everyone’s sizing each other up. Alliances are forming.
It’s only a matter of time before things blow up.
When Donald walks up, flanked by his sidekick Ralf, I sigh inwardly. Of course. Had to be these two. They’ve got that aggressive, mean-dog look that never leads anywhere good.
“We talked it over,” Donald announces.
“Oh no, hope you didn’t sprain a brain cell in the process,” Ayden reply with a mocking grin.
“You mocking us?”
“Gee, I wonder what gave you that idea. So, you two geniuses had a chat, huh?”
“Yeah, we did. And we decided it’s our turn to enjoy the girl. She’s the only female in the whole damn place. It ain’t right that you’re the only one who gets to have her.”
What a surprise. Neanderthal logic at its finest.
“Then we’ve got a problem,” Ayden says calmly. “Sam’s not going anywhere with you.”
Nov stays silent, arms crossed, eyes locked on Donald.
I back slowly toward my pod, heart pounding. If Ayden ends up facing both of them alone…
“We’re not asking,” Donald sneers. “We saw the Srebat isn’t touching her, so it’s just you. Two against one. We’ll take our shot.”
And then chaos explodes.
Donald lunges at Ayden.
Nov intercepts Ralf as he reaches for me.
Others jump in—some to help, some just for the thrill of a fight.
Guards by the door watch with eerie amusement, their smiles twisted.
And then the Penubian moves. Silent. Deadly. His eyes glow with something terrifying. In a flash, his fangs sink into Donald’s neck. The scream that follows halts everything. Donald crashes to the floor, convulses… then stills. Dead.
Silence.
The Penubian straightens, blood dripping from his teeth. He surveys the room. He’s just shown exactly what kind of threat he is. Now everyone knows.
That’s why he hasn’t trained since arriving. He doesn’t need to. He’s a weapon. And he just picked the perfect moment to prove it.
Ralf stumbles backward, pale.
The others edge away from the Penubian, who casually returns to his pod.
Two guards come and drag Donald’s body away. Tomorrow, someone new will take his place—gotta keep the show going.
Slowly, things return to normal, as if nothing happened. People go back to their routines. They stop looking at me… or wanting me.
But I can’t shake the fear. Without Ayden… and Nov… I might’ve become just another form of entertainment.
My hands won’t stop trembling. My heart won’t calm down. I try to breathe, slowly, deeply. But I can’t stop seeing their faces, hearing the scream, feeling the fangs in my mind.
I catch Ayden’s gaze. He says nothing, but I see the worry in his eyes.
Nov’s already back on the floor, unmoved. How does he stay so cold? Does that Penubian not scare him?
Disturbed, I head toward my bunk. I slide in feet first, then, once I’m out of sight, I take off my dress and lay it over me like a flimsy, makeshift blanket.
Familiar. Pointless, maybe, but familiar.
I don’t pull down the blackout shade. Ayden’s supposed to come after his shower.
Maybe, if I’m lucky, sleep will take me before he gets here.
I don’t want to talk. Don’t want to explain how I feel, or answer the questions in his eyes.
But my mind keeps spinning, stuck on that helpless feeling, that dull, gnawing fear that won’t let go.
Eventually, exhaustion catches up with me.
I crash hard, slipping into sleep like falling into a void. But peace doesn’t come. Inside my head, images blur together—violent, jarring. Hateful faces. Grabbing hands. Cruel laughter. I’m running barefoot across a cold floor, but my legs won’t move. I try to scream, but no sound comes out.
I jolt awake all at once, heart pounding, throat dry. The bunk is still. But my mind’s still screaming.
I know I’ve woken Ayden. I don’t even have to look.
His body has tensed, ready for action.
He doesn’t say a word, but I can feel his gaze on me in the dark. There’s a long moment of silence. I don’t know why, but I whisper, “Nightmare.”
A rustle. A breath. Then he answers, low, steady.
“I’m here.”