Arena Shifters (A Paranormal Romance Novel)
Page 14
“You’re wrong!” It was Lucius. He was lifting himself up on an elbow. Though it was costing him severely, he brought himself up to a sitting position; it was all he could manage.
“How can we trust you son of the Dominus?”
“I will tell you a secret, so delicate it would bring ruin to my father’s house. But if it will at least guarantee my friends life I am willing to break my vow I made as a child. And if you could find it in your heart to let me go… Well here it is.”
Slowly with great effort Lucius stood up. Then, taking a deep breath he shook his head, then his whole body began shaking and convulsing right in front of their eyes. By now Petronia knew what was to come next, but it was still a shock to her. Right in front of their eyes he turned into a black wolf. Hearing an audible gasp, Petronia turned to see how the others were taking it.
The man who had helped her up and had spoken to her was simply shaking his head from side to side. “Well that explains a lot.” He said to no one in particular.
“What do you mean?” She asked.
He looked at her for a minute before speaking. “That I think I will keep to myself. But I understand how this information, we could use it to bring great harm to the boy’s father.”
Petronia looked over at Lucius just as he was shifting back to his human form before he collapsed on the ground again, even weaker for his efforts.
“What is it you seek, boy?” The man asked in a softer tone.
“I wish to leave my father’s house and make a life for myself…and Petronia if…” He trailed off. He had never really expressed how he felt towards her, but this wasn’t the place either. Instead he reached out to her and she took his hand in hers.
Petronia looked to him, understanding him at last. Maybe one day, when he was much older… Yes, one day…
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Glossary of Terms
Dominus/Domina: Title given to slave owners male or female.
Doctore: The lead trainer of the gladiators and is usually a slave as well.
Lanista: The man who purchased slaves for Gladiators and was responsible for them.
Praetor: One who commanded Roman armies and sometimes served as judges.
Gladius: Short stout sword used frequently by Roman soldiers and often gladiators.
Pugio: Dagger.
Subligaculum: The equivalent of underwear
Rudis: Wooden sword given to a gladiator who has achieved freedom in the Arena. Must keep it with him always to prove he is no longer a slave.
Primus: The main event of the day in the Arena.
Pulvinus: The royal box in the Arena where important dignitaries sat to view the games.
Murmillo: Popular gladiator fighting style.