At Star's End, page 7
“These markings are stunning. Vedian, right?”
Eos remained silent.
“It doesn’t matter.” Amusement was ripe in the woman’s tone. “They’ll increase your price at auction, which is all I’m interested in.”
A hand slipped off Eos’s blindfold.
She blinked at the gentle lamplight. Her gaze focused on the woman in front of her. Hair colored a dark coffee brown was piled artfully on her head. She wore a printed silk gown that clung to generous breasts and fell to the floor like a fluid waterfall. Eos suspected the woman was older than her, and she’d clearly spent a small fortune on treatments to keep the lines from her face and her figure plump and curvy.
Her faded blue eyes gave away her age. She’d seen far more than any person should have to and it had left scars.
“Who are you?” Eos asked.
The woman lifted one painted brow. “Does it really matter?”
“I want to know who the hell is selling me off.”
The woman pulled a slim metal case from a billowy side pocket of her gown. She slipped a long, thin cigarette from it. A pastime that had gone out of fashion years ago. One of the muscled guards at the door stepped forward to light it. She puffed in silence for a few seconds and blew a cloud of chemically enhanced smoke toward the painted ceiling. “You can call me The Countess.”
“I’m an astro-archeologist with the Institute of Hist—”
“Stop.” The woman held up a hand. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve heard every variation of what you’re about to say. You’re someone important. Someone out there cares, will pay me money.” She sucked on the cigarette again. “None of it matters to me. Believe me, at the end of the day, out here, no one cares who you are. And no one will come for you.” The Countess’s face tightened for a second. A flash so brief, Eos thought she’d imagined it. “Even if they do come, they’ll decide you’re damaged goods. Who knows what we’ve done to you already?”
Eos wrapped her arms around her middle. “No one will come for me.” She doesn’t matter to anybody. She was nothing and had nothing. She’d dedicated her life to Star’s End, to her mother’s dreams, but Eos was only just starting to realize that maybe those things wouldn’t fill the hole inside her. “Is that what happened to you?”
The older woman strode to a small dish on a side table and stabbed out her cigarette. “All that matters is what’s going to happen to you. Some of my best buyers are in the house this evening. Your auction is going to happen right now.” She waved a hand in a move so naturally regal it took a moment for her words to sink in.
“No!” Eos backed up until her back hit the wall.
Then the guards were there, each taking one of her arms.
They half dragged, half carried her into the hall. Her struggles were futile but she didn’t stop fighting. She’d had her world ripped apart before.
Now it was happening again. Now the point was driven home that no one truly cared about her, no one loved her. The Institute wouldn’t come for her. She’d disappear like she’d never existed.
They carried her into a room and the fight drained from her in a flash. It was packed with people. Mostly men. Some with half-naked women sitting in their laps or at their feet. Some of the women were naked except for metal collars and chains.
These collars were nothing like the exquisite torqs of the Eirann metalworker. They were heavy, bold, and spoke starkly of domination and control.
Everyone in the room was focused on the small stage in the center. Eos was pushed in that direction and then lifted onto the dais.
Lights shone down, highlighting her nakedness. She wanted to run, she wanted to scream, most of all, she wanted to cover herself up. And she knew it was wrong, but a part of her wanted Dathan—his hand holding hers, his big body shielding her from the crowd.
She lifted her chin, staring out into the shadowed crowd. She wouldn’t let anyone steal her dignity. And she sure as hell wasn’t going to be afraid.
“Good girl,” The Countess drawled. “They like spirit.”
For a second, Eos’s confidence faltered. But she stiffened her knees. She’d find a way out. Somehow.
Were Dathan and his brothers already headed for Star’s End? Had she already become a distant memory?
“Let’s start the bidding, gentlemen and ladies.” The Countess moved in a swirl of patterned silk. “A fine and unique beauty up for grabs. I don’t need to list her many features, they are clear for all of you to see. Especially her stunning mehndi.” The slave madam’s voice lowered. “Turn around and show them your back.”
Eos stared stubbornly ahead.
A sigh. “Barrick?”
A guard stepped forward and forced her to turn. The crowd tittered.
“Five hundred thousand e-creds,” a rough male voice called out. “She’ll look fine in a collar.”
“A thousand diathyst gems.” A smooth masculine voice with a cultured accent.
The audience gasped. Eos knew the rare gemstone was highly prized on the outer rim as a powerful energy source.
“A million e-creds.”
More gasps.
Then a deep voice cut across the room. “Two million e-creds.”
Then a frenzy of voices filled the room but all Eos could hear was the Countess’s delighted laughter.
* * *
Dathan forced his face to remain calm and disinterested. The crowd around him threw bids out left and right but he kept his cool.
Inside, he was seething.
Thank God he’d found the House of Taarn so quickly. What if she’d already been sold and taken off world before he found her? His hands curled around the arms of his chair. Luckily Lucifa was easy enough to find, but it had been pure chance that Nik had stumbled across a transmission advertising the auction.
Dathan focused back on Eos. They’d stripped her. He knew he shouldn’t look at her like this, but he couldn’t tear his gaze off her. The bright lights cast her golden-brown skin glowing and her hair had been brushed to a smooth fall of black curls tossed over her shoulders.
But God, her back was stunning. The floral markings he’d suspected were there traveled from the curve of her lower back, up her spine and spread out across her delicate shoulder blades. He wanted to trace them, follow them with his lips.
Jesus, Phoenix. She’s up for sale and scared out of her wits. He could see the hard tension in her shoulders and slight tremors in her slim legs. She was holding it together but barely.
Good girl. Hang in there.
The bids were starting to die down. Unlike organized auctions on the central planets, not every bid was higher than the last. It was a mad, lawless jumble of crazed offerings—from money, treasure, even an interstellar ship.
A man in the front row raised a neatly manicured hand. “Five million e-creds.”
The crowd went silent. Big offer. Dathan studied the man. Some dandy dressed in a suit, vaal-skin boots and a fancy silk vest. The woman at his feet knelt with her head down. Dark smudges covered her body.
No way. Dathan’s fingers curled around the arm of his chair. Big brother, I hope you’ve finished working your computer magic. Dathan didn’t raise a hand or his voice. “Six million e-creds.”
Now the small gathering gasped and heads swiveled in his direction. But he only had eyes for Eos. Don’t react, baby. Play it cool. He saw the slightest stiffening, then she relaxed.
The woman directing the auction peered up at him. God, he’d never seen such a direct gaze. She was experienced at sizing men up.
She took in his Rendarian tailored suit. The real thing cost a pretty penny, but this was a very clever knockoff he kept in his bag of tricks. It had gotten him out of—and into—a few tricky situations.
He let his gaze drift back to Eos. Let the slaver see his desire.
A small smile curled her lips. “Stranger, you may be new to the House of Taarn, but it looks like you just bought yourself a beautiful new slave.”
He stood and took his time coming to the front. Eos had turned and was watching him.
The woman met him. “I’m The Countess. This is my place.”
“Name’s Drake. I’m keen to sample my new purchase. You got a room I can have for a little while—” he let his gaze travel up Eos’s legs, “—or a long while?”
“Certainly. On the house.” She held out a Sync. “After the transfer of funds is complete and verified.”
He thought he heard Eos make a small noise but he ignored her and tapped a code into the screen. “That will take care of it.”
“Here you go.” The Countess held out a slim sliver collar and chain. “House policy that all new acquisitions are collared. Many tend to be a little unruly.” She flashed a glance at Eos. “And I’m certain this one will. She injured one of my best guards.”
“Did she?” Well done, Eos. He kept his glee under wraps. “I’m certain all she needs is a firm master. Come here, sweetheart.” He unclipped the collar and held it out.
She balked and stepped backward. He tried to tell her with his eyes to stay calm. He held out a hand.
“I won’t hurt you. Unless you want me to.”
Now her golden eyes burned with fire. She stepped closer and set her hand in his. She let him close the collar around her neck although her fingers tightened hard on his. He helped her down.
“This way.” The Countess led them down a long hall. Numerous doors led off the hall and huge screens showed nude females in a number of tantalizing poses.
Most of the doors were closed. One they passed was ajar. A man sat on a large chair while a naked woman rode him hard. His large cock moved in and out of her. Dathan glanced away and felt Eos’s fingers flex on his.
“Here we go.” The Countess opened a door with a flourish and waved them inside.
It was decorated in grand burgundy and golds. Metal scrollwork that reminded him of Eos’s mehndi covered the walls. A large four-poster bed dominated the room.
He ushered Eos inside and gave the Countess one brisk nod. “Thank you.”
“For six million, you are very welcome.”
He slammed the door in her face. When he turned, he was blindsided by a fist to the face.
“Jesus.” He slammed into the wall.
“You bastard.” Eos pummeled his chest and head.
“Hey. Hey.” He dodged another punch. “I just rescued you.” She caught his chin and stars danced across his eyes. “Damn it, Eos.” He grabbed her wrists and spun her. He backed her into the wall and held her arms pinned above her head.
Her chest heaved. “You let them take me.” Her lips trembled. “You let them take me.”
“I’m sorry.” He pulled her into his chest. Spinning, he pressed his back to the wall and slid them to the floor. He knew his hold was too tight, but he figured they both needed it. “I’m sorry, baby.”
She relaxed the tiniest inch, her hands clenched in his shirt. He didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but eventually she lifted her head.
“How did you find me so quickly?” she asked.
“Well, after they took you, I hightailed it to Lucifa—”
“But the ship was damaged.”
“Yeah, I left Z and Nik working on it. I’m hoping they’re in orbit right now.” If they weren’t, Dathan and Eos were going to have some problems. “I hitched a lift with some fine, upstanding smugglers.”
She went still. “How much did that cost?”
A lot. “Don’t worry about it. En route to Lucifa, Nik contacted me and said The Countess was advertising your auction on every illegal channel available.” He smiled. “And here I am.”
“Thank you. For coming. I know you want Star’s End a lot—”
“Hey.” He lowered his forehead to hers. “You matter, Eos. God, you matter more than you should.”
Her arms wrapped around him. “Be quiet and just hold me.”
He hauled her into him and buried his face in her hair. “I’m sorry you were scared. I came as soon as I could.”
She pressed her cheek against his chest. “How could you afford to pay so much for me?”
“Well.” That reminded him, they didn’t have much time. “Nik worked some computer magic. We need to exit the House of Taarn before the fake funds magically disappear from the Countess’s account. Lucifa has some of the most secure banking systems in the galaxy, so Nik couldn’t make the transfer stay for more than twenty minutes.”
Eos’s eyes widened. “We need to get out of here before then?”
Dathan shook his head. “We need to be off planet and well clear of the nebula before then.”
She squeaked and pushed off him. “I need clothes.”
“Hang on.” He gently unclipped the wide collar. She stilled under his hands and he felt her gaze burning into him. “This doesn’t suit you.”
“I just tried to think of it as jewelry. Not what it symbolized.”
He set the collar on a side table and wrapped one hand around her neck in a gentle hold. His thumb brushed over where the collar had dug into her skin. “Would it be so bad to belong to a man?” He stroked the fluttering pulse at the base of her throat.
“I don’t want to be a possession.” She swallowed. “I want someone who puts me first. Who’ll cherish me, love me. And who I’ll love in return.”
God, the idea of her being his and only his sent fire streaking through him. He’d never, ever wanted just one woman, not with a galaxy filled with fun-loving beauties. But something about Eos Rai burrowed under his skin and refused to let go. “Pity. I think the right collar might look good on you.”
She slapped at his hand and he was happy to see the ghosts of her fear were fading. The confident astro-archeologist was coming back.
He strode to the wall and pressed a button on a small panel. A section of wall slid back to reveal a closet. The array of costumes, whips and paddles had him raising his brow. He managed to find a pair of slim-fitting riding trousers, black boots and a fitted white shirt.
He tossed them her way. “Here you go.” He turned his back, his mind excruciatingly aware that she was covering up that gorgeous body. He strode to the window. Focus on an escape, Phoenix.
Looking down, he saw the hustle and bustle of the street below. They could climb out on the ledge and onto the neighboring building. There was a colorful awning farther down. A potential landing pad. Yeah, it was doable.
“Oh my Suva, I look like a torsk-riding female from Vanos.”
He spun and smiled. Black boots slicked up slim calves and the brown jodhpurs clung to her curves. The white shirt was a tad tight and she couldn’t do the top two buttons, showcasing the lovely swells of her breasts. “I hear Vanosian jockeys like to take charge in bed too. They even take in the whip.”
“Shut up or I might just take one of these whips with me.” She nodded at the closet.
He opened the window and held out a hand. “Come on, Doc, how about we get to Star’s End before anyone else tries to sell you?”
Chapter Eight
When the shuttle docked with the Infinitas, Eos finally took a deep breath.
But she knew they weren’t safe yet.
She followed Dathan into the main part of the ship.
“Thank God.” Niklas gave her a quick hug. So did Zayn.
“Let’s get away from here,” Dathan suggested.
“Far away,” she added.
Zayn broke orbit and soon they were flying through the red mist of the nebula. There was a tense silence in the cockpit. Eos wondered if the Countess had discovered she’d been duped.
The Infinitas shuddered under her feet. The ship pitched to the left, sending her stumbling. Zayn’s ripe curses filled the air. The ship lurched forward and she skidded into the wall.
Dathan grabbed her and tugged her into a seat.
“Is it the slavers?” She hated the fear in her voice.
“No. Strap in.”
“You’re sure?”
His hand gripped her shoulder, squeezed. “Positive. Take a look.” He nodded at the cockpit window.
The red gases of the nebula looked deeper here. And beyond it, she saw normal space. “We’re at the nebula’s edge.”
“Yep. Almost home free.”
“Except for the funky space,” Zayn said.
She frowned. “Funky space?”
“The laws of physics kind of go out the airlock.” Zayn didn’t look their way. “You get all kinds of strange anomalies. Gravity wells, micro singularities, Hubble vortices.”
Dathan leaned closer. “This one time, we were hunting in an outer rim system and got stuck in a gravity well...for three days.”
“That wasn’t the worst part of it,” Niklas added.
“I dunno, being stuck with you two in a small space for three days was pretty bad.”
Nik rolled his eyes. “A micro singularity tore through the starboard engine. Made a huge mess. We barely managed to limp back to Khan. Lucky Zayn is the best pilot in the galaxy.”
The ship shuddered again and Zayn swore. A few taps of command screen and they veered right. The shuddering stopped.
“The anomalies make flying hard?” she guessed.
Zayn snorted. “Understatement. At best, they slow us down.”
“And worst?” She watched Dathan and Niklas trade a heavy glance.
“At worst, they’ll rip the ship apart,” Dathan said.
Great. She closed her eyes. Could anything else go wrong?
An alarm sounded.
Zayn let out a particularly creative curse. “Slaver ship coming up behind us.”
Eos’s hands twisted in her lap, her nails cutting into her skin.
