by Jaleta Clegg
“It isn’t my daughter,” Daviessbrowun said confused.
“No,” Lowell agreed. He slid the photos onto the desk and tapped the ransom photo. “She went missing from a nightclub on Ytirus two weeks ago.”
“You know this woman?” Querran asked.
“She’s the reason I’m here,” Lowell answered.
Chapter Fourteen
The man put me back in the trunk. I would have argued but he pulled out a gun. Not one that would have killed me, it was a nerve gun. It would cause incredible pain, possibly permanent damage, but only where it couldn’t be seen. It was the weapon of someone who liked torture.
The trunk was just as stifling as before, the darkness thick and smelling of dust. It was handled slightly more gently this time. I’d still have bruises. The trip was short, and then there was no movement for a long time. I fell asleep, cramped as I was. There was nothing else to do.
I woke up when the rumbling started. It grew slowly from a barely felt vibration to a screaming roar and faded away. The vibrations stayed, growing stronger. The trunk slid to one side, catching against something with a sudden jolt. I wrapped my arms around my head and hoped it would end soon.
The vibrations ceased after a series of bone-jarring thumps. More waiting in the darkness, now stifling hot and dry. My stomach growled. I promised it food soon. My mouth was so dry it was painful to even think about tall glasses of cold liquid, or any liquid. It was all I could think about.
The trunk jerked sharply and tilted up until I was standing on my head. It shook and tilted farther. I braced hands and feet and held on as best I could. The trunk went down and slammed back over. I tried to catch my breath against new bruises. More thumps sounded on the trunk lid that I guessed were other boxes or trunks. I wondered perversely if they also had people shut inside them.
Another long time passed. The trunk jerked upwards in a long swoop that evened out. Vibrations shook the trunk in a steady buzz. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. Eventually I succeeded, despite thirst and hunger and bruises and a growing headache.
I woke with a start when the vibrations ceased. I tried to sit and rammed my head into the lid of the trunk. My whole body was stiff and aching from being cramped for so long. My stomach had gone way beyond merely complaining. I couldn’t work up enough spit to even pretend to swallow.
The trunk was shifted and put down solidly. The lid flipped open. I blinked in lamplight. The air smelled heavily of plants and recent rain. The same elegant man with blue hair stood over me, watching me with a detached interest, as if I were some new acquisition of his. He watched me try to sit in the cramped trunk.
“Rinth, help her.” His voice was cultured, smooth and cold as the water I craved.
A short furry thing waddled into my field of view. It stuck out a chubby three fingered hand and lifted me to my feet without any apparent effort. It blinked eyes that looked like polished gray stones. I couldn’t see any pupil.
“Rinth is very loyal,” the man said. “He will attend to your needs. Until I tell him otherwise. Rinth,” he addressed the creature, “I’m sure our guest is parched after her journey. Fetch her a drink.”
The creature waddled off without a sound.
“Welcome to my humble home, Arramiya Daviessbrowun,” he said and waved around him with one elegant hand. “If your father cares about you at all, your stay should be short and quite pleasant.”
I took it as an invitation to look around. I stood on a wide patio of cut and fitted stone. Lamps of pierced iron surrounded it, standing on squat pillars of more of the same stone. Yellow light spilled out into a night full of the dark sounds of plants rustling in a light breeze. I couldn’t see beyond the edge of the patio but I smelled the faint scent of some blossom. I saw the amusement in the man’s eyes and turned my back on him.
His humble home was an enormous mansion. Huge expanses of glass reflected the lamp glow. Vines climbed up part of the face, spilling tendrils and tiny leaves across the uneven stones that made up the outer wall. High above, very far away, I caught the twinkle of stars. I wondered where Jasyn and Clark were, and if they were looking for me.
“Let me explain a few things,” the man said.
I turned to face him. Rinth waddled up to me holding a glass beaded with moisture. I didn’t care what was in it. I tried not to grab as the creature offered it. I sipped the thick juice. Its sticky sweetness slid down my throat, bringing relief. I finished the glass quickly and licked the last drops from cracked lips.
“I was informed you are very fond of tirtha juice,” the man with the blue hair said. “I took pains to bring in only the freshest for you.”
The creature produced a second glass. It took the empty one away. I took a sip from the second cup, rolling the thick stuff around and trying to place the taste. I doubted I’d ever had it before.
“As I was saying, my dear Miya, there are a few rules,” the man said. “In case you are wondering about trying to escape, don’t try. I like my privacy. The closest city is over a thousand miles away. Not even you can scream that loud. Between here and there is only forest.” He swept his hand out, indicating the dark night beyond the glow of the lamps. “Thick, primitive forest complete with large predators. If you made it beyond my gardens, they would never find your body.”
Rinth returned with a glass of amber liquid for the man. He took the glass and sipped, pretending to be the gracious host.
“My gardens are walled,” he said after he swallowed. “At night they are patrolled by cruik, ferocious beasts with very sharp teeth. They aren’t trained to kill, only maim. As for the house,” he waved behind me again, “I’m sure your rooms will be adequately equipped. Even for such a primitive place as this. You will remain in your rooms until I send for you. You will be the perfect hostess when I require your presence. Please me, and I may decide to keep you permanently. Provided your father decides not to ransom you. I would treat you well, as long as you remained loyal to me.” He sipped again. “I have taken the liberty of providing you with a wardrobe suitable for the role you will play here. Do not try to ask for help of those who visit. All are loyal to me only. Rinth will fetch for you, as long as I have given him permission to do so.” He sipped again. “Am I clear?”
“Perfectly.” My voice came out tight and small.
“You wish to ask me something?”
“Who are you?” I knew who he thought I was, it was only fair that I know at least his name. I had no idea who Arramiya Daviessbrowun was. I figured she had a very wealthy father, he’d made that obvious. I hoped I wasn’t making a fatal mistake by asking.
He threw back his head and laughed. He was answered by a chorus of snarls and hisses from beyond the light. “Miya, you surprise me,” he said, ignoring the noises in the dark. “I expected you to complain and make demands, instead you ask for my name. Very well, I shall enlighten you. They call me Luke Verity. You may call me sir.” He took another drink, his eyes hard and cold. “Rinth, take our guest to her rooms.”
I had the feeling I was trapped in a bad vid. I followed the short furry creature up two wide steps and through a sliding door into the house, my bare feet soundless on the smooth stones. Luke Verity was the name of a famous vid star, but I doubted that’s who had kidnapped me. I had no idea what planet I was on. I did know one thing for certain, if Luke Verity ever found out my name was not Arramiya Daviessbrowun, I was dead.
I noticed little of the house. The lights were dim as Rinth guided me through several hallways so big they echoed. We climbed a stairway wide enough for ten people to walk up at the same time. The hallway above had a carpet so deep I sank in almost to my ankles. Everywhere I went was the impression of luxury so expensive that it went beyond ostentatious. Whoever Luke Verity was, he was extremely rich.
Rinth took me down the hall and opened a door carved and painted with gold that glinted in the dim lights. He waved a chubby hand at me. I went through the door. It shut and locked behind me with all the finality of a
jail cell.
I stopped a step inside the room, suddenly very tired and scared. I sank down in the thick carpet and let myself go. I cried until I ran out of tears and fell asleep.
The morning sun woke me. Shafts of brilliant light washed through the room, golden streamers without warmth. The windows barred that. I sat up, feeling sore and tired. My eyes itched. I rubbed them, wiping away traces of tears.
I looked around the room, searching for clues. I stood, tugging the short dress back into place.
I was in a huge room. The ceiling was at least fifteen feet high. The color of it shifted and shaded in pastels, responding to some signal I couldn’t detect. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, pale rose with swirls of mauve and shell pink. The far wall was all window, facing the rising sun. I shaded my eyes and made out ripples of dark green that stretched to the far horizon. Luke had said miles of forest stood between this house and the closest city. From what I could make out, looking against the sunlight pouring in, he told the truth.
Ten feet in front of me, the room dropped down three feet. A wide set of steps cut down across from the door. A long narrow table sat to my left, backed against the railing between upper and lower levels. The tiny drawers in the table were all empty. To my right were a pair of matching backless chairs, covered with fabric in soft gold stripes. Down the stairs, facing the wide window, were several delicate couches and chairs, all covered with dark blue and gold fabric. The higher level curved around the side of the room. The side to my right was a series of steps down into the sitting area. The only door in the room, other than the one behind me, was to my right, nine feet tall and painted with swirls of delicate gold. I crossed over to it and pushed it open.
The room beyond was dim, light leaking around tall curtains on two walls. The same rose colored carpet, thick and soft, spread over the floor. I went to the closest set of drapes and tugged. They didn’t move.
“Open,” I said, more to hear my voice in the utter quiet than any other reason. The drapes obediently slid open on both windows. Light spilled into the room. “Close,” I said. The curtains slid closed. “Lights,” I said. Soft light spilled from wall sconces hidden among panels of painted flowers. “Lights off.” The lights turned off. “Open,” I said again. The curtains slid open.
“Com,” I said. Nothing happened. Luke Verity wasn’t stupid enough to overlook details like access to a com. Not that I knew who to even try calling. I had no idea what planet I was on.
The bed was bigger than my entire cabin on the Phoenix. It was set diagonally into the corner between the two windows. Fluttering curtains of pale rose flecked with gold framed a massive headboard. The center of the headboard was a huge vidscreen, currently showing an ocean scene. I’d play with it later, maybe I could rewire it. The spread on the bed was red satin, with delicate flowers bigger than my head picked out in pale rose. A mound of pillows dripping ornate gold fringe and tassels covered one end.
To the left of the door was an enormous vanity with a delicate chair in front of it. An assortment of brushes, combs, and cosmetics were laid out on the marble surface. If I was supposed to know how to use them, I was already dead. I’d never touched cosmetics in my life.
I opened the one closest to me. A long room stretched back to a single window in the far wall. Each side was lined with drawers, cupboards, shoe racks, and clothing racks. I opened a drawer at random. It was full of very expensive, very colorful undergarments in my size. The shoe racks held more shoes than I had ever seen, all of them slightly large. I tried on a pair of slim black slippers to see. All of them looked to be the same size. The cupboards held more clothes: shirts, pants, blouses, sweaters, tunics, anything and everything I might possible want. All of it was very high quality, very expensive, and mostly pastel. The racks were hung with evening gowns. A single one of them would have bought half my ship. They dripped with beads or sparkled with gold and lace. There were even several trimmed with feathers and fur.
The other door opened onto a bathroom of epic proportions. The sinks alone were big enough to sit in with room left over. Everything sparkled with gold. The floor and fixtures were all marble, white with gold, pink and gray streaks. If it was real stone, I was walking across another fortune.
Like the bedroom, all I had to do to fill the tub was to tell it to fill. Water poured out of a crevice in the marble, like a waterfall, into the basin. I put my hand in. It was warm. I told it hotter, the water grew hotter. I played with the temperature until the tub was full. The water shut off automatically. I couldn’t resist. I slipped out of the sadly abused dress and climbed in. I floated in the warm water until my fingers wrinkled.
I noticed a touch panel on one wall with no words, only a series of softly glowing squares. I touched the first one. The water swirled around me. I touched it again and the water grew still. The second square released a sweet smelling foam. The third one opened a small panel. Behind it were several containers of soap that all smelled very expensive. The last one started waves lapping against the sides while the gentle sounds of a seashore came from hidden speakers. I touched it again and the sounds changed to forest noises, bird calls and waterfalls.
I finally climbed out when my stomach started violently protesting that it had been empty for much too long. The water drained on its own. I wiped bubbles off with one of the giant towels before wrapping it around me.
I spent a while in the closet looking for the plainest clothing I could find. I finally chose a long tunic of pale lavender satin with a close fitting pair of pastel flowered pants. The best shoes I found were the black slippers. Underneath it all, I wore underclothing more lacy and daring than I would ever have picked for myself. I couldn’t help but enjoy the touch of luxury fabric that I could never afford. But no matter how gilded the cage, I was still a prisoner.
I walked back through the silent rooms, even my footsteps were so muffled by the thick carpet that I heard nothing. I resisted the urge to start shouting.
A tray had appeared on the narrow table in the first room. It held a selection of tiny pastries, a few pieces of fruit I didn’t recognize, and pitchers of water and fruit juice, beaded with moisture and icy cold. I took it down into the sunken seating area.
I sprawled on the floor and ate while I looked out the window. The sun had risen high enough that I could see clearly. There wasn’t anything to see but forested hills rolling into a misty distance miles away. I watched the sky, but saw nothing more than a single bird rising and soaring on air currents. I finished off the food and rose, brushing crumbs off my hands. A tiny robot scuttled out of a hidden door and vacuumed up any traces I’d left.
It darted into a hatch hidden in the thick carpet. I dove for it but was too late to catch the door. I couldn’t even find an outline. The crumbs were gone, the carpet as spotless as before. I made a mental note to try to catch the robot later.
I pressed my nose against the glass of the window. I didn’t leave a smudge behind. The glass stayed clear. I looked down.
The house was built on a hill, ground sloped away from it. Below me was a stretch of manicured green speckled with flowers and small shaped trees. A towering stone wall, topped with wire that glowed faintly blue separated the area from the wild forest beyond. As I watched, a muscled creature loped across the grounds. I didn’t see it clearly, but it looked mean and powerful enough to rip me apart. If I could figure out how to open the window and climb down twenty feet of sheer stone, I would still die.
I leaned my face against the glass, closing my eyes. I was well and truly trapped. But I would find a way out. I’d done it before against seeming impossible odds, I could do it again. It was just going to take more finesse. And more patience.
Chapter Fifteen
“It’s been over two weeks, Clark.” Jasyn sounded tired.
He didn’t look at her. It hurt too much to see the haunted look in her eyes. She didn’t smile anymore. “And?” He paused in his typing.
“We can’t afford docking fees for
more than a few days longer. And we have a hold full of cargo that is now late.” She sat beside him and picked at the edge of the panel. “They gave up looking after the first three days. We aren’t going to find her.” Her voice caught. She fought to keep her composure. “We need to deliver cargo.”
“We need another pilot, then.” He closed the screen and turned to face her. “We ought to stay here.”
“We can’t afford it,” she said with rising anger. “We’re going to be paying late fees as it is.”
“Jasyn,” he started. She didn’t let him finish.
“You’re waiting to hear from your Patrol commander, I know. Is he going to pay the fines? Is he going to pay docking fees? I lost Dace, I’m not going to lose the ship, too. Tell that to Lowell when he comes.”
“Jasyn,” he said, trying for patience. She was touchy, moody, not the same person she’d been before Dace had fallen. He couldn’t blame her. He should have stayed with Dace, he should have listened to her when she asked to come back to the ship, he should never have taken her out, he should not have thought the danger was over. He could suffocate under all of his should haves.
“Do you want me to fire you?” Jasyn shouted. “You’re fired. Get out of my ship and let me hire my own crew!” She glared out of eyes rimmed with red.
“I don’t want to,” he said and meant it.
“I see why Dace didn’t want to work for Lowell and his pets.” Jasyn rose from her seat, throwing each word like a rock. “Get out! Go away!”
He closed his eyes against the pain of her words. “I’m not one of Lowell’s pets. I was a pilot. He came to me and offered me this job. He said it would be simple. He said I just to keep her safe, that it wouldn’t be hard once we were away from Viya Station.”
“He’s good at lies. If we can’t leave yet, I’m going to hire another boat. If the police won’t look, I will, until I find her.” The naked grief in her eyes hurt him worse than his own guilt.