His Property

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His Property Page 11

by Allison West


  "Halt!" Sienna shouted, an arm raised into the void of darts splintering trees. Everyone placed their guns down, and she lowered her hand. "Retrieve all darts. We won't start again, until each person collects all ten."

  With caution, they inched toward the tree line.

  Positioned beside Aria, James walked over, grabbing a dart that he intentionally landed in the grass near Aria's misguided attempt to shoot. Every other shot of his had hit the trunk of the tree.

  "Stay out of hot water with Sienna."

  "I'm trying." She couldn't help that no one else questioned Sienna's decisions and motives. Would it get her killed or possibly save them all?

  Aria walked up to the painted tree and pulled darts from the trunk. She checked each tip; they were still just as strong as they were when she'd shot them. What type of material did they use that seemed so impossible to destruct?

  James smiled. "Hurry up, before Sienna shoots a dart into one of us, just to prove a point."

  "What point would that be?"

  "That she hates you asking questions." James stared down at the darts in his palm, counting them quickly.

  They rounded up all the darts and waited to begin the next round of shooting.

  "That's enough practice for today," Sienna said. "Put your guns and darts away. The festival will begin at sundown."

  Festival? Aria raised an eyebrow at James, wondering if he knew what the commander spoke of. Didn't they have a ceremony and festival last night? The crowd dispersed, and Aria took James' hand, walking with him from the clearing through the forest.

  "Hold up!" Sienna shouted, calling after them.

  "Shit," Aria muttered under her breath. Part of her wanted to keep hold of James and run.

  James kept his feet firmly planted on the ground. He was the reason Aria didn't run.

  "Stay away from the beach." It wasn't a request but a warning.

  Why? What's at the beach? Were there others from the ship who hadn't joined the tribe?

  "How come?" James asked.

  Aria squeezed his hand, appreciating how bold he could be when he wanted answers too. He'd been cautious lately, deciding the right questions to ask.

  "I've sent out a half-dozen scouts to comb the island, make sure the mainlanders haven't arrived. I'd hate to have one of them take you for an invader."

  Isn't that what they were, invaders to the Knight Tribe? Not that James and Aria had asked to become part of the group; they'd stolen any choice that existed. They'd been expected to assimilate into their culture. Given the world they left behind, this one seemed the better of two options. Besides, Aria doubted they'd ever see their ship again, let alone sail on the vessel.

  "Of course," James said. "What festival is tonight?"

  Sienna quirked a half-smile out the corner of her mouth. "The festival of warriors. You'll both enjoy the show. I know you will. Now, if you'll excuse me," she said, leaving the two of them standing in the forest.

  "Warrior festival?" Aria repeated to James. "What do you think that means?"

  James' complexion paled, and he pulled Aria up against a tree, his hands at her waist and his lips beside her ear. "I think it might have to do with my time in the pit."

  "You were in the pit?" Aria asked. "Is that where they kept you before the ceremony last night?"

  James nodded once and kissed her with fervor, his fingers roaming against her breast, drawing his hand over her nipple. The bikini was a thin veil of fabric, covering her but hardly keeping her assets hidden. "We're being watched," he whispered against Aria's ear, sucking the lobe.

  "By Sienna?" She dragged her fingers down his back and over his bare ass.

  "No," he said, his breath tickling her neck.

  Had James known who was watching, Aria felt certain he'd have said. "Maybe you should fuck me. If it's a show they want—"

  His lips crashed hard onto hers again. Their words disappeared in a haze. He pulled her against him, and beneath the leather strip of material, she could feel him pressing into her.

  "Aria!" Kali called out to her. She heard footsteps crunching on leaves as someone approached. She was running toward them from the opposite direction of the watcher. Seriously? Couldn't they ever get privacy or at least a few minutes to satisfy their desires?

  James kissed Aria one final time before pulling back with a groan.

  "I'm not interrupting anything?" Kali asked, but she didn't wait for an answer. "You've got to come with me and see what's happening in the pit."

  Kali grabbed Aria's arm and pulled her with haste through the forest. James stayed right on their heels; Aria could hear his heavy footsteps behind her. She found it comforting.

  They wound through the forest, darting across several paths and even a small stream. Aria had no clue where they were in relation to the flat or the shore.

  "What's going on?" Aria asked.

  Kali slowed to a stop beside a metal grated door. "Come quick," she said and opened the door. The gate had been left unlocked. Had James been detained here after being attacked at the beach?

  The door led to a set of dark stairs heading down below ground. Light streamed in from behind them. Though dark, Aria found it lighter than a night with a new moon. Aria could easily walk down the steps without stepping into anything or anyone.

  Kali didn't waste a second, and Aria quickly followed her through the corridor. To her left, were metal bars with cages. Were they for prisoners? They were currently empty.

  The hallway stretched into another room. Across the large expanse, wooden tables and benches sat nestled in their own cove. A large wooden die rested in the center of the floor. Aria walked around it and found three men from the boat wrestling each other to the ground.

  "Hey!" Aria shouted, not that it did anything to stop their fighting.

  "Enough!" James' voice echoed in the confined space.

  The men let go of one another and stood, dusting off the dirt caked to their skin.

  A gentleman with red hair and blue eyes stepped toward Aria. He'd been one of the three fighting, a crewmember on the ship. "Do you know what they're having us do?" he asked.

  "No," Aria said, glancing back at the die lying on the floor. Aria rolled the large die slightly with her hand. It stood up to her waist in height, though it felt lighter than it looked. She'd never seen a die quite so large. Who'd made it?

  "The festival tonight is entertainment for the commander and the tribe. She's choosing two from the pit, and they'll have to do whatever the die says."

  Aria swallowed nervously as she further examined the giant die. One side showed two people battling with swords. Aria frowned. Turning the die onto another side, it revealed a pictograph of two men with guns in a shoot-out. That wouldn't end well for someone. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rolled the die onto another side, covering her lips in surprise. Was that a paddle? Her cheeks burned, and she took a step back from the die.

  James didn't appear nearly as affected as Aria from the news. He stepped forward, resting his hand on her lower back. "Do we know who has been elected for the festival?"

  Kali shook her head. "The commander chooses two worthy opponents from the pit of invaders and mainlanders. Seeing as how the mainlanders have assimilated or died," Kali said, clearing her throat, "it's safe to say that one of you who has not been chosen by a tribe member, will be selected."

  Aria had given James immunity from the pit and the festival tonight. Relief flooded through her, but she still felt an ache of sadness for the others who were here with the Knight Tribe. How did they think what they were doing noble? Aria wanted to take it up with the commander, but she doubted she'd listen. Sienna's view on the mainlanders had been pretty narrow sighted, to join the tribe in their beliefs or face death.

  "This isn't entertainment," Aria said, stepping closer to Kali. "You have to help us."

  "Believe me," Kali said, glancing Aria over. "All I've been doing is helping you. If Sienna catches us down here, we'll be punished. That, however, is
nothing compared to what will happen if she witnesses the three of your men brawling it out before a festival. If a fight is going to break out, she wants it to happen during the festival, in the flat. There is no fighting in the pit, only practice with wooden swords and empty pistols. Get your men under control."

  Kali headed for the stairs to the surface, leaving James and Aria alone with their people.

  "We have to get out of here," a gentleman said. Aria glanced him over. The men were all wearing the same outfit as James. It was difficult to remember the crew from the passengers when everyone dressed the same, caked in dirt.

  "Where would you suggest we go?" James asked. "We're on an island without a boat. If you want to create a vessel from trees in the forest, be my guest, but it'll take a lot to get you to the next strip of land."

  A brunette woman with sapphire eyes, a few years older than Aria, stepped forward. "That's not true. There's an island due north of here. I went scouting on my own this afternoon, toward the volcano. From the mountain's peak, there were several visible islands. The next one is too far to swim to, but a raft like the one we came on might make it across the ocean."

  "You're willing to risk your life on the open seas again?" James asked.

  "What other choice do we have? The commander expects us to fight."

  James' expression was grim. "Challenge the commander to a duel. If she wants a fight, give her one, but make her the worthy opponent. In front of her people, she won't be able to back down."

  Chapter 3

  Finishing their feast, they gathered around in a circle and sat down. James sat behind Aria, and she leaned back into his embrace, feeling his arms wrap around her waist. She tried to relax, but she knew that would be near impossible with the fight that would ensue.

  Aria relished the fact that, for the moment, they were safe. When would the mainlanders come? Would it be wise to join forces with them instead of the Knight Tribe? Aria felt torn. Sienna had welcomed her and James, but she saw the hesitation from those who weren't chosen to be the elite part of the tribe.

  "Come!" Sienna said, clapping her hands together. The sun hovered low in the sky, with plenty of daylight left. "Rochelle, bring me the die."

  Rochelle, a girl bathed in freckles and red hair, disappeared into the forest. She looked to be around the same age as Aria. Aria had seen her wandering around but hadn't paid her any attention. Her eyes tried to quickly count the crewmembers and passengers from the boat standing anxiously in the center. Had anyone decided to leave or slip out without being seen? Were they hiding in the pit?

  The commander walked among the group, coming to stand face-to-face with one of the men who had been fighting earlier in the pit. Had she known? Is that why the tall robust gentleman had been selected?

  "You may choose your opponent," Sienna said, walking away from him.

  "I select the commander," he said, stepping forward, his expression grim, his chance of survival minimal. He looked rather aware of that fact. Even with a clean fight and over without serious peril, choosing Sienna meant he'd found himself an enemy with the leader. She wouldn't let him live; she couldn't. It would jeopardize everything she'd worked to achieve.

  Sienna spun around on her bare feet, her heels dug into the ground. The ribbon gown spun with her. "That isn't how it's done."

  "I challenge the commander." He didn't relent. His eyes narrowed, and his hands balled into fists.

  Rochelle rolled the giant die through the forest and back into camp at the flat. She didn't say a word as she pushed it to the center before finding her seat amongst the elite.

  The remainder of the group stood, awkwardly waiting to see what happened. They'd been instructed to sit down once two were selected by the commander. No one knew whether the commander would accept the challenge, though Aria felt certain that all the crew and passengers of the vessel were praying for it.

  "Be warned, I don't take kindly or lightly to a challenge," she said. Sienna's eyes tightened with a spark of hunger in her amber gaze. "I accept."

  Those awaiting the decision were quick to disperse from the circle and find a seat on the ground. In the crowded clearing, the elites stomped their feet. James and Aria watched with fascination as they joined in the ritual.

  Kali stepped forward, taking charge. Aria wouldn't have guessed she was second in command, but perhaps the fight fell under her jurisdiction. "The rules of the fight state that the higher-ranking official rolls the die."

  Sienna lifted the wooden die above her head, her arms outstretched and her face crimson. Aria didn't know if it was anger or the weight exerting her, forcing her to look red. Sienna tossed the die, and it rolled across the ground, slowly tumbling to a stop.

  Rochelle walked up to the die. "Kali, please bring the whip." She withdrew the die from the flat. There were no more choices left tonight. Fate had spoken.

  Kali retrieved the whip and placed it in the center of the flat. A stash of weapons was hidden nearby. Aria failed to notice from where Kali had retrieved the whip.

  "May you be granted a quick and merciful death," Kali said, retreating from the flat. She counted down. "Five."

  Aria gripped James' hand. Was Kali serious? Would a man die this evening in the flat? Aria's stomach tensed. She didn't want to watch, but the rules stated you couldn't leave. Aria didn't know what punishment would result, but she didn't dare take the risk and find out if she would become selected to face the die in the pit.

  "Four." Kali's voice chimed like a bell. In the center of the flat, one single black leather whip lay waiting to strike. Would Sienna be the first to grab it? If not, what happened when the gentleman struck the commander? He would be forced to kill her. No other option existed, or else he'd find himself dead. Sienna would never beg for her life or show him mercy.

  "Three."

  Aria's shoulders grew tense. She felt terrible not knowing the man's name who had been on their ship. The longer she stared at the sweat beading down his forehead, the more she remembered glimpses of him during the hostage attack. He'd been belligerent and had fought back. Not that it had done any good, but he'd tried to take a stand. One man against many didn't bode well, then or here.

  Aria glanced behind her at James. "What's his name?" she asked.

  "Sawyer," he whispered into her ear. His grip around her tightened, and she shivered, but not from the cold. There was something dreadful about knowing a man was going to die and there was little you could do to intervene. At least, with the driver who had killed Ethan many months ago, it had been quick. As awful as it had been, it hadn't dragged out and had not been for amusement. Even the rebels who struck the palace were quick to end one's life. What had they gotten themselves into? How could the Knight Tribe willingly participate in murders and slayings? Had there not been enough genocide and death that plagued the globe?

  "Two," Kali said.

  Aria had no reason to wish Sawyer or the commander dead. Though, between the two of them, Sienna would be her choice for the one to go. It may have been harsh, but Sienna had created this tribe and the entertainment forced on them.

  "One."

  Sawyer didn't delay at the sound of one. Whether Kali was supposed to yell anything else, they would never know. Taller than Sienna, and with his long, muscular legs, he lunged at the whip on the ground and grabbed it before Sienna could reach the leather weapon.

  Aria didn't know the rules. Would she retaliate with only her bare hands? How long could she fight back while he held the whip? She leaned forward, anxious to see what happened. Perhaps Sienna would find some justice for sending people into the pit and forcing them to fight.

  Their man from the vessel was large, but not swift. He gripped the handle of the whip and sent the leather flying at Sienna.

  Quick on her feet, Sienna darted away, careful not to get sliced.

  The flat was large in size, but with the expanse of leather flicking out across the clearing, Aria cringed. She didn't wish to accidentally get sliced. She scooted back into
James, wishing there had been glass or old stadium seating, like an arena that had housed sporting events. Stadiums no longer existed, at least not in Brayleigh. Most had been bombed early on in the war. What little that had survived, was hardly inhabitable for even minutes at a time. The structures were unreliable at best.

  Sawyer took another shot at the commander, the whip stinging her leg. Her eyes burned like hot embers in a fire. She rushed at him, unafraid and unforgiving. Grasping the handle, he attempted to give Sienna another lashing. The leather came into contact with her hand, and she caught the material as it slid against her palm. Not a hint of pain reflected on her face, though Aria knew her hand must be throbbing. Blood dripped onto the ground, and as quick as he was to pull it back, Sienna moved faster.

  Her hand wrapped around the tentacle, and with one swift motion, the entire whip, handle and all, found its way into her grasp.

  It was over, but not for Sawyer. Any chance he had of beating the commander ended. She lashed out with the whip, cutting his arm. He tried to dart away, escape the flat, but he couldn't. There was no way out.

  Aria couldn't watch and turned her head into James' arms. She still heard the crack of the whip against flesh. Sawyer's groans were soft at first. Aria guessed he didn't want to give Sienna the satisfaction of knowing the pain she inflicted upon him. Each lash grew louder against his skin and his discomfort.

  "I know," James whispered into Aria's ear. "It'll be over soon."

  Will it? Sienna wasn't one to show weakness. Aria wanted to stand up for Sawyer and protect a man who wasn't strong enough to defend himself. What good would it do, getting beaten in another man's place? She shifted against James, knowing she was out of her mind. He grabbed her arm to stop her.

 

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