Page 19 of Naga Warrior's Mate

The underground quarters felt like a tomb—no windows, no fresh air, just stale darkness and the occasional drip of water from somewhere in the walls.

She pressed her palms against her temples.Getting a message out wouldn’t be easy.The guards checked everything that came in or went out.

But there had to be a way.Someone on the outside had to care that a Niri warrior had been captured.His own people would want to know what had happened to him.Wouldn’t they?

The image of Dernin in the ring flashed through her mind—powerful and graceful yet carrying a weight of sadness in those golden eyes.He didn’t belong here anymore than she did.

“Think,” she muttered.“There has to be someone who could help.”

But who?And how to reach them?The fighting rings were illegal.Everyone who came to watch was either a criminal themselves or paid well to keep quiet.The authorities wouldn’t help.They were probably getting kickbacks to look the other way.

She stared at the darkness above her bunk.Tomorrow she’d have to watch more fights, watch Dernin risk his life again.The thought made her sick.

Alaysia closed her eyes, but sleep felt impossible.Her mind wouldn’t stop turning over possibilities, each one seeming more impossible than the last.

The soft padding of footsteps drew Alaysia’s attention as Marcella entered the sleeping quarters carrying fresh linens.Alaysia watched her through half-closed eyes.Marcella had shown nothing but kindness since her arrival, but kindness didn’t always equal trustworthiness.

“Can’t sleep?”Marcella asked, setting down her bundle.

Alaysia propped herself up on her bunk.“Just thinking.”

“About that handsome Naga fighter?”Marcella’s eyes twinkled in the dim light.

“Sort of.”Alaysia twisted her hand in her thin blanket.“Marcella, how long have you been here?”

“Three years, give or take.”Marcella rested her hand on the edge of Alaysia’s bunk.“Long enough to know every crack in these walls.”

That caught Alaysia’s attention.She leaned forward, lowering her voice.“And in all that time, has anyone ever...”

“Escaped?”Marcella finished.“They’ve tried.Failed.”She paused, studying Alaysia’s face.“But I know why they failed.”

Alaysia’s heart quickened.“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I see something different in you.”Marcella glanced around the room before continuing.“And in that fighter of yours.Most who try to escape do it alone, out of desperation.But together...”She left the thought hanging.

“If I tell you something, will you swear to keep it secret?”

Marcella placed her hand over her heart.“On my life.”

“Dernin and I...we’re planning something.”The words tumbled out in a whisper.“But we need help.Someone who knows this place, who has connections.”

A slow smile spread across Marcella’s face.“Finally.Someone smart enough to ask.”She then covered Alaysia’s hand with hers.“Meet me early tomorrow morning at the laundry.We’ll talk more then.”

Relief flooded through Alaysia.Maybe, just maybe, they had a chance after all.

Steam rose from the massive washing vats in the underground laundry, creating a humid haze that clung to Alaysia’s skin.The smell of harsh soap burned her nostrils as she made her way between the rows of industrial washers.

Marcella stood sorting linens, her experienced hands moving swiftly through the piles.The early hour meant they were alone.Most of the other slaves wouldn’t arrive for another hour.

“So dear, how can I be of assistance?”Marcella asked, not looking up from her work.

Alaysia glanced around before stepping closer.“We need to pass along some information to the outside world.”She picked up a stack of towels, mimicking Marcella’s movements to blend in.“Dernin isn’t just any fighter.He’s a Niri warrior who was captured and forced to fight here.”

Marcella’s hands stilled.“A warrior?Are you certain?”

“He told me himself.He was stationed here to protect human surrogates before they took him.”The towel twisted in Alaysia’s grip.“If we could get word to his people...”

“The Niri warriors would tear this place apart looking for one of their own.”Marcella resumed her sorting, but her movements were more deliberate now.“Getting a message out won’t be easy.The guards check everything.”

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