Chapter Thirty-One
An hour later, I step into the garden dressed in the midnight-blue skirt and top that Vermilia tried to make me wear my first night here. A distraction, that’s what I am, pathetic as my role is. But it’s the part I’m playing for the Renegade tonight. The outfit isn’t as sheer as Briala’s garment, but the skirt is still shorter than what I’m comfortable with and the top has just enough fabric to cover my breasts. When I asked her, Briala painted midnight-blue designs on my torso and face, and fixed my hair so it tumbles down my left shoulder.
“It’s about time you did more than serve drinks,” she said as she finished up the last touches.
Minutes later, I walk through the crowd, exchanging empty glasses for full ones. Now that I know a few people on a personal level, and know the names of most of the other guests, these parties are a bit more entertaining than they used to be. I know to watch out for Kalen’s sleazo friend, Edan, for example, who always brings one or both of his twins with him. And I know Tythoe, Cada, and Giff, are safe to be around, although I avoid speaking to them, apart from when I’m serving them drinks. We have a secret to keep, after all.
The garden is decorated appropriately for the occasion. Lanterns line the walkways. Loud, upbeat music fills the air. Guests sit on the benches of the outdoor bar, laughing and drinking, while others dance in the clearing. Making my rounds, I pass out glasses to the guests, when I catch a glimpse of Zimri.
My heart sinks into my gut. He doesn’t always attend Kalen’s parties, but here he is, chatting with another guest. He throws his head back and laughs at what the Tavdorian is saying, then his eyes catch mine. His smile vanishes and his eyes rake over my body. The smile returns, but it’s primal, making apprehension slither down my spine. I almost prefer the rage radiating from his eyes than…whatever fills them now. But this is good. Distracting the Rydells—that’s what I’m here for tonight.
I head down another pathway, relieved when I find Kalen on a bench.
“Wine, master?” I ask.
He glances at me briefly, then does a double take, as though just recognizing me. The pleasant surprise in his eyes makes my stomach flip.
“You didn’t tell me Zimri was going to be here,” I murmur as I lean in close to hand him a drink.
“And you didn’t tell me you were going to dress up like a goddess. Tell me, who put you up to this? Briala?”
“I have a mind of my own.”
“What’s this?” the Tavdorian beside him asks.
An iron weight pulls my stomach back down to reality at the sound of Edan’s voice. I’ve seen him grab slave girls and pull them onto his lap. Volunteers, Briala assured me. I’m no volunteer, yet he looks at me like I’m here to do his bidding. His indigo eyes roam down my body, taking in every curve, every design painted on my body, then his lips curve up into a predatory grin when his eyes meet mine. My skin crawls at the look I find there. Curse these revealing clothes.
“She’s a bold one, Kalen,” Edan says.
I lift my finger and give him a foul gesture, but it only earns me a laugh from him.
“She’s the one, isn’t she?” he asks. “The native?”
Kalen clears his throat. “She’s not a native anymore.”
“You still want to get rid of her?”
The knife of betrayal plunges deep into my heart, and I glare at Kalen.
Kalen’s jaw clenches visibly in the light, his eyes pained while he stares at me, almost apologetically.
“I never said I wanted to get rid of her.” His voice is low and controlled, and he looks at Edan. “My father did, but she’s not his to give.”
Edan doesn’t even seem to hear him as he stares at me, amused. “There’s wildness in her eyes.” His lips curl up in that queasy smile. “I bet I can tame her.”
Blood drains from my face. I turn to leave, but not before he grabs my wrist. “You’ve got yourself a live one, Kalen!”
Other guests turn to stare at the excited tone in Edan’s voice.
“You’re drunk, Edan.” Kalen’s voice rises a notch. “Leave her alone.”
“And since when do you care about a slave’s feelings?”
“She’s not a volunteer.”
Edan rolls his eyes. “You and your volunteers. Who gives a teeranie’s ass? She’s a gods-damned human.”
“Enough!” Kalen’s voice comes out rougher this time. Louder. “I don’t want you causing a scene at my party.”
Edan’s brows shoot up. He releases me. “Fine. You’re wanting to keep her all to yourself. I get it.” Edan sweeps his hungry gaze over my body, then stands and shoves past me. “A native, boys!” he shouts to the other guests. “Don’t let this one out of your sight. It’s the wild Humans who are most exciting in bed.”
“Shick off, Edan!” Kalen growls.
“What? Aren’t you proud of your new addition?” He looks and me and winks before stumbling into the crowd.
I glance at the onlookers, and the brief moment my eyes catch Ket’s, I think I see hot, raging jealousy. Kalen speaks my name, and I turn to face him.
“Lark,” he says again. “Are-are you okay?”
I can’t speak. Can’t speak past the humiliation, rage, and shock closing my throat.
“You need to leave the party. Now.” Kalen looks at my clothes and presses his lips together. “And take those ridiculous clothes off. They’re attracting too much attention.”
Perfect. My plan is working. But I’m shaken from what just happened with Edan, and I need to get away, just for a moment. Giff hasn’t given me the signal to distract Kalen yet, so I know I have a few moments to spare, to catch my breath. I push my way through the crowd of guests, following the trail toward the slaves’ quarters, and my lungs slowly remember how to breathe. My muscles begin to relax by the time the laughter and music of the party fade into the distance.
But then footsteps sound behind me. I look back. Zimri is walking toward me, and walking fast. What have I done wrong this time? Is he still pissed about what happened at the Port? I try to decide whether to flee or stay and face him, and decide on the latter. I need to be on my best behavior around Zimri. He’s more persuasive than Kalen is to their father.
Bowing my head, I command my heartbeat to slow down. “Do you need something, master?”
“Kalen was right.” His voice is smooth, yet cold and detached. “He really did break you like he promised.”
I swallow the lump in my throat.
“I honestly thought he’d be too easy on you. Perhaps even grant you freedom, the xeno-lover he is. But, here you are. A submissive slave, dancing at his parties.” He gives me a once-over. “I’ve noticed how he acts around you. How he can’t seem to keep his eyes off you.” He smirks. “It’s embarrassing. I think it’s time to cut ties between you two.”
A cold wave of terror slams into my body.
“You’re worth a good amount of pecs now. All I have to do is say the word to my father—”
I meet his eyes. “Kalen wouldn’t allow it.”
He blinks. “That’s master to you. And Kalen never purchased you. Even if he did, he’s still living in Father’s house and has to obey his rules. And when Father finds out that Kalen has developed feelings for a slave…”
I glance down the trail, wonder at my chances of outrunning him and finding a place to hide until Giff gives his signal.
“I might be doing you a favor, selling you,” Zimri is saying. “It’s only a matter of time before Kalen bores of you and looks for someone to sell you to. The heartbreak on your end would be unbearable.”
I blink against the sting of Zimri’s words. Because what if he’s right? What if Kalen’s promises are truly empty, or he decides I’m not worth taking back to Earth?
No. I can’t let Zimri get to me. I move to step past him, but he blocks my path. “Not so fast, Human.”
“Leave her alone, Zimri.”
Tythoe’s deep, commanding voice sends a surge of relief through my entire body. He appears down the trail, his jaw tense and his eyes burning with hatred and disgust.
“Go find your own whore,” Zimri snaps.
“I said leave her alone.”
“Or what?”
“Or wake up with a broken jaw tomorrow.”
Zimri’s teeth flash. “You’re challenging me in my own household? I warned Kalen not to invite you and your xeno-loving girlfriend to his parties anymore.”
“You don’t live here, and I don’t think Kalen will care too much if I stop you from harassing his slave. Let her go, or face the consequences.”
Zimri’s silent for a moment, then shifts his eyes to mine. “You better say your good-byes, you nebulous waste. Just a few more days and I’ll make sure you’re gone.” He shoves past Tythoe and disappears down the trail.
“Thank you, Tythoe.”
“It’s my job to keep an eye out for you tonight. You’re as much a part of this mission as Giff is.” He frowns. “What are you doing this far from the party, anyway?”
“I was just taking a breather.”
“Come on, I think you could use a drink. And Giff is getting ready to go. We could still use you, if you’re up for it. But I completely understand if you’d rather not. We can try another time—”
“No,” I say. “No…we have to do this tonight. The sooner we can get the information about the Starfinder, the sooner I can go home.”
We arrive at a bench at the edge of the crowd, still hidden by any curious eyes, but close enough where I can see Giff when he gives the signal.
“I’ll get you a drink,” Tythoe mumbles.
I nod and place my head in my trembling hands. Cada returns a moment later and hands me a glass full of some clear pink liquid.
“You okay?” she asks, sitting beside me.
“I take it Tythoe told you?”
“Zimri is an animal. I swear, if he ever corners you again, I’m gonna—”
“Calm down. You don’t want to lose your reputation over a Human.” I look down at my hands, the fingernails so perfectly painted by Briala herself. I let out a sigh, then accept the glass from Cada and take a deep drink, surprised to taste a mixture of fruit, sugar, and alcohol.
“This world’s going to change, Lark,” Cada says. “Thanks to Ogan and the Renegade, everyone will be equal. Everyone will have rights. And slavers like Zimri will be thrown into prison for treating aliens the way he does.”
I almost choke on my drink. “I doubt that’s going to happen in my lifetime.”
Two male guests slip past us, probably seeking out pleasure in the privacy of the garden. But most of the party is gathered by the fountain, chanting words to some drinking game. I drain my glass, then lower it and lean my head back.
“Giff is giving the signal,” Cada whispers.
I lift my head, my gaze catching Giff’s. “Let’s stick to the plan,” I say.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. We have to do this.”
Cada merges in with the crowd. I close my eyes, inhale deeply and slowly let it out, then set my glass aside and follow Cada.