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The dim ping of Caligher’s voice called after her—so far and muffled it may as well have been a memory.
Don’t kill me.
The stranger wouldn’t listen. The pit was below her now—deep, unfathomably wide, and impossibly dark. Quiet ice kissed her face like invisible hands.
Don’t hold your breath—or your lungs will burst.
Her blood roared with so much hot adrenaline. It was a taste of what was to come, only a tiny fraction of the pain and fear. She would die feeling that frenetic sensation ripping her apart. She would be violently aware, and then simply—nothing.
The movement halted.
“Stepback.”
Zoramia’s sharp voice cut over the crowd like a knife. A vibration rumbled through the arm holding Lucca but she didn’t dare break her stare with the pit, in case looking away would make her miss her last moments alive.
“Now.”
The voice promised imminent violence.
Lucca hit the floor hard, millimeters from the edge. The instant she landed, a fire-colored streak lashed over her. Arms swept her up and she shrieked, kicking out.
“I’ve got you. You’re okay.”
Morwong reassured her as he beelined them to an exit behind the bar. She trembled so hard her teeth chattered. She wasnotokay.
“Where is he?” she gasped, frantically eyeing the chaos for Caligher.
“He’s fine.”
He carried her down the halls and she sobbed. He took her to an office and set her on a low couch. A blanket was wrapped around her shoulders. Morwong searched his office shelves, looking furious. A moment later, the door was thrown open and Caligher was on her.
“Lucca—”
His voice was muffled in her hair. Crumbling in his arms, she gave into the rattling shakes that overtook her. Caligher settled into the couch, holding her tight. She felt the rumble of his words, but her blood continued pounding too loud to hear them. She was in utter shock.
Six solid walls surrounded her. A cube. There was no hole in the floor and Caligher held her safe and close—
But she wasn’t safe.
She felt like Death itself had just taken notice of her. She’d been marked with a black spot she’d never shake off.
Lucca was going to die out there. One of these days. No air, no sound. She was certain of it.
CHAPTER15
LUCCA
She huddled on the couch as Morwong and Caligher identified faces on the cameras. A group of fighters had spotted her with Caligher and snapped.
Snapped and tried to kill her.
And the entire bar had been involved. Eager for it. When she glanced up and saw the numbers, she felt queasy and wrong in her own skin. Morwong listed off names, and Lucca wavered. “I don’t think I’ll be joining you for more drinks anytime soon,” she rasped, hollowed out inside. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m so sorry, Lucca.” Caligher’s voice was bleak. “That’s never happened before.” He held her in his lap as Morwong looked over his computer, stiff with concern. “What is it?”
“I can put out bounties, but… I’d have to include everyone in the bar.”
They locked eyes. Morwong looked as lost as Caligher.
