The line behind him pushed against his back, and Lukiamo trudged through the hall and into the arena. The light blazed overhead, warming his skin. Holding his arm up against the glare, he grimaced as the crowd roared to life.

The group spread out, making a path toward the center of the stadium. On the opposite end of the arena, another gate opened as a line of women stepped out. His eyes instantly latched onto her . Her brown locks were tied back in a braid that shimmered with streaks of blonde as she turned around and held her arms up toward the masses, encouraging their frenzied thirst for violence.

In one hand, she held a trident like a prize, a net trailing behind her. The silver chain shirt she wore barely came below her ribcage, and he was gifted with an erotic site of a red jewel glinting from her belly button. His mouth watered as sound muffled and his focus sharpened on Kira. Her name whispered through his mind like an elixir. She had opened the pathway to her mind, and although the binding she'd started was nowhere near complete, he could manipulate her mind just as he had in the spa.

His eyes fell on the wondrous curves of her breasts, and he recalled the feel of them against his cheek and the taste of the succulent nipples. Even now, in a time when he should focus on the battle ahead, his desire to possess her settled in his bones with a warm hum.

As the women drew near, he noticed the moment her attention latched on him. The shine in her emerald eyes—the color of royalty—dulled. Clearly she was still sore from the effects of bonding and somewhat cautious.

Her lips curled in disdain while her cheeks flushed a coral pink.

He inclined his head in a form of respect. “It is a pleasure to see you again...Kira.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits of anger. “Is it? You won't think that in a few minutes, Golden Boy.”

Lukiamo wasn't sure he liked this nickname she'd given him. She had briefly taken to calling him Luke, and he found that fit him far better. Letting it slide, Lukiamo cast a glance over the waving arms of the crowd overhead before focusing on her again. Kira dropped the end of the trident on the ground, the muscles in her arms tensing in a clear attempt to intimidate him. Why? He didn't know.

“Are we to battle again?” he asked casually.

She laughed, soft and musical, but he heard the scorn behind it. “Nope, you're in luck tonight. It's a group rumble. Out for numero uno ,” she said holding out her index finger.

“I don't understand.”

Her lips fell in a thin line as she rolled her eyes. “Fine, I'll give you this one favor and spell it out for you. See those trap doors circling the arena?”

His curious gaze fell on a wooden door that rose above the ground on a forty-five degree angle.

“Well, Valtarian beasts are going to come out of there. Your purpose is to survive until the gong sounds. Those that do move on to the next round tomorrow. Those that don't...” she drifted off with a nonchalant shrug.