by Sarra Cannon
“Here, let me help you with this.”
“Oh, that’s alright. I can manage.” Sienna puffed.
“Don’t be silly. I don’t mind at all.”
The two women carried the tray down the hallway. As they rounded the corner, Abigail realized they were back in the main hall. She could see the front door ahead of them and she gave Sienna a curious look.
“Where are you taking all of this bread?”
“To the fighting slaves.” Sienna opened the front door and they stepped out into the bright sunlight.
Abigail’s heartbeat quickened as she squinted in the light. “They keep them outside?”
“They keep them in a building behind the main castle.” Sienna replied.
They walked around the side of the castle and Abigail studied the stone building about ten feet behind the castle. To the left of it a curved stone wall rose up nearly forty feet in the air.
“What is that?” Abby pointed with her chin to the wall.
“That’s where the games happen.” Sienna answered. “Lord Darius had it built two months ago. He calls it the arena. There are rows of seats for people to watch the slaves fight.”
“Like the Romans and their damn Colosseum.” Abigail muttered.
“Like who?” Sienna asked curiously.
“Never mind.” Abigail smiled at her as they approached the building. “Is Darius not afraid that the slaves will escape while the vampires are in their daysleep?”
Sienna shook her head. “It is not possible. They are guarded by bear shifters.”
“You’re kidding me? Shifters working for vampires?” Abigail said in surprise.
“Yes.” Sienna replied. She was starting to look a bit nervous and she gave Abigail a worried look. “Perhaps you should stay out here. The shifters are suspicious of new people.”
Abby shook her head. “This tray is too heavy for you. I am not afraid of shifters.”
Sienna gave her an admiring look. “I am not sure whether you are the most foolish woman I’ve met or the bravest.”
“I am neither.” Abby grinned at her. “Although my mother might have made a strong argument for foolish.”
Sienna laughed and opened the thick, wooden door of the stone building. Balancing the large tray between them, the women stepped into the cool darkness. There was a low growling from ahead of them and Abby squinted into the dimness. Her eyes had not yet adjusted to the gloom and she could just make out the dark shape coming toward them.
“Who is this?” A man, he was huge with a dark beard that hung halfway to his chest and small beady eyes, gave her a suspicious look.
“Just another slave.” Sienna squeaked nervously.
“Is she?” The man leaned forward and sniffed Abigail. “Why is she here?”
“The tray is too heavy for her.” Abigail smiled cheerfully at him. “I offered to assist her.”
“Does the Lord Darius know?” The bear shifter grunted.
“I am only being helpful, my lord.” Abby gave him another smile before touching his arm lightly. “Surely you do not believe I am a threat to such a large, impressive man such as yourself?”
The shifter growled dismissively but stood a little straighter before looking Abigail up and down. “Do you belong to one of the leeches?”
“She does.” Sienna said quickly. “She is the Lord Joven’s personal slave.”
“Is she now?” The shifter leaned forward and sniffed her again. “Have you ever been with a shifter before, girl?”
“I haven’t.” Abby purred softly. “Not yet, anyway.”
“Well, if you ever get tired of being the leech’s meal, you come and see me. I have forgotten more about fucking a woman than a leech will ever know.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Abigail gave him a slow smile. “What’s your name, handsome?”
“Jeremiah.” The bear shifter reached out and squeezed her hip before sliding his hand around to her ass.
“I’m Abigail. It’s very good to meet you, Jeremiah.”
The shifter grinned at her, revealing large yellow teeth, before squeezing her ass with his hard hand. “You’re a little slut then, aren’t you?”
Abigail shrugged and stepped away from him. “Will you open the door, Jeremiah? I’m sure the slaves would like their dinner.”
The bear shifter squeezed her ass once more before pulling the ring of keys from a hook on the wall to the right of the door. He opened it and Abigail smiled sweetly at him before following Sienna through the doorway.
Chapter 9
Abigail glanced around curiously. They were in a small windowless room that had a small bench to their right and nothing else. Ahead of them was doorway that opened up into a long, wide hallway. Barred rooms lined it and she could see a few grimy fists wrapped around the thick steel bars.
“Do not get to close to the bars.” Sienna said anxiously. “Just place the bread on the tray and push it through the opening at the bottom. Each slave is allowed one loaf of bread.”
“Is this all they are given to eat?” Abigail asked.
“No. We bring them meat and vegetables in the evening. Lord Darius used to give them only bread but it made them too weak to fight. They put on a better show when they are given meat.”
She led Abigail into the hallway and they set the large tray on the floor. Sienna moved to the first cell on the left and deposited three loaves of bread on the tray that was placed on the floor in front of it before shoving it through the narrow opening at the bottom of the cell. She smiled briefly at its occupants before moving on to the next.
Abby peered into the first cell on the right. Two of the largest women she’d ever seen were sitting on the floor with their backs against the wall. The bigger of the two had short dark hair and her nose was canted to the left. She grinned at Abby, revealing a mouthful of missing and broken teeth, and Abby gave her a small smile in return.
“You’re new.” She stood with a lazy grace and moved to the front of the cell. “Look Dalia, fresh meat.”
“I see her Ursula.” The smaller one grunted. She didn’t join her sister at the front of the cell. “Hurry up with the bread, slave. My sister and I are starving.”
“Sorry.” Abigail replied. She quickly piled two of the larger loaves on to the tray in front of their cell and shoved it through the opening, being careful not to lean to close to the bars. Ursula inhaled deeply.
“You smell pretty.”
“Thank you.”
Abigail moved to the next cell. This one held four men of varying sizes and they all gave her the same look of weary resignation when she pushed the bread into the cell.
As she stooped to gather more bread she heard Sienna murmur quietly, “Hello, Neil.”
Abigail stiffened and then hurried toward the plump woman. She was reaching into the bars and a soft giggle escaped from her lips as Abby joined her. She breathed a sigh of relief. Neil, his face battered and bruised, was holding Sienna’s hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles lightly.
“You’re looking lovely today, Sienna.”
“Thank you.” Sienna gave him a shy look as Neil’s gaze drifted to Abby.
His mouth dropped open and he released Sienna’s hand before taking a step backwards. “Abby?”
“Neil!” Abby, tears starting to slide down her cheeks, reached through the bars. Neil shook his head in disbelief before stepping forward. They embraced through the bars as Sienna blinked at them in surprise.
“Oh, Neil. I’m so happy to see you.” Abby stroked the large man’s face as he gazed in shock at her.
“Abby, I – I thought you were dead.”
“No.” Abby shook her head. “Where is Maria? Is she alright?”
“Yes. She’s two cells down.” Neil looked her up and down. “What happened to you, Abby? You look so different.”
Abby smiled at him. “I am different. It’s a long story.”
“Were you captured by Darius?” Neil frowned.
&nb
sp; Sienna cleared her throat loudly. “No. She is the pet of the Lord Joven.”
“Oh, Abby.” Neil said sadly.
“It’s fine, Neil. Do not worry.” Abigail said briefly.
“How do you know each other?” Sienna had recovered from her shock and she was giving Abby a mistrustful look.
“We met a long time ago but then I was taken by a vampire.” Abby replied as Neil squeezed her hands.
Sienna stared miserably at their clasped hands before nodding. “I will leave you alone.”
“No!” Neil dropped Abby’s hands and reached for Sienna’s. “Do not leave, Sienna. I have waited all morning to see you.”
A small smile crossed Abby’s face. The look of adoration on Neil’s face was plain to see and she squeezed Sienna’s arm. “Neil and I are only friends, Sienna. Nothing more.”
The woman blushed before returning her gaze to Neil. “Seeing you is the best part of my day.”
Neil’s grin widened and Abby glanced behind him. There was no one else in Neil’s cell except for an old man. He was curled into a ball and snoring loudly, and she leaned closer to the bars and touched Neil’s shoulder gingerly.
“Neil? I am going to see Maria. I cannot explain at the moment, but I promise you that everything will be different soon. Alright?”
Neil studied her carefully before nodding. “Alright.”
She hurried away as Sienna began to hand out the loaves of bread again. She peered into a cell, her heart thudding heavily when she saw Maria’s sweet face.
“Maria!”
“Abigail?” Maria was thinner and her long hair had been chopped into a short, unflattering pixie cut, but she gave Abby a warm smile as she rushed to the front of the cell.
“What are you doing here?” She reached through the bars and touched Abigail’s face lightly before glancing at the other two women in her cell.
“Do not come too closely.” She warned as the other women scowled at them.
Abby kissed Maria’s hands and held them tightly. “I don’t have time to explain right now but I promise things are going to be better soon. Okay?”
“Did Val find you?” Maria asked suddenly.
Abby hesitated. “Sort of. He found me a couple of weeks ago.”
“Where is he now?” Maria frowned.
“I cannot explain right now.” Abigail glanced around warily. “Just trust me that it will be better soon.”
Maria nodded and Abigail squeezed her hands again. “I must help Sienna hand out the bread. I will try and visit you again tomorrow. Alright?”
Maria gave her a small smile and Abby kissed her hands again. “It will be okay, Maria. I promise you.”
She dropped the older woman’s hands and moved down the hallway, searching each cell as, behind her, Sienna continued to hand out the bread. Her pulse pounding and her mouth dry, Abby approached the final cell on the right. She peered into it, her breath rushing out of her in a huge rush when she saw Michael sitting against the far wall. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping.
There were three other men in the cell with him and the largest one leered at her. “Hey, pretty little bitch. Why don’t you get on your knees? I have a present for you.”
He unbuttoned his pants and pulled his flaccid cock out, waving it at her as the two other men snickered loudly. Ignoring him, Abby cleared her throat loudly. “Michael? Wake up.”
Michael’s eyes popped open and he stared at her for a moment. “Am I dreaming?”
Abby smiled tearfully at him. “You are not dreaming, Michael.”
He stood and made his way to the front of the cell before reaching through the bars. She took his hands and squeezed tightly. “Oh, Michael.”
The small man smiled at her. “I’m okay, Abigail.”
Abby studied him carefully. He was shirtless and his upper torso was covered in cuts and bruises. A dirty bandage was wrapped around his torso and she could see a large patch of dried blood on it.
She jerked when a dirty hand reached through the bars and grabbed her hair. She was yanked forward and she gasped in pain when her face slammed against the cold steel.
“On your knees, bitch.” The man who had spoken to her earlier shook her roughly. Before she could wrench herself free, Michael had grabbed the man’s arm and twisted it violently behind his back.
The man screamed pitifully and fell to his knees. Although he was twice the size of Michael, he gave him a fearful, pleading look. “Please, I’m sorry.”
“Touch her again and I’ll tear your arm from your socket. Do you understand?” Michael said quietly.
The man didn’t reply and Michael yanked his arm higher. He screamed again, a thin wavering noise that sounded ridiculous coming from his large body, and nodded frantically.
“I understand! I understand!”
“Good.” Michael released his arm and then patted his head like he was a dog. “Back to your corner.”
The man staggered to his feet and retreated, rubbing his arm and casting fearful glances at Michael as the other men chuckled loudly.
“Shut the fuck up!” The man snarled before punching the man closest to him.
Michael turned back to Abby. “You should not be here, Abby. It is too dangerous.”
“Do you really believe I would leave you to rot in this cell or be killed?” Abby whispered angrily. “We have spent the last few months devising a way to free you.”
“We?”
“Wesley and Evan and I.” Abby answered.
“What of Bill?”
“He – he’s dead. He was killed by a bear shifter as we were traveling here.”
Michael’s shoulders slumped and Abby rubbed his arm soothingly. “Michael, look at me.”
He raised his dark brown eyes to hers and she smiled at him. “It is not your fault. He wanted to rescue you.”
“Abby, this Darius is very dangerous.” He studied her outfit, his eyes lingering on the collar around her neck, and she blushed a little before crossing her arms over her chest.
“I know. Don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
She leaned closer as Michael rested his head against the bars of the cell.
“Jaxen will help us and there is another vampire who will help us as well.” She breathed into his ear.
“Who?”
“Val.”
Michael gave her a surprised look. “The one who saved your life when you first came to our world?”
“Yes.”
“Are you allowing him to feed from you again, Abby? You know how dangerous that is. You cannot allow him to bite you even if it means saving me. Do you—”
“He’s not feeding from me.” Abby whispered. “Do not worry, Michael.”
Sienna had approached them and she gave the two of them a curious look as she slid the tray of bread into the cell. “Do you know everyone here, Abby?”
Abby shook her head and stepped back. “No, Sienna.”
Sienna took her hand. “We must leave now. If we linger any longer, the shifter will grow suspicious.”
“Alright.” She reached through the bars and squeezed Michael’s hand again. “Stay strong, Michael.”
“Be safe, Abigail.” He replied gravely.
“I will be.” She gave him a reassuring smile as Sienna tugged on her hand and led her back down the hallway.
As they passed Neil’s cell he reached out and snagged Sienna by the arm. She smiled sweetly at him as he caressed her pale skin. “I will see you tomorrow?”
“Yes.” She hesitated and then leaned forward. Neil’s face was pressed against the bars and she placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “Bye, Neil.”
“Goodbye, Sienna.”
— —
“Sienna? You cannot tell anyone that I know Neil and the others, alright?”
Sienna had led Abby back to Val’s room and Abby placed her hand on the woman’s arm.
Sienna didn’t answer and Abby gave her an anxious look. “If you say something, it will mean N
eil’s death. Is that what you want?”
Sienna shook her head. “No, of course not! I will not tell anyone.”
She hesitated and then gave Abby an anxious look. “Are you sure that you and Neil are only friends?”
“Yes. I promise you. We are nothing more than friends.” Abby said reassuringly. She patted the woman’s arm. “Are you in love with him?”
Sienna shrugged. “I don’t know. I am very fond of him. He has such a kind manner, does he not?”
“He does. He’s a good man, Sienna.”
“He seems to be.” She sighed softly. “It is difficult for me to know what I truly want. The nights that I am fed on by a leech, I am certain that it is that leech I want and need and that I cannot live without them. But then I see Neil and I…”
She trailed off before sighing again. “I hate that I am attracted to the leeches when they bite me. I feel like I am being unfaithful to Neil. Isn’t that ridiculous? I really know nothing about him and I’m not even certain that he is attracted to me. I’ve had only a few conversations with him but the way that he looks at me – like I am more than just a meal – makes me happy.”
“Believe me – Neil is attracted to you.” Abby smiled at her. “I have never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
Sienna smiled tentatively. “Truly?”
“Yes, truly.” Abby hugged her impulsively. “Please, Sienna. Promise me that you will not say a word to anyone about me knowing the others.”
“I won’t.” Sienna said solemnly. “I promise.”
“Thank you.” Abby hugged her again before slipping into her room. Despite the bright sunlight, the shutters and thick curtain blocked the light effectively and she waited patiently for her eyes to adjust.
Violet slipped out from her hair and Abby smiled when the pixie glowed brightly and provided enough light for her to see the bed.
“Thank you, little one. And thank you for staying hidden.” She followed the pixie’s bright glow to the bed and quickly climbed in beside Val as the pixie flew to her bed by the window.
Abby lay in the darkness, listening to Val’s rhythmic breathing. Her mind was a whir of happiness and worry. She was thrilled to see Neil and Maria and Michael but she had no idea how they would rescue them. She sighed and turned on her side, tucking her hand under cheek. She would have to talk to Sienna tomorrow and find out where the slave quarters were. She needed to speak to Wesley and Evan, needed to let them know that Michael was alive, and –
