Page 41 of Aria's Ascension

Handsome, muscular, smart, and great in bed. It’s like winning the fucking lottery.

Swallowing her last bite, she dusted her hands off and passed out rings. When Kix went to take his, she held onto it until he met her eyes.

“Use it. Please.”

“I feel perfectly healed,aessa.”

“Mmhm,” she murmured, nodding in agreement. “Do it, anyway.”

He sighed, but his smile was affectionate as he stood and expanded the ring before setting it on a clear patch of ground and stepping inside. It did its magical hovering thing before rapidly ascending up to his head and dropping back down.

Kix stepped back out and returned to his seat.

“You are appeased, my treasure?”

She snorted. “Yeah, I’mappeased. You guys finished? We need to reconnoiter. See if we can’t find an exit, track down the dragon, check the main cavern, make sure we don’t have any nearby neighbors.” She paused before adding, “And find the other prisoners.”

Kix whipped his head up and frowned, but she held out a hand before he could argue.

“You know as well as I they were only coming to attack us because of the octofly.” She cut him off when he opened his mouth. “And! Unless you can magic me some clothes, there’s nothing to be done about the nudity. I don’t like it any more than you do, but they might have information we need: knowledge about Zhrovni, about the world outside the arena, or even how to get out of here.”

He looked to Tirox for support, but her barbarian only shrugged. “You know she speaks truth. We cannot remain here in seclusion waiting for freedom to find us. We must seek it out.”

Kix finally sighed and nodded, albeit unenthusiastically.

As they all stood and began strapping on their various weapons, she heard Tirox rumble, “Our little beauty is skilled with persuasion when she wants to be. We might well find allies. And if we don’t, it is always better to know our enemies. Besides, you can use your mind magic to see their true spirits and judge whether they hold any honor. Caution though, brother. Be sure to learn their im’er before you judge. We have ample troubles at present without provoking the gods’ wrath.”

Peeking over, she saw that Kix looked bolstered by the idea of reading their minds. It was a good idea, and she was glad Tirox thought of it and yet…

Let’s just hope none of the people down here can tell when their minds are being read and take offense to it.

Chapter 24

With Kix’s bioluminescence to light the way, they checked all the nearby tunnels and caves to ensure no one was dwelling close to their own before heading back to the main cavern.

When they arrived, they found the lights in the constructed section still on, and the bodies were right where they’d left them. Aria couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or bad.

If Zhrovni died in the blast, his employees likely abandoned ship to find work elsewhere, assuming things operated here like they did on Earth. If that was the case, there’d be no one to send for body retrieval.

While she found that possibility more than a little satisfying, it meant there might not be anyone up there to deliver rations and supplies to the dungeon. It also meant the people she wanted to save could’ve been sold off to new arenas.

Fuck me. Okay, best case scenario: the food is on automated delivery, and there’s a time-consuming process to re-sell and relocate the gladiators.

Another problem occurred to her when she heard Tirox make a sound of revulsion.

Glancing up,she saw him wince and rub his nose. Decomposing body stank. A lot. While she may not be able to smell them yet, he definitely could. Hell, the entire cave system would reek in a matter of days.

She grimaced in sympathy and reached out to stroke a hand down his arm. “You wanna stay back and keep a lookout?”

He shook his head but gave her an appreciative smile. “No, though I value your care of my comfort. I am not unaccustomed to the scent of death, and I would not deny you my strength just to ease a small irritation.”

Nodding, she went back to scanning the cavern for any unexpected visitors.

“Can you smell anyone over the bodies?”

“Apologies, no.”

“That’s alright, babe. Kix, can you sense anyone nearby?”

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