Looking around, Harper was reminded by the scorching sun of Velaris' new days and the dry air that filled her lungs that she was far away from home, a reality that she became increasingly resentful of with each passing day. The hollow clatter of practice swords and the clashes of blades filled the surrounding air, with no discernible pattern.
She took a deep breath as she reflected on her talk with Francine. It made her smile when she thought about how the vampiress agreed to work with her to plan their escape.
After she and the other body slaves had finished their lunch, Gillen invited her to accompany him to see his champions. For her, it was a chance to see Alex and Lucas, as well as a chance to deliver a message to them, if she could only figure out a way to get past Gillen's watchful gaze.
Gillen pointed to the training ground and said to Harper, who was standing behind him on the balcony overlooking it, "Look at them, Harper, they're working so hard to bring honor to The Casa."
With her arms folded tightly over her waist, Harper tried to keep the flimsy dress from flying away in the brisk afternoon wind as she stood there.
All the gladiators were practicing under the stifling heat of the midday sun. Sweat was flowing from their chiseled bodies. She quickly spotted Alex sparring with Makani. His body glistened in the bright sun as he braced himself for the other champion's blow. Francine and Lucas, who were already looking up at her, stood in a shaded corner.
"Tell them to get into position," Gillen instructed Clay, who instantly conveyed the word to the fighters.
The champions were fast to take their positions in formation.
"My champions, I have some extremely wonderful news for some of you." Gillen's remarks rang out loud and clear as he addressed the men beneath him on the training field.
Libby joined them on the balcony silently, casting a fleeting glance at Harper.
"I understand that none of you want to waste time, so I'll get right to it. Because of the rising popularity of these two champions, regardless of whether Alex wins his fight against Makani, he will face Lucas," Gillen said with a happy and pleasant smile on his face.
All the fighters glanced at each other with a puzzled expression, except for Alex, Lucas, and Francine.
"People are impatient to wait, and they have the money to pay more to see Alex and Lucas go head-to-head right away. So they'll fight the next evening," Gillen revealed.
Once Harper heard this, she felt a wave of panic wash over her.
"This Casa has been blessed with tremendous love and admiration from the people of Velaris, and it is our responsibility to return that love and adoration. That being stated, I want the two champions to give the Velarians a fight they will never forget. To make that happen, I've decided to provide the two fighters with some motivation," Gillen said, motioning for Harper to take up a position beside him.
"W-what?" Harper whispered, looking confused.
"*Harper* here will be the new sitter for whoever wins the fight." At that moment, every eye was on Harper, giving her a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. All of a sudden, she noticed Lucas' warm gaze on her. She turned her head away.
"As for the rest of the fighters, this is encouraging news for you. I understand that bringing honor to The Casa is more than enough motivation for you to win, but I'm a kind and grateful Master, and so starting with Alex and Lucas' match, every fighter would now have a reward to win for every fight they'd win!"
Except for Alex, Lucas, and Francine, all the fighters erupted in applause and jubilation. Harper and Libby exchanged glances just before the formation was broken, and Gillen motioned for Harper to walk with him out of the balcony.
"Your guests have arrived, Um-Master Gillen," Libby informed.
"Thank you, Libby."
As soon as Gillen moved a few steps in front of Harper, Libby grabbed her by the shoulders and leaned in.
"Cook some alibi and come meet me in the underground wine cellar afterward," Libby said in hushed tones as she hurried out.
Harper gulped as she walked behind Gillen to the receiving room, her heart hammering.
When she arrived, she gasped and froze at the entryway, eyes wide at everything that was going on as Gillen presented some of his fighters to his guests. Her mouth sprang open in shock and disgust at the sight of horny women ravaging Gillen's fighters who had not yet proven themselves worthy of being included in his privileged group of current champions.
She had only seen people indulging in The Casa in the evenings and had not expected to see them in the afternoon. The giggles and moaning echoed in her ears.
She bowed her head and walked around to the gambling table, where she approached Gillen. "Master Gillen, may I-"
"Go help Libby with the table. I expect my guests to be hungry soon." Gillen brushed her off without a second thought. For some reason, she had the impression that he didn't want her there as well.
Quickly, she turned on her heel, departing the room and making her way to the door. She hurried outside and down to the underground wine cellar. Walking down the wooden stairs, she soon became overwhelmed as she fought to remember which turns she needed to take through the maze of cells. She took a few steps back, hoping to see something she recognized, but everything appeared to be the same. She grew frustrated almost immediately and took a time to gather herself against a wall.
To her surprise, she quickly discovered that she was not the only one who had wandered through the maze. She turned around and saw a body emerge from around a corner.
A familiar face greeted her right away.
She straightened her dress as she approached him, her gaze falling to the ground as he came to a halt in front of her.
"Alex." Her gaze wandered over his entire body.
"*Cuddly bear*." Alex flashed a playful smirk at her.
Harper's heart hammered in her chest, and her cheeks reddened at the name he used to annoy her with. She looked down. "A-Alex…" She couldn't find her own voice, so it came out in a reverent whisper.
"Harper, I..."
The moment she looked up again, and her eyes met Alex's, she felt warmed from the inside out, and she battled to keep the passion she battled to keep hidden.
Alex reached for her cheek with his hand, but before his finger could make contact with her skin, they heard footsteps behind them. Harper swiftly backed away, and they were soon joined by Lucas, Francine, and Libby.
"Harper," Lucas quickly caught Harper in a tight hug, unconcerned that Alex was standing right there, eyes glaring at him.
Deep in Luca's embrace, Harper was visibly taken aback. When she noticed Alex's sour reaction, she pulled away and began to stand back.
Francine sighed and looked at Alex, her lips pursed tightly together.
Libby stepped in to break the ice when she sensed the tension. "All right, let's get this over with. After an hour of fucking, Gillen's guest would need to eat."
Harper shook her head in disdain.
"I suppose we've just been given an opportunity," Libby began.
"What opportunity?" Francine asked.
"Alex and Lucas's fight. This means that they'd be free from the band and able to shift at the same time. With both of them in their wolf forms, they're stronger together, giving us a better chance of fighting back."
"What about Harper?" Alex asked. "She'd be locked up during the fight."
"Clay has access to the keys. I'm going to talk to him. I spoke with the other slaves, and they begged me to let them join us. When it comes to exit routes, they will be of great assistance. They've been here long before anyone of us was here. They know all the doors, including the concealed ones, in the entire Casa."
"Oh my god, Libby…" Harper couldn't believe her ears when she heard what was happening. Her eyes were bright with hope.
"From this point forward, we must use extreme caution. When we have eyes and ears everywhere, it would be extremely difficult for us to plot our escape, and once we were outside The Casa, it would be even more difficult. The Velarians revere and respect Gillen for the sick amusement and out-of-this-world fuckery that he is able to provide for them. We need to get out of Velaris before the bell in the tower tolls. We can't trust the people outside this Casa. Moorland is our only hope and escape. Gillen would never step foot there or send his guards."
"Is it because of the Red Wolf?" Harper asked.
She nodded. "You know?"
"Alex and I had an encounter with him and his pack of rogues," Harper recounted.
"Well, we've got a greater chance with them than we do in this place."
"And we need to find Gwinifer. She's the only one who can get us out of this fucking world," Alex said.
"As soon as we are in Moorland, we'll be able to plan our next move."
"I can help the slaves secure our escape routes," Francine offered.
"I'll see each of the slaves again later tonight."
"Should we…" Harper's voice trailed off.
Libby shook her head. "No, Harper. Any grouping would be noticed by the guards. Leave it to me to handle it. I will pass on the message to them." Then she turned to face Lucas and Alex. "You must shift before you step foot into the arena."
Alex nodded, and Lucas sighed.
Libby looked around. "I think they're almost finished with the fucking." We should go back before the guards notice anything. Also, be careful not to appear suspicious. We can't be seen conversing with one another. It's already hard enough that you four are familiar with each other and have a long shared history."
Harper agreed, saying, "I understand."
"Let's get moving."