The haunting question was, had she been too friendly and submissive, as Stephanie had implied? But there was no turning back now. It was accept and endure, or…What were their alternatives, if any? Tears ran freely from her eyes as she cried herself to sleep.
The morning signal was given. Jana gradually sat up and stretched. How she dearly missed the bright, warm sunlight streaming through her bedroom windows; the birds cheerfully singing and twittering to herald the new day; the crisp, fragrant breeze which caused her wind chimes to tinkle; the vast periwinkle spread which covered the Texas skies this time of year; and her morning rides on Apache.
Apache…what would happen to her stallion? What would they do with him? With her home? Her personal things? They had no right to abduct her and take her away from her home and friends.
Jana angrily threw the covers aside and headed for the bathroom. Fury was curbed only by the instinctive caution which invaded her. She bathed, dressed, and quickly ate, then paced nervously until her door was opened. She joined Kathy, Susan, and Heather in the scheduled meeting room. She glanced toward Stephanie’s empty chair.
Susan stated flatly, “She’s confined to her room,” then immediately pursued another topic. “What was your assignment last night, Jana?”
Jana knew Susan was not truly interested, but she politely answered, “I played Laius with Tesla and Nigel. It’s kind of like chess.”
“Chess,” Susan cooed. “One of those brainy games. Kathy gave a ballet recital while Heather tried to win a gold medal in swimming.”
“And what did you do, Susan?” Kathy asked the question Susan wanted.
“I played strip poker with Varian,” Susan purred. The other women exchanged doubtful looks. Susan asked, “You all know he was not with any of you last night. Just where do you think he was?”
“Flying the ship!” Heather challenged her.
“Flying this ship when he has numerous beautiful captives on board, women at his very beck and call?” Susan said sarcastically, sneering.
“And so willing and eager, I’m sure,” Heather retorted.
Susan observed how three of them had attracted the attention of the crew. “But why set your eyes and goals on the crew when their leader is more virile and handsome? It would be wiser to have him as your friend.”
“I doubt if ‘friend’ is what you have in mind,” Heather angrily snapped.
Susan smiled. “If one of us is to warm his bed, why not me? He might prove most generous to his personal slave. He might even decide to keep her around if she proves…entertaining and pleasing, shall we say? You are as dumb and naive as you look, Heather.”
Kathy glared at Susan. “Such a chore should prove easy for you. No doubt your vast experience will prove valuable to both of you. As for myself, I’ll never behave like some cheap whore!”
“I saw you melt over that security man, giving him the hots for you.” Susan’s eyes boldly challenged Jana to deny or admit her rivalry for Varian.
When Susan refused to back off, Jana spoke up, “Don’t look at me, Susan. You’re welcome to the commander. I fully agree with Kathy. I prefer to be his reluctant prisoner, not his temporary whore.”
“How do you know which you would prefer? Have you already sampled both possibilities? What caused your little ‘accident’ and tardy appearance? Perhaps a case of rape or willing seduction?” Susan taunted acidly.
Jana rose angrily, knocking over her chair. “You foulmouthed witch! Keep your crude thoughts to yourself!”
“Petty squabbles so early in the morning, ladies?” Varian’s lazy drawl inquired from the doorway. “What seems to be the problem?” Varian glanced from one woman to the other as he waited for their answers. From Jana’s expression and shocking words, Susan must have said something which upset her greatly. When no reply came, he asked in a stern tone, “I asked what the problem was.” His tone was edged with steel.
Susan lied smoothly. “Jana was upset over your treatment of Stephanie. I was only trying to convince her that Stephanie brought it on herself. Jana disagreed with me, that’s all.”
Varian noted the incredulous looks on the faces of the other women which belied Susan’s explanation. Kathy’s mouth flew open to set the record straight, to defend the silent Jana. But Jana caught her eye and signaled no. Kathy reluctantly kept silent. Varian realized she fervently wanted to come to Jana’s defense, but Jana did not want the truth revealed. Evidently it had something to do with him…He would uncover the truth later.
Varian asked, “Jana, do you have anything to say for yourself?”
She gritted her teeth determinedly and met his piercing gaze. “No, Commander, I do not.”
“I see. I suggest you two call a truce and behave yourselves in the future. I do not permit spiteful, childish squabbles among my passengers. There are more important matters to take up your time and energy. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
Susan purred silkily, “Yes, Commander. I’ll do whatever you wish.” Her double entendre was clear, as well as her triumphant sneer at Jana.
Varian ignored her. “Jana?” he prompted and she nodded. “See that you both obey. Punishments for insolence can be very painful and humiliating, as you will all soon discover…”
Jana jerked her head in his direction as Stephanie’s name escaped her lips. “Sylva,” his icy voice corrected before he turned and left.
Susan guessed from Jana’s expression she knew who Sylva was. Intrigued, she questioned Jana. Jana told them what she had witnessed earlier.
“A princess from Uranus? What will they do to her?” Kathy asked.
“I don’t know, Kathy. But from the look I saw in the commander’s eyes, I wouldn’t want to be in Sylva’s place right now, or Stephanie’s.”
Susan’s eyes widened in astonishment. “You saw him before last night? From the way he fondled you yesterday, I doubt you’ll ever find yourself in her predicament,” she said jealously.
“That’s quite enough, Susan,” Jana said threateningly.
Heather came to Jana’s aid. “Leave Jana alone, Susan. You’re just jealous of her.”
“Jealous? After a night like we shared? Ridiculous! I have nothing to fear from our prim and modest Jana. She would never have the courage or daring to reach out and take what she desires. But I do.”
“With or without last night, you have nothing to fear from me, Susan. But if we can’t be friends, then I suggest we call a truce, as ordered. If it’s a war you want, tell me here and now,” Jana said.
Before Susan could reply, Martella entered the room and called the women to follow her. They walked to the elevator and went to the deck below. They were ushered into a glassin observation booth which looked out onto an arenalike area. A guard positioned himself just outside the door.
As the captives looked around, they became aware of the tremendous size of the ship. To carry so many people, it must be immense. There were numerous booths filled with other captives. The apprehensive women stared at each other when they realized that the other cubicles were soundproof.
“What now?” Susan boldly questioned Martella.
“You’ll see,” Martella answered.
Stephanie was brought to their booth. She was hand-bound and escorted by a security guard. Sylva was marched into the center of the glass-enclosed arena by two guards. They bound her hands and hobbled her feet. The gag in her mouth prevented the fury her eyes revealed from spilling forth.
Varian entered the arena. An audio unit was switched on. “This is Princess Sylva Omanli from the planet Uranus. She has defied all orders and brought total disruption to her entire unit. She leaves me with no choice but to remove her. The rest of you are here to witness a vow of obedience or a final punishment. Rest assured that you will join Sylva if you do not profit from her example. To prove my fairness, I will grant Sylva a last chance to reconsider her fate.”
Varian then addressed her directly. “Sylva, will you stop your rebellion and violence? Once you demand a final
battle, there will be no retreat, no truce. Your screams and pleas will be ignored. Which is it to be, cooperation or punishment? Do you challenge my scarfelli?”
The gag was removed for her answer. Sylva glowered in virulent hostility at Varian. She sent forth a string of vulgar invectives which could have singed the ears of the Devil himself. The gag was hastily put back in place.
Varian shook is head in disgust. “We understand your answer clearly, Sylva. Carry on, Lieutenant,” he commanded and walked away. He entered a booth across from Jana and sat down between Tristan and Nigel. His eyes were glued to Sylva’s belligerent face.
The security men departed. Sylva remained alone in the center of the large and silent room. A loud click was heard and a door at the far end of the arena gradually opened. For a moment only stygian blackness was visible.
Jana glanced surreptitiously at Varian to find him speaking with Nigel. A piercing scream brought Jana’s gaze to Heather’s wide, terror-filled eyes and ashen face. Heather’s behavior warned Jana of something she was positive she did not want to view. Jana’s head slowly turned. She blanched white with shock at the horrifying sight. This could not be real!
Chapter Seven
Paralyzing fear and disbelief attacked Jana’s senses. Forceful pressure seemed to squeeze her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She felt as if her blood had frozen, chilling and stiffening her body. Her eyes refused to blink or close while her brain pleaded for blankness. As if she were an exquisite statuette, Jana couldn’t move or speak as she watched countless fuzzy spiders tumble into the open arena. They began to scurry about with erratic movements. They were as large as grown cats, as intimidating as lions! Jana had never seen anything like them; they were hideous and heart-stopping. Where had he gotten such creatures?
Jana watched in horrified fascination as the spiders seemed to work together to stalk their prey. As the spiders advanced on her, Sylva vainly tried to hop backward. She only succeeded in falling down, the noise and vibrations attracting the attention of her predators. The wild frenzy began.
Their spinnerets worked quickly as a viscid fluid oozed out. As the liquid instantly hardened into silken thread, skillful appendages seized it and began to spin an envelope around Sylva. It was like being buried alive in a silky white tomb.
The creatures maneuvered Sylva over and over as they continued their task. Soon, only an oblong white wrapper and brown spiders filled the arena. They seized the cocoon and begin to retreat into the stygian shadows from which they had come. Jana realized in rising alarm that they were capturing Sylva.
Kathy’s limp body sagged against Jana. Somewhere along this trial of horror she had fainted. Heather was sobbing and babbling hysterically to herself. Susan sat white-faced watching Sylva’s retreating cocoon. Stephanie glared in hatred and renewed fury toward Varian’s booth.
As Jana’s eyes scanned the other booths, she saw the panic this barbaric scene had wrought. Varian had selected his tormentor perfectly. What other dramatic episode could inflict such anguish on them? She had not believed him capable of such inhuman savageness. Her heart filled with agony at this discovery.
Jana studied his powerfully attractive features. He looked unmoved, untouched by what he had ordered and witnessed. His men did not show even a faint hint of remorse or sympathy. Torment knifed her heart. How could she have been so wrong about him, so beguiled?
Varian glanced over to find Jana’s piercing eyes on his face, staring at him as if she were seeing him for the very first time and in a most destructive light. The expression in her eyes alarmed him. The muscles in his stomach knotted as he wished he could have spared her this deception. But his expression never altered to hint of this inner turmoil. With her scientific mind and background, she would erroneously surmise Sylva’s fate.
Varian read the raw emotions revealed in her bluish- green eyes. Her gentle spirit and sense of humanity would refuse to accept such violence for any reason. He felt a pang of regret. He wanted to explain this deceitful matter to her, to hold her in his arms and comfort her, to ask her understanding of this necessary ruse…
The women were left alone to adjust to what they had witnessed. Jana’s stormy eyes left Varian’s profile. He secretly pressed a button.
“How could a man like that be so cruel?” Susan asked.
Jana’s frayed nerves and guilty conscience caused her to lose all control. “What’s the matter, Susan?” she sarcastically taunted. “Has Varian Saar lost all his charm and fascination? Don’t fret. By our next dinner, you’ll forget his ferocity in the fallout from all that charisma. No doubt you’ll soon be playing strip poker with him again.”
Jana struck out to punish her own traitorous heart. She desperately needed to eviscerate those forbidden feelings for Varian. She had also allowed herself the folly of viewing his charming image and forgetting the man behind the image he had revealed to her earlier. She must never do so again.
“And just how do you plan to treat him, Miss High and Mighty?” Susan snapped back in her own defense.
“I’ll do as ordered, for now. I don’t intend to become roommates with Sylva, but I won’t pretend to accept this barbaric situation. We must be cautious. Susan, you of all people know women can be artful pretenders. We simply playact our assigned parts until this nightmare ends. He demands obedience. He orders us to study and learn. I shall grant him that much, nothing more.” Jana didn’t suspect that Varian was listening to this conversation in his booth.
“What about the respect he also mentioned?” Susan mocked Jana’s reasoning. “He said disrespect and defiance were punishable.”
“Respect for his power and authority, yes; but for him as a man, no. If you still want him, Susan, take him,” Jana brazenly challenged. “I would rather die than have that alien warlock touch me!”
The discussion ceased as the guard entered to lead away a moody Stephanie. Martella noticed the curious light in Stephanie’s eyes as she stared at Jana, an expression of victory on her lips. Martella wondered why, but allowed it to pass for now. Martella called the women to follow her.
Ferris Laus aided a trembling, ashen-faced Kathy down the corridor. Ever since Kathy’s arrival, Ferris had been drawn to her. At this moment, he resolved to buy her as his mate. He would clear it with Varian, then send Kathy to his parents on the planet Auriga for safekeeping.
Susan left with Martella. Jana slipped her arm around Heather’s shoulder and tried to calm her down. “You have nothing to fear, Heather. Just do as he commands and you won’t be harmed,” Jana advised her.
“It was so horrible, Jana. How could he do such a wicked thing?” she cried, his golden image tarnished for her.
“1 told you what Sylva did and you saw how she behaved. Then that trouble with Stephanie. He must have thought it was necessary to keep from losing control over more women. Just be quiet and follow orders. Everything will be all right. It has to,” Jana encouraged Heather. Jana dared not look at Varian again. Yet her peripheral vision told her he had not departed. His gaze made her uneasy, for she could sense its presence.
“Nothing will ever be all right again, Jana. These are evil people. They pretended to be nice, to be our friends. I hate it here! I hate all of them! I hate Commander Saar!” Heather burst into a fresh wave of tears.
Martella came back to see why Jana and Heather had not followed. She halted in the doorway to view a touching scene. Jana was acting like the wiser sister as she tried to ease the fears of a younger sibling. Martella did not interfere. The older woman was pleased to learn her assessment of Jana was more than accurate. Martella glanced over their bowed heads at Varian’s moody expression. Suddenly she realized Varian was eavesdropping on this particular talk.
“Listen to me, Heather. You are not a disrupter like Sylva or Stephanie. You’re sweet, kind, and well behaved. The commander likes you. You have nothing to fear from him or the others. Get hold of yourself. I’ll be close by if you need any help.”
“But they’re bad peop
le. I’m afraid of them. They can’t be trusted.”
“That’s not true, Heather. Some of them are very kind. They’re just different from us. Be yourself. Make them see you as their friend. Will you try that for me?” she gently coaxed.
“I’m not sure I can, Jana,” she answered carefully.
“Yes, you can. Chin up. Relax.” Jana smiled and hugged her.
Jana looked up to find Martella patiently waiting for them. There was a curious gleam of admiration in Martella’s eyes as she smiled warmly at Jana. Jana rose and masked her irritation at being overheard saying such lies to calm the other woman.
They joined Martella and departed. Martella jovially chatted with Heather, who began to relax. Jana watched her and smiled. For Heather and most of the others, it was over. As a gradually diminishing nightmare, Sylva’s fate would drift into the realm of illusion. But the seed would remain buried deep within each captive as a warning.
Later, Jana collapsed on her bed and threw her arms across her eyes. Why couldn’t she convince herself of those same lies she had told Heather? She had no one to comfort or encourage her, no one to give her a much needed pep talk. She had never felt so alone and afraid. Jana decided Varian Saar could make a powerful enemy or a powerful ally. She was thankful her dinner rotation wouldn’t come again for another five days. She prayed she wouldn’t see Varian till then.
As the days passed, Jana got her wish. It was Kara Curri’s wit and vivacity which lightened the tense situation. Jana was glad she met with this genial officer for an hour each day. Jana was scheduled for two hours with Martella, lunch, and two hours with Nigel. There was a rest break, then recreation or exercise of some type with Kara. Once these classes ended, her group would be transferred to the next two instructors and subjects. The speed and manner of the classes prevented much socializing among the women, perhaps for the best under the circumstances.
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