Theodora floated into town on Game Day as she usually did, but this time she was thoroughly ticked off. Actually, she had been since leaving that Guardian on the road. And now the game had ended short. She expelled a huff of air. It didn’t matter; she hadn’t been watching anyway.

The leaders of the two factions she’s created—Mamushi and Habu—presented their dead for the tally. She scanned the crowd, glaring. “Really, people. This is a pitiful showing. It’s as if your hearts aren’t in the game.”

She counted the bodies. Mamushi team won with seventeen kills. She slid the prize bucket of extra food and blankets to their side of street. The men and women hurriedly scooped items up, hugging them tight to their chests, and scampered into the building.

“Habu team, I’ve got nothing for you.” She laughed. She loved saying that line, loved seeing their faces fall.

With a swirl of her scepter, the dead were healed and put back together. The group moaned in pain as they became whole again, an added delight to seeing them die over and over again.

“You need to do better next time or there will be a penalty. Got it?” She didn’t wait for anyone to answer. They knew better than that. So she just vanished in a puff of red smoke.

* * *

Each side gathered their men and women and disappeared back into the buildings.

Aidan ducked through the unhinged doorway of the Falcon gas station, keeping Rhianna close to him, almost blocking her from view in case Theodora were to return. He wondered if she could find them anyway. Probably. But that wasn’t something he’d dwell on now.

Now that they were concealed within the station, Rhianna leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. Thank god she was safe.

Three men entered, two of them supporting Dillon Savage by his arms as he stumbled through the doorway. They were all breathing hard, all seeming to still be in shock. Which was understandable. They had just witnessed—hell, been a part of—an ancient war game. The only difference was that the fallen were brought back to life, the epitaph of the phrase “live to fight another day.”

Aidan combed Rhianna’s hair back with his fingers, searching her face. “Are you all right? Any injuries?”

“I’m fine. Just a few bruises,” she answered. She rested against him for a minute and then stepped back, looking at the other men. “Aidan, this is Steve and Dillon from the TV show. You already met Sean.” She paused a beat, her expression shifting from relieved to one of concern. “Are you guys okay?”

They nodded and grumbled.

“So it plays out like a video game for her entertainment,” Aidan muttered.

“I guess. This was our first time,” Steve said, agitated.

“She took us from our ship and dropped us here,” Sean explained. “We had no idea what was going on. But the people here are quick to tell you. And if you look at their necks, there are marks that indicate how many times they’ve died and been brought back. Evidently, ‘Game Day’ takes place once a week.”

Dillon’s gaze darted around frantically. “That sucks.” He finally released his death grip on his sword and let it drop to the ground. He rubbed his wrist. Blood stained his clothes. “I’ve . . . I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“At least you have another chance live and find a way out of here,” Aidan said.

Dillon nodded as he pressed his lips together, clearly trying not to lose it. He hung his head and folded his arms in against his body.

Steve looked off in the distance. “Is there a way out of this hellhole?” he asked.

With a heavy sigh, Dillon pulled himself straighter. “The poor son of a bitches have to go through this over and over. You can’t believe how painful it is to die and wake up. No wonder they become expert fighters. The best don’t get killed.”

Rhianna pulled away from him suddenly and looked up at him, confused. “Wait. What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I came to get you out,” Aidan said. “Any ideas?” He was trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn’t something he was very skilled at.

Rhianna didn’t smile, but tears glazed her eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “No. Just know we gotta get out of here,” Rhianna said.

Dillon rubbed his temple. “I’m tired.”

“Look,” she said to Aidan, pointing at Dillon’s neck. “A black mark. Like Steve said.”

Aidan squinted at the tiny slash. “Some of the people had them all the way around their throats in rows.”

Dillon closed his eyes, his face full of anguish.

“Poor devils,” Steve said.

Indeed. He wouldn’t want to endure that over and over again. He turned his gaze to Rhianna. Her hair was disheveled and her cheeks smudged with dirt. None of these people should have to stay here, but his number one concern was getting Rhianna out.

He glanced around still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together that made up this absurd game of Theodora’s.

“How do you know what team you’re on?” Aidan asked.

“This side of the road is Mamushi; the other is Habu,” Steve said.

“Huh, she named them after snakes.” Anxious to come up with a plan, Aidan paced around the group.

“Yeah, I remember the mamushi from our safety literature,” Steve added. “It’s bite causes the tissue to liquefy. The victim literally loses a chunk of his body.” He scrunched his face and shook his head. “Ugh.”

Rhianna shuddered. “I hate snakes.”

Aidan paused, allowing his thoughts to solidify into a plan. “Steve, Sean, and Dillon, see what information you can learn about these games? Is there anything else we need to know? Rhianna, you stay put and get some rest. I’m going on a reconnaissance flight to see how big this universe is and come up with a plan to escape.”

“What is he talking about,” Dillion asked, Rhianna. Still dazed from what he’d been through.

Rhianna rested a hand on Dillion’s shoulder. “He has some special abilities. Just trust him.”

“Whatever you do, promise to take us with you,” Dillon begged.

“We’re all going to get out of here,” Aidan promised.

“I’m with you,” Steve assured him. “Thanks.”

“I’m sure all the people here feel the same,” Sean added.

Rhianna sucked in a breath, placing her hand on his arm. “Oh my god. What if my great-grandfather is here?” She shook her head, as if scolding herself. “Why wasn’t that the first thing I thought of?”

“Don’t count on it,” Aidan muttered without thinking.

Her lips turned down and her eyes misted. A pained look crossed her face.

He wished he could take the words back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be harsh. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. Your great-grandfather has been gone a long time, and he must be quite old now.”

And I’m a boor who isn’t used to dealing with people.

He stepped closer to her and drew her into his arms, stroking her silky hair. She rested her cheek against his chest. “But I’ll still do my best to find him.”

Her response was to squeeze him tighter around his middle and snuggle into him.

His heart skipped several beats. He’d give anything to make her happy. Anything.