IN THEIR SHARED stall, the dim light of a distant wall torch lifted the darkness enough to see shapes. Doom rolled over to look at Tiwaz seated along the wall shared with the hallway, her hands resting on her knees, eyes closed. “You should be sleeping,” he stated in a low voice.

“You need sleep more than me,” Tiwaz stated tonelessly.

The gromek pushed himself up. He watched her, a frown darkening his terrifying visage. “Today is another death match. You need to be rested so you do not falter.”

“I fully intend to falter.” Vivid green eyes opened and fixed on him. “I will not kill Tambek. I will not kill any more for Master.”

Doom dropped to his knees in front of her, grabbing her hands. “Ti, you cannot throw a fight. He will know! He’ll be furious if you shame him in front of his allies and he would have to punish you directly.”

“I am not going to throw the fight. I have more honor than that. But I will not kill Tambek or anyone else to entertain Master or his allies.” She met his eyes briefly, then looked away. “I know Master will be furious when I finally prove I am not the killer he tries to make me. I expect he will kill me for it.” She drew one of his hands to press his knuckles against her cheek. “I am sorry I am not the tiwaz you believed me to be. I am not strong enough. Not good enough. But at least I will die knowing you are free of the shackles of my existence.”

“You are Tiwaz,” he stated flatly. He studied her, worried. “I don’t want you to die, Ti. I can’t lose you. There must be another way. I promised you we would be free someday. Free together.” His voice cracked as he looked away in shame. “I promised you. I cannot fail to keep my word to you. Not again.”

She put her hand along his jaw, turning his face back towards hers. “Promise me, Doom. When I am gone, you will live. For both of us.” He could not meet her gaze, quaking with emotion. “Promise me, Doom. I need to know you will live when I am gone.”

He swallowed against the knot in his throat, whispering, “You know Master will likely kill me, too. I am not the warrior you are. Ever since he disfigured me, I have been too ashamed.”

“He might kill you,” she conceded. “But I do not think so. Without me, he will have no hold over you. He cannot use me against you. And he will believe when I am gone, you will have no reason to live.” She smiled in bitterness. “If he cannot torment you, he will ignore you. Your revenge would be to continue living.” Her smile faded. “Promise me, Doom. Find your name. Find a place away from Shurakh Arln. Live the life I could never remember.”

“But I can’t…” Doom held her hands tight, pressing her knuckles against his brow. Anguished, he whispered, “I promise, Ti. I will try to live for you.”

“For both of us,” she corrected. She hid her face against his neck as she embraced him. “The one thing that would destroy me is facing you. If I cannot stop killing now, it will be you I face someday. I will not kill you. Nothing Master could do to me would make me kill you. And I cannot watch him kill you if I do not. Not the only friend, only family, I have.”

“Ti,” Doom whispered in a harsh voice, holding the woman tighter. Neither was sure how long it was until Zuneer came to fetch her.

He looked into the stall, his eyes red and his voice tight. “Tiwaz. It’s time.”

After a few moments, the pair released each other. As she stood, she leaned down to kiss Doom’s brow. Without a word, she turned away and strode out. Zuneer winced at the howl of anguish that echoed from behind them. He glanced back towards the place the pair had called home most of their lives, then at the hardened profile of the young gladiator woman.