"What do you want to do?" Marina asks.
Hmm. Good question, I hadn't thought about anything other than keeping ourselves out of trouble up until now.
"We can head to the games room and play cards?" I suggest. It's a little lame, but there's a good chance we'll never be able to play again, so taking this chance is worth it.
"I don't know how to play," she admits.
"That's okay, my sister always struggles. I simplified the rules to Gin Rummy for her so she could win sometimes. I'll teach you that."
She lets out a grateful sigh. "That sounds good."
We turn the corner to head towards the room in question, but stop in our tracks when we come across a group of two dozen men and women, all dressed impeccably and being escorted into a different part of the holding centre. None of them say anything, but somehow, they manage to move perfectly in time with one another.
Only one of the men turns to look at us, his gaze locking with mine. Instantly, I know they're younger than I thought. He can't be more than twenty. Are they transfers from another prison? I guess we'll find out soon enough if they join us for breakfast tomorrow.
"Arnolds, face forward," one of the guards barks.
The man rolls his eyes, but does as commanded anyway.
"Who are they?" Marina whispers.
"No idea," I admit needlessly. She's well aware that I know as little as she does. "But I think they're trouble."
She squeaks. "Do you think they'll be hunting us in the Duels?" Her voice shakes as much as mine would if I'd asked the question.
"I don't think so. Why would they need other people when they have dragons? Won't they do enough damage?"
"I don't know." She whimpers.
I shuffle from side to side for a moment, realising I have no idea how to deal with someone so upset. Except, that isn't true. I've comforted Mila more than once after our family passed away.
Reluctantly, I reach out and put an arm around the other girl, pulling her in for a hug. She buries her face in my shoulder and lets out a loud sob, her whole body shaking.
I bite my lip, trying to stop my own tears. I can comfort her and be scared at the same time. Maybe if we work together, both of us can get through this with our lives.
Even as I think it, I realise how unlikely it is.
Chapter Six
The auditorium fills with the people I've been spending the past few days with. I haven't asked for anyone's name, other than Marina's. With what's going to happen next, I figure it's best if I don't know them. Even knowing one person is dangerous enough.
My new friend sniffles next to me. I reach out and take her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze. Her smile is as shaky as I expect it to be, but I don't say anything about it. She doesn't need to know that her emotions are obvious on her face. There are only thirty-six hours left until the Dragon Duels start, and they're finally about to tell us how the whole thing works. Well, probably not all of it. Somehow, I feel as if they'll see that as giving us an unfair advantage or something like that. As if being around dragons was ever going to be a fair fight.
"Welcome all," a man says, calling our attention to the front.
His freshly pressed suit is at complete odds with how everyone else in the room looks. Most of the assembled contestants are wearing clothes similar to mine. They're brought from home and have seen better days as a result. Others are more like Marina, and have clearly spent some time in one of the numerous prisons around the city. They aren't really known for keeping things clean. The only exceptions are those that come from the White Towers. They're as impeccably turned out as they were on the day they arrived. I suppose that makes sense. It's much easier to keep things clean than get them clean from constant wear and tear.
Despite most of us not being here willingly, or at least not if the rumours spreading around are to be believed, everyone pays attention to him instantly. I suspect it's the chance that we can live through this.
Mila's face springs to mind as I consider going home to her and how it's going to feel to be able to talk to her again. I really hope she got my letter, I hate the idea of her thinking I've abandoned her after everything we've been through together, I'd never do anything of the sort.
"The Dragon Duels will start tomorrow," the man says needlessly, pulling my attention back to him. "There are no rules once you are inside the arena. You can make alliances, find shelter, kill anyone you want, with no repercussions should you survive."
A brutish man a couple of rows down from us bumps his fist against his buddy's arm in excitement.
My stomach flips at the sight. How are either of us going to survive when there are people like that going to be in the arena with us? Both the men look as if they could snap me in half like a twig, and I hate it. But there's nothing I can do about it. I simply have to carry on and do the best I can to survive this.
"You will be released into the arena individually..."
"No," Marina whispers, shaking her head.
I reach out to give her hand a squeeze. "It's going to be okay."
My words sound hollow, even to me, so I'm not surprised when she doesn't answer. I've been secretly hoping I'll be able to enter with Marina. I don't think she's the best tactical partner, but it would be nice to be in there with someone who has my back. Hopefully, we'll be able to find one another once things get going.
"The next ten days are the toughest job interview you'll ever take
