The man lifted one hand. Robin was raised off his feet, and with a flick of the man’s wrist, Robin was slammed against the far wall. First, he slumped to the floor. Then, just as he began to push himself up, he saw the man pull Freya out through the hatch.
“Freya—”
Then everything went black.
A while later, he woke with a jerk. As Tekmet was tending to him.
“Easy, Robin,” Tekmet said as Robin started to sit up.
“How long was I out?” Robin asked, holding his head in his hands.
“Almost an hour,” Tekmet said. “That was quite a hit you took.” He glanced behind him.
Following his gaze. Robin noticed that a great many people were shooting him odd glances every now and then.
“You certainly gained their respect,” Tekmet said.
Robin lowered his gaze in shame. “I wasn’t able to save my sister from whatever they’re going to do to her,” he said, climbing slowly to his feet.
Before Tekmet could reply, the hiss of the door interrupted him. Turning, they watched as Karon shoved Freya through the door. She stumbled to the floor. With another hiss, the door snapped closed behind her.
Robin rushed to her side. Gently, he reached down and touched her shoulder. When she looked up, he saw shame, tears, and anger in her eyes. He waited quietly for a moment, and then he helped her to her feet and slowly guided her to a secluded spot.
He helped her sit down and watched as she struggled to hold back her tears.
“I am sorry,” he said. When she looked at him, he continued. “I am so sorry I wasn’t able to protect you.”
For a couple of seconds, she just eyed him. Then she said, “You know…ever since I accepted this life as mine, I made myself a promise. They can do whatever they want to my body, but they will never have my soul. Never.”
Robin met her gaze, and then he nodded. He pulled her into a hug, and she finally let the tears fall as she clung to him.
Chapter 8
Arrival
Time had no meaning for Robin as he leaned against the hull of the cargo hold. He tried to ignore the rumbles from his stomach and the irritation of his desert-dry throat.
Freya had finally fallen to sleep after shedding what seemed like a day and a night’s worth of tears. He glanced down at her, her head resting on the pillow of his lap. He gently patted her head, trying not to hit her with the laser manacle on his arm.
The people around them moaned with hunger and thirst. The water and food units were bone dry.
“You’d think they’d take better care of such precious cargo…” His voice was a rough croak.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of a scuffle. In a corner, he saw a woman named Hannah struggling with a rough-looking man over a few morsels of food that the man had managed to hoard. When the struggle started to become violent, Robin used what little strength he had left to shift Freya’s head from his lap. He climbed to his feet, shuffled over to the pair, and pulled them apart.
“That’s enough!” he barked. Several people turned and stared.
“All I wanted was a little bit of food for my child,” Hannah explained. Robin kept one hand on her shoulder and the other on the man’s broad chest.
“And I warned her that if she touched my stash again, meat would be back on the menu for her child!” the man snapped. He continued to shield the meager amount of food with his hands.
Robin turned on him. “They’ve already taken our freedom. Should we let them take our humanity too? Because if we don’t stick together, it will take them no time at all to break us or wipe us out.”
For a few seconds, the man held his gaze. Then the man slowly lowered his eyes and opened his hands, revealing a chunk of stale bread no bigger than a fist.
Slowly, Robin extended his own hand and said, “What if it were your child?”
The man scowled. “If it were my child, I’d make sure it learned that the best way to survive is to look out for yourself.” But he handed Robin the bread and sat down.
Robin sighed and shook his head. Then he turned his focus to Hannah, who sobbed and fell to her knees. Dropping down next to her, he laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. When she finally looked at him, he said, “Come on, we have some food.”
He helped her up, and the two went to her daughter.
A short while later, Robin and Freya watched as the mother eagerly fed the young toddler.
“If we weren’t slaves, I’d suggest you go into politics,” Freya said. “Damn near had me convinced, and I wasn’t the only one.”
He cocked a half grin. “It’d drive me crazy. Probably end up shooting myself my first term,” he said, and she laughed.
Suddenly, the laser cord on Robin’s manacle lit up, and the next thing he knew, an invisible force was dragging him across the floor by his arm. He came to a sudden stop next to Tekmet, and the band of lasers shackled the pair closely.
“This again,” he moaned. When he sat up and looked around, he realized that the others had been paired up also. “I guess we’ve arrived.”
He no sooner said the words than the cargo doors opened. Behind them stood three sentinels.
“On your feet, all of you!” they barked in mechanical voices. They slid laser whips from under their forearms into their hands and started cracking them.
Robin stole a glance at Freya, who was chained to the toddler’s mother. Hannah was trying to keep close to her daughter, who was chained to a middle-aged man.
“We said, on your feet!”
The sharp sting of the whip brought Robin back. He bit back the pain, cringed slightly, and climbed to his feet.
“Now move!” the sentinel barked, and they were all marched out of the ship toward a roaring crowd.
Chapter 9
The Auction
When his eyes adjusted to the sunlight outside, Robin gaped. He was on Centurium, the biggest trade planet on the galaxy, which was also the capital of the Black Dragon’s Empire.
Looking around, he took in the city’s levels, which seemed to stretch up to the sky. Crisscrossing above him, he saw lane upon lane of hover car traffic zipping to and fro, like lines of ants rushing to their destination.
The buildings around them came in all shapes and sizes and seemed to continue forever into the sky. Hanging from each of them, almost dancing in the wind, were deep gray banners featuring a black dragon flying upward, a white dragon skull overlaying it.
The symbol of the Black Dragon, Robin thought.
As they were marched along the stage, Robin couldn’t help but feel dread move through him. Both he and Freya had to get off this planet—and fast. If the Black Dragon discovered them here, they’d be torn apart.
Robin, still connected to Tekmet, did his best to keep his eye on Freya, who stood forlornly with her partner in the corner.
Turning, Robin took in the crowd in front of the stage. As in the Bazaar system, he saw a mixture of species and people, each murmuring in their own language. All of these individuals turned in their direction, and Robin stiffened at the evil looks in some of the buyers’ eyes.
“Come one, come all, ladies and gentlemen!” Valarka called, floating out of the ship on a hovering podium. “Come and see the best batch of nonmagical slaves this side of the galaxy! We have men, we have women, we have children! We have them all, and we guarantee a lifetime of satisfaction!”
Suddenly sirens blared. Robin’s gaze shifted to the back of the crowd as a large, extravagant state transport arrived. He saw a Black Dragon crest on its door.
With a nervous gulp, Robin glanced down at his bracelet. If you’re listening, I really need you to work right about now!
With a hiss, the doors of the state transport opened and stairs lowered to the ground. A tall man in a robe a billowing cape with a wand attached to his belt stepped out.
“Make way!” someone called as he moved forward, and the crowd parted. “Make way for Lord Balwin!”
Robin’s eyes wi
dened.
Lord Balwin! The same Lord Balwin who runs the crystal mines! One of the Black Dragon’s most loyal followers!
As the man walked toward the group, Valarka bowed to him. “My lord, it is indeed a—”
“You can dispense with the formalities,” Lord Balwin said in a deep, oily voice. “I am here to claim my right of first pick of your merchandise.”
“Of course,” Valarka said, bowing low a second time with a wave of his hand.
Ignoring him, Balwin moved forward. “And of course, a look at our best specimens.”
Valarka pressed a button on his remote. At once, the laser connecting Robin and Tekmet vanished with a hiss. A pair of sentinels pushed them forward. Robin quickly looked toward Freya; she was being pushed forward as well.
Balwin ran an eye over Robin as if he were a pet or a prize steed.
Valarka chimed in again. “As you know, my Lord Balwin, Anubises are quite strong. Great to carry whatever you choose or to do hard labor.”
Then he waved a paw-like hand at Robin and Freya. “As for these two, both are genetically engineered beings. They are stronger, faster, and have senses well beyond any other slaves we have here. It’s as if they were created to be perfect slaves.”
Balwin remained silent. He examined Tekmet. After a moment, he slapped Tekmet’s chest as if to test its density. Then he took one of Tekmet’s arms and bent it back, feeling the taut bicep.
“Open your mouth,” he commanded.
Robin’s eyes widened in disgust as he watched Lord Balwin examine Tekmet’s teeth as he would an animal. “One thousand starrubbies,” he finally said.
“Sold,” Valarka answered.
Then Balwin moved in front of Robin. Not bothering to keep the disgust from his gaze, Robin glared at Balwin. He didn’t move, and he did his best to keep his muscles slack while the man slapped his chest and squeezed his biceps.
When the man dropped Robin’s arm, Robin glared at him.
“Open your mouth,” Balwin commanded. Feeling more eyes on him, Robin did nothing. “Open your mouth!” Balwin commanded louder.
Robin kept his mouth closed, turning his lips into a hard line. He was promptly slapped, which barely jarred him. All he felt was hope that he could stand as an example for his sister to keep fighting.
Eyes blazing, Robin remained as he was.
Balwin returned his gaze with a look of rage. Hands on his hips, he ran his eyes up and down Robin. Robin mimicked him, which earned him another slap. Behind him, he heard a couple of people chuckling as quietly as possible.
With a growl of irritation, Balwin moved to Freya. His anger growing, Robin watched as Freya endured the same humiliation. However, she withstood the examination meekly.
“Same price,” Balwin said.
“Sold,” Valarka answered.
Feeling like he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, Robin realized his mistake. Instead of inspiring Freya, he’d lost her with his antics. He had found his sister, but now she was being torn away from him. He watched in despair as she was led off the stage.
Cursing his pride, he stepped forward. “Freya!” he called. He was promptly shocked. Biting back the pain, he dropped to one knee.
Balwin paused, looking back at Robin.
“Apologies, my lord,” Valarka said. “He was newly captured in the Bazaar system and has yet to be broken in.”
“Then I suggest you do it immediately,” the lord said, and with a wicked smile he led Freya and Tekmet into a transport, returning alone a few minutes later to continue the auction.
Before Robin could climb to his feet, a sentinel dragged him back. For the rest of the auction he watched as, one by one, the people around him were brought forward and sold to various buyers. Balwin bought even the toddler, ripped from Hannah’s arms as they both screamed.
As Hannah was brought forward, tears streamed down her face. Robin watched with bated breath as buyers raised their hands and called out bids. After the mother was led away to her new owner, he was the only one left on the stage. A sentinel pushed him forward.
“Now, as you know, this is a prime specimen,” Valarka said, again waving his paw-like hand. “Let’s start the bidding at one thousand starrubbies.”
For a couple of seconds, there was silence. “Come on, people, though unbroken, this is a bargain for such slave flesh. You will never find a better one.”
“One thousand,” a minotaur at the back called out.
“I heard one thousand, do I hear one thousand five hundred?”
Back and forth, the bidding continued. Robin shot a glare at Balwin’s smug face when he refused to bid.
“I have five thousand. Going once… Going twice…”
“Ten thousand,” a voice called. Heads whipped around, and Balwin stared, dumbstruck.
On the steps of Balwin’s transport stood a young woman who seemed to be about Robin’s age. She wore an elegant, flowing blue robe that was secured around the waist by a gilded girdle belt. Some of her long black hair was tied into an elegant bun, while the rest flowed down her back.
Even at a distance, Robin could see the elegant curves of her face, her full lips, and her slanted eyebrows.
He barely heard Valarka ask for an advance on her bid. When none came, he called out, “Sold to Princess Marian!”
Chapter 10
Marian
Robin stared in stunned silence at the woman standing on the steps to the transport.
Princess…? Princess! He blinked over and over, eyes locked on her. His mind was racing, and he barely noticed that the laser shackle had extended and wrapped around his other wrist.
How can there be a princess? The Black Dragon would never allow… Unless… he thought, as he was practically dragged forward to her. Unless the rumors are true and this is one of the last heirs to the nonmagical thrones. He was jerked to a stop.
“Here you are, Milady, plus his restraint control and frequency,” Karon said, handing her a small remote device and bowing with a wave of his hand. “Though I suggest you take caution with this one. As you’ve seen, he’s quite willful.”
“That will be up to me to decide,” she said, palming the remote, barely hiding the disgust in her voice. “Now away with you!” she snapped with jerk of her hand.
Bowing, Karon backed away with a clip-clop of hooves.
Sighing, she looked down at Robin. He eyed her with a hard expression. “Would you step in?” she said, waving her hand toward the interior of the transport.
“Princess Marian!” a voice barked. Robin turned to see Balwin heading toward them. “I must protest—!”
“Sorry, Lord Balwin,” she interrupted before she ushered the baffled Robin inside the luxury transport. “As you see to yours, I must also see to mine.”
She closed the door. With a command to the driver, the transport took off.
As they pulled away, Robin looked out the back window. He could just make out Freya and Tekmet as they were led on to another transport.
Robin turned and met Marian’s gaze as she watched him from her seat.
“You must be hungry,” she said. “From what I hear, slave ships aren’t known for their cuisine.”
She opened a compartment and issued another command; fruit appeared. “Here, eat.”
Robin’s eyes looked from her to the food and back.
“Please,” she said, and waved her hand. “I swear it’s just food.”
She lifted the remote and pressed a button. At once, the laser connecting Robin’s wrists withdrew into itself. And with a clack, metal slid against metal, and the latch of the laser manacle opened. The cuffs fell to the floor.
Still eyeing her, Robin reached for the food and brought some to his nose. He sniffed deeply. For an instant, he saw indignation in her gaze, then understanding. Slowly he took the smallest bite.
Smelling and tasting nothing malicious, he swallowed and bit more deeply.
“You’re either extremely brave or extremely foolish,” she said, an
d he paused in the process of taking more food to look at her. “You’re lucky I was here to intervene on your behalf.”
He let loose a puff of quiet laughter. “I hardly consider it luck to be bought or sold by anyone,” he said. “Especially those in league with the Black Dragon.”
At once, Marian stiffened. “Was that before or after you were separated from your girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Robin snapped.
Marian blinked, taken aback.
“She’s my sister,” he continued, and Marian’s mouth parted slightly. “And the time we spent on that ship was the longest we’d spent together since we were born.”
For a second, silence rang in the transport.
“I’m sorry,” Marian finally said, lowering her gaze.
“May I ask a question?” Robin asked, eyeing her sideways.
“Of course.” She nodded and waved her hand.
“Why?” he asked.
She looked at him in confusion.
“Why me?” he clarified.
Sighing, she lowered her gaze before looking through the transport’s forcefield window. “Because I admire your spirit,” she answered. “And I couldn’t bear to see it broken if I could prevent it.”
“By anyone but you, I imagine,” he added.
She glared at him.
“What about Tekmet and my sister, Freya?” Robin asked as he took more food. “What will happen to them?”
She turned away from him. “Balwin will have them sent to the crystal mines of Morhoth,” she said, sorrowfully.
Robin’s eyes widened in horror. The mines of Morhoth. On Amal, he had heard stories about them. They were said to be hell among the stars. People seemed to disappear into their depths, never to return. There was no escape, other than death. Unless he could find a way to save her, Robin would never see Freya again.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
Marian’s eyes shifted back to him and he held still, not willing to be seen as weak. If they were planning to break him, they’d have to kill him; he’d go out swinging.
Blood Calls Page 4
