by Milly Taiden
Kari pulled out and stood, straightening her shirt. Okay. With her hands on the hole’s edge, she could lift herself to get her upper body into the gap. Then she could push off the oblong rock to get the rest of the way.
Hands on the edge, she jumped up and leaned forward. Halfway through, she realized her hands faced the wrong way. Her wrists were folding backward. She didn’t know how, but amidst her panicked wiggling and twisting, she had gotten her hands turned. But now they were pinned under her, mashed between her stomach and the rock. When she tried to pull her arm out, skin tore from the back of her hand pressed against the jagged stone edge. Shit.
If she rocked to the side, she could maybe pull out her hand with minimum damage done. Contorting her body to one side, she yanked and gritted when her flesh gave way to rock, but her hand was no longer under her.
With her head on the other side of the wall, she could barely see anything. Not that there was much to look at. The same damn rock she’d seen the past million freaking hours. Light bounced off the ceiling from somewhere ahead. Trying to pull her free arm to the other side, she quickly found the hole wasn’t big enough to bend her arm to get through. She groaned.
On the side of the wall opposite her head, she kicked her legs, pointing her toes, but the floor wasn’t within reach. Shit. She lifted her leg, searching for the rock to push off. Her shoe brushed the pendulum, setting it into a slight motion. Shit.
Her mind spun through the options. If she kept her leg straight, locking it at the knee, the rock would swing back and hit her foot, either pushing her forward or shoving her thigh bone into her ribs. Almost good, not quite. If her leg remained flexible, bending at the knee just a bit, then that would push her while not breaking her. Her knee quickly bent a bit and the force of the swing pushed her forward.
She bit her tongue holding back the holler from the pain of her hand scratching along the rock under her stomach. She twisted to free the arm before the rock bumped into her foot a second time. If she could get a few more inches, she might be able to get her elbow out far enough to free her arm. The rock’s return pushed her farther, but not enough. Shit.
She wiggled her arm free and let it dangle. Thank god. She pushed against the wall to get her other arm out. She rested a second. Her body was not meant for going through holes in walls.
With a deep breath and heave with her arms, she pushed until she came to a sudden stop. Shit. She hadn’t stopped to think if the gap was wide enough for her hefty hips. Well, it wasn’t. Shit.
“What the hell are you doing?” She looked to see Bryon coming up the path.
“What does it look like?” she whispered loudly.
He stared at her. “I’m not sure, sweetheart.” She heard the laugh in his voice. She’d kick his ass when she got out of this.
“Shut up and help me.” She lifted her arms. He leaned over to hook his hands under her arms. When he pulled, nothing moved.
“Darling,” he started, “can you suck it in a bit?”
She huffed. “No. You can’t suck in hips. If I could, I would’ve a long time ago.” He released his hold, letting her upper body hang. Then he put his hands around her waist. “What are you doing?” she asked as he pulled. “Ow,” she whined.
“Be quiet. I’m doing what I have to here,” he said. With his hands on the small of her back, he twisted, shook, and yanked her body. After a few aching moments, her legs slid through. Apparently, he wasn’t ready for her to pop loose. He quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, flinging her legs into the air.
“What the hell?” Upside down, her hair hung in her face and shirt slid toward her breasts. She snagged her top from falling farther. “Put me down right this second.” Blood rushed to her head. He flipped her over, putting her on her feet. “That was a damn nightmare,” she said.
“Okay, now we have to go back through it,” he said.
Chapter Twenty-six
Peeping around the side of a boulder, Kari gazed over the crowd of people on the cave floor below them. There was no way she was going through that damn hole in the wall again. She’d walk naked among the people before she squeezed her oval body through a round space. Of course, her mate was fine with that. She had to punch his arm for being so male.
On the side of the pit below, she watched as women came from behind a curtained-off area. Most were practically dragged by a leash around their necks. An older lady stepped from behind the curtain and opened one of fifty plastic containers stacked just beyond the barrier. Colorful material was packed inside and she pulled out a red fabric. She wrapped it around one of the females’ waist.
“This is how they sell people?” she asked. “There are kids down there.” She stood to march down the path and give them a piece of her mind and escort every one of the females and children out the door.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit. “Where are you going?”
“Someone has to rescue all those people. And you’re just sitting there. We have to do something.” She didn’t want to sound whiney, but this was atrocious. Males selling women because they were stronger and could beat the female into submission. Pure hate and anger bubbled in her chest. Something had to be done.
“We will rescue them now that we know this is going on. But we have to get out first and call for backup. The two of us can’t fight all the bad guys down there.” She hated that he had a point.
“All right,” she said. “How do you propose we get out? And don’t say through the hole in the wall.”
“Of course not. The plan is to walk through like everyone else. I will hold onto your arm and we walk out.”
That seemed reasonable. They would blend in perfectly. Hand in hand, he led her along the steep path descending the side of the chasm. Nobody noticed them.
She whispered out the side of her mouth. “Where’s the exit? I didn’t see it.”
Bryon nodded ahead. “On the other side of the cavern.”
“Of course,” she mumbled. Suddenly, he pulled on her arm and walked a different direction. “I assume you know what you’re doing.”
“Prince Goddard is that way talking to several men. He doesn’t look happy.”
She looked over her shoulder, but couldn’t see over the crowd. “What is he saying? Can you tell?” she asked.
“He’s giving them a description of us. He must know about the tunnel leading here.” He scooted them to the side of the plastic containers she saw the older woman at a while ago. Using his shifter speed, he restacked the boxes by taking containers in the back and placing them up front to build a wall to hide them. Another great idea. Her man was good at this spy stuff.
“Grab a couple more containers and let’s see what’s in them,” she said. They popped the lid on a few and saw female clothing, scarves, wraps, robes, shoes, and loose pieces of makeup. She now understood the purpose of the curtained zone. It was a staging area where the older women dressed up those being sold.
She felt like puking then burning down everything in this insidious place. “I have a plan to get us out of here,” she said, pulling stuff out of containers. Bryon stood by quietly. He must’ve known her thoughts or expected the worst. Which would be correct.
“Here,” she handed him two fist-size rocks, “hold these to your chest.” She wrapped a long length of material around him several times, firmly holding the stones against his skin.
“What are these for?” he asked.
“Insta-boobs.” She handed him a white muslin robe. “Put this on.” She continued to drape scarves and material over his head. She worried he was too tall, but not much she could do about that. “Damn, your feet are hairy, boy. No way they’ll pass for women’s feet.”
There weren’t shoes big enough for his clompers so she tied scarves around his knees to hang down and hide the grizzly things.
“Almost done,” she said. She pulled up the black tulle material covering his face. “Open your mouth wide.”
He frowned. “Why?”
She sighed. “Do you t
rust me?”
“Yes, sorta. Depends what you do with that lipstick in your hand.” Damn, he saw her pick it up.
“You have to look like a female. This lipstick will do that. Now open your mouth.” He did as she requested. “Now do this.” She pressed her lips together, showing him how to set the makeup.
“Ew. This stuff feels disgusting.” He lifted a hand to wipe at the color, and she smacked it down.
“Don’t smear it. You can take it off as soon as we get out of here.” She tossed the lipstick into a bin and pulled out a robe and scarves for herself. In another container, they found fake gold jewelry and leashes. She draped herself in gold, making her look quite wealthy. She pulled Sheldon’s bracelet from her pants pocket and slid it on with everything else.
Bryon grabbed her arm and held it up, exposing her last fancy addition. “Have you had this the entire time?”
“Not on, but in my pocket.” She didn’t want to tell him about her earlier erroneous thoughts about Sheldon liking her and giving her such an expensive gift.
“Good,” he said. “Keep it on.”
She shrugged. “Not a problem.” She wrapped her hair in a dark turban then draped her face with black tulle. “How do I look?” She twirled for him.
“Like a fancy brothel owner.” His grimace said he didn’t like the look. Good. She didn’t want to look pretty. He picked up a leash and tied it around his neck. “You know, this will look silly with you holding me on a leash. I’m a foot taller than you. How about I just shift and go out that way.”
Kari rolled her eyes. “Yeah, like a huge-ass wolf walking through the crowd won’t draw attention?”
“I see your point.” He handed her the other side of the leash. “Let’s go, master.” She huffed, then peeked around the wall of containers they had built. Everyone around them was focused on the stage fifty feet away with three scared, nearly naked teens. She told herself to wait for backup like Bryon said. Nothing could be done now that would help.
She headed for the exit, falling in line behind others going the same direction, some with multiple girls in tow. Ripping that man’s balls from his body would make her feel really good at that moment.
Ahead, one of the women lashed out, fighting her captor. From nowhere, guards surrounded them. One shot her with a dart gun and she calmed, then passed out and fell to the floor. Her owner picked up a leg and dragged her behind him.
Suddenly, a man was in Kari’s face, rattling words she didn’t understand. “I’m from America.” She lifted her chin. “What do you want?”
The man’s eyes got big and he looked her up and down. “You lay one goddamn hand on me, mister, and your balls will decorate the rearview mirror in my car.”
“No, you misunderstand. You are short for American. I used to tall men,” he managed to get out in English.
“What do you want. I’m done here and leaving.” She changed her voice to be annoyed and impatient. She should try out for the community play. This acting stuff wasn’t too hard.
“I pay half million dollars for your slave,” he said. Her jaw dropped open. The man didn’t notice because he was making twinkle eyes at her Bryon. His foot hit hers, snapping her thoughts.
“No. She is not for sale. I just purchased her.”
The guy reached up and squeezed Bryon’s rock boobs. “Firm, just like I like them. One million American dollars. I must have her. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.”
She turned and looked at her mate. “Mister, you got yourself a deal,” she said.
“Wait here for me to return,” he said, hurrying away.
Bryon bent down to her ear. “What the hell are you doing? You can’t sell me.”
“Suck it up, buttercup,” she whispered back, trying to move her lips as little as possible, “I just made myself one million bucks.” She smiled at him. “Just go with him. If we’re not together, they’ll be less likely to suspect something. I’ll be behind you.” He huffed and straightened.
The man fought his way through the crowd, carrying a briefcase. He held it out to her. She took it and nearly dropped it from being heavier than expected. She handed the leash to him.
“There you go. She’s all yours. Have fun.” She smiled and stepped away. The man led Bryon toward the exit. She watched as the new owner’s hand slipped behind Bryon and rested on his butt cheek. She barely held the laugh in when Bryon batted it away. She quickly melted into the group heading out.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Bryon couldn’t believe his mate had sold him for a million dollars. He would’ve held out for at least two million. And when the man put grubby paws on his ass, it jumped to three mil.
As they approached the guards at the exit, he kept his eyes to the ground. It would be a miracle if this worked. His temporary owner thought nothing of the security and continued without even looking at the guns the men held. Then Bryon felt the hand on his arm.
His new owner went ballistic cussing at the guard in at least three languages. That drew the attention of others with guns. He wanted to tell the guy to chill the fuck out, but he couldn’t do anything without being made.
Bryon looked back to find his mate, making sure she was okay. He noted the crowd gathering to see what was going on. Kari was among the mass. Just as he turned back, a large hand grabbed her arm and jerked her out of his sight.
His wolf jumped forward wanting to kill everyone between them and her. Fuck his disguise, he would give his life to save her. He should’ve known not to let her walk around with a briefcase holding money. Why did he go along with this insane idea?
Kari’s angry voice came from the middle of a gathering. He shoved his way through to find an olive-skinned man cowering on the ground while his mate beat him with the case. Bryon grasped the briefcase on its swing down and dragged his mate from the crowd.
Right behind him was his owner pulling on him. And on his owner’s arm was a guard yanking him. What a lovely train they made. Kari smacked the case into his owner’s chest.
“I reneg,” she said. “You keep the money. He belongs to me.” A warmth filled him. His mate wanted him. He took her hand and headed toward the exit, but of course, it wasn’t that easy. Mr. Moneybags latched onto the back of Bryon’s robe, jerking it halfway off. Bryon punched the guy in the face, knocking him into others. The briefcase hit the ground and spilled open, dollar bills scattering.
The orderly mass quickly became chaos with people pushing and shoving to get their hands on the money. Bryon fought his way through, his mate with him—her disguise mostly ripped away in the bustle. When they reached the point to break free, the prince stepped through the exit.
Bryon locked eyes with the bastard. The red glowed to life then died back. Goddard was possessed by a demon, just like the hieroglyphics said. He didn’t want to think about the implications. He just wanted his mate out of here.
The prince yelled and guards surrounded them. Kari was torn from his side. His wolf had enough of her being taken from him. His shift was fast. In a heartbeat, his teeth sank into the thick arm holding his woman. Blood splattered on his muzzle.
High-pitched screams erupted along with more chaos as people scrambled to get away from a monster killer. He nosed Kari to get her up and going. His wolf growled as men with guns narrowed their escape route. A sting hit his hind quarters and he yipped. A dart like the one that hit the lady who passed out earlier stuck up from his rump. Fuck.
His mate’s voice faded in his mind. He was going down.
* * *
“Bryon!” Kari yelled. She saw the dart come from the pistol one of the guards held. She was thankful it wasn’t a bullet. Struggling to get to Bryon, she ripped her arms from grasping hands. “Bryon!” She stumbled to her knees by his side. His chest rose and fell. He was alive.
Fancy shoes stopped beside the wolf’s head. She looked up into red eyes.
“I’m impressed you two made it this far. After the water chamber, I could no longer track you.” His eyes sc
anned the wolf’s body. “I’ve been waiting for another of these for so long.”
“Another what?” she asked.
His eyes never left the animal. “Shifter. I knew he was.” He snapped his fingers. “Take them both to the castle, now. I will be there shortly.” He twirled around and hands lifted her off the ground. She struggled as a natural reaction, though it did no good.
Two of the men tried to lift the wolf’s dead weight. In the end, four guards carried/dragged Bryon.
The other side of the exit wasn’t outside but inside a large warehouse with several cargo vans and limos with blacked-out windows. Men in expensive suits, some with, some without women on leashes, got in and out of the cars.
A white van with a business logo on the side was packed with bodies. One of the women caught her eye. She had dark draping hair and big fear-filled eyes. The two back doors of the van slammed shut and a man walked around to the driver’s side. A long garage door in front of the van slid up letting bright sun into the space. The first sun she’d seen in a while.
The buildings she could see outside the door weren’t familiar. Gone were the quaint houses and brick roads. Instead more metal warehouses and industrial structures. They were far from where they’d started yesterday.
The van drove out and away. Sadness and anger overwhelmed Kari. She had no idea what those women would endure, but their lives wouldn’t be happy. They wouldn’t fall in love, have a caring relationship with a man who respected them. If she got out of this, she would rededicate her life to stopping this inhumane crime.
One of the two men holding her arms jiggled her, bringing her attention back to her own situation. They stopped at the side of a van. Her escort opened the double doors and shoved her in followed by the guys with her mate.
Kari scooted around in the back to cradle her love’s furry head in her lap. Her hand rubbed down the side of his snout and neck, again and again. She wondered how long he would be out. After the handful of men had settled inside the van, they exited through another lift door drove into the sunlight.