Read Online GladiatorsAtonement by Amy Ruttan - Free Book Online Page B

back.” He turned and smiled at the man behind
him. “Actually, I already have an interested buyer.” Thelonius snapped his
fingers, and the man approached her. Helena backed away.
    “All right, I had my lover in here with me,” she admitted,
facing Thelonius. “He took me over and over and over again—right under your
nose.”
    Thelonius visibly shook with rage, his face going red. “Who
is he? I will gut him like a fish before your very eyes.”
    “What does it matter to you? Does it burn you with jealousy
he can please me, but you cannot?” She laughed with glee. “It is why you bleed
your victims, bathe in their blood. You want youth, luster and some stone in
your shaft. Tell me, Thelonius, does it work?”
    Thelonius shook her. “His name, or so help me gods I will
bleed you.”
    “His name is Eratos.”
    A shiver of dread ran down her spine as she spied Eratos,
sword drawn, standing behind Thelonius. His eyes were blazing with an azure
fire as he stared at Thelonius with pure hatred.
    Thelonius spun her around and held a knife under her chin,
the point digging into her throat like the sharp tooth of a wild beast.
    “I thought it might be you.”
    “Someone had to bed her, and only one of us was man enough
to do it,” Eratos taunted.
    Thelonius growled.
    “Does it make you angry that he desires me over you,
husband?” Helena choked out. Thelonius’ grip became tighter, the knife drawing
a bit of blood.
    “Come a step closer, Celt, and I slit her throat.”
    Eratos stilled.
    “Do not listen to him, Eratos.”
    “Fine, but this gentleman here has come to purchase her.”
    “Do not,” Eratos said quickly, lowering his sword slightly.
    Thelonius began to laugh. “I see some hesitation on our dear
gladiator’s face. Has the slave fallen in love with the married Roman woman?”
He chuckled with delight, making Helena’s stomach churn. “This is a story
worthy of Aeschylus.”
    “Let her go, Thelonius,” Eratos said calmly.
    “Lower your sword and we’ll talk.”
    “No, Eratos. Do not.”
    The metal rang out as Eratos’ weapon landed against the
marble floor. “I have to, Helena. I have to.”
    “Kick it to me, brave warrior, and drop to your knees.”
    Helena felt the tears stinging her eyes as Eratos obeyed
Thelonius, but he did not release her from his death grip.
    “Strip, slave, and stand on the far wall of the garden to
face all of Antioch so they know you belong to me. If you do not comply, I will
slit her throat and bleed her over the city.”
    Eratos said not a word as he removed his clothing and walked
dejectedly to the high wall that bordered a cliff that dropped down into the
city.
    “That’s it, warrior. Face Antioch. When I am through with
you, you will wish you’d never been born.”
    Thelonius tossed her away and she slid across the dew-covered
grass. The two men hefted her to her feet, holding her tight, yet they did not
take her away. She watched as Thelonius climbed up on the wall. A lump formed
in her throat as he stood beside Eratos, touching him.
    “I knew you would never be able to kill me, Eratos. Deep
down, you love me. Admit. You cannot be without your master.”
    Eratos said nothing as he stared out over the city of
Antioch. He was beaten again and there was only one escape. Thelonius turned to
the men. “You can take the whore away for free, my compliments to your master.”
    “No!” Helena screamed as they dragged her away. She saw
Eratos’ head snap around. Thelonius was unaware of the blue fire burning in his
eyes. The warrior freed finally.
    Helena watched in slow motion as Eratos pulled a dagger from
Thelonius’ belt and flung it. Helena let out a scream as it whizzed by her
head, finding its mark in the base of the slaver’s throat. A warm spray of
blood splattered her, before her captor crumpled to the ground.
    Thelonius roared with rage. “How dare you!”
    Eratos turned on him, growling in anger. Her heart lurched,
knowing that Eratos meant to