They were marched into the Zaabha arena.

As the sights and smells of the cheering crowd washed over her, Ever set her shoulders back. She felt tired and sore. More strongly, she felt fear. But she wouldn’t let these bastards see it.

One step ahead of her, she watched Magnus scanning the sand, tense and alert.

The crowd was jeering and throwing things onto the fighting floor. Some sort of alien fruit landed nearby with a rotten splat.

The retractable roof was open and sunlight from both the big suns speared down on them.

She’d fought here before. Her throat tightened. She’d managed to avoid having to kill anyone, but she’d spilled blood.

Her gaze caught on something new. In the center of the arena, several long, wooden poles had been set upright in the sand.

“Move.” One of the Srinar guards shoved her and she stumbled.

Magnus moved, slamming a shoulder into the man. The other guard spun and slammed a staff into Magnus’ back.

Ever pressed her lips together to hold back a cry of fear. They were led over to the poles and the Srinar set to work unceremoniously chaining them to the wood. Her arms were yanked painfully above her head.

“We figured the cyborg needed a bit more of a challenge,” the Srinar said in a grating voice, checking Magnus’ chains. “Can’t have you carving through all our fighters in seconds. Crowd won’t like it.”

She stared across at Magnus, who was chained opposite her, just a few meters of sand separating them. All around them, the bloodthirsty crowd cheered and stomped their feet.

God. She yanked against her bindings. “There’s no way out.”

In the bright sunlight, Magnus looked worse than he had in the shadowed cell. He was covered in bruises and scrapes, and smeared with blood.

His gaze met hers. “I will protect you.”

Ever sighed, her heart hurting. She knew that. This man would protect anyone who wasn’t as strong as him, anyone who needed his help. “I know.”

“I would die for you.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “I’d prefer you didn’t.”

A clanking sound echoed through the arena, and she closed her eyes, recognizing it. The gates were rising, no doubt letting some horror free. Something that would be out for their blood.

Opening her eyes, she turned her head and she watched the first of the animals come out of the shadows.

Oh, God. The first pair of beasts prowled in and made her think of lions. They had powerful bodies and four strong legs, but instead of fur, they had thick scales like a reptile. As they moved closer, she also saw they had powerful, long tails—like a crocodile’s—that dragged on the ground behind them.

She swallowed painfully, and then blinked as something else skittered out of the tunnel.

The next creatures were bigger. They let out wild screeches as they scuttled across the sand.

Each had six legs, and they looked like giant bugs crossed with crabs. They were heavily armored, and their two front legs were tipped with sharp pinchers. Their backs were covered in spikes.

She yanked against the chains again. There had to be a way out. She had to save her baby.

“Ever.” Magnus’ voice was cool and calm.

She glanced his way.

“I never felt much before you,” he said.

She stared at him.

“I controlled what I felt and when I felt it. I…deliberately didn’t let myself care for too many people.” His gaze fell to the sand. “I never had happiness or caring love in my life before. And when my military commanders betrayed me, I realized that feeling too much hurt.” Those tortured eyes moved back to her for a second before he closed them. His chest was rising and falling fast. “I’m not good at this. You…you blindsided me. I like to plan, assess, and win. But I’ve been scrambling to catch up ever since you arrived in my life.”

Her heart melted. Her cyborg loved her, he just didn’t know it. “What are you saying, Magnus?”

His eyes opened, his gaze boring into her. “I never thought someone would love me.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the creatures stalking closer. God, what a time to be having this discussion. Par for the course for her life lately. But as she looked at her strong, handsome cyborg, she knew she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love you, Magnus. You’re honorable, protective, strong. You’re a good man.”

His eyes flashed. “You see me as a man. Most don’t.”

“I love you, but I’m kind of worried that we’re about to die here.” A sob built in her chest.

“I never thought you betrayed me. I was just trying to process everything. I know now that what I feel for you is love, and I love you so much that sometimes I can’t breathe.”

Warmth filled her and tears welled in her eyes. Her cyborg was a romantic. “I love you, too. All of you.”

“I won’t let you die.” His voice sounded like unyielding steel.

The horrible stink of the animals reached her nostrils now. They were close. The crowd was shrieking, their cheers rising in pitch.

There was a sudden burst of movement behind Ever, and then she felt her pole wobble violently. She looked up.

One of the lion-like creatures was perched on top of the pole. Hungry, gold eyes looked down at her.

It let out a primal roar.

Fear clamped around her chest. “Magnus—” There was so much she wanted to say to him, to do with him, to share with him.

She thought of the tiny life growing inside her, and helplessness rushed into her.

They’d all run out of time.

Suddenly, Magnus let out a wild shout. His muscles flexed, and she watched him straining against the chains. The links started to stretch and her eyes widened.

She’d seen these chains hold the biggest, toughest aliens in place during fights. Surely, he couldn’t—

The chains broke.

Magnus’ dropped his arms to his sides and dashed across the sand toward her.

* * *

Magnus reached Ever and gripped her chains. With one violent jerk, he broke them, careful not to hurt her.

He sensed movement above and looked up. The nathall perched on the pole roared again, and then it dived down at them with a powerful jump.

Magnus shoved Ever down toward his feet, then he lifted his arms. The nathall rushed at him, and at the last second, he grabbed the animal’s strong jaws. It growled, the fetid stench of its breath washing over him, as it tried to slam its jaws closed. He used the creature’s downward momentum to swing it around and slam it against the pole.

But it was a hunter, and as it swung, it twisted its heavy body. Magnus gritted his teeth, holding on to the beast with all his strength. He shifted his focus to the animal’s neck. With a single twist, he broke the creature’s neck. With a heave, he tossed the dead beast aside.

“Jesus.” Ever bounded back up on her feet, her eyes wide.

He grabbed her arm, quickly checking her over. A fierce growl made him look up. The other animals were watching them hungrily, slowly creeping closer.

Magnus walked backward, keeping Ever at his side. He didn’t take his gaze off the animals. His flickering scanners gave him bits and pieces of information—size, strength, weight, weaknesses.

Ever moved lightly on her feet, keeping up with him. He held up his cybernetic arm and touched a certain spot. A slot opened up, and he pulled out a small electroblade.

“Handy,” she said.

He handed the weapon to her. He showed her the control and blue electricity ran over the blade. “I will protect you and our child.”

She gripped his arm. “And I you. Let’s all get out of here alive, Magnus. Promise me.”

He didn’t say anything. It was a promise he couldn’t make. Her life was more important than his.

As if by an unseen signal, the creatures attacked.

Magnus leaped in front of her. He dodged to the side to avoid the incoming ha’ri. Its sharp pincers missed him by a breath. He slid in under the ha’ri’s body. It screeched, its front legs hitting the sand around him as it tried to strike him. He reached up with his cybernetic arm and let loose with an electrical shock.

The creature jerked and shuddered. The crowd roared.

Magnus rolled out from under the dying beast. He leaped to his feet and found himself staring into the face of the second nathall. It roared, baring its wicked fangs. Its powerful tail swung from side to side behind it.

The nathall bounded into the air, aiming for him. Magnus ducked, slamming a punch into its leg. With a pained cry, it hit the sand, its leg broken. Magnus swiveled and raced closer to Ever who was slashing out at a ha’ri with the electroblade. She was dancing out of the way of the creature’s legs. Multiple bloodstains marred the animal’s sides.

His fierce woman. The corners of his lips tipped into a small smile.

A ha’ri moved his way and he circled it. It was wary.

But not wary enough. In a flash, it rushed in at him. Magnus leaped straight up, flying high into the air. When he came down, he landed on the beast’s back, dodging its spikes.

Nestled amongst the protective spikes on its back was a glowing green bump. He fought with his malfunctioning systems for information.

Static filled his heads-up display, but some text flashed up.

There. The bump was a vital organ.

He slammed his cybernetic arm into the green lump. Green goo splattered.

The creature let out a terrible sound and spun. As its body collapsed, Magnus leaped off it, hitting the sand running. He sprinted toward Ever.

She was standing beside the collapsed body of the ha’ri. Her chest was heaving, the electroblade clutched in her hand.

She’d taken the beast down.

“You are amazing.” He yanked her close.

She smiled. “Not so bad yourself, Imperator Rone.”

The crowd’s shouting changed, increasing in volume. Together, he and Ever turned.

A group of fighters was entering the arena.

“Champ-ion. Champ-ion.”

They were calling for Samantha Santos.

Several of the fighters broke into a run, racing across the arena.

Magnus tensed, readying himself. “Stay back.”

Ever lifted her blade and shook her head. “I can’t. If we’re going to survive, we both have to fight.”

Drak. “I love you.” He turned and broke into a sprint. He blurred, rushing into the fighters.

He swung out with his fists, kicking and landing blows. He knocked down several fighters, leaving them groaning on the sand. He spun, and a giant, dark-skinned warrior rushed at him. A hard front kick sent the man flying.

“Champ-ion. Champ-ion.”

Ever sprinted up beside him, panting. “Oh, God, it’s Sam.”

Magnus swiveled. Ahead, the crowd of fighters parted.

Sam Santos strode forward.

She wore fighting boots that reached past her knees. An armored skirt fell over her muscled thighs, and a metal, armored top molded her body. Her sword arm was covered with a metallic arm guard.

She held a large sword that glowed green along its edges.

Magnus’ gut hardened. Poison. He mentally kicked his malfunctioning scanners. Not just any poison, but diseth. The tiniest amount could kill in minutes. It slowly worked into the body, overwhelming the body’s systems until everything shut down and its victim died.

Ever gasped. “Magnus…her face.”

He dragged his gaze off the sword and took in Sam’s face. His jaw hardened.

She now had an implant at her temple. She stared at them coldly, with no sign of recognition.