The Complete Razia Series, page 89
The door opened and the girls closest to it screamed in fear. Lyssa closed her eyes and braced for the worst, but nothing happened.
"Howdy, kids!"
There was a man standing in the open shuttle door. His brown, frizzy hair seemed dipped in gold at the ends, his bronzed skin gleamed, and his jovial smile made him seem like someone who took life very casually. He grinned at them with gleaming teeth, strolling further onto the shuttle with his hands stuffed into his cargo shorts which were ragged and torn. Even his shoes were half-untied, as if he couldn't have been bothered to finish that.
"You guys look like somebody died," he said with a small laugh. "Don't you worry. I'm only here for one of you."
A girl near Lyssa screamed and began crying hysterically.
"Not you," the man said, eyeing her. "Least, I hope not. You aren't a Peate, are you?"
Lyssa and Heelin shared a terrified look. He shook his head at her, and she swallowed hard.
"She's a Peate!" Demetrius screamed, pointing at Lyssa.
"No, I am," Heelin said. "It's me, I mean. I'm a Peate."
Lyssa opened her mouth to protest, but no sound came out.
The man stood in front of the two of them, scrutinizing them. He looked at his mini-computer and frowned.
"Heelin?" he said, pointing at her brother. Then he looked at Lyssa. "Lyssandra?"
She swallowed and gripped the straps tighter as he glanced between them, mumbling to himself like he was trying to decide between chicken and beef.
"You," he said, pointing at Lyssa. "I think you'll work."
She screamed as he leaned down and undid her straps. Heelin undid his and stood to defend her, but the man pulled a gun from the waistband of his pants.
"Sit down, kid," he said, his voice deathly calm. "I promise, I'm not gonna hurt her. I just need her for a little leverage."
Hot tears spilled down Lyssa's face as he pulled her to stand. "P-please don't take me," she whimpered.
"Calm down, sweetie," he said. "I hate seeing girls cry."
With a grunt, he tossed her over his shoulder. She kicked and screamed and struggled against his shoulder, but she was eleven and he was much stronger than she was. He took her off the shuttle and onto a tunnel of sorts, suspended cloth material surrounding a metal walkway.
"Please! Please let me go!" she cried, slumping against his shoulder. "I don't want to die."
The man had stopped and she lifted her head to look over his shoulder. He had a mini-computer plugged into the Academy transport shuttle. With one arm keeping her in place, he unhooked the mini-computer, and the door to the shuttle groaned as it closed. He pocketed the device and hoisted Lyssa higher onto his shoulder. His boots echoed on the long hallway, and Lyssa squirmed. The farther away she got from the shuttle, the less likely it was that she could wriggle free.
"Knock it off," the man replied, adjusting her roughly. "I don't wanna drop you."
He stepped through a threshold and she was suddenly on an unfamiliar ship. He paused at the wall and pushed a lever, closing the door. The pirate typed into the control panel on the wall, and through the thick glass in the door, Lyssa saw the covered tunnel detach from the Academy shuttle. The long walkway they'd just been on retracted into the pirate's ship.
Lyssa squeaked as the Academy transport shuttle drifted away. She was now firmly in trouble.
The man left the control panel with Lyssa still on his shoulder and entered a dark hallway. Then he pulled Lyssa off and put her upright. She swayed a little from the movement and stared up at him.
"Okay, so you stay here," he said, pointing at her. "I'll send for you when I'm ready for you."
"W-what are you gonna do to me?" she asked, stepping back. The back of her knees pressed against a cot and she fell backward onto it.
"You'll see," he said, standing in the doorway. "Just stay here and be good until I come get you." With that, the door shut and locked.
She was a prisoner in a jail cell. Thick bars the size of her whole arm lined the room. She could've tried to squeeze between them, but if she did, where could she go? The Academy transport shuttle was gone. She had no mini-computer or way to call for help. She was at the mercy of whatever this man decided to do to her.
Perhaps she would meet her fate sooner than she'd thought.
She sucked in a breath when she heard footsteps approaching. She gripped the edge of the cot, praying that the next part of this horrible nightmare would be over soon. That whatever they were gonna do to her, they'd do quickly so she wouldn't have to suffer. She stared at the ground, flinching when the cell door unlocked.
"Come on."
Her head bobbled up at the sound. It wasn't the low grunting of a man, or even the harsh tenor of a woman. It was a boy.
He stood a hand or two above her, twelve or thirteen years old. His yellow hair hung around his eyes, uncombed and messy. He wore a wrinkled shirt and baggy pants that were almost too big for him. His face was twisted in annoyance and disgust, usually the sort of look her older brothers gave her.
"I said come on," he said, more a whine than a command.
"Who are you?" Lyssa asked.
"Not important," he said, stepping into the cell and grabbing her arm. "We need you."
He was one of them, she realized, and she tugged against his grip. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"
The boy tightened his hold on Lyssa and pulled her, but she dug in her heels, having had her share of older boys trying to drag her to places she didn't want to go (closets at the manor, mostly). Her foot caught on the prison door, and she wrapped her arm around the bar.
"Leave me alone!"
"Stop being such a brat!" he snarled back, trying to pry her fingers off the iron.
"Don't touch me!" She kicked him hard in the shin, and he cursed so filthily that she stopped struggling to stare at him in shock. She'd never heard someone so young speak so foully before.
"I swear to the Great Creator, Sage. We give you a simple task, and you can't even handle that." A man, not the one who'd kidnapped her, stood in the doorway of the jail cell. Intense was the best way to describe him, from his dark, hawk-like eyes to his dark hair cropped close to his head. He strode forward, and Lyssa thought that she was done for. She released the iron bar and backed up to the cot, fearfully watching this new man.
"I had it handled, Wade!" The boy, Sage, hobbled to his feet, clutching his shin.
"And you want me to let you come out with us?" The other man shook his head in disgust. "Go finish my laundry."
"But—"
One look from the older man, and the boy was scurrying away as fast as he could with his limp.
"Now as for you—"
Lyssa screamed and backed away further, punching and kicking at him as he came inside.
He grabbed one wrist and then the other, holding her still. "Stop it."
She froze under his scrutiny.
"Good girl," he said. "I'm not going to hurt you unless you make me. Understand?"
She nodded.
"Will you walk on your own, or am I going to have to carry you?"
"I'll walk," she whispered.
He smiled, but she didn't relax. He released her wrists and she rubbed them gingerly, looking at the ground and trembling in fear. The man stood at the cell door and she brushed by him, walking ahead, but wary of his presence and what might await her upstairs.
***
Lyssa had never actually seen a pirate up close, but Sostas had mentioned them in passing when talking about Jukin, her eldest brother who captured them as a U-POL officer. She wasn't sure she'd ever had a proper conversation with Jukin, but if he was anything like the rest of them, she just hoped the pirates weren't hoping he'd cooperate when she was involved.
No, she decided. She wouldn't think that way. Not yet. Jukin had left the family business to go into police work. Perhaps he would be different.
The pirate led Lyssa up three flights of stairs, through a room with one large table and screens on the walls, into what she only supposed was the bridge of the ship. It was larger than any other bridge she'd ever been on. Three large windows faced out to the blackness of space— the left displayed ship diagnostic information, the center was empty, and the right window held their trajectory and time to location.
There were two other men on the bridge: the pirate who'd kidnapped her and another man with thick, muscular arms exposed through a black tank top. He glanced up when Lyssa appeared on the bridge, snorted once, then returned to the small tablet he held in his giant hands, sliding his finger across the screen.
The pirate who'd kidnapped her sat in the middle of the ship in a plush leather chair, staring into two smaller screens directly in front of him. He spun in his chair and smiled at the man behind Lyssa. "Where's the kid?"
"She kicked him." Lyssa glanced behind her; the man wore an annoyed grimace. "Can we just get this over with? I don't like being nearly outnumbered by children."
"Calm down, Wade," said the first pirate. "We'll be back to D-882 before Steph finishes his book."
The third man, Steph, glanced up again then went back to his tablet.
"I want it known that I vehemently disagree with this braindead plan, Tauron," Wade said. "Leveman's help us if you bring the wrath of the entire U-POL down on us."
"Nah, I have a feeling this is going to work out just fine," Tauron said, placing a hand on Lyssa's shoulder. "Make the call."
Wade shook his head and walked to the front of the ship, leaning over the dashboard that jutted out from the center screen. The display grew opaque, then displayed a call screen.
"What are you doing?" Lyssa asked, despite her fear.
"Just do me a favor and look real scared." Tauron stood when the call was answered by a man wearing a black U-POL uniform. The officer narrowed his eyes, frowning as his eyes scanned the bridge of the ship.
"Get Captain Peate," Tauron said, placing his hand firmly on Lyssa's shoulder. "I got something that belongs to him."
The officer's eyes grew wide and he nearly knocked over his chair as he scrambled out of it.
"See?" Tauron said to Wade. "Look at that."
Wade looked unimpressed and sat back with his hands behind his head.
There was noise on the other end of the call and Lyssa's eldest brother, Jukin, appeared on the screen. He wore the same uniform as the other officer, except his included flecks of gold on the shoulders and front pocket. He looked more like Sostas than ever, especially as his face twisted into an angry snarl.
"What is…" Jukin's face shifted from unreadable to surprised when his gaze landed on her. Lyssa breathed a sigh of relief. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Got your sister," Tauron said. "'Cause we need to have a little chat, you know?"
Jukin's eyes narrowed, and he sat back. "Then speak."
"You've been saying some pretty stupid things lately, and I just wanted to remind you that words have consequences."
Lyssa sucked in a breath as the pirate pulled out a gun.
"Or what?" Jukin asked, his face a mask of indifference. Lyssa couldn't understand why he wasn't concerned. Why didn't he even look…worried for her?
"Or else I'll blow her brains out."
Lyssa let out a dry sob.
Jukin didn't even flinch in her direction. "You can't be serious, Ball."
"Dead serious. As dead as she's gonna be if you don't back down."
"Really?" Jukin drawled. "You want to kill her? Go ahead. Be my guest."
His words echoed on the silent ship. Lyssa's stomach fell to the floor as her world crumbled. How could Jukin say such a thing about her? How could he stand there and invite this horrible man to kill his own sister? Priest Helmsley was right; she must've been a truly evil creature. It was no wonder that Sostas had left. Two tears slipped down her face and she didn't bother to brush them away.
"Well, shit, that was a bust," Tauron said, looking around at his crew then at Lyssa. He scratched his head with the tip of the gun, then pointed it at one of the other men. "See if you can't find her mother. Maybe we can get some ransom money out of this."
Lyssa closed her eyes and listened to the call ring like a death knell. Jukin was her only hope, and he'd abandoned her. There was no way Eleonora would lift a finger to save her life. She wished she could block out what was about to happen as Jukin told the manservant who'd answered the call to get Lyssa's mother.
"Well, well, well." Lyssa's mother, Eleonora, was beautiful and severe. Five months pregnant, Eleonora's blonde hair was curled and pinned, her dress exquisite, and her make-up accentuated the bones of her cheeks and the redness of her lips. She lifted her nose higher and stared down at the crew.
Tauron's voice cracked when he spoke. "I…uh… I have your daughter."
"Indeed," she replied. "And do you expect me to come to your rescue, Lyssandra?"
Lyssa looked at the ground and clenched her fists.
"Yeah, considering I'm a pirate and I've got this thing," Tauron said, waving the pistol in the air. "I want two—"
"You see, Lyssandra, this is what happens when you lie. The Great Creator does not reward bad little girls. He punishes them."
"Mother," Lyssa whimpered. "Mother, please. He's gonna kill me."
"Then perhaps you should call your father and see if he'll come for you."
Lyssa sucked in a loud breath. "M-mother…"
"I hate that it has come to this, but you have persisted in your lies and now you have to face the consequences. Call your father. I'm sure he will be obliged to pay whatever ransom this…miscreant is asking for."
Hot tears rolled down Lyssa's face. "Mother, I swear, I don't know where he is. He just left and—"
"Then I suggest you find him."
The call went dark again.
Lyssa's quiet sobs grew into loud wails. She buried her head in her hands, her body shaking with each sob. She was done for—truly and utterly alone. No one was coming to save her. Even the Great Creator had seen fit to forsake her now. Hadn't that been the message at Leveman's Vortex?
"Take her…take her to the brig."
***
This was it. Lyssa's short life was about to come to an abrupt end. Just as soon as the pirates decided to come down and end it.
She huddled in the back of the cell, taking in loud, snotty breaths and sobbing them back out. She'd never felt so alone in her entire life, not even when Sostas had left her on a planet for three days. Then, at least, she'd known he was coming back for her. Now she had confirmation from both her mother and Jukin that she was completely on her own.
For however much longer she'd be alive.
She'd thought the pirate who'd brought her down to this prison would have done the deed right then, but he put her in the cell and closed the door. Perhaps they were sadistic and wanted to leave her to her horrifying thoughts before coming to end it. Perhaps this was torture.
She wiped her cheeks furiously, scrounging for any courage she might have stashed away. But there was none.
The door to the prison opened, and she gasped in fear.
The pirate who'd plucked her off the ship stood in the door to the cell, surveying her with an unreadable expression. She flung herself to the ground, bowing her head and sobbing anew.
"P-please don't hurt me! Please, I'll do anything. Don't…don't kill me, please, please!" She dissolved into racking sobs of pleading until she heard his soft voice.
"Calm down, sweetheart." He placed a gentle hand on her head. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"W-what?" She snorted back a huge glob of snot.
He knelt down in front of her. She tensed when he pulled the gun from his waistband, but he gently placed it in her hand.
"It's not loaded, you see?" he said, opening the barrel to show her. "I was just trying to get a rise out of your brother. He's been saying some boneheaded things lately and I wanted to get him to stop."
"It's not loaded?"
"No, honey. And I'm sorry that I scared you, but I needed it to look real for him." He grimaced and shook his head. "I'm sorry he didn't…I'm sorry that I dragged you into this. I never expected that Jukin'd be so…and your mother…" His eyes met hers and there was pity and softness in them. "I'm sorry your family is so shitty."
She let out a dry sob.
"C'mon, dry your tears," he said, pulling a rag out of his pocket and brushing it over her cheeks. "I hate it when girls cry. You wanna kick me or something? Make us even? You did a number on poor Sage, you know."
Lyssa didn't know what to think. No one had ever been concerned about how she was feeling, or wanted to make her feel better. Perhaps she was dreaming. Or maybe she was already dead.
No, if she were dead, she'd be burning in Plethegon.
"We're headed back to your school, okay? It'll take us a few days to get back there—we don't have any of that hypermiling stuff those scientists use. But you don't have to stay in here, unless you want to." He paused. "Do you want to?"
Lyssa didn't know what to think so she shrugged.
"Well, do you want to see the pirate ship?" Tauron asked. "I promise, no one is going to hurt you."
"I'm not…not a prisoner anymore?"
"Not unless you want to be," Tauron said, standing and holding his hand out to her. "C'mon, let's go on a tour. Well, first, let's stop by the bathroom so you can wash up."
From prisoner to honored guest in three seconds flat, Lyssa was sure she was dreaming as the enigmatic pirate led her into a small bathroom that smelled like feet. He stood outside, and she stared into the mirror at her blotchy, tear-streaked face, bewildered and confused. When she emerged, face clean and somewhat less red, he beamed at her.
"That's more like it!" he said, running a hand through his springy gold-tipped hair. "Now, we haven't been properly introduced. My name's Tauron Ball. What should I call you?"
Despite herself, she half-smiled at him. "L-Lyssa."
"Lyssa, huh? You got it, kid," Tauron said.
He had bent down to her level again and she got the distinct impression that he was trying just a little too hard. But for what purpose, she had no idea. No one had ever been nice to her at the Manor or the Academy—at least, not without some ulterior motive.
