I knew he was the only person I could trust. Perhaps the only person who could help me in this. And being in love with a human himself, he would also probably have plenty of sympathy for their kind and be outraged by what was being done to them – more so than others back on my planet.
I stood on their front porch, anxiety coursing through my body as I tried to figure out the best way to explain myself and what I wanted from them. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, I just hoped that Baz would listen to me with an open mind and heart.
“These humans make a pill called Xanax,” Soran said. “It apparently helps with anxiety. Perhaps you should acquire some.”
“Perhaps I should acquire a new biosystems,” I said softly. “One who doesn't think they're funny.”
Making a concerted effort to ignore Soran, I knocked and it wasn't Baz who opened the door. It was Paige. I'd met her once before, though judging by the look on her face, she didn't remember me. But I could see why Baz had fallen for her. She was beautiful.
“Yes?” she said.
“I'm here to see Baz,” I said softly as I tried to give her a small smile. “I'm an old friend of his.”
She cocked her head and looked slightly concerned – probably because many of Baz's old friends weren't human. And if she guessed I wasn't human – which, judging by the guarded look in her eyes – she'd be right about that.
Baz always said she was incredibly sharp.
“A friend?” she said, biting her lip and looking more concerned by the second.
“It's okay, I – ”
Paige looked behind me – and then behind her, the expression on her face outright worried. She seemed to be wondering whether or not she should go and grab her husband.
“I'm sorry,” she said. “He just never mentioned any friends coming by.”
“He's not expecting me. And I'm terribly sorry to drop in unannounced like this,” I said. “But just tell him it's Tarkonil. It's okay, I can wait. Out here, of course.”
Paige gave me a long look and then scanned the land behind me before she closed and latched the door. I supposed I couldn't blame her given everything she'd gone through at the hands of my kind – both here and back on my home planet. And considering what they were doing to her kind now, I definitely couldn't blame her for being suspicious and on guard. She, of course, didn't have any idea what was going on right now, but still. I wouldn't trust me or any other Optorion at the moment either.
A few moments later, I heard footsteps quickly approaching just before the door opened again. I had to admit to feeling something like joy upon seeing my old friend Baz standing there. He looked at me, a wide smile plastered on his pale, white face.
Paige stood just behind him, watching me warily from over his shoulder.
“Tarkonil, my old friend!” he said, pulling me into a hug. “What a wonderful surprise. Come on, come inside. You've met Paige already, I presume?”
“Briefly,” I said, not bothering to mention we'd met once before. “She seemed to be a bit terrified of me to be honest. Not that I blame her. I'm sure it's still taking some getting used to – the whole beings from other worlds thing.”
“No, of course not,” he said. “But Paige, this is Tarkonil, he's one of the good guys, I promise. One of my good friends and the reason I was able to get back and save you. I'd dare say without Tarkonil, there would be no us.”
She smiled, a friendly smile and her entire demeanor changed. No longer suspicious and wary, instead, she seemed to exude a warmth and welcoming grace I was thankful for. What I had to say was going to be difficult enough without having to face the open hostility of somebody's wife.
Baz ushered me inside and took me to the back deck of his home. There, he sat me down and let me bathe in the sunshine – and I had to admit, the warmth felt nice upon my skin. The sun on Optorio was never something I cared for too much. It was usually too hot for my liking. But here on Earth, with the light pouring down over me and the scent of the sea in the air – I could see why Baz had been so insistent on making a life here.
“Can I get you something to drink? Something to eat, perhaps?” Baz asked. “I know your journey was a long one.”
I shook my head. “No, I'm fine. But thank you.”
Baz nodded and sat down in the seat next to me and Paige pulled a chair next to him and sat down. They leaned forward and I could feel the weight of their eyes upon me. It was as if they both knew my presence there did not herald good news and they were waiting for – to use a human phrase – the other shoe to drop.
“So what brings you here, my old friend?” Baz asked.
I looked around at the deep forest that ran behind his home. It was dark and foreboding – and yet, charming at the same time. We did not have forests like these on Optorio and I recalled that on my earlier brief visit to this planet that I had been awestruck by the sheer size and depth of it. That feeling had not abated in my time away from this world.
“Well, it's a long story, Baz,” I said, glancing back at Paige. I really didn't want her hearing what I had to say.
As if she could read my expression and didn't want to hear what I had to say any more than I wanted her to hear it, Paige excused herself.
“You know, I have some errands to run,” she said, standing up suddenly. “Need anything at the store, sweetie?”
“No, nothing I can think of,” Baz said, standing up to kiss his lovely wife goodbye. “But thank you.”
They had such a simple life there on Earth – and they seemed very happy. I knew all too well that there was some appeal to a simple life. Especially for a man like Baz who had never taken the whole royalty thing anyway. The life he'd carved out with Paige was more relaxed. There was less pressure and he didn't have to make big, important decisions that affected his people. It was a job he'd never felt qualified for and one he never believed he'd measure up to. His biggest decision anymore was what they were going to have for dinner on any given night, more than likely. And that seemed to suit him. He seemed to have found his peace and happiness.
Yeah, I could certainly see the appeal in that. And for that, I was not only happy for him, but envious of him.
“So what's up?” Baz asked, leaning back in his chair, an inquisitive look on his face. “You seem – tense.”
I hated to bring him into this mess, but it had to be done. I had no allies and no other alternatives. So I took a deep breath and tried to explain it as succinctly as possible, without leaving anything of importance out of my story. And the more I said, the wider his eyes grew. A look of disbelief crossed his face – which was followed by one of anger.
But Baz being Baz, he contained his emotions and he quieted down his anger, putting on an air of thoughtful neutrality once more. Though he'd never admit it, there was more of that regal bearing in him than he ever believed.
“And you believe they're selling these women? As sex slaves?” Baz asked, scratching his chin. “But why? There are plenty of women on Optorio to go around. Prostitutes as well. Why humans?”
“Why not?” I said. “And it's not just humans, Baz. It's women from any number of planets. There's just something exotic and maybe a little taboo about a new species that some men are just – drawn to. And other men, knowing this, are making a very lucrative business out of it.”
Baz sat back in his seat and rubbed the bridge of his nose – a very human gesture I'd never seen him make before. In a way, it was interesting to see him changing the more time he spent on Earth. But it also made me a little sad since the man I knew, my friend, was becoming somebody else. Would I even recognize him when his transformation was complete?
“I can tell by the way you're looking at me that you think this is my fault.” Baz actually seemed a little offended.
I sighed. “It's not your fault, Baz. Not really,” I said. “But in a way, it is. You exposed Optorio to a human woman for the first time. They're so much like us, unlike some other species, and yet so different in ways that our kind find attr
active. Humans are a novelty now. And given that our king gave up his throne for a human, now some want to see what the fuss is all about.”
“I didn't give up my throne just for Paige,” he said, sounding defensive. “I never wanted the throne to begin with.”
“I know that, Baz,” I replied, trying to soothe his ruffled feathers. “But many of the others don't. Not that it matters why it's happening, it's just important that you know it is happening. And it's not pretty, Baz. Let me tell you – ”
“Have you been spying on these people?” Baz asked me abruptly.
“Yes, it's the only way I could get the information and evidence I needed.”
“You may have put yourself in danger, Tarkonil,” Baz said, stating the obvious.
“Yes, possibly,” I said softly. “But I can't, in good conscience, let this continue. You're my only hope, Baz. I know you don't want anything to do with the governance of Optorio – you've made that very clear. But as someone who loves a human, I figured you'd be more sympathetic to what's happening and might possibly help me do something about it. I mean, what if it were Paige?”
Baz was quiet for a few moments as he stared off into space, a horrified look on his face. “No, I agree. It's disgusting and can't continue. I just don't know what you want me to do about it, Tarkonil. I have no power on Optorio anymore. No influence.”
“Come back, Baz.” I said. “Take the throne back and punish those who are doing this.”
I knew it was asking a lot. Possibly way too much. But I didn't have very many options. Baz was my only hope. He very well may have been Optorio's only hope.
“Absolutely not,” Baz said, standing up and pacing the room. “I'm not going back there. Paige and I are married now, Tarkonil. We're in the process of adopting a child – I can't leave now. And I can't take the throne back. I have no desire to be king. None whatsoever. That's why I left Optorio to begin with.”
“I know that better than anybody. But your people need you, Baz,” I begged. “And not just your people, but Paige's people as well.”
Baz threw his hands up in the air. “Listen, I want to help you. I really do. But there is nothing I can do. Like I said, I have no power and no influence on Optorio, Tarkonil. And I can't just come storming back in to retake the throne. I abdicated. I have no authority there. You have my full support and if there's anything I can do to help, I'll absolutely do it. But I'm not going back there. Not tomorrow, not the next day – never again. Earth is my home. I belong by Paige's side.”
My heart sank. I could see it on his face, there was no talking him into it. I knew the chance of success had been small to begin with, but he'd crushed that out very effectively.
“Very well.” I felt defeated, as if someone had gut punched me. Baz had been my only hope and without him, I was alone. “I guess there's nothing left to say. I'll be going now, I have a lot of work to do. Please give Paige my best.”
Baz grabbed me by the shoulders as I walked out the door. He held me there, staring me in the eyes. I could tell he wanted to do something – anything – to help, but he felt like his hands were tied.
“Tarkonil, be careful. Please. If you ever need somewhere safe to go, you're always welcome here. We can find you somewhere here on Earth – ”
“No, I'm not leaving those people up there like that. I have work to do, Baz.”
I pulled away from his grasp and walked out the door, not so much as looking back.
Chapter Three
Riley
The guards hadn't come back for some time, but when they did, they carried in more women – human women – and dropped them off in the cell across from us. We did our thing and pretended to still be asleep. But as the guards walked away, I heard them chuckling and knew that our time was running out.
With my eyes still closed, I heard the electronic beep that announced the arrival of our guards. I kept my eyes shut and listened to their footsteps as they walked among us. Anger surged within me and I had the irrational idea of standing up and leading a revolt against them. But I knew that I would be the only member of that revolt.
“That one will do,” a gruff voice said. “Giboc likes the blonde humans the most, he'll pay top dollar for her.”
“But she looks like she's still out cold from whatever the hunters did to her,” another voice said. “Either that or she's dead.”
There was a pregnant pause before some shuffling around. Finally, a voice said. “Check to make sure she's alive. She's been here for four days now, so there is no way she's still out from that. She's either dead or faking it.”
My heart sunk. Blonde? Been here for four days? They didn't mean...
Shrill screams echoed throughout our chamber, and without realizing I was doing it, I opened my eyes. They had Nicole by her hair and were pulling her into a standing position.
“She's alive, sir,” the guard said. “See? They're faking it. They're all faking it and we need to be more diligent. Want me to punish her?”
“No, she can't have any marks on her flesh,” he said. “It's fine. We already have a buyer who's interested in her now anyway. He's willing to pay good money for this one.”
Nicole was sobbing and crying, pleading with them to let her go. I so badly wanted to do something, anything, but I was frozen in fear. There were two of them and one of me. I was a tough girl, but I didn't think I'd be able to stand up to the both of them. I was so helpless, there wasn't anything I could do as they dragged her out of the cell, kicking and screaming the entire way. She was a fighter, that was for sure. But I didn't think her fighting spirit was going to get her out of this mess.
My heart was breaking as I listened to her cries becoming more and more distant until I could no longer hear them. The electronic beep sounded again, letting us know that the forcefield over the doorway to our cell was back up and operational again. When the guards had departed and we were alone again, several other women started freaking out.
As did I.
I thought back to what our captors had said. Buyers? People were actually buying us? I wondered how long it was going to be until a buyer came along asking for a woman like me. Then, it obviously didn't matter what I did or didn't do, I'd be taken away. And what would happen to me after that? What would happen to all of us?
I couldn't turn my brain off and a million different scenarios ran through my head and I imagined all of the different ways we were being used by these people. My eyes filled with tears as I curled up in a fetal position against the wall, trying to hide myself away. I just wanted this to end, even if that meant I didn't survive it. I just wanted it to end, one way or the other. I didn't want to know what these creeps were using us for after buying us. I had a feeling I'd much rather be dead than be owned by someone.
The girl nearby me – the one who seemed so very young – started screaming. She jumped up and was headed for the doorway – and the forcefield covering it, screaming and freaking out. If she hit that energy field, she was going to get fried. There was no chance of her getting through the field and she was doing nothing but drawing attention to herself – and us.
I jumped up and grabbed her, riding her to the side an pinned her against the wall to the side of the energy field.
“Please,” I begged her. “Please stop.”
She didn't listen to me. Hell, maybe she didn't even hear me because she continued screaming like she'd lost her damn mind. I slapped her across the face. Not hard – just a little something to get her attention on me.
“Just let me go! I have nothing, let me go!” she wailed.
I pulled her away from the wall, holding her tiny, fragile figure in my arms. “What's your name?” I asked her, trying to distract her from her panic attack.
“Melissa,” she said through choking sobs.
“Melissa, my name is Riley. And I'm scared too. But listen, you're just calling attention to all of us – not just yourself. And you don't want the attention of these creeps. Believe me. Did you see them take Nico
le away? That could be us if you're not careful. Think about your family and stay strong.”
“I have no family,” she cried out. “No one is going to miss me.”
A chill went down my spine. Her story sounded all too familiar to me. “No family? Why's that, Melissa?”
“I ran away from home when I was fifteen. My mom died, my dad was an abusive drunk. I've been on my own ever since.”
I also didn't have a family and I began to wonder – was that the common link here? Were we all women with no one who would be looking for us if we disappeared? No one who'd miss us? As soon as I calmed Melissa down, I went around the cell.
“Anya. Family lives in Russia, we hardly speak since I moved to the US.”
“Tasha. Raised by a single mom who died last year. No siblings.”
“Chloe. Family disowned me when I came out as a lesbian. Been on my own ever since.”
And it went on and on. Women from all over the world – some didn't speak English so I couldn't get their story, but there was enough of us that did. And as I rolled it all around in my mind, the pieces started to fall into place and the entire picture started to come together in my mind.
The one thing that tied us together and made them choose us?
We were all women who wouldn't be missed.
Chapter Four
Tarkonil
As I flew back to Optorio, I racked my brain for any and all of my contacts – people who could help me. One man came to mind, a diplomat and old family friend. It had been several years since we'd last spoken, but we'd parted on good terms. He'd been friends with my father and I thought if anyone could help us – or would be willing to help us – it might very well be him.
Upon landing, I secured my ship and decided that there was no time like the present. Though I was tired and wanted to rest after such a long trip, it was the first place I went. When I arrived after a short walk, I knocked upon the door, prepared to greet my friend. But instead, someone else came to the door – his son, Jendrish.
Rocor (Dragons of Kratak Book 5) Page 33