Chapter Twenty-six
Peeping around the side of a boulder, Kari gazed over the crowd of people on the cave floor below them. There was no way she was going through that damn hole in the wall again. She’d walk naked among the people before she squeezed her oval body through a round space. Of course, her mate was fine with that. She had to punch his arm for being so male.
On the side of the pit below, she watched as women came from behind a curtained-off area. Most were practically dragged by a leash around their necks. An older lady stepped from behind the curtain and opened one of fifty plastic containers stacked just beyond the barrier. Colorful material was packed inside and she pulled out a red fabric. She wrapped it around one of the females’ waist.
“This is how they sell people?” she asked. “There are kids down there.” She stood to march down the path and give them a piece of her mind and escort every one of the females and children out the door.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit. “Where are you going?”
“Someone has to rescue all those people. And you’re just sitting there. We have to do something.” She didn’t want to sound whiney, but this was atrocious. Males selling women because they were stronger and could beat the female into submission. Pure hate and anger bubbled in her chest. Something had to be done.
“We will rescue them now that we know this is going on. But we have to get out first and call for backup. The two of us can’t fight all the bad guys down there.” She hated that he had a point.
“All right,” she said. “How do you propose we get out? And don’t say through the hole in the wall.”
“Of course not. The plan is to walk through like everyone else. I will hold onto your arm and we walk out.”
That seemed reasonable. They would blend in perfectly. Hand in hand, he led her along the steep path descending the side of the chasm. Nobody noticed them.
She whispered out the side of her mouth. “Where’s the exit? I didn’t see it.”
Bryon nodded ahead. “On the other side of the cavern.”
“Of course,” she mumbled. Suddenly, he pulled on her arm and walked a different direction. “I assume you know what you’re doing.”
“Prince Goddard is that way talking to several men. He doesn’t look happy.”
She looked over her shoulder, but couldn’t see over the crowd. “What is he saying? Can you tell?” she asked.
“He’s giving them a description of us. He must know about the tunnel leading here.” He scooted them to the side of the plastic containers she saw the older woman at a while ago. Using his shifter speed, he restacked the boxes by taking containers in the back and placing them up front to build a wall to hide them. Another great idea. Her man was good at this spy stuff.
“Grab a couple more containers and let’s see what’s in them,” she said. They popped the lid on a few and saw female clothing, scarves, wraps, robes, shoes, and loose pieces of makeup. She now understood the purpose of the curtained zone. It was a staging area where the older women dressed up those being sold.
She felt like puking then burning down everything in this insidious place. “I have a plan to get us out of here,” she said, pulling stuff out of containers. Bryon stood by quietly. He must’ve known her thoughts or expected the worst. Which would be correct.
“Here,” she handed him two fist-size rocks, “hold these to your chest.” She wrapped a long length of material around him several times, firmly holding the stones against his skin.
“What are these for?” he asked.
“Insta-boobs.” She handed him a white muslin robe. “Put this on.” She continued to drape scarves and material over his head. She worried he was too tall, but not much she could do about that. “Damn, your feet are hairy, boy. No way they’ll pass for women’s feet.”
There weren’t shoes big enough for his clompers so she tied scarves around his knees to hang down and hide the grizzly things.
“Almost done,” she said. She pulled up the black tulle material covering his face. “Open your mouth wide.”
He frowned. “Why?”
She sighed. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes, sorta. Depends what you do with that lipstick in your hand.” Damn, he saw her pick it up.
“You have to look like a female. This lipstick will do that. Now open your mouth.” He did as she requested. “Now do this.” She pressed her lips together, showing him how to set the makeup.
“Ew. This stuff feels disgusting.” He lifted a hand to wipe at the color, and she smacked it down.
“Don’t smear it. You can take it off as soon as we get out of here.” She tossed the lipstick into a bin and pulled out a robe and scarves for herself. In another container, they found fake gold jewelry and leashes. She draped herself in gold, making her look quite wealthy. She pulled Sheldon’s bracelet from her pants pocket and slid it on with everything else.
Bryon grabbed her arm and held it up, exposing her last fancy addition. “Have you had this the entire time?”
“Not on, but in my pocket.” She didn’t want to tell him about her earlier erroneous thoughts about Sheldon liking her and giving her such an expensive gift.
“Good,” he said. “Keep it on.”
She shrugged. “Not a problem.” She wrapped her hair in a dark turban then draped her face with black tulle. “How do I look?” She twirled for him.
“Like a fancy brothel owner.” His grimace said he didn’t like the look. Good. She didn’t want to look pretty. He picked up a leash and tied it around his neck. “You know, this will look silly with you holding me on a leash. I’m a foot taller than you. How about I just shift and go out that way.”
Kari rolled her eyes. “Yeah, like a huge-ass wolf walking through the crowd won’t draw attention?”
“I see your point.” He handed her the other side of the leash. “Let’s go, master.” She huffed, then peeked around the wall of containers they had built. Everyone around them was focused on the stage fifty feet away with three scared, nearly naked teens. She told herself to wait for backup like Bryon said. Nothing could be done now that would help.
She headed for the exit, falling in line behind others going the same direction, some with multiple girls in tow. Ripping that man’s balls from his body would make her feel really good at that moment.
Ahead, one of the women lashed out, fighting her captor. From nowhere, guards surrounded them. One shot her with a dart gun and she calmed, then passed out and fell to the floor. Her owner picked up a leg and dragged her behind him.
Suddenly, a man was in Kari’s face, rattling words she didn’t understand. “I’m from America.” She lifted her chin. “What do you want?”
The man’s eyes got big and he looked her up and down. “You lay one goddamn hand on me, mister, and your balls will decorate the rearview mirror in my car.”
“No, you misunderstand. You are short for American. I used to tall men,” he managed to get out in English.
“What do you want. I’m done here and leaving.” She changed her voice to be annoyed and impatient. She should try out for the community play. This acting stuff wasn’t too hard.
“I pay half million dollars for your slave,” he said. Her jaw dropped open. The man didn’t notice because he was making twinkle eyes at her Bryon. His foot hit hers, snapping her thoughts.
“No. She is not for sale. I just purchased her.”
The guy reached up and squeezed Bryon’s rock boobs. “Firm, just like I like them. One million American dollars. I must have her. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.”
She turned and looked at her mate. “Mister, you got yourself a deal,” she said.
“Wait here for me to return,” he said, hurrying away.
Bryon bent down to her ear. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t sell me.”
“Suck it up, buttercup,” she whispered back, trying to move her lips as little as possible, “I just made myself one million bucks.” She smiled at him. “Just go with him. If we’re not together, they’ll be less likely to suspect something. I’ll be behind you.” He huffed and straightened.
The man fought his way through the crowd, carrying a briefcase. He held it out to her. She took it and nearly dropped it from being heavier than expected. She handed the leash to him.
“There you go. She’s all yours. Have fun.” She smiled and stepped away. The man led Bryon toward the exit. She watched as the new owner’s hand slipped behind Bryon and rested on his butt cheek. She barely held the laugh in when Bryon batted it away. She quickly melted into the group heading out.