Gladiator Clash (Time Hunters, Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

prisoners continued to talk about the gladiatorial show, unaware of the terrifying Egyptian god in the room.
    Anubis sneered at Tom and Isis as they huddled together.
    â€œYou’re not having
fun
, are you?” He blasted them with his foul doggy breath.
    â€œN-no!” Isis said, covering her nose with her tunic.
    Anubis started to heave with unkind laughter. “You’ll be torn from limb to limb in the arena!”
    Isis stood tall, fists balled and with her chin stuck out in grim determination. “My opponents had better train hard before they square up to
this
princess.”
    â€œHa! The young princess is deluded as usual! Two children against the best fighter in history? You don’t stand a chance.”
    Tom’s teeth were chattering with fear as he thought about having to fight in the arena. “Can I just ask?” he said in a small voice, looking up at Anubis. “Why are you being so horrible to us? Why can’t you find your own amulets? You’re a god, after all.”

    Anubis fixed Tom with his glowing red eyes. “She hasn’t told you, has she?”
    Isis shook her head and blushed bright red.
    â€œTold me what?” Tom asked.
    He looked over at Isis but her large brown eyes were fixed firmly on her sandal-clad feet.
    â€œPrincess Isis tried to steal an amulet from me,” Anubis barked. “If I had my way, I wouldn’t let her into the Afterlife at all. But even gods have rules. If she has the payment, I must let her through.”
    â€œSo why don’t you?” Tom asked. “You know where the amulets are. Just let her through now. Surely trapping her in the statue was punishment enough?”
    Anubis scowled, showing his razor-sharp fangs. “What would be the fun in that, boy? Who knows? If she survives the challenges, she may even learn her lesson. If you
both
survive, that is!” He started to laugh nastily.
    The ground trembled again. Tom marvelled that the other prisoners didn’t even look round to see where the noise was coming from.
    â€œRemember, Isis!” Anubis growled. “No amulets, no Afterlife!”
    â€œI know! I know!” Isis said through gritted teeth.
    â€œNow, I do hope you both enjoy Ancient Rome,” Anubis boomed. “Because if you don’t find the first amulet, you’ll be stuck here forever!”

“Imagine being torn limb from limb,” Tom said above the snoring of the other prisoners. He shivered at the thought. “Ouch.”
    Isis yawned. “Go to sleep, Tom! Rufus will be in here soon enough.”
    Tom propped himself up on his elbow. “Sleep? You’re joking, right? I can’t get Anubis’s words out of my head.” He sat up, hugging his knees to his body. “Do you really think they do that sort of thing?” he asked. “Surely they spare you if you surrender? Not that
I
would surrender, of course.”
    In the gloomy light of the breaking dawn, Isis stuck out her chin. “Well, nobody’s tearing my limbs off. I waited five thousand years to get a body again. I’m not going to let some gladiator ruin it.”
    Tom straightened himself out, feeling more determined. “If I die in that arena and Mum finds out, she’ll kill me!” he said. “You and I will just have to work as a team.”
    â€œA team?” Isis squeaked. “Princesses don’t really do teams. By rights, you should just throw down your life for me.”
    Tom tutted and shook his head. “Then how will you get your amulets? You might not like to admit it, but you do need my help. Plus, this
is
all your fault in the first place!”
    â€œOh, yes, of course, we’re in this together,” Isis said, quickly changing tack. “A team we shall be! Nobody beats Isis Amun-Ra and her trusty friend, Tom!”
    Suddenly, there was a crash as Rufus flung open the barred door.
    â€œGet up, you lazy lot!” he shouted,