Scent of Valor (Chronicles of Eorthe #2)

by Annie Nicholas

  It wasn’t too often she was struck silent. She noticed a long stitched cut on his side that oozed blood. “You’re injured.” Silly Pemma, he knew that. “Do you want me to get help?” The words kept tumbling from her mouth like a dam had broken and all the stupid needed to pour out for both males to see.

  “I’m fine, Pemma. Timothy is more than aware of my injuries.” Plural.

  Her gaze wandered over the long, thin bruises lining his limbs and torso then settled on the metal collar around his neck.

  Nahuel wore one as well. Sighing, he returned to his spot next to Peder. “I don’t know why I bother trying to impress any females with you around.”

  Peder’s gaze had dropped back on the ground where he played with a stick. He snorted. He inserted the sliver of wood into the lock at his neck and fiddled around inside it. The thin wood snapped. “Fuck. My alpha can do this with a claw.”

  Her eyes went wide and she glanced around, but the guards’ attention was held by Timothy and Ewald who huddled in conversation on the other side of the compound.

  “You can’t pick a lock with wood. The vampire metal is too strong for that. You need something made of the same material.” She patted her hair that had been coiffed by Lord Weis’s maids this morning and pulled out a hairpin. “Like this.” She held it up.

  The seed of hope bloomed in Peder’s tired gaze as he reached toward her. Damn the vampires in the New World for chaining them like animals. Why would they treat shifters so badly on this side of the ocean? Her gaze darted to Timothy, the cat shifter. He wasn’t wearing shackles. Actually, she hadn’t seen any cat shifter slaves yet.

  She set the hairpin in Peder’s outstretched hand. Hunters were the protectors and providers of the pack. In turn, vampire masters, at least the ones she’d known in Europa, had treated them with respect unless they’d done something terrible like free slaves. Her pulse hammered in her ears. “I didn’t give it to you. Understand? If you get caught, it fell from my hair while I was speaking with you.”

  Nahuel’s flirtatious grin faded as his gaze narrowed. “Why are you helping us?”

  “If I could, I’d set you all free. But I’m powerless.” Except Ewald had voiced he’d buy her a slave. It was a ruse but it didn’t have to be. “I can buy one slave today. Which of you will it be?”

  They turned to one another, then Peder pointed to the cage. “The female with the pale hair.” He cleared his throat. “Save her.” His voice had gone rough with emotion. “She’s my mate and I don’t like the way Timothy looks at her.”

  Pemma didn’t like the way Timothy looked at her either. “Very well. I’ll do my best.” It was the selfless act of a hunter, what Peder did. Maybe one day she’d have someone love her as much.

  Peder crouched forward and set his hand on her foot in respect. “Thank you, cousin.”

  “I wish I could do more, brother.”

  “Keep your hands to yourself, Goldie. Her master wouldn’t like it if he saw another male flirting with his prize.” Timothy spoke from behind her, and his deep voice almost launched her into Nahuel’s lap. “What do you think of our Goldie in civil form?” Timothy leaned against the post and trailed a possessive eye over Peder. “She was in the audience last night.”

  She took an involuntary step back. “I wouldn’t have guessed they were the same shifter.” That such a feral creature could live inside such a beautiful and gently spoken male. “Maybe we should finish our business before Ewald is done with his.”

  “Yes, follow me. I would hate for you to leave empty-handed.”

  She allowed Timothy to guide her to the cage but she kept tossing glances over her shoulder. Maybe the wild shifters were more feral than those from Europa? Maybe they called them wild because their feral sides had a stronger influence over their civil minds. Goodness, it must have been almost a year now since she’d shifted to feral form. Maybe their challenges were always to the death rather than being tossed out of the ring. Who was she to judge Peder’s violent nature?

  Peder hadn’t tried to hurt her. He touched her foot like an omega would a hunter. She’d never had that happen to her. Maybe he’d done it as a slave to a free shifter.

  But was she really free?

  Oh, her head hurt and her heart ached. She turned her attention to the cage instead where she had a small chance to exact some good.

  Gramp hated it when she brought strays home. She would have to hide this slave for a little time before introducing her to the pack. They might think the slave belonged to Lord Weis instead.

  The pale female stood by the bars. She only had eyes for Peder though.

  Pemma pointed to her. “She’s very pretty.”

  “She’s not for sale.”

  Pemma gave Timothy her best smile and set her hand on his. “Everything has a price.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “You wouldn’t want to pay my price, my lady.”

  She could guess what he wanted and she really didn’t care to pay in those ways.

  “Why would you want to bring competition into your home? Lord Ewald will most likely want this one warming his bed.” Timothy ran the back of his hand along Pemma’s cheek.

  She swallowed the bile rising in her throat. “Ewald is not attracted to strong females. This one is obviously a hunter. I could use protection in this city and when we travel west.”

  “Your master is poor. He hasn’t enough coin to buy this one. Pick another.”

  The female stared.

  As an omega, Pemma dropped her gaze and bowed her head. Timothy would break this fine, wild hunter. Peder claimed this slave as his mate. What would it do to him when Timothy took her from him? Pemma clenched her fists. She’d trade places with the female hunter if she could. It was her in her nature to care for them. She couldn’t fight instinct any more than she could stop breathing.

  She relaxed her hands. “Do I have something you want?” The question came out so soft she could barely hear it.

  Timothy gripped her upper arm. “You do what I want. No questions asked. As hard as I want it.”

  Her stomach knotted. She was an omega female from a large pack. As one of the easy lovers, she’d had more than her share of males, even a few females. But none of them had ever forced her or terrified her. “Done.” She could let Timothy have his way, then she could spend her evening scrubbing his scent off her flesh.

  “And five bars of gold.”

  She shot him a glare. “She’s not made of spun sunshine.” Pemma twisted to glance at Peder. “Maybe I should ask Ewald for Goldie instead. He’d make a better fighter when we go west.”

  “He’s not for sale either.”

  “For a business owner, you don’t seem eager to make money.”

  He gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on her. “You’re very bold for an omega.”

  She took a steadying breath and ran her hand over the hard bulge in his pants. “Omegas are the heart of the pack. There’s no requirement that we be meek all the time.” She gave him a firm squeeze, just to the edge of pain and let go. He seemed like someone who would like pain. “You can have me and two gold bars, but you have to finish before Ewald is done.”

  He groaned. “Fine. You drive a hard bargain.”

  She didn’t consider this cheating on Ewald. They weren’t mated. He liked a skilled, pretty concubine to dote on and she wanted to serve her pack, but she didn’t do this kind of thing often. Ewald would be more insulted at her lack of discretion than her fucking a complete stranger. He might have even enjoyed watching.

  She tired of being used. Maybe, if the Goddess blessed her, a hunter would look at her the way Peder watched his mate from across the yard. Being with Ewald had taught her a hard lesson. No amounts of silk or gold would bring her happiness.

  If she had a chance to help just one couple in love, then she’d make her sacrifices with a clear conscience.

  “Make sure the lord doesn’t come out until I’m ready,” Timothy ordered the closest guard. “And have someone packag
e Kele and chain her to their carriage.” He led Pemma to the back of the compound and shoved her inside an empty cell.

  “Let’s play slave girl and master. Take off your clothes and get on your knees.” He pulled off his shirt and pants, tossing them in the corner. His thick, huge cock jutted out, hard and eager. “I want to start by fucking that clever mouth.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Peder slid the hairpin Pemma gave him inside the hem of his kilt and watched as Timothy led her to the back of the compound. What had the tiny omega female done? He glanced Nahuel’s worried expression. “I think we made a mistake.”

  “She offered.” The other hunter didn’t sound so reassured, though.

  “Yes, but sometimes omegas can’t stop themselves from offering to help. It’s in our—their nature.” After last night, he couldn’t consider himself omega anymore. Kele was right. He’d changed. He could only hope he didn’t continue on this path and turn into a monster like his old alpha. “It’s why they need hunters to guide and protect them.”

  “Too late now.”

  Her muffled moans drifted to his sensitive ears, almost too low for him to distinguish them. He couldn’t tell if they were from pleasure or pain though. He fisted his hands. They shouldn’t have asked for her help.

  The pen’s door opened and two vampires dragged a struggling Kele out. “Let go of me. I don’t care if I’ve been sold.” She kicked one in the groin and elbowed the other in the face. With a few well-placed punches, she raced into Peder’s open arms. Her hands ran over his chains and the thick lock. “He’s sold me. We have to escape now.” She tugged the chain with all her strength but nothing happened. “Maybe if I shift and use feral strength, I can break it.”

  “It’s vampire iron.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her so they were nose to nose. “Listen to me. I asked her to buy you.”

  “You did what?”

  “I’ll find you. No matter where she takes you, it can’t be worse than here. When I escape, I’ll come for you, no matter how long it takes me.”

  “No.” She shook her head, but it was too late.

  The vampires had recovered and tackled her to the ground, landing a few punches of their own.

  “Stop it.” He leaped forward but his chain snapped him back. “She’ll cooperate now.” He rubbed his sore neck and throat. The pain just added to his overall bodily discomfort. Beaten yesterday, fight last night, and training all morning. It felt like old times.

  They clamped a collar around her neck.

  The tears in her eyes were almost his undoing as they dragged her toward the carriage. She mouthed his name and reached out her hands.

  Peder hadn’t even kissed her good-bye.

  A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. “You did the right thing, hunter. You’re a good mate.”

  The shifters in the pen gathered at the bars, watching their public sorrow.

  They half carried her out of the compound, where Pemma’s carriage probably waited. The Goddess would burn his soul when it left this shell for selling his mate and misguiding a sweet omega female. He was no better than Sorin’s father.

  He fell to the ground and rested back against the wall, trying to block the sounds of Timothy’s climax. How could Pemma’s vampire master not hear that?

  The laughter in Ewald’s meeting grew much louder at that moment.

  Peder closed his eyes and bowed his head. Tonight, he’d have to make a move.

  Pemma scooted from under Timothy and pulled her dress back on. “Quick, help me with the buttons.” The latest fashion had the fastenings on the back of the dress rather than the front. He’d only loosened enough to pull it over her head, but they needed refastening before she faced Ewald.

  “My lord, your purchase is awaiting at your carriage.” One of the guards spoke loudly as if giving Timothy a cue.

  “My purchase? What do you mean? Where’s Pemma?” Ewald’s voice carried in the empty yard.

  “The slave she purchased is quite lovely. Let me show you.”

  “Slave?” Ewald’s question held an edge of anger. But he’d said she could buy one in front of the guards as well as Timothy. Her master wouldn’t break his word publically. Once they were back at Lord Weis’s manor she’d hear a lot about it, though.

  Their footsteps faded.

  Pemma toed the big cat who still panted on the ground. “Come on. Hurry. Do you really want a vampire lord’s wrath aimed at you?”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time.” He climbed to his feet and did her buttons then hugged her from behind. “When he tires of you, Pemma. You come see me. I like a female with spirit.”

  She elbowed him in the gut. “When he tires of me, I’ll be in the West and my pack has enough single hunters that I’ll have my choice of mate.”

  He snorted. “They’ll all be dead within a year.” He clasped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “You act dumb for him, but I know you’re smarter. You should remain here in the city when he goes. Don’t follow a fool.”

  “I haven’t a choice.” She checked her hair with her hands. “My grandparents are going and I won’t leave them. How’s my hair?”

  He gave her a weary smile. “It’s fine.” He dressed and let her hurry out first.

  She rushed to Nahuel and Peder. “Do you have a message for her before I go?”

  Peder’s eyes grew wide. “I never meant for you to…”

  She clamped her hand over his mouth. Time was running out. “Never mind that. Message?” She released him.

  “We’ve said our good-byes. Where are you taking her?”

  “For now, Lord Weis’s manor but soon we’ll be leaving for the West.”

  “Pemma? What are you doing?” Ewald clamped his hand over her shoulder and yanked her away. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

  “Yes, I did. That’s why I hurried to see you.” She rose and kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t want him tasting Timothy on her mouth. “Do you like the female I purchased? She’s so lovely and only two gold bars.”

  “Two gold bars? Are you insane?” He pulled her away from the hunters chained to the wall. “You weren’t supposed to purchase anyone.” His whispered fury could still be heard by the other shifters.

  She pouted. “I know, but Timothy was so convincing.” She let a tear roll down her cheek. “Maybe he’ll understand if I explained my mistake.” She twisted as if about to search for the cat slaver.

  Ewald frowned. “Never mind that. We can’t go back on our word. I still may need his contacts in the future.” He tugged her to the carriage where the pale slave female stood chained to the back.

  Timothy appeared. “Is all to your liking?” he asked her, not Ewald.

  A blush scalded her cheeks. “Yes.” No, she’d have to soak in a bath for a week before she felt clean once more.

  Ewald pulled out his money purse and paid for the slave, scowling the whole time.

  The slaver handed Pemma the key to the female’s collar. “Careful, she bites.” He nodded toward a set of guards who had obvious bruises on their faces. “She goes by Kele, but you can change it to a more Europan name if you wish.”

  She strode to Kele. “I’m Pemma.” As she reached to unlock her collar Ewald squawked a protest. “You don’t mean to drag her behind the carriage.”

  “Where do plan on placing her?”

  “Inside with us.” She glanced at Kele and flinched at her hard stare. The wild shifter didn’t care for her. “Or maybe in front with the driver?” She retreated to Ewald’s side and handed him the key.

  With a heavy sigh, he approached the female shifter. “I’ll be a good master, Kele. You’ve nothing to fear from me or Pemma. Just let us get you home and prove it to you.” He unlocked the chain from the carriage and led her to the front.

  The whole time, Kele’s glare never left Pemma, and she saw her death within it.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Kele sat next to the carriage driver and clung for dear life as the horses pull
ed them through the streets. In feral form, she could have run faster. However, attaching horses to a hulking mass of wood with rattling wheels, then adding pedestrians who took their lives in their hands by crossing in front, made travel too fast for her shifter heart.

  “Get out of the way,” she shouted to one female crossing the road, who was picking her way over muddy puddles slowly.

  The driver jerked in surprise and gave Kele a three-tooth grin. “You’re from the wild aren’t ya?”

  The carriage swung precariously as they took a corner. “Keep your eyes on where you’re going, crafter.” She was chained to this thing. If it crashed, she couldn’t jump free.

  “Don’tcha worry. I’ve been driving horses since before you were a pup.”

  People bolted from the street at the sound of hooves hitting the cobblestone. The carriage passed their surroundings so quickly she lost her sense of direction. Most stores seemed like they were selling goods.

  Someone with a handsome face and a mess of curly hair caught her eye. She spun around, gripping the bars of the carriage. Was that Benic? But the carriage turned a corner and she lost sight of him. She was so desperate for freedom she’d even choose him for her rescuer.

  She’d been bought. Her. Kele, daughter of Inali and Chaska, alphas of the Payami, fifth generation of alpha females on her mother’s side, now a slave to some floppy female shifter pet. If there was a lesson in this, she failed to see it.

  They drove out of the city—well, at least the buildings grew more scarce, and she could breathe easier—toward a large white stone building.

  “What is this place?” A place of prayer maybe?

  “Weis Manor. Your temporary home until my lord tires of your lord.” He cackled and slapped his knee.

  She couldn’t stop her grin at his laughter. So it was called a manor, in which a lord lived. Seemed just like another vampire word for a den. Castle, manor, house, compound…cage.

  The driver slowed the horses until they stopped smoothly in front of the door. He did have skill after all. He leaped down and assisted Pemma out of the carriage, then Lord Ewald while Kele climbed down on her own.