Chapter Twenty-Three
Kele sat next to the carriage driver and clung for dear life as the horses pulled them through the streets. In feral form, she could have run faster. However, attaching horses to a hulking mass of wood with rattling wheels, then adding pedestrians who took their lives in their hands by crossing in front, made travel too fast for her shifter heart.
“Get out of the way,” she shouted to one female crossing the road, who was picking her way over muddy puddles slowly.
The driver jerked in surprise and gave Kele a three-tooth grin. “You’re from the wild aren’t ya?”
The carriage swung precariously as they took a corner. “Keep your eyes on where you’re going, crafter.” She was chained to this thing. If it crashed, she couldn’t jump free.
“Don’tcha worry. I’ve been driving horses since before you were a pup.”
People bolted from the street at the sound of hooves hitting the cobblestone. The carriage passed their surroundings so quickly she lost her sense of direction. Most stores seemed like they were selling goods.
Someone with a handsome face and a mess of curly hair caught her eye. She spun around, gripping the bars of the carriage. Was that Benic? But the carriage turned a corner and she lost sight of him. She was so desperate for freedom she’d even choose him for her rescuer.
She’d been bought. Her. Kele, daughter of Inali and Chaska, alphas of the Payami, fifth generation of alpha females on her mother’s side, now a slave to some floppy female shifter pet. If there was a lesson in this, she failed to see it.
They drove out of the city—well, at least the buildings grew more scarce, and she could breathe easier—toward a large white stone building.
“What is this place?” A place of prayer maybe?
“Weis Manor. Your temporary home until my lord tires of your lord.” He cackled and slapped his knee.
She couldn’t stop her grin at his laughter. So it was called a manor, in which a lord lived. Seemed just like another vampire word for a den. Castle, manor, house, compound…cage.
The driver slowed the horses until they stopped smoothly in front of the door. He did have skill after all. He leaped down and assisted Pemma out of the carriage, then Lord Ewald while Kele climbed down on her own.
The petite female blinked at her, then back at her vampire master. “What do I do now?”
He’d had a frown on his face from the moment he’d laid eyes on Kele. “This was your idea my dear. Deal with it.” Then he stormed inside, leaving them in a pregnant silence.
“So, umm, Kele. Maybe we should start with a meal and a bath.”
She rattled her chain. “Maybe we should start by unlocking this. Your lord has the key.”
Pemma jumped. “Oh, wait here then.” And she raced inside, dress flying up around her knees.
Kele glanced at the driver. “I don’t know where she thinks I’ll go.” She rattled her chain again.
He chuckled. “Take it easy on Pemma. She has a good heart, that little one does. I’d say she did you a favor buying you from a place like that. I’m sure once you prove yourself loyal, the alpha will let you join his pack.”
Running her fingers through her tangled hair, she tried to make herself appear half civil. Part of her wanted to shift and howl at the injustice of everything. They wanted a wild shifter—she’d give them one. But she could hear Peder whispering in her head. Stay quiet, stay low, and wait for her chance to escape.
Then what? Return to the compound, fight her way in, and break the bonds of slavery from every shifter inside with the might of her idiocy? She had to use the muscle in between her ears and not the one that pumped her heart.
Pemma returned with a triumphant smile, holding the key. She unlocked the restraints, folded her hands, and waited.
Kele undid the collar around her neck and glanced around the grounds. No guards. No hunters.
The driver led the horse with the carriage away and left them alone.
Would Pemma fight her if she ran?
“Before you try to run.” Pemma gave her a shy smile as if reading her mind. “I want you to know that Peder asked me to buy you.”
“What?” Kele loomed over her with fisted hands. “When did you speak to my male?”
Pemma crouched to her knees in an obvious omega manner. “He wanted me to save you, hunter. It will make it easier for him to escape if you aren’t locked in the compound.”
She gaped at the top of Pemma’s pretty head. “You’re helping us?” She rolled her eyes and wanted to thump herself in the head. “Please stand, Pemma. I’m out of sorts.” Bullying omegas was something her mother did.
Pemma glanced at Kele’s fists, then rose slowly. “You won’t attack me?”
Kele relaxed her hands and held them out from her body. “No, I’m an idiot, not cruel.” She rubbed her temples to ease her growing headache. When had she last eaten? “I saw you with Timothy. You went in the back room with him so I just assumed—”
Pemma gasped and set her delicate fingers over Kele’s mouth. “Shh…Ewald can’t find out about that. It’s the price I paid for your freedom, and he won’t like it.”
Kele’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. How did she respond to that? Pemma whored herself for her release? And—and the omega didn’t even know her. The driver was right. Pemma did have a good heart. Too good—she might get into serious trouble. “You shouldn’t have done that. I can’t repay that kind of courage. Did he hurt you?” Kele couldn’t believe this conversation. She needed a pinch to wake up.
“Nothing I can’t handle.” Her tone didn’t give Kele any confidence in Pemma’s answer. The omega linked their arms. “I told the maids to draw you a bath and bring a meal. I think we should keep your presence from my alpha for now. He hates it when I bring strays home.”
“I’m a slave, not a stray. I have a pack.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. In Europa, we don’t use slaves so I’m unfamiliar with the protocol.” Pemma eyed her. “You’re much taller than me. Maybe one of the maids will have a dress that will fit you better than this rag Timothy gave you.”
She looked back at the city. “What about Peder?”
Pemma shrugged. “One thing at time.”
Past the threshold, Kele halted. The sunlight glinted off the white stone floor and blinded her. She moved farther inside and noticed many things shone. Crystals hung from the ceiling like a great lamp and gold-framed pictures decorated all the walls. Flowers in containers decorated the tables. Her pack was considered wealthy but not like this.
Pemma tugged on her arm. “This way. The bath will be ready soon.”
They climbed a set of curving stairs and followed a hall that went to the far back of the building. The walls in this part were bare of decorations and shiny things, yet a lovely red carpet covered the wooden floors.
Pemma opened a door to an apartment. Kele was familiar with this layout. Dens were created in a similar manner. They were a huge home separated into different family rooms.
A large copper pot filled with steaming water sat by the fire pit. While she stared at the bath, a female appeared with a bucket of hot water and poured more in the tub.
“Will that be all, miss?” The strange shifter didn’t raise her downcast gaze.
“That’s fine, thank you, Genella.” Pemma rested her hand on the other shifter’s shoulder.
She raised her gaze to give Pemma a shy smile before exiting the room.
“The servants are not sure how to treat me. Technically, I’m omega and should be the one drawing baths, but being Ewald’s concubine seems to confuse the hierarchy on this side of the ocean.” Pemma pointed to a plate heaped with food. “Eat or wash first?”
Kele blinked. For an omega, Pemma was a bit bold. “Wash.” Kele had been dragged and beaten a few times since her capture. The blood and dirt had formed a crusty layer on her skin. She undressed and held her chin high when she glimpsed concern in Pemma’s face. Kele sank into the tub and hissed at the scalding heat. Little cuts she hadn’t been aware of stung all at once.
Pemma circled around her with a pitcher and poured the contents over her head. The omega rolled up her sleeves and soaped up Kele’s hair before she could catch her breath at the sudden deluge.
“I thought you were some kind of lady as well.” Kele cringed as Pemma’s nails scraped her scalp.
“No, I belong to Ewald. Well, my pack does and I’m his present choice of companion, though I wonder after my behavior today if I still will be.” She poured more water over Kele’s head until she was rinsed and half drowned. “Lean forward so I can wash your back.”
“Wait, I’m your slave. Shouldn’t I be washing you?”
Pemma paused and stared at her. “But I’m omega and you’re obviously a hunter. That would be weird.”
Kele nodded and leaned forward. It would be. Pack hierarchy was instinctual. Vampires could try to beat the wolf out of them but it would take cutting out their souls. They couldn’t live without their feral sides. Not to mention, nothing compared to being cared for by an omega. They just had a special way that soothed the jagged edges of a hunter’s heart. There wasn’t any need for posturing with them. Omegas didn’t care about climbing positions in the pack. Peder used to own these qualities. The longer he stayed in Timothy’s care, the more she feared he’d lose his gentle nature that she loved.
“Okay, we’re done.” Pemma set the soap down after scrubbing her all over with a stiff brush. Every inch of her skin felt raw and fabulous, all of the slaver’s stench and grime washed off.
Kele’s heart sank a bit—so was Peder’s mark. She’d just have to make him give her another.
Pemma glanced at the bath. “I should wash too before Ewald smells Timothy on me.” She quickly disrobed after showing Kele how to undo her dress buttons. While Pemma washed, Kele ate.
“Will you want any of this?” She pointed to the half-eaten plate.
Pemma shook her head. “I’m fine. I don’t eat much.” She stepped out of the tub. The omega withdrew a light-pink gown from the wardrobe that went well with her long dark hair. “I have much apologizing to do with Ewald tonight.” She pulled out a yellow gown and compared the two in the mirror.
“The pink one,” Kele managed around a mouthful.
A maid entered the room with a blue dress. “This should fit her, miss.” She gave a small bow and left.
“They bow to you.” Kele pointed to the closed door.
“They belong to Lord Weis, who requires all his servants to do that. It gets confusing with guests and their packs. Then you toss me in as an omega lover to a lord. I guess it’s just safer to bow to everyone.”
Kele laughed and swallowed an unchewed bite whole. Enough—if she ate anymore, she’d get lethargic. She held the dress out and assessed all the fastenings. Where did they all go? She pulled it over her head.
“It’s on backwards.”
“Oh.” She tugged and pulled until it fit better. “Like that?”
Pemma straightened the hem a bit, then began with all the buttons and ties until Kele couldn’t take a deep breath.
“That’s a little tight.” Kele tugged at one of the bows.
“It’s supposed to be.” Pemma sat Kele in front of the mirror and ran a brush through her hair. “I’ve never seen this color on a shifter.”
“My father had the same coloring.” Her voice hitched unexpectedly. “You said on a shifter. Who have you seen it on?”
“A Yeti tribe came to Gaul for some kind of political thing. Maybe it was a wedding. Anyway, in their civil form, they all have pale hair like yours. Some of the vampire females do too, but I’ve gotten only glimpses of them from afar.”
“Glimpses? What do you mean? They don’t travel with their husbands?”
“Oh dear Goddess no. They’re guarded like precious treasure in Europa. Seeing one up close is as rare as seeing a unicorn.”
“Unicorns don’t exist.”
“They don’t?” She sighed. “No wonder I haven’t seen one yet.”
Kele stared at Pemma’s reflection in the mirror. Either this omega was the kindest person she’d ever met or the most diabolical. Within hours, she’d completely disarmed her. Her own mother hadn’t managed that in over twenty years. Kele couldn’t do anything but like Pemma.
“Peder’s very handsome.”
Kele blinked. “I know.”
“Is he any good in bed? You know, sometimes the really handsome ones don’t try very hard. I find if you want a better experience, the somewhat uglier ones really put more effort into the act.”
“I wouldn’t know.”
Pemma slowed her brushing. “What do you mean?”
Kele’s cheeks burned so hot she feared they’d melt off her face. “We haven’t been together long.”
Pemma looked so puzzled. “Is it a wild shifter thing to mate like this?”
She shook her head. “No, most omega females I know would probably agree with your assessment of males. I’m just…complicated.”
“Well, playing hard to get seems to have worked out for you. You’ve got the finest catch in the land. He seems smitten with you.”
Kele met her own stare in the mirror and saw what speaking about Peder brought out in her face. She smiled and touched the glass. “He’s my soul mate.”
Pemma’s childish smile faded. “Then we’ll have to put our heads together and figure out how to save him.”
“I thought you said he was going to escape.”
She snorted. “That’s what he said, but you know males. By the time he decides to do it, you’ll be silver and he’ll be gray.”
As the evening drew closer, Peder escaped deeper within himself. He knew Timothy expected him to kill again tonight. The only thing keeping him together was the small hairpin Pemma had given him.
Timothy led both him and Nahuel by the collar into the fighting arena.
Peder held his head up high but couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze. Dread clung to him like a bad aftertaste. The handler had their ankles linked in chains and bound their wrists. Instead of taking them to an underground cell, Timothy settled them outside the challenge ring while the arena filled with viewers.
“Some of the spectators like to see the fighters beforehand. If you’re lucky, you might catch the eye of a wealthy patron who’ll pay to spend the night with you.” Timothy bent toward Peder. “You probably won’t ever have to sleep alone. Revenue just from that is a bonus.” He chuckled and rubbed his solid, flat stomach. “Hunters, things will only get better. The more money you make me, the better I’ll treat you.”
A small line of people formed in front of them. Most were female.
Peder blinked and shared a bemused look with Nahuel, who shrugged.
Timothy faced them once more. “You can snarl and growl all you want but you don’t bite or hit anyone. If you do, I’ll make sure you think you’re a female by morning.” He didn’t even wait for their response before turning his attention to the crowd. “Good evening ladies. A silver penny to meet Goldie and his friend. One at a time, ladies.”
“I can’t believe this.” Nahuel shook his head. “Why would they care to meet us?”
“Because we’re wild and they think a set of chains makes them safe.”
“Don’t do anything stupid, Peder. I’d like to keep my male bits.”
“Bits, huh? Mine are more like boulders.” Peder nodded to the first female.
She ran her hands over them like they were exotic pets. It wouldn’t have surprised him if she’d opened their mouths to check their teeth.
Nahuel seemed more enthused about the attention than he was. Peder’s mind kept turning to the hairpin still hidden inside the hem of his kilt. He had hoped they’d be in the cells by now.
Timothy spoke quietly with a dark-haired female. She stared at Peder all the while, then handed the slaver some coin with a heated smile.
Once the line ended, Timothy gathered them and finally led them underground. “You have a date tonight after the fight, Peder. Try to avoid getting any face shots.”
“I won’t sleep with her.”
“I hope not. She didn’t pay for you to sleep. She wants to fuck.” He smirked. “Don’t worry, I made sure she’s pretty.” He shoved them in a cell finally. “Forget Kele. She’s gone forever. Give me your hands.” He unlocked their wrists, then watched them unlock each other’s ankles. It was becoming habit. Then Timothy pocketed the key and left them alone.
Nahuel sighed. “I wouldn’t have minded a pretty date after the fight.” He sat against the wall. “As long as I’m standing next to you, that will never happen.”
Peder crouched in front of him with a smug smile and pulled out the hairpin. “Ready to run?”
He raised an eyebrow. “And do my hair? I’m not following you.”
“You will be.” Peder slipped his arms through the bars and felt for the lock in the cell’s door, then inserted the pin. His old alpha used to chain his latest victims, but as his feral nature grew more insane, he sometimes forgot about them, leaving them to die of exposure or starvation. Peder did his best to keep track of who was missing in the pack and report to Sorin, who would trail them by scent. They all learned to pick locks. It was a matter of life and death sometimes.
The lock clicked and the door swung open.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Nahuel whispered. The hunter hugged Peder from behind, lifting him off the floor. “Let’s go.”
Peder caught his balance and grimaced from the pain. Most of his body was still in one stage of healing or another and his stitches burned. He peeked out the door and quietly padded to the intersecting hallway before waving at Nahuel to follow. “We can’t go the way we came in. There’s too many people.” He pointed in the opposite direction. “Think there’s another way out?”
Nahuel shrugged and lifted his nose to sniff. “Damn city air taints everything. Only way to find out is to explore. What do you think Timothy will do if he catches us?”
“Follow through with his threat and most likely make us female. Now keep quiet.” On the pads of his feet, Peder lightly jogged down the halls of cells. Some were filled but most were empty.
Nahuel kept close.
Peder entered a storage room and spied a window on the far wall. “That will do. Help me move this crate under it so we can climb out.”
Nahuel took one end of a large wooden box and he took the other.
The roar of the crowds began. Their time was running out.
His shoulders were too wide to fit through the narrow window so he had to squeeze out one arm at a time. He thought for sure he’d get stuck, but with a few hard shoves from behind and some lost skin, he made it. When he first saw the window, it hadn’t occurred to him that he wouldn’t fit.
Even more surprising, Nahuel had an easier time of it. How did the big hunter get through that small space faster and without help?
Nahuel clapped him on the arm. “I can’t believe we’re free.”
Dirty, sweaty, and half-starved, they finally escaped. Sticking to the shadows, Peder led Nahuel away from the arena. Peder wished he’d paid more attention to their travels to and from the compound. The only clue he had was what Pemma told him. He had to find Lord Weis’s manor.
What on Eorthe was a manor? A type of den or castle? Maybe it was another name for a farm or village?
Fuck.
In the stench of the city, he wouldn’t be able to locate Kele’s scent unless his nose was pressed right against it.
From dark shadow to stinking alleys, he crept until he and Nahuel came to a well-traveled cobbled street. Lanterns hung from street poles lighting the area. Pressed against a brick building, he and Nahuel did their best not be seen.
“I think this might lead out of the city.” He eyed the people who were out. Most looked more concerned with their own problems or too drunk to give a shit about a slave on an errand. “When you get out of the city, head northeast until you see the mountains. I’m sure that’s the range crossing our homelands.”
Nahuel stirred. “You’re not coming?”
He shook his head.
“You’re going after her?” He didn’t have to say who “her” was.
Peder had helped Kele get sold on purpose. If she were still in the slave compound, he wouldn’t even have tried to escape. Surely security around Pemma wasn’t as tight. He had a better chance of freeing Kele this way.
If he could find her.
“I’ll stay and help. Two noses are better than one.”
“No. You have to go home and warn the tribe. Those slavers may return and take more of our people. That’s more important than either me or Kele.”
Nahuel gripped his bruised shoulder and squeezed. “You are a better male than I and I’d be proud to call you brother.”
Peder grinned. “An Apisi dog?”
“Even a rabid one.” He laughed. “When I reach home, I’ll send help.”
Peder remained rooted to his spot watching Nahuel lope away. Home. He couldn’t picture it anymore. The den, his pack, even their lands…it all seemed empty without Kele at his side. No matter where she went, he’d track her.
Suddenly Nahuel stopped and weaved almost as if he’d been struck in the head, but Peder didn’t see any attackers. The hunter fell to the ground, followed by the sound of his skull hitting the cobblestone.
Without thinking, Peder stepped forward into the light and felt a familiar sting in his shoulder. He stared at the small dart.
When would he learn?