The Gladiator Read Free Page A

ring,” the trader persisted. “The mob loves a woman who can draw blood. They’ll froth at the mouth when they learn she’s a Christian as well as a maiden. I can see it now—”
    â€œHow do you know she’s pure?” Caros interrupted, impatient. “Have you touched her?”
    â€œHer uncle made the claim, and she’s remained unsullied while in my possession.”
    â€œHer uncle?” A frown pinched Caros’s brows. “Her own kin sold her?”
    The slave trader shrugged. “It happens often.”
    â€œWere they starving?”
    â€œFar from it. On a better day, I imagine the old man is quite rich.”
    â€œHow can you believe a swine who would sell his own family?” Caros asked, the question tinged with disgust.
    â€œHe swore it by the gods.”
    â€œAnd why should I believe you?”
    Aulus laughed. “Do you think I would lie to you when you could crush me like an acorn? Besides, why would I allow anyone to touch her and ruin a chance for greater profits?”
    â€œBecause you’re a swindler.”
    Aulus didn’t deny the charge. A grin spread across his lips. He stopped beside an open wagon where three piteous women sat chained to the sideboards. He lifted his torch, pointing to a fourth female stretched out on the floor.
    Caros’s gaze flicked over the sleeping girl. Purple bruises marred her small face. Long dark hair fanned out around her head, shining in the torchlight. “You intend to pawn this child off as a woman I can train for the ring?”
    â€œI assure you she’s no child.”
    â€œWhy was she beaten? I’ve no need for a troublesome wench.”
    â€œMy scout said she disagreed with her uncle’s plans to sell her and the fellow disciplined her for it.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œEarlier this morning.”
    â€œShe hasn’t woken?”
    â€œOnce, not long after midday.” Aulus waved a fly from the tip of his nose. “She’ll come to, but there’s a nasty bump on the back of her head.”
    Intent on the girl, Caros’s heart beat with an unfamiliar pang of compassion. Having been the recipient of the emotion so little himself, he’d almost forgotten it existed.
    â€œI planned to sell her to a brothel, but since she’s a Christian, I’m weighing my options.” A wicked gleam sparked in the trader’s eyes. “I was told the authorities will pay…three thousand denarii for such criminals.”
    His eyes narrowed on the slave trader. The claim wasn’t true. The authorities might send her to the arena if she didn’t deny her illegal sect, but they wouldn’t pay for the privilege. He knew what the other man was up to. Aulus thought he had designs on the girl’s virtue and would pay any price to have her. “I’ll give you fifteen hundred for her.”
    Aulus laughed. “Oh, no, you won’t cheat me this time. I’ll take three thousand, nothing less.”
    â€œI cheat you? It will cost me a fortune to fatten up those wretches you sold me. Fifteen hundred is an expected price for any female slave.”
    â€œHa! This isn’t just any female. Virtue is rare these days. Three thousand, nothing less.”
    â€œSeventeen hundred.”
    â€œThree thousand is my final offer, Bone Grinder. Take it or leave it, it matters not to me. I’ll have my profit from you or the authorities. Either way, she’ll end up in the ring.”
    The girl moaned, drawing a concerned glance from Caros. A voice in his head warned him not to let her go. “You know the authorities will pay you nothing.”
    â€œPerhaps.” A triumphant smile tugged at the trader’s lips as though he sensed Caros weakening. “If they won’t, a brothel will. There are few uses for a woman, but something tells me I’m bound to make a profit off this one.”
    His pride chafing, Caros realized he’d