Chapter 12 - VARRO'S REVENGE
Varro had lost everything.
His king.
His army.
His reputation.
But he still had hatred.
He fired another arrow.
Marcus blocked it with a shield.
“Get Lucan inside!”
Varro ran toward the stables.
Marcus followed.
Lucan ignored his mother's command and ran after them.
“Lucan!”
Varro mounted a horse.
Marcus grabbed another.
They raced through the palace gate.
Lucan climbed onto a third horse.
He had barely ridden alone before.
That didn't stop him.
Umbra ran beside him.
The chase tore through the streets of Rome.
People jumped aside.
Varro headed toward the arena.
Marcus understood why too late.
“The underground gates!”
Varro entered the arena complex.
Marcus followed.
Lucan arrived moments later.
Everything was quiet.
The enormous stands were empty.
The same arena where Lucan had been sentenced to die now waited beneath the evening sky.
“Father?”
No answer.
Lucan walked onto the sand.
Umbra stayed close.
Then a gate slammed shut behind him.
Varro appeared above the arena.
Marcus stood beside him with a sword against his throat.
“LUcan!”
Varro smiled.
“History has a sense of humor.”
Lucan stared upward.
“Let him go.”
“Your father destroyed my life.”
“You destroyed your own life.”
Varro's jaw tightened.
“Come closer.”
Lucan walked forward.
Umbra growled.
“Leave the lion.”
Lucan touched Umbra's mane.
“Stay.”
The lion obeyed.
Lucan approached the stairs.
Varro shoved Marcus down.
Father and son stood together.
Varro raised his sword.
“Your father should have died here.”
Marcus looked at Lucan.
“Whatever happens, don't be afraid.”
Varro attacked.
Marcus blocked him.
Their swords crashed.
Lucan backed away.
Varro fought like a man with nothing left to lose.
Marcus was exhausted.
A cut opened across his arm.
Lucan saw Varro prepare another strike.
“Umbra!”
The lion charged.
Varro turned.
For the first time, genuine terror crossed his face.
He ran toward the iron gate.
Umbra chased him.
Varro climbed the gate.
The lion stopped beneath him.
Marcus approached.
“Come down.”
Varro looked at the lion.
Then at Marcus.
“Call him off.”
Marcus almost smiled.
“Interesting.”
“What?”
“Nine years ago, you told me beasts don't understand mercy.”
Varro's face tightened.
Marcus looked at Umbra.
“But apparently they do.”
He called the lion back.
Varro slowly climbed down.
He expected Marcus to kill him.
Instead, soldiers entered the arena.
Darius was leading them.
Marcus pointed at Varro.
“Take him alive.”
Varro stared at him.
“You're letting me live?”
Marcus shook his head.
“No.”
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“I'm letting you face everyone whose lives you destroyed.”
For Varro, that was worse.
