Page 81 of Thawed Gladiator: Varro

Dr. Diaz approaches with Dr. Petrov, the medical chief. I would have thought their faces would be bland, but this is such a momentous procedure, they are both brimming with excitement. “We’re ready to begin. I’ll need you both to step out now. We’ll keep you updated throughout the process.”

With a final glance at Thrax’s frozen form, we make our way to the door. On the threshold, I pause, looking back at the man who may soon join me in this strange future.

“Good luck, my friend,” I murmur. “May the Gods grant you strength for the journey ahead.”

As the door closes behind us, sealing Thrax in with the medical team, I can’t help but feel we’ve set in motion something that will change all our lives forever. Whatever comes next, there’s no turning back now.

Chapter Sixty-Three

Laura

Varro and I left the cryo room to grab lunch in the facility cafeteria, but we’re back, looking through the observation window in the hallway.

“You don’t have to hang here with me, love. Just because I’m a little OCD and can’t bear to leave this hallway doesn’t mean you have to join me.”

“Just alittleOCD?” He tips his head in question, a smile on his face, then he sobers. “I’m just as invested in this as you,Dulcis. We can sleep on the floor here if you want. Dr. Diaz said it will only take two days.”

“I knew there was a reason I kept you around, gladiator. We make such a good team.”

I lean against the observation window, watching the doctors and nurses bustle around Thrax’s cryogenic chamber. Varro’s steady presence beside me is a comforting anchor in the whirlwind of anticipation and nerves.

“Two days,” I murmur, more to myself than to Varro. “In two days, we might be having a conversation with a man who last drew breath two millennia ago.”

Varro’s hand finds mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And you won’t even have to tear off your clothes and jump on top of him to keep him warm.”

I tuck myself closer to him and, my eyes never leaving the action, ask, “Hard to believe both of us survived that, isn’t it?”

“I’m so glad I didn’t strangle you.” He deadpanned that with such fervent sincerity, it takes me a moment before I break out in laughter. What an odd thing to say to the woman you love, but it’s true.

Turning to face him, I’m struck by the mix of emotions playing across his features—amusement, hope, anxiety, and a touch of wonder.

“How are you holding up?” I ask, studying his face.

He offers a wry smile. “Ask me again in two days.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Interesting news?” Varro asks, peering over my shoulder.

“It’s an email from Dara Hobson herself. The third richest person on Earth.”

“Rich as Croesus?” Varro’s voice is full of wonder.

“Richer.Wayricher. She made her money in technology and is a genius. I had the balls—”

Varro snorts. He thinks it’s hysterical for a woman to say such a thing.

“I had the balls to reach out to her. She’s agreed to send a talented woman here to work with us on our Latin-to-English translation program. Her name is Skye Carter. Ms Hobson thinks that within a few months she might be able to create an AI-powered earpiece for real-time translation.”

Varro’s eyes widen. “That would be… incredible. To be able to understand and be understood immediately. I was lucky that you spoke Latin.”

“The program will make the transition so much easier for the others,” I agree, already imagining the possibilities, studiously avoiding the idea that there may not be any others.

Dr. Diaz exits the room and approaches us, trying to keep her professional calm despite her obvious excitement.

“Everything’s progressing as expected,” she reports. “Well, progressing as we’dhoped. Thrax’s vital signs are reaching markers just as we projected. My original estimate of forty-eight hours still stands.”

As Dr. Diaz returns to her work, Varro and I find ourselves alone once more, the enormity of the situation hanging between us.

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