Lycan Gladiator (Wolf Maiden Saga)

by Gordon, Eva

  Every minute Cassia watched, agonizing. Nothing happened. The Emperor took a dab and spread it over his hand, smelling the concoction, nodding in approval. Cassia took a breath of relief as Floretta spread some on the hollow of her throat. Laughter ensued.

  Lucius whispered in her ear, “Take heart, Cassia. Mother would not kill herself just to spite you and Ulric.”

  Domitian narrowed his eyes at Cassia and signaled her to come forth.

  Lucius stood. “I will come with you. Do not show fear. The man has the senses of a wolf.”

  The Emperor beamed. “Your tonic smells better than tar and goat’s urine. But does it really work?”

  She looked at his blond curled wig. “It will take time and must be massaged into the scalp to encourage root growth.”

  He laughed, “Root growth? Am I to grow a cypress on my head?” The people nearest him laughed. He suddenly stood. “Come with me.”

  “My lord?” She did not want to leave the crowded room to be alone with the monster.

  He gripped her hand, pulled her in, close enough to smell his foul breath, “I will let you massage the tonic on my head and then you will join me in bed.”

  She gaped in horror. Lucius came to her rescue and lowered his voice as he spoke, “Lord, a lycan’s physician must be kept untouched. It is our way.”

  He lifted a brow. “Like a Vestal Virgin?”

  Nox overheard and relayed what she heard to Floretta who then scowled, “Nonsense. Take her.”

  Nox offered, “I will accompany you, my lord. You may please yourself as long I’m in the room.”

  Lucius held Cassia tight.

  Domitian glared at Lucius and drawled, “She is not your mate.”

  Lucius displayed his fangs in warning, “Your tongue is loose, my lord.”

  Already Domitian hinted about their secret society. Cassia glanced at Lucius. Was he ready to end the Emperor’s life or wait like others who stood in the shadows, ready to strike the adder as it slept? Lucius would not stand a chance against the hall full of guards.

  Floretta grabbed her son. “Lucius, go watch the dancers.” She tugged harder. “Now!”

  If she found some excuse to leave—perhaps a sudden illness—he would not rape her. Cassia did her best to smile. “Go, Lucius. I shall join you shortly.”

  The shadow of his wolf glinted his face before he shot her a hard smile and left. The emperor locked his arm with hers and walked toward a nearby chamber. Nox followed them. Where did the she-alpha’s loyalty lie? The Roman emperor or with a wolf maiden?

  The chamber was grand with a huge bed covered in silk cushions and sheets. Hanging lamps lit the opulent room. He sat on a cushioned chair in front of a long desk covered with maps and scrolls. He let go of her and shoved the scrolls to the ground. He barked at Nox. “Hand me the tonic and close the door, she-wolf.”

  She did as told and stood in front of it, her head held high. Domitian knew of her alpha status and a brief look of fear flashed his face.

  He picked up a bronze mirror and sat in front of the wooden table. “Take off my wig and rub the tonic.”

  Cassia, did not trust Floretta. Had the jar been replaced with a poisoned one? She dipped her finger, touched the smooth white balm and tasted it. Minty fresh. No additional ingredients to her formula. Harmless.

  He lifted a brow. “Does it have a good flavor?”

  “No, my lord.” She stood behind him, removed his wig, and gazed at his bald and blotchy head.

  It had a stench she could not place, like rotting meat. He must suffer from some malady. She massaged the lotion into his scalp. He sighed in satisfaction. Helpless beneath her hands. To kill the man that wished to murder her brethren would have been, as Ulric said, an honorable death worthy of the gods. She had left her dagger in her quarters. To find a hidden weapon on her meant instant death. Even the pin holding her hair up would cause no more damage than a prick.

  “Harder, near my temples,” said the monster in a soothed voice.

  She moved her hand to pick up more salve when Nox growled. With the lightning speed of a lycan, she charged her and threw her to the ground.

  Startled, Domitian stood. He glared at Nox, his tone venomous, “What is the meaning of this?”

  Nox pinned Cassia back by the wrists. She flashed her fangs down at her and growled. Within Cassia’s reach lay a large hairpin with a long deadly tip. Not hers. Dear Feronia, a trap! The alpha growled at her for good measure then turned to Domitian, “My lord she almost killed you with this weapon.”

  His eyes darkened. “Why? Are you not a lycan physician?” He glared at Nox. “Are you certain?”

  Cassia pleaded, “No, my lord. She planted the hairpin in my hand.”

  Nox scoffed, “Floretta worried you would do something foolish. Especially after hearing how you, my lord, desire to kill her people. It is why my mistress ordered me to guard you.”

  He glowered at her. “What do you mean her people?”

  Nox let go of her. “She goes by Cassia, but her real name is Shifra, a Judean.”

  Domitian with white paste covering his scalp stared at her as if she were a deadly scorpion. “A Jewess?” He glared at Nox. “And you trusted her?”

  “She took the blood vow. However, I smelled her intent to kill you. As my master told you, lycans can smell the truth.”

  No surprise. Floretta walked in, flanked by two guards. “Nox, I heard a commotion. What happened?”

  “This Judean viper tried to murder me.” Domitian then turned to his guards. “Stand outside the door while I decide the matter of her death.” After they left he turned to Cassia. “Do you have an accomplice?”

  Dumbfounded, she stared in a fixed daze. Floretta had devised a perfect way to get rid of her. Domitian’s order to have her executed absolved Nox and Floretta of her death. “I am innocent.” She met Domitian’s eyes. “Know that you are committing the sin of killing a wolf maiden.”

  Floretta scoffed, “You are no wolf maiden.” Nox held her with arms pinned back and Floretta lifted Cassia’s stola. “Look, my lord, Macula’s brand not a wolf mark.”

  She struggled in Nox’s tight hold. “You burned it off. Curses on you. You and Nox will return in the afterlife as despicable creatures!”

  Domitian turned to Floretta. “What would a member of the pack do in this matter?”

  Floretta shot her a smirk, “The witch cured my son and so I do not wish to see her blood spilled.”

  Cassia raised a brow. Perhaps the viper did fear having her killed by another person. Would she be sold? Perhaps to the mines, a certain death?

  Floretta smiled, “It is best to bury her alive. Starvation and dark despair will take her.” She dashed him a questioning brow. “Can we entomb her with other Vestal Virgins who committed sins?”

  Cassia cried out. “No!” To die slowly and so alone would drive her mad.

  He twisted a smile, “I thought of crucifying her, but this is much more private. I do not want others to know how close a Judean woman came to killing me. I would look like a trusting fool.”

  Floretta nodded, “Good point, my lord.”

  Cassia’s shoulders sagged. She would die of starvation and not at the hands of a member of the lycan society. The clever wolf maiden had won. Nevertheless, she will never win Ulric. She glared at Floretta. “Ulric will hate you.”

  “Why would he blame me? After all, you committed treason by trying to kill our Lord Emperor. If it were not for Nox, the Empire would be at a loss without her great ruler.”

  Domitian wiped the balm from his hair with a cloth and placed his wig on. It was askew and made him look like a fearsome clown. “Entomb her immediately.” He sneered, “Nox, you and two guards take her to the underground chamber in the Servian Wall near the Colline gate.” Domitian shot Cassia a final glare and spat, “To the Evil Fields!”

  Chapter 19

  The moon would rise in a few hours. Ulric shook the bars and roared, mad with fear as to what had happened to Cassia.
Word travelled fast about how Cassia had attempted to kill Emperor Domitian with a long hairpin. They accused her of being a Judean assassin. The false charge was Floretta’s doing. Visions of Cassia burned alive or crucified flared his temper. His jaws chomped on the bars, attempting to bend them and break through. Macula knew his fondness for Cassia and ordered Ulric and the other betas confined to the locked underground facility. Imprisoned, their plans for escape were ruined. His mother waited for Cassia in Etruria with provisions for long travel. How soon before she learned their plans had failed?

  A shadowy person in a cloak ventured into the long corridor. He sniffed and shook the bars with greater force on recognizing the woman. The other lycans followed his example. Growling and banging with rage.

  Floretta did not hesitate. Fearless she approached and pulled back her dark hood. “Ulricus, calm down.”

  “You heartless daughter of an ass, what has become of Cassia?” He banged his fist, bending the bar. “Did she really make an attempt on Domitian’s life?” He wanted to get close to better his sense of smell and find out the truth but she stepped away.

  “It is true. The woman is a Judean traitor by the name of Shifra, and she indeed attempted to murder Emperor Domitian. She duped Macula and he is beyond embarrassed.”

  He flared his nostrils. Fangs out, he snarled. “Lies! What really happened? How did you entrap her?”

  She glowered. In the dim light, her face took on the look of revenging Hera ready to kill Hercules. “You thought you could keep her true nature from me? I saw her claimed wolf mark!”

  The other omegas shot him a questioning look. They only knew Cassia as his beloved paramour. Not his true life mate.

  He no longer cared. “Yes, she was…is my life mate. If she is killed, you will suffer in the afterlife!” He banged a fist against the bars. “And so will Macula!”

  She flinched, startled at his ferocity. “I did not spill her blood. She is an enemy of Rome. Her fate is in the hands of Domitian.”

  He scoffed. “Domitian took the blood vow. It is he who has earned a death sentence if he kills a wolf maiden.” Was that the plan all along? Macula would step in and become the next Emperor.

  She spat like a cobra, spewing out more venom, “She no longer bears the wolf mark and is no longer a wolf maiden!”

  “In the eyes of our goddess Feronia, branding her does not make her any less of a wolf maiden. She is still my mate. I love her!” He twisted his words like a knife into the jealous viper’s heart, “I have loved her since I first saw her in the market long before Lucius’ injury and long before I even knew she was a wolf maiden.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “I knew it! When Nox returns from the hunt, I’ll command her to shoot you with a wolfsbane laced arrow and watch you slowly die as did your barbaric dog of a father.”

  Ulric shifted and sprang against the bars. His massive wolf form banged against the metal, but it was built to withstand the force of a lycan. He bellowed in rage.

  Floretta shrieked at him, turned and walked out.

  Ulric sank his jaws into the bars and shook them but to no avail. He swallowed the blood from his abused carnassials. What was the use? It had been two days since she had left for Domitian’s palace. Her execution must have been immediate. No doubt a slow torturous death? He released an echoing mournful howl.

  Bernardus turned to his leader. “Ulric, your mate has been torn from you. We are willing to die for you. Guide us.”

  Ulric shifted back to his human form. Naked and on all fours, he stifled a sob. My beloved Cassia. He felt the weight of defeat on failing to protect his mate, mixed with the duty to set things right for his fellow omega slaves.

  The pack whimpered. The lunar cycle’s pull forced the shift upon them. One of the omegas, Ulf, scratched his furred arm and begged him, “Master. Allow us to shift.”

  His mood dark, he stood and gave a brusque nod. The patter of running made him turn. “Halt!”

  Lucius dashed in, banging the keys. “Ulric, I will free you. It has been two days. Pray she still lives.”

  As Lucius fiddled with the keys, Ulric demanded. “What do you mean, if she still lives?”

  “Stephanus just told me they entombed her outside the Servian Wall in the underground chamber we call the Evil Fields.”

  “Buried alive! No.”

  The door swung open and Ulric and the pack pushed out. They shifted. The corridor crowded with large snarling wolves, awaiting Ulric’s commands.

  Ulric signaled them to silence and turned to Lucius, “How do I get there?”

  Lucius described its location and Ulric took a bit of her palla he always kept with him. “I will scent her exact locality.”

  “Quick while Father is away hunting game for the Emperor.”

  “And the guards?” There were at least five alpha females loyal to Macula posted in front of their facility. Several Lupercii guards watched the palace, but they would not stand a chance against his pack.

  Lucius twisted a prideful smile, “Sleeping after the brew I served them.”

  He had never been prouder to call the once entitled boy brother. “Come with us!”

  “Ulric, I promised Feronia to unite you and your wolf maiden, but I must remain here. For good or bad I will inherit the Caninus pack.” He smiled. “In the next life I will be united with Nidia.”

  They hugged a brothers’ embrace before Ulric and his pack dashed for freedom. Please, beloved, know that I’m on my way.

  ***

  Chilled to her very core, Cassia tightened her cloak about her in the dank underground chamber. The last of the light fizzled out with a faint sputtering sound. No more oil for the lamp. Alone, in complete darkness. Little of her meager food was left. The flagons of watered wine and water almost empty. The tomb was large enough to be a cell with a ceiling a little taller than a man’s height. The damp chamber smelled of rot and mildew. Enough to make anyone retch.

  She reached in her sac and took out the last roll of bread, now hard as stone. She bit in and chewed the piece, savoring each swallow. Though hunger possessed her, she placed the small bit back in her food sac. She favored the flagon of water over the wine. Thirst would kill her quicker. Ill from a miasma, she coughed uncontrollably. Disease would be a merciful death.

  No, I must not die. She clung to a sliver of hope that soon it would be a full moon and rescue would follow. Yet Nox had scoffed that Floretta had ordered Ulric and the omegas locked underground until the new moon. Would Ulric somehow break out and find her? What had the viper told him? Did he think her already dead?

  “Oh, Ulric if only I can see you one last time.” Her covered wolf mark flamed as she thought of him. Suffering from a coughing fit, she held her belly and trembled with cold.

  Cassia slipped into the otherworld of dreams. Free of suffering. She took a long breath of fresh mountain air. She sat and rubbed her eyes, no longer in the dark tomb. Instead she sat at the edge of a crystal blue lake surrounded by a pine forest. She turned at the roar of a nearby waterfall. So beautiful. She stood. “Ulric, are you here?”

  Feronia appeared, wearing the traditional red cloak of the wolf maiden. Feronia stood on a boulder. Below her were three large tattooed grey wolves. She gaped. Had she crossed the veil?

  Feronia smiled at her. “Valeria Luperca, you are a gift to my lycan children.”

  Cassia knelt before her goddess. “Dear Feronia, am I spirit?”

  Her face embodied beauty, wisdom, and kindness all at once. “Cassia, stand. You will build a great healing place in the Lupercal’s new territory.”

  Cassia turned her face away. “I am no longer a wolf maiden.”

  The goddess raised a brow in amusement. “You are my Valeria Luperca. My favored wolf maiden.”

  Shamed, she lifted her gown. The damning brand would forever cover Ulric’s claim.

  “Sweet child, you are a healer to lycans and all canines, but know that I am your personal healer.” Feronia lifted her palm. A blue light emanated from
within and streamed down to where the ugly brand covered her mark.

  Warmth entered Cassia’s left hip. Her eyes widened as the brand faded and disappeared. Her crimson red claimed paw print appeared. “My Goddess, thank you…”

  Feronia smiled and vanished. Cassia ran to the boulder where she had been just moments ago. She touched the rock’s bone chilling surface. The lake and forest disappeared. Darkness once again engulfed her. No. My lady, come back!

  Shivering and coughing, she woke to the brutal reality. It had all been a dream. She wept. “Ulric, find me.” She reached for the flagon of water and it slipped on the stoned floor, crashing into ceramic bits, her life source gone. So thirsty. She gripped trembling hands around the flagon of watered wine and drank it to the last drop. On an empty stomach, the wine lulled her back to sleep. She coughed once and fell into oblivion.

  Ulric ripped the keys to the lock of the underground chamber from the dead guard’s tight grip. The other soldiers lay still, their throats slashed. He broke in and gagged at the sick smell of death. Was he too late? He honed in on her scent and stalked past the contorted skeletons of the Vestal Virgins. Their residual aroma of sadness and unsettled ghosts pierced his soul. He approached a sealed second tomb. Behind it, her scent. Dying. He made distance and slammed the stonewall. Nothing. He roared and shifted and with all his added weight and muscle rammed it again. The entire cavern shook and debris from the ceiling rained on him. The wall crumbled and he crashed into the opening.

  He found her. She lay curled in a fetal position. He shifted to his human form. “No!” He picked up her limp head. Alive, but barely. Her wheezing breath weak and he smelled a corruption in her lungs. Was she dying of pestilence? “Cassia, wake up.”

  Her eyes squinted. “Ulric?” Her voice a hoarse whisper and she coughed.

  He lifted her and dashed out to the fresh air where his pack waited. Each wolf had a sac tied around their back that contained their breeches and weapons. He took a flagon from one of the dead guards. He sat her up and pressed its mouthpiece against her parched lips. “Drink, Cassia.”