Hunted!

by Terri Pray

  “I'm in,” Jeffery, the youngest of the group spoke up.

  “As am I.” One by one the other's around the table committed themselves to the hunt.

  “So do we get to see a little more of what your pet can do? If we are going to hunt her down it would be good to see what the prize has to offer, don't you agree?”

  She glanced towards the new voice. He had soft hazel eyes, curls of light brown hair and an almost gentle face, at least in comparison to the others in the room. Did he even belong in the group? He didn't look like the sort that would hunt a woman down and treat her as property, yet his question, his presence at the table, dictated otherwise.

  “I don't see why not, Kenneth. Stand up, pet.”

  Celeste didn't dare to argue as she pushed to her feet.

  “Lock your hands behind your neck, press your elbows back, edge your feet apart and remain in position until I tell you to move again.”

  Without protest she eased into the position he wanted, interlacing her fingers behind her neck, pushing her elbows back.

  “Pretty little thing,” Kenneth admitted. “But other than her looks does she have anything to offer. You've obviously taken her maidenhead, from your own admission. So what skills does she have? What makes her worth the effort of the hunt?”

  “She's learning to respond to pain and the girl isn't broken yet. Not fully. The one who captures her will have the delight of training her to his own desires. She knows the basics. How to serve in minor sexual ways, and has been introduced to discipline. She's been taught how to pleasure men and women alike with her tongue and understands some of the basics of obedience.”

  “And an untrained slut is supposed to be of interest to me?”

  “Something the matter Kenneth, do you fear the challenge of actually training someone yourself instead?”

  Kenneth growled, his chair pushed back across the floor so quickly it scraped against the wood. “You speak as if I am lacking in some way, Blood. Be careful before I call you out.”

  “And do you truly think I fear that from you, of all people. You're weak Kenneth. I had hoped there was some measure of a real man in you, for the sake of your departed father if nothing else, but I see my instincts where right after all. You're a fraud.” Davien gestured lazily to the other men around the table. “Each man here, but you, has taken the time to train or partially train a woman at some point. One or two have delved into owning men as well. Not my taste but who am I to judge. But you... no, you prefer to take the leavings of others. Their mistresses, and slaves alike. I believe your father protected you whilst he was alive, but if you wish to remain a guest in my home, to be counted as a man who knows his place in the world, then you will learn to act like one.”

  “How dare you. I am a man. I am a Master of men and women.”

  “Oh, are you indeed? Strange, I've not seen any sign of that in you. Just a weak little boy who would be better of collared than trying to claim control over another living being.” Davien smiled as he rose from his chair.

  “You're wrong. You don't know me,” Kenneth protested.

  “Am I indeed, well then this hunt offers you the chance to prove me wrong. If you have the guts. Lets say we up the stakes a little. You can either hunt the girl, or come after me, either way you'll be able to leave with your head held high. You'll have proven yourself a man.”

  Her shoulders ached, arms throbbing in quiet protest at the position she had assumed, yet, the tension in the air prevented her from even looking for some measure of relief from Davien.

  “Either come after you or the girl, interesting idea. And why would I come after you, Blood?” Kenneth took a step away from the table. “Give me one good reason why I should do that.”

  “Because you want the chance to kill me, the same as your father wanted.”

  Celeste tensed. What was going on here? Had she missed some plan behind the hunt? She tried to think back over the conversations she had listened in on over the past day.

  The problem. The boy mentioned but a few hours ago. Her stomach clenched as she glanced quickly from the cherub faced youth and then back to her Master.

  “Ah, I see. That's why you invited me here, isn't it?”

  “Why else, Kenneth.” Davien smiled, that same ice claimed look that radiated from his eyes. “You've wanted to do this for years. So now you have your chance. Either go after the girl, or go after me. Or perhaps you might find a way to do both. Though you'll have to remember, I'll be waiting for you out there, watching for you to try and strike against me. Oh, there will be a body brought back to the house, but whose do you think it will be? Yours or perhaps mine?”

  “Yours,” Kenneth replied without hesitation.

  “Blood, don't you think this is a bit on the foolish side?” Harold spoke up. “What if the authorities get wind of this? How do you expect us to be able to cover up a body dear chap?”

  “Then you'll all be able to state you were witnesses to a tragic hunting accident, won't you? There will be no covering up of the body, just the shocked friends of a man that died in a hunting mishap. It wouldn't be the first time a life had been lost to a misfired gun, or a horse slipping. I'm sure we'll be able to come up with a decent explanation of the situation. That is, if Kenneth has the guts to take the challenge.”

  “And when I kill you?”

  “Then the house, my lands, my property will all be yours. I'll have the will written and witnessed before we set out in the morning. All clean and legal.” Davien shrugged. “Does that sweeten the pot enough for you?”

  All his lands, his money, everything would become Kenneth's?

  “Yes, I believe that would work out very nicely indeed,” Kenneth smirked. “And I'll get the girl. Oh don't worry, I'll do the hunt fully. I'll kill you then claim your lands, your home and your little pet all in one fell swoop.”

  “That we will find out tomorrow. Until then gentlemen, I suggest we enjoy the meal. Cook and her people have put in hours preparing this for us.” Davien eased back into his chair.

  Kenneth didn't move.

  “Do sit down dear boy, I have no intention of poisoning you. What fun would there be in that. I would much rather enjoy our little encounter tomorrow. Far more... sporting, don't you agree?”

  “Indeed.” Kenneth sat back down, but the color had faded from his cheeks, a tremble touched his body, even his hand shook as he reached for the glass of wine and lifted it into the air. “To the hunt then.”

  “To the hunt!” the toast was echoed about the table.

  “Return to your cushion, pet. And don't worry, tonight you will be fed, you'll need all your strength for the hunt come the dawn.”

  Somehow that did not offer her any form of comfort.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “You will sleep in the stables tonight, pet.” His hand tangled in her hair once the meal had concluded. The others had already left the room, including Kenneth, who had taken the time during the meal to comment on her lack of training and her obvious faults. “It would not do to have you sleeping in my room the night before the hunt.”

  “Master? The stables?” The stable hands, what would happen to her there?

  “That's where beasts sleep.” His grip tightened in her hair. “Are you disagreeing with me, slut?”

  “No, Master. I'm just nervous. I mean they will touch me, use me.”

  “Ah, the stable hands? Yes no doubt they will though not too late into the night. A beast will need a decent amount of sleep before being loosed for the hunt. They might sport with you for a short while but why would that be a problem?”

  She whimpered, half lifting onto her toes, eyes wide as she met his gaze. “It's not Master, I just thought... Well you might want me to rest fully before the hunt, so I didn't disappoint you in any way.”

  “Is that what you worry about slut? No I don't think so. Not really.” He started to walk towards the door, guiding her via the cruel grip. “You fear what delights the stable hands might have for you. Their t
ouches, being forced to pleasure them or crawl to them.” He smiled as they walked. “Well you have a lot to look forward to in the coming months, but that isn't one of them, not to the extent you might think. They know that a beast being prepared for a hunt may not be used too badly the night before. That sleep and warmth is important as you will be awakened before dawn in order to head out before we begin the chase.”

  The chase, a hunt, she was nothing but an animal to him. No matter what lies he had murmured her way before she was only a pet to be used in any way he wished.

  “You're angry.” His grip loosen as he pulled her to one side just a handful of paces away from one of the many doors that led outside.

  “Yes, Master,” Celeste nodded.

  “Why? Because I treat you as you deserve to be treated, as you need to be?”

  “I'm a human being, Master.”

  “A slave,” he countered.

  “I have feelings, needs.”

  “Which I answer, even though you would deny it.”

  “I'm not an animal.”

  “So why does the thought of being hunted down, captured and claimed by the winner of the hunt excite you?”

  She faltered. “I don't.”

  “You do, I can smell you.” He smiled, running his fingers through her hair. “You need a strong hand. You've thrived under my control, even if you don't want to admit it. One day you will come to terms with that, lass.”

  Celeste frowned, shaking her head as she tried to avoid his gaze. “I don't want this.”

  “Yes you do, my slave. You're a woman, one that is property, who thrives under a strong hand. That's why you wanted nothing to do with the men around you. Why you turned your nose up at them. They weren't strong enough for you. Only one man was able to offer you that, you sensed it in him, but he wasn't interested was he. Not for more than a brief kiss.”

  The Raven, gods did he mean the Highwayman?

  Who else would he mean?

  “He's not like that.”

  “Then why isn't he looking for you? Why didn't he come for you before I grabbed you from the road? Because you're nothing to him but a pretty little chit to pass a moment with. Eventually he might have sought you out for something, a little bit of fun, a roll in the hay, then he would have moved on. Yet you still want him, don't you.” His grip left her hair as he traced his fingers down over her cheek. “You wanted him and still hold out some level of hope that he will come for you.”

  Was she that transparent?

  “Please, free me Master, let me go home.”

  “This is your home, it's time you understood that.” He smiled, leaning close to her, his breath caressing her lips in the moment before he claimed them.

  She groaned, arching into his touch, her body alive, needful. Her nipples hardened, crinkling into tight points as she pressed against his chest. Her hips rocked, urging her to meld to him, heat blossoming deep within her core until it coated her inner walls, her lower lips throbbing with the need to be touched.

  His tongue delved into her mouth, stroking, teasing, firing her desire into life. His hand slid back into her hair, gripping it tight, tipping her head back as he pressed the kiss deeper yet. Forcing her back against the cool wall. She shuddered under his control, her body no longer her own, but a whimpering, wanton creature that craved his touch. He growled against her lips, his teeth holding her bottom lip, claiming her.

  “You are mine,” he proclaimed, breaking the kiss, still holding her against the wall. “No matter the lies you tell yourself or the hopes you cling to, you're a slave. You want this, need this and life without it would leave you empty.”

  She wanted to deny it but the words refused to come.

  “Yes, you know, I can see it in your eyes.” He pulled back from the wall, his grip loose in her hair, yet she knew with less than a moment's notice he could tighten it, bring her up onto her toes, her body arched in his grip. Knew it, accepted it and, yes, desired that control.

  “Come along, little beast. It's time to bed you down for the night.”

  * * * *

  Straw pushed into her skin as she burrowed down into the nest that had been provided for her. A chain had been locked about her ankle, ensuring that she would not try to run during the night. Not that she had anywhere else to go. Naked, marked in places, she would have been picked up before she made the edge of his lands.

  Her stomach knotted, sweat beaded across her body and she shivered despite the extra warmth from the heavy blanket that had been tossed over her. Straw was fairly insulating even if it was more than a little scratchy in places, so she didn't lack for comfort in that respect. Her stomach wasn't stuffed, but she'd had enough to eat and drink that she didn't feel as though she had been left wanting.

  Even the half-expected rape from at least one of the stable hands hadn't taken place. Not for the want of trying. But Davien had made it clear that only one of the men would be permitted to use her and they had been unable to decide which one would have the right to do that. It hadn't taken long for the argument to be broken up by the amused Davien with the declaration that if they couldn't decide who would get to use her without fighting over it, then that right was revoked.

  At least it had given her the chance to relax for a little longer.

  Relax, that was a joke. How could she be expected to relax with the knowledge of what the new day would bring? A hunt.

  Damned. She had been damned by her reactions to his kiss, that much was obvious. Maybe if she had resisted him, pulled back, fought the sensations his touch had brought to life, if the strength had been there then maybe, just maybe she wouldn't be facing this mockery of a game when dawn's first light touched the land.

  Celeste wrapped the blanket tightly about her body, trying to focus on her breathing, the night air, random colors, anything that would take her mind off the problems she would face the following day.

  Her lips tingled from the kiss. Her body craved his touch. She wanted more than anything else to be in his arms. Stupid. He would use her, hurt her then lock her in the cage when he was done. She'd never spend the night in his arms, he wasn't like that.

  Yet the image warmed her.

  To spend a single night nestled in his arms, her head against his chest, the touch of his hand as he combed her hair with his fingers through the night.

  She sighed, holding the image close.

  It didn't matter, right now, just how silly it was to think, to hold out a hope that he might one day treat her as a human being, a lover instead of a piece of property, she still wondered what it would be like.

  Had he ever treated a woman like that?

  Doubtful with the way he talked. Women were things, property, not beings to be loved and cared for.

  The Raven, her thoughts drifted back to the dark eyed man that had stolen a piece of her heart. That gentle touch of his lips, the way he'd smelled of horse flesh, leather and sweat, the excitement as he had nearly crushed her against his body. A soft tremble ran through her body at the memory.

  Men like him were rare and they were nothing like the one that now owned her.

  Tomorrow, she would take advantage of the hunt and find a way free of the estate. Even if she failed there then she would make sure that Davien was not the one that caught her. Either way, by dusk the following day her time with that hated man would finally be over.

  * * * *

  Mists parted as she ran, tree branches reached out, clawing at her sides, tearing into her flesh as the hounds barked, urging her to move ever faster through the under growth.

  She had to move. Run. Find a way to escape them.

  Where though?

  The sounds of the hunters assaulted her at every turn. Shadow claimed figures ever lingered on the edge of her line of sight.

  Keep on the move, keep running, if she stopped they would find her, capture her and it would be over.

  Moving gave her a chance to escape, to find a way to break free.

  Run.

  All
she had to do was run.

  “Over here lass, this way.” A man's voice, cloaked, the tri-corn hat in place. It had to be the Raven, the very man she had hoped would come for her. “This way, you'll avoid them if you listen to me, follow me.”

  She turned, running headlong towards him. She trusted him. Had to trust him. What other choice did she have but to take the hand she was being offered. Besides, he wanted her, and she needed him.

  A low branch caught in her hair, tangling into the long silver white strands, forcing a soft cry of pain into being. She twisted, trying to pull free and keep her gaze locked on the moving form of the Raven at the same time. If she lost sight of him then she'd be damned, trapped as a slave for the rest of her life.

  He was the answer.

  The way free.

  The hope that kept her alive through the darkest of her nights in the hateful cage she was confined to.

  “Come on, my lass. Move. You need to move a chroi.”

  A chroi. My heart. She'd not heard that term in years, and then only between lovers once after they had married. Yet from him it felt right.

  “Wait. I'm trying to keep up with you. Please wait.”

  “We don't have the time. You need to keep up with me.”

  She pulled free of the branch, strands of hair caught in the sharp wooden fingers. Pain lingered in the wake of her escape and small damp spots on her scalp spoke of the price she had paid in order to break away.

  “Hurry.”

  “I'm trying.” He had become little more than a shadow in the distance, fading a little more with each passing moment. No matter how hard she tried to keep up with him he kept increasing the distance between them.

  She stumbled, almost hitting the damp ground.

  No, she couldn't risk any more delays, he'd be...

  She blinked, trying to locate him.

  Nothing. Not a sign, nor sound that gave a hint to where he was. No. She couldn't have lost him already. With a low whimper Celeste forced herself back up to her feet, taking a wary step into the shadows.