by L. S. O'Dea
“Jethro wanted to visit her,” said Jackson. “They were friends before, remember?”
“She’s not my friend anymore. I ruined that.” Jethro touched a strand of her hair and glanced at Mirra. “I love her.” He swallowed. “She hates me, but I still love her.”
Mirra moved closer and Jethro held perfectly still as she sniffed his neck. She wrinkled her nose a little and then walked to the other side of the bed. She patted Trinity’s hair. “Mirra love her.”
Jackson sighed, thanking Araldo. This could’ve been so very bad.
“She looks so helpless,” said Jethro.
“Yeah, you’d never know she could be such a pain-in-the ass,” said Jackson, moving to the bed.
Jethro shot him a glare but Mirra laughed. It was an odd sound, partway between a growl and a huff.
“Little One big pain,” said Mirra.
“We need to go.” Jackson put his hand on Jethro’s shoulder. Tim would be back soon and if Mirra was here then Gaar was probably not far behind.
Jethro started to protest but then fell silent. He bent and kissed Trinity, a soft touching of their lips. “Wake up soon, Little One. I wouldn’t know how to live in a world without you.”
He followed Jethro out of the room and back toward the prison.
“Why did you let me see her?”
He shrugged. There was too much to put into words.
“I’ll never be able to repay you for this.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” The boy had grown up these last few months and that was good because life was only going to get harder.
CHAPTER 68: HUGH
HUGH SENT ALL his soldiers except Indy and Bo to the front gate of the estate. Wickerwood’s Guards had to have heard about the fighting in the city. Strange Guards at the entrance would draw everyone’s attention, giving him, Meesus, Indy and Bo the distraction they needed to slip around to the back. Meesus had already contacted Parson and he’d be waiting for them.
“Hurry up.” Parson glanced around. He was more fidgety than normal. “The Guards are all over today. Thanks to you and your war.”
“Where is she being kept?” He stepped through the gate.
“Probably, in the house,” said Parson.
“I figured that. Any idea which room?” He could guess after his scan of the tracking devices in the area the last time he was here, but he’d rather know for sure.
“I work in the lab. I have no idea what goes on in the house,” said Parson.
“You lie.” Meesus walked up to him. “You spy and you lie. You lie about everything.”
“No really, I don’t know.” Parson’s face was pale. “I swear. I don’t know where your daughter is. I wouldn’t lie to you. I wouldn’t.”
Hugh touched Meesus’ shoulder, stopping her from responding or maybe even attacking Parson. “I think I know where the girls are kept.”
She spun away from Parson. “Then let’s go.”
“In a moment.” He faced Parson. “Not sure if you’ve heard but the war is over and we won.”
“Ah, that’s great.” Parson glanced at the laboratory.
“I’ll want to talk to you about the lab later.” He took a step toward the other Almighty. “Don’t change anything and don’t warn anyone. I know more than you think.” He didn’t, not really. Although, he had been in the locked storage room.
“You’re going to get me killed.” Parson’s voice was barely a whisper.
“Cooperate and no one will know we spoke.”
“Enough.” Meesus grabbed him, her claws sinking into his arm. “We need to find my daughter.”
“Let’s go.” He pulled free from her grasp and followed her toward the house.
They stayed in the bushes as much as possible. Indy nudged him and pointed to the front gate. His troops were inside the fence and speaking with Wickerwood’s Guards. It seemed to be going well. He couldn’t recall what kind of master Wickerwood was to his Guards. Hopefully, he wasn’t a good one because then his Guards would be happy about their upcoming freedom.
Bo checked the backdoor and it was unlocked. They crept into the kitchen. It was empty.
“Upstairs.” He pointed toward a door.
They moved into a large, well decorated foyer. It was also empty.
“This is making me a bit nervous,” said Indy. “A house this size should be full of Servants.”
“Maybe they’re busy watching the Guards,” suggested Bo.
“I hope so.” He headed up the stairs and the others followed.
“Right or left?” asked Indy.
“Right, but check all the rooms.” He couldn’t recall exactly where the Servants with the old tracking devices had been located.
They moved down the hallway, peering into each room. Nothing.
They were almost at the end when Indy opened a door and said, “Ah, Hugh.”
He followed Meesus over to the Guard. Three young, female Servants were in the room. One was lying on a couch, another still in bed and the third sat on a chair, her large eyes wide with fear at the sight of them.
“She is not here.” Anger and disappointment marred Meesus’ pretty features before she slipped from the room.
“Indy, escort these young females to the Council Building.”
“No. Please, sir.” The dark-haired female got off the couch and approached him. She was a bit older than the others. “We haven’t done anything wrong. We’re good companions. We do what our master tells us.”
It took all his effort to remain calm. The girls were frightened to death. “You’re not in trouble. You’re free. You no longer have a master.”
The girls glanced from one to the other.
Indy smiled and the fear in the girls’ faces eased a bit. He slapped Hugh on the shoulder. “This here is Hugh Truent.”
Their eyes flew back to him.
“He’s won the war. We’re all free now.”
The girls started chattering, asking question after question and surrounding them.
“Have them pack their things and take them to the Council Building. Set them up in a nice room. We’ll help them find permanent homes later.” He slipped free from their grasps and headed for the door.
“Yes, sir.” Indy’s eyes roamed the older Servant’s frame.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“I won’t do anything, but I can’t help thinking.” Indy grinned.
Two of the girls flirted with Indy as they packed, touching his arms and brushing up against him.
“Indy, don’t.” He didn’t know the Guard well but Indy was young, attractive, intelligent and irreverent. None of those things boded well for the Guard obeying him in this situation.
Indy winked at him.
“Bo, stay with Indy.”
“Hugh, that hurts.” Indy tapped his chest. “Really, really hurts.”
“Sir?” The shy girl took a small step toward him, her hands trembling at her side.
“Yes.” He waited in the doorway.
The shy Servant moved closer to him. “He brought a new one today.”
“Where is she?” He kept his voice calm, not wanting to frighten her.
“He...he keeps the new ones in the room by his bedroom until...until they’re trained”—she flushed—“the way he likes them.”
“Where’s his bedroom?”
The girl’s eyes darted to her companions and then pointed. “At the end of the hallway.”
“Thank you.” He hurried from the room.
Meesus was leaning against the wall. “I was so sure she was here. I never thought he might take her somewhere else.”
“We’ll find her.” He strode down the corridor, his hand on his gun. He’d enjoy shooting Wickerwood.
“Where are you going?” Meesus followed him.
“There’s another room.” He wasn’t sure he wanted her with him, but he had no idea how to stop her.
“Where?” She tagged after him.
“It’s his bedroom.
”
“We must hurry.” She raced past him and stopped in front of ornate double doors at the end of the hallway. She tugged on the handle. “It is locked.”
He pulled out his lock picks, but the latch wouldn’t turn. He should’ve practiced more. He should’ve brought Sassy. No, she was mourning Bruno.
“Hurry,” whispered Meesus.
He took a deep breath, calming himself. Nerves never helped. After a few more tries, the pin slipped into place and the lock slid free. He glanced at Meesus as he opened the doors. It was a bedroom, opulent with a large, four poster bed in the center of the room layered with thick comforters. A young, beautiful girl—no beautiful child—sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. She had black hair and large green eyes. She was striking in her beauty.
“What are you doing? Guards!” Wickerwood stepped away from the bar at the side of the room. “Get out of here.”
Meesus flew at the Almighty, claws out.
Hugh lunged for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and capturing her hands at her sides.
“Let me go.” She struggled in his grasp, hissing at him. “He has my daughter.” She turned her face toward Wickerwood. “Where is she? Where is my daughter?”
“Hugh? Hugh Truent, is that you?” Wickerwood tightened the robe around his large body.
Indy ran into the room.
Meesus’ claw sunk into Hugh’s thigh. “Ouch! Stop that.” He lifted her in the air and spun around facing Indy. “I thought I told you to escort the girls—”
“I called in a female Guard to help Bo.” Indy blushed a bit. “They are...well...I know they’re too young, but...they kept touching me and...there’s only so much temptation a male can take, except Bo. He was a like a statue, not bothered at all by their—”
“You’ll get no temptation here. Take her.” He stepped closer to Indy.
The Guard grabbed Meesus’ arms and yanked her to him.
He faced Wickerwood. “Yes, it’s me and—”
“So, you aren’t dead yet. There were rumors.” Wickerwood turned toward the bar. “Drink?”
“No,” he said.
“You should get out of here.” Wickerwood refilled his glass. “The authorities put a bounty on your head.”
“I’m in charge now. I am the authority.”
“What?” The other Almighty turned toward him, drink in hand.
“The war’s over. I won.”
“Ask him where my daughter is,” spat Meesus.
“We’re looking for another young female.”
“You have her somewhere.” Meesus struggled in Indy’s grasp.
“Nope. All my Servants are here.” Wickerwood took a sip of his drink.
“You lie. I know she was here.” Meesus’ struggles lessened.
“Have you seen others?” he asked.
“Of course, my friends and I share.”
Hugh took a deep breath. Punching Wickerwood wouldn’t be a good idea. Not yet.
“There was another Servant here earlier today. I was supposed to buy her, but her owner changed his mind at the last minute.” Wickerwood smiled slyly. “She was gorgeous—hair a full autumn of colors, reds, golds, browns and her eyes, large and vibrant green.”
“Like her.” He pointed at Meesus.
Wickerwood stared at the Servant. “Yeah, I suppose she could’ve been a younger version of this one.”
“Where is she? Please, tell me. I know how to show my gratitude to strong, healthy males.” Meesus had gone from virago to seductress in less than a heartbeat.
He glanced at Indy, hoping the Guard had tightened his hold. Meesus was most dangerous when practicing her wiles.
“A little old for my tastes but...”
Meesus eyes narrowed a fraction, but she purred, “Experience can be beneficial. I know things these young girls can’t even imagine.”
Wickerwood’s gaze wandered up and down the older Servant. Hugh stepped in his path.
“You need to tell us where the girl is.”
“Girl?”
“Servant, then.” He was sick of these labels. “When did you see her and where did she go?”
“I don’t know where she went.” Wickerwood’s tongue came out, licking his lips. “A group of Servants brought her by. Her owner knew I’d wanted her so he was willing to share...for a price, of course. She was sweet and tasty.” He tossed back his drink and stepped around Hugh. “I’ll soon see if her mother tastes the same.” He winked at Hugh. “This’ll be my first experience with both mother and daughter.”
“No!” Meesus almost jerked free from Indy but the Guard lifted her off her feet, ignoring her kicks. “Shoot him, Hugh! Kill him!”
“Take her outside,” he said to Indy before turning back to Wickerwood. “Get dressed and come with us.”
“Why? I wasn’t on the Council when they voted for your execution.” Wickerwood refilled his drink. “Actually, I have some connections that might come in handy to the new Supreme Almighty.”
“I’m not the new Supreme Almighty. There will be no Supreme Almighty. There’ll be a new government, elected by the populace.”
“Call it whatever you want. I have connections that’ll help you get things done.”
“I don’t think you understand.” He moved closer. “The new government will represent all the classes not just the Almightys.” He glanced at the bed and his anger flared. “And what you’ve done to this girl is...will be a crime punishable by death.”
“I did nothing wrong.” Wickerwood paled. “I bought her. Paid full—”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you. Not yet anyway. You’ll have a hearing and we, a council made up of members from every class, will decide the punishment for your crimes.”
“Crimes? I haven’t committed any—”
“Molesting young House Servants is a crime.”
“It is not!”
“It is now!”
“You can’t punish me for something that wasn’t a crime when I did it.”
He strolled over to Wickerwood. “I can punish you for anything I want.” He hesitated, fear at his own words stopping him in his tracks. “You’re right.”
Wickerwood sighed in relief.
“Touching a young female or male of any class should’ve been a crime but it wasn’t.” He paused and then couldn’t stop the grin. Sometimes life was great. “However, mating with those outside of your own class was a crime.”
The older Almighty paled again.
“One punishable by death under the current laws.”
Indy snorted from the hallway, covering his laughter.
“Get dressed,” he ordered.
“Kill him,” shouted Meesus. “You owe me! You should’ve been here. You should’ve saved her.” Her voice broke and was followed by a sob.
“Get dressed now.” He tossed Wickerwood a pair of pants and a shirt from the closet. “Or we’ll drag you to prison in your robe.”
Hugh bent, gathering the girl’s clothes from the floor and walked over to the bed. She was sitting, her knees pressed against her chest which was covered by the blankets. “We’ll be out of here in a minute. You can get dressed and then we’ll take you somewhere safe.”
There was a whoosh and a thud. He spun around, pulling his gun. Meesus had gotten free.
“Get off me!” Wickerwood was on the floor. Meesus was on top of him, her hands flying and her claws tearing into him as he screamed.
Indy grabbed Meesus around the waist and dragged her off the Almighty. “I’m sorry. I thought...One minute she was crying and the next...”
He slid his gun back into the holster as Wickerwood scrambled to his feet. The older Almighty punched Meesus in the face, causing Indy to stumble backward from the force. Blood poured from Meesus’ nose and that was all Hugh saw. Red. Blood. Suddenly, everything that’d happened that day, the last few years rushed through him. He hadn’t even realized he’d moved, as his fist hit flesh over and over again. He ignored the whimper
s coming from Wickerwood as he pounded out his frustration at the world—these young girls-old before their time, the young girls his father had molested, Bruno dead, Cack dead, Viola dead, Buddy and his mother dead, Laddie and Scar dead, and Trinity falling to the floor, bleeding, so pale...Wickerwood cowered below him, no longer trying to fight back, only trying to save himself from the blows.
“Do you want to kill him?” Indy’s tone was indifferent.
“Kill him,” shouted Meesus. “You owe me. Kill him.”
He stopped. His fists were bloody—some his, most not. Wickerwood was twitching in front of him—his face nothing but mangled flesh. He stood and yanked the other Almighty to his feet.
“Let’s go.” He shoved the shirt and shoes into Wickerwood’s hands. “You can finish getting dressed on the way.”
“No. Hugh, you must kill him.” Meesus broke free from Indy again.
He turned, protecting Wickerwood with his body. Meesus dropped to her knees in front of him.
“Get him out of here,” he said to Indy.
“Please, he must die.” She clutched at his legs, tears mixing with the blood that covered her face.
“Not by my hands. Not without a hearing first.”
Her claws sunk into his thighs. “Please. Those like him are never punished. They buy their freedom. Their lies. Their excuses. No price too much. Please. He raped my daughter. He must be punished.”
“He will be. I promise.” He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped his arm around her and walked to the door, glancing over his shoulder at the girl. “We’ll wait for you in the hallway. We’ll take you somewhere safe. I promise.”
“I want to go home,” she whispered.
“Get dressed and we’ll make sure you get there.”
Once in the hallway, Meesus pushed away from him and stormed down the stairs and out of the house. He prayed Indy had gotten Wickerwood into a carriage, but there were enough Guards to handle Meesus.
The girl came out and he led her outside, ordering three of his Guards to escort her home. Indy had loaded Wickerwood into a carriage and had sent it to the prison. He confiscated Wickerwood’s carriages and the rest of them headed back to the Council Building.
Indy stared out the window. “She’s right. Almightys like him are never punished.”