It was eerie stepping back into the arena. Walking willingly back into her own personal hell and torture chamber.

Sam looked around the place where she had fought to hold on to herself.

It was empty. Silent. The stands were bare, and below, the cell doors stood open. Abandoned.

“What the drak?” Thorin’s deep voice.

“There’s no one here.” Raiden stood with his hands on his hips, frowning.

Beside Sam, Galen turned in a slow circle, his face considering. “They’re here, somewhere.”

“They lured us here for a reason,” Sam said.

“We need to check the labs.” Galen nodded at Magnus.

The cyborg moved toward a doorway heading down into the tunnels and his cyborgs followed, breaking into a jog.

“They won’t find anything.” Sam’s heart was a steady beat in her ears.

“We’ll find them.” Galen looked at her. “Where do you think they went?”

She shook her head. She didn’t know.

Galen lifted a small, metallic communicator. “Zhim? Are you picking us up?”

Scratchy static came through. Then Zhim’s voice. “Connection…not good.”

“I need you and Ryan to search the system. Zaabha is empty. The Thraxians must have a base or something nearby.”

“Will…see what…”

“Say again?”

“Scientist…signal strong. Need to…”

Suddenly, the ground started to vibrate. Galen cursed.

“What the hell?” Harper called out, lifting both her swords. From just behind her, Vek growled.

The gladiators all pulled in closer. Raiden moved in behind Harper. Saff and Blaine moved to stand back to back. Nero and Lore spread their feet, weapons raised. Everyone fought to keep their balance.

Ahead, Sam watched as rectangular holes opened up in the arena floor, sand pouring through.

“Run!” Galen barked.

Sam sprinted forward, breaking away toward the stands. But as she watched, the stands in front of her started to tilt and topple over.

Just a few meters away, Harper leaped over a hole. With a flap of his red cloak, Raiden jumped right behind her.

Galen moved up beside Sam, grabbing her hand. A hole opened in front of them and together, they leaped over it.

But instantly, another cavity opened up directly below Sam. Her foot hit open space.

Shit. She yanked her hand from Galen’s. She tried to grab onto the edge of the hole, but her hand slipped on the sand. She tumbled into the blackness.

“Sam!” Galen shouted.

Below, all she could see was darkness.

She heard shouts and the sound of others falling. Sand streamed past her.

Before she knew it, she hit the ground, pain jarring through her body. Trying to catch her breath, she pressed her face to the rocky ground. Nearby, she heard other bodies smacking into the ground. She groaned, pushing up on her hands and knees.

She looked up, and for a fleeting second, she thought she saw jagged, rock walls, with burning torches attached to them.

Then she blinked and felt a burst of pain in her head.

Everything went black, and when she opened her eyes, everything inside her went still.

Beneath her were cool sheets and a soft bunk. She was in her bed on Fortuna Station. Confusion swept through her. She blinked again. It wasn’t right, she was… She was somewhere else just before, doing…something.

Her head hurt and she reached up to rub her temple. She had the overwhelming sensation that she was forgetting something. Something important.

“Captain Santos, you have five minutes until your duty shift starts,” the comp beside her bed intoned.

With a curse, she slid out of bed, reaching for her clothes. Everything in her quarters was as it always was—fairly neat and tidy except for yesterday’s clothes tossed over a chair. She pulled on her uniform, fingering the Fortuna Station logo stitched on her chest, and wondered why it felt wrong.

Feeling uneasy, she touched the door control and headed into the corridor. A large bank of long windows gave a fantastic view of Jupiter below.

The click of boots. She turned and saw Blaine striding toward her. Her head throbbed painfully again.

“Hey, Captain.” He fell into step beside her. “I wanted to go over tomorrow’s roster with you.”

“Sure. Blaine, did anything unusual happen last night?”

The big man frowned. “No. Everything was normal. Why?”

She shook her head. “I keep feeling like I’m forgetting something.”

“Only thing different is that I’ve had a headache from hell this morning,” he said.

She paused, discomfited. “Me too.”

All of a sudden, there was a flash of light through the windows. Sam looked up and watched a small ship whizz past the station. Then another. And another.

“Madre de Dios?” she whispered.

Sirens began to wail, and the wall beside them started to glow a deep orange. She and Blaine both whipped up their laser weapons. A second later, the wall collapsed inward, and a being like something out of a nightmare stepped through.

Alien. A demon-like alien that was huge, with cracked, dark skin and orange veins glowing beneath, a set of horns, and glowing eyes.

Suddenly, Sam heard screams echoing through the station. Blaine started shouting.

Sam just stared, horror and fear flooding her.

Thraxians.

Thraxians? Why did she know that name?

She saw Blaine stride forward, firing his weapon and engaging the aliens.

The aliens laughed—a deep, horrifying sound.

Zaabha.

Carthago.

House of Galen.

Galen.

Sam felt another burst of pain and squeezed her eyes shut. She tried to hold onto that thought.

“Sam, help me fight!” Blaine yelled.

Galen. Rugged face and eye patch. Black cloak and muscled body. Her Galen.

More pain, like her head was going to explode. When Sam opened her eyes again, Fortuna Station was gone.

Her chest hitched. She was in some huge, cavernous space carved from rock. Ahead lay the entrance to what looked like a maze, with twisting, open tunnels spread as far as she could see. The only light came from the burning torches attached to the walls.

All around her, Galen’s gladiators were on their knees, staring sightlessly ahead.

She scrambled onto her feet. Fuck. It was some sort of mind-interfering tech. Harper was kneeling closest to Sam, and Sam quickly ran over to the woman.

“Harper.” She gripped the woman’s shoulder and shook her. “Harper! Snap out of it.”

Harper blinked and sucked in a breath. “Sam?”

“You okay?”

“We were on Fortuna?” She looked around, confused. “Aliens were attacking.”

“We’re on Carthago, Harper. Do you remember?”

The woman blinked again. “Carthago.” Then a fierce look crossed her face. “Raiden.” She leaped up. “Where’s Raiden?”

“Over there.” Sam pointed. “Go wake him up.”

Kace was next closest to Sam, and she quickly shook him free. His face was covered in sweat, but he nodded at her. They were all being forced to relive nightmares.

She looked around desperately, and spotted Galen. She sprinted to him. He was on his knees, his muscles tensed and veins popping out of his neck.

“Galen.” She cupped his cheeks. “Galen.”

“Have to save Raiden.” His voice was harsh. “Have to save the royal family and Aurelia.”

“Galen, it’s Sam. We’re on Carthago. Come back to me.”

His hands clamped down on her arms and he yanked her closer. Suddenly, she was somehow in his memories.

She felt sunshine on her skin and stone pavers beneath her knees. She looked over her shoulder and gasped.

In front of them, she saw Thraxians fighting with armed guards in rich red uniforms. Galen stared at the fight, face hard. It was a younger Galen, with a handsome face and two glittering-blue eyes. He wasn’t in uniform.

“I was hiking in the hills,” he whispered. “It was my day off. I left Raiden alone. While I was strolling through the trees, my world was being torn apart.”

Her heart clenched. Then Galen raised a sword and leaped into the fight.

Nearby, a very young Raiden was battling with another Thraxian. The ground shook, and Sam looked up. They were outside a beautiful palace, like something out of a fantasy story. But as she watched, a tower toppled, crashing to the ground and breaking into chunks of rock.

Then Raiden stumbled. “Galen!”

The young prince’s bodyguard charged toward his young prince, his tattoos flaring blue-green. Sam’s gut churned. She knew there was no happy ending for this scenario.

“Your family is dead, boy,” the Thraxian yelled at Raiden. “And you’re next.”

“No!” Enraged, Raiden rushed at the alien.

Galen charged at them. “Raiden, stand down. Get to safety!”

The Thraxian lifted a huge, clawed hand and sideswiped the younger man, sending him flying. Raiden collapsed in a pile and didn’t get up.

“No.” Galen skewered the Thraxian with his sword. The Thraxian fought back, swiping at Galen. His claws slashed up Galen’s shirt, opening up several deep wounds on Galen’s chest.

Pain made Galen’s face spasm. He fell back, and the Thraxian fell on top of him.

The Thraxian pushed to his knees, yanking Galen’s sword out and throwing it away. Gold blood oozed from his gut wound. Then he roared and gripped Galen’s head, his claws hovering right over Galen’s left eye.

“You are a failure,” the Thraxian said. “I’ll make you watch while I gut your young prince.”

Emotion poured through Sam as she watched and felt everything Galen was feeling—pain, despair, helplessness.

Galen twisted and jerked, but the Thraxian was heavier and stronger. He had Galen pinned.

The Thraxian kept talking and behind them, another palace tower toppled over.

Then Sam saw the knife in Galen’s hand. He was desperately trying to stab it up into the Thraxian, but the Thraxian’s arm was long, putting him just out of reach. Galen only needed another inch, and he could sink the knife into his attacker.

Suddenly, Galen went still. Then, before she realized what he planned, his tattoos flared and he reached up with his other hand. He yanked the Thraxian closer.

The Thraxian’s claws sank into Galen’s eye.

He didn’t scream or flinch. Instead, he rammed the knife deep into the Thraxian’s chest.

Oh, sweet Lord. “Galen,” she said in a broken cry.

Then jarringly, she blinked, and the images dissolved. Sunlight gave way to flickering shadows. The paved courtyard gave way to an underground cavern.

Galen was on his knees, staring at Sam, the same deep groove in his brow, and agony in his eye. She leaned forward and kissed him.

He blinked.

“Sam?”

“I’m here.”

He blinked again and one strong arm snaked around her. He pulled her close. “Sam.”

“We’re okay, but we have Thraxians to beat.”

His face turned to stone. “Thraxians.”

She nodded. “It’s time to save the day again, boss-man.”

* * *

Galen focused on Sam’s eyes, shaking off the past. His gut was churning.

The feel of her warm fingers on his skin helped him pull himself together. He glanced around and saw Harper, Raiden, Kace, and Lore working to wake the others.

His gladiators were all caught in the grip of some strange tech. Galen scowled. He’d seen this before, being tested by insane tech genius Catalyst, and Carthagoan scum, Gabriez. It looked like the Thraxians had made it even stronger.

“Get the rest of them free,” he said.

Sam touched his jaw. “You sure you’re okay?”

He nodded. “I’m fine now.” He pressed his hand over hers. “Help them.”

With a nod, she raced off, headed toward Saff.

Slowly, Galen pushed to his feet. Everything hurt. Sam had seen his worst failure. He blew out a breath. She’d seen what had left the scars on his soul.

Shaking it off, he moved to Nero, gripping the man’s shoulder. “Wake up, gladiator.”

Nero blinked at him, his face set like thunder. “Galen.”

“Yes. On your feet, Nero.”

Once Nero was up, they moved through the rest of his team, waking them from the tech. Soon, they all stood, white-faced and shaky.

“Drakking Thraxians,” Thorin snapped. “I’m going to kill them all.”

A deep howl echoed around them. They all spun.

“Now what?” Saff yanked a net device off her belt, ready to throw it.

Several beasts slunk out of a dark tunnel, drool dripping from their fang-filled mouths, and their gazes locked on the gladiators.

“This way,” Kace yelled.

They all sprinted toward the wide entrance to the maze. It was the only place to go.

“We could take them,” Nero yelled.

“There will be more,” Galen said.

They headed into the maze tunnels.

“We need a way out,” Sam said.

They sprinted through the twisting tunnels. The walls were carved rock, with several dead ends. Suddenly, a wild screech echoed through the tunnels.

They all stumbled to a halt. Galen heard the pounding of hooves on dirt. More creatures were coming.

“This way,” Harper called.

She’d found a small trap door in a side wall. Dropping to her hands and knees, she crawled through it, Raiden right behind her.

They all squeezed through, and came out in another wide, maze tunnel.

As one, they jogged through the twists and turns. But it wasn’t long before they were met with a shouting crowd of Zaabha fighters. Swords clashed. Galen rushed forward, slamming his blade against a fighter’s sword. Beside him, Thorin swung his axe, and Kace’s staff moved in a blur. His gladiators fought hard, and nearby, he saw Sam leap into the air, taking down a fighter.

“Down here,” Raiden yelled.

There was an empty tunnel leading away and they followed Raiden, leaving the Zaabha fighters groaning on the rocky ground.

As they turned a corner, Galen’s instincts were screaming at him.

“We’re being herded,” he said.

Sam’s face tightened. “You’re right. Beasts and fighters popping up and driving us in a certain direction.”

Moments later, they broke into a circular space with a sand-covered floor. They all stumbled to a halt.

It looked like an arena, except for a circular hole in the very center of the floor. Vek growled.

“What the drak?” Blaine stepped forward. “This reminds me of the underground fight rings.”

“What’s with the hole?” Raiden asked.

Blaine looked up, his face dark. “Usually something lived in it, and the Srinar liked to feed it losing fighters.”

A low, groan-like sound vibrated from the hole.

Sam spun her sword, her gaze on the cavity. Galen watched as a huge, clawed leg came out of the hole, then another and another.

“Fucking hell,” Blaine muttered.

Seconds later, an enormous, scaled creature had pulled itself out of the hole.

“What is it?” Sam asked.

“Looks like a killer crab mated with…something bad,” Harper said.

The creature had a set of six eyes above a huge mouth, rimmed with sharp teeth.

“I’m not certain, but I believe it’s called a khodor,” Galen said. “Obviously banned from every arena I know.”

The animal opened its huge mouth, giving them a view of several rows of jagged teeth. Then suddenly, a black substance sprayed out of its mouth.

The slime hit Nero, slamming the gladiator into the rock wall.

“Drak!” He struggled, but the sticky substance held him. Lore rushed to help him.

There was another spray of black and Galen dodged it, slamming into Sam and knocking her out of the way.

The creature screeched, lifting several legs and slamming them down. The ground vibrated under them.

Another spray of black goo caught Saff. With a shout, Blaine rushed to her, hacking away at the sticky, web-like substance with his sword.

Finally, Nero was free, specks of black still stuck to his chest. Lore stepped forward, pulling something off his belt. He tossed something toward the animal.

Fireworks exploded in the creature’s face. It let out a loud screech.

“Work together,” Galen shouted. “Distract it.”

“What are you going to do?” Sam asked.

“Get on it. Find a weak spot.”

“Galen.” Lore appeared, pressing several pouches into Galen’s hands. “Just in case you need them.”

“I’m coming with you.” Sam slid her sword into her scabbard.

Galen didn’t bother arguing with her, just yanked her close for a quick kiss. Then he turned and climbed the maze wall beside him.

Sam followed. The creature was darting in at his gladiators. The gladiators were taunting it—yelling and poking at it with their weapons.

Galen climbed to the top of the wall and balanced precariously on the narrow surface. He helped Sam up beside him.

As the monster moved past them, Galen leaped onto the creature’s back. Sam landed beside him. They both gripped the rough scales, the edges biting into their fingers.

“Now what?” Sam looked around. “I don’t see any weak spots.”

No. The armor-plated scales were tough, and they completely covered the creature. “We get up to the head and drop one of Lore’s pouches inside.”

Sam grimaced but nodded. “Let’s do it.”

They both stood and ran up the beast’s back. It moved beneath them, and Sam slipped. Galen reached out and grabbed her hand.

Together, they moved up to the creature’s head.

“Galen, look.”

From another tunnel, he saw Thraxians and Srinar pouring out into the space below. They were all holding some sort of projectile weapons and shooting at his gladiators.

Galen scowled. He couldn’t worry about them right now. First, he and Sam had to bring this creature down. “Come on.”

He grabbed one of Lore’s pouches and lobbed it towards the creature’s mouth.

But as he did, the creature moved, skittering sideways. The pouch hit the edge of the mouth and bounced off. The beast reared, and Galen quickly dropped down and pressed his body to the scales. Sam did the same, holding on as the creature moved beneath them.

“Hold my feet,” Sam said.

He frowned. “What?”

“Hold my feet and I’ll lean over and get a pouch inside.” She held out a hand and Galen set a pouch in it. Then she moved onto her belly and slithered closer to the creature’s mouth.

Galen didn’t like her plan, but he clamped his hands around her ankles.

She slid closer to the beast’s gaping mouth. His gut hardened. Then she was dangling right over its teeth. She dropped her pouch into its mouth.

Galen quickly pulled her back.

Nothing happened.

“Shit,” she muttered. “Galen—”

Thump.

The muffled sound came from inside the creature. A second later, it reared up, screeching wildly. Its legs waved madly.

Galen grabbed Sam as they slid. He yanked her to her feet. “Jump!”

They leaped off. When they hit the ground, they rolled.

A leg slammed down beside them. Galen tackled Sam and they rolled. Another leg rushed at them, and this time, Sam rammed her shoulder into him and they rolled again. The creature teetered away, letting out a mournful groan. Then it finally collapsed.

Thank drak. Galen smiled and heaved in a breath. As he shifted to roll to his feet, he sensed movement beside him.

Only to be met with a sword at his throat.

Sam moved as well, and an axe was pressed to her chest.

Drak. They both looked up and froze.

Galen stared into Raiden’s blank face. His one-time charge and prince calmly held his sword at Galen’s neck. Beside him, a slack-jawed Thorin lifted his axe, holding it above Sam’s head.

“Raiden—” Galen’s words faded away.

Both men had silver implants—one on Raiden’s neck and another on Thorin’s cheek.

“No,” Sam breathed.

Galen’s hands curled into fists and he quickly glanced at all of his gladiators.

All of them were wearing implants.