by Heidi Skarie
“Having a bad trip?” Cadmus asked.
She opened her eyes and gasped. Cadmus’s face was greatly distorted, like a trick circus mirror.
“Don’t be frightened,” Cadmus said in a thick voice. “It’s the drug.”
The distortion gradually faded and she felt more in touch with reality. Cadmus lay next to her on the bed, raised up on his elbow, studying her. By the glazed look in his eyes, she could tell he was also high. He reached up and turned on some soothing music. “This should help.”
A drugged lethargy came over her and she floated off to a place filled with bright colors.
5
Tests
Michio landed his spacecraft, then jumped out and ran into the house, yelling for Toemeka. He knew something was wrong; he’d felt her distress and picked up her inner message. She wasn’t downstairs so he dashed upstairs, taking two steps at a time, and ran into the bedroom where he heard the baby crying. Signs of a struggle met his eyes: a broken lamp lying on the floor and things strewn about.
Michio picked up Baymond and rocked him in his arms until the baby quieted. The window was open and a strong wind blew, causing the shutters to bang against the house. He closed them and sat on the bed still holding his infant son. “Master Bakka, who took Toemeka and why?” he asked out loud, his shoulders slumping. He didn’t know where to begin searching and despair came over him as he thought about all the dark possibilities.
The baby cooed and touched his face, bringing him back. He gazed lovingly at the small infant in his arms. The child’s innocence reached through his pain. Calmer, he looked around the room. “I have to figure out what happened to your mother and bring her back,” Michio said as he began searching the room for clues.
Almost immediately he found the broken golden chain and heart-shaped locket. He gazed at the two intertwined roses on one side, then turned it over and read the inscription engraved on it: “Our love will never die.” He felt a lump in his throat and opened the locket. Toemeka’s pretty, young face gazed back at him on one side and his own portrait smiled back on the other.
He took a deep breath before continuing his search. At last he found the small label on the floor. Something was hastily scribbled on it. He deciphered an indistinct letter “C” followed by “ad” and then it hit him: Cadmus!
His heart stopped. Could it be that he wasn’t dead? Why hadn’t he realized it when Toemeka told him about her dream of being chased by Cadmus?
He turned on his communicator and called Erling.
Erling’s face appeared on the screen. “What’s up?”
“Is it possible that Cadmus isn’t dead?”
Erling frowned, looking puzzled. “It’s possible. I stabbed him in the chest, but it might not have been a fatal wound.”
Michio sank down on the bed, feeling as if he’d been struck physically.
“What’s wrong?”
“Cadmus kidnapped Toemeka,” Michio said in a choked voice.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She contacted me inwardly, letting me know she was in trouble. When I reached home, she was gone and Baymond was crying in his cradle. There’s evidence of a struggle and I found Cadmus’ name scribbled on a scrap of fabric.”
“I’ll come immediately. Together we’ll find her.”
“No, I’ll come to the palace with Baymond. Do you think Koriann will look after him while we search for Toemeka?”
“Of course, he can stay in the nursery.”
“See if you can find out where Cadmus went after he left Jaipar. There must be some trace of him. He’s a well-known man.”
“I’ll send detectives to your house to see if they can find any more clues. And Zac can research where Cadmus went after he left Jaipar ten months ago. Are you all right, Michio?”
“I will be, once we find Toemeka.”
***
Toemeka woke up in a strange bedroom. She no longer heard the humming engines of the spacecraft and knew she was on land again. Was Baymond all right? Had Michio gotten her inner message and come home immediately? She hoped he found the label with Cadmus’ name scribbled on it and deduced that Cadmus kidnapped her.
It hurt to breathe. When she tried to sit up, pain swept through her. Lying back down, she put a hand on her throbbing side.
“You’re awake at last,” a young woman said, coming over to the bed. “I’ll go get Cadmus.”
Toemeka turned toward the voice and saw an uncomely girl who looked to be about sixteen. She had dull, mousy-brown hair, lifeless blue-green eyes and a sad, defeated expression.
“Who are you?” Toemeka asked.
“I am your slave.”
“My what!”
“I live to serve you. Cadmus gave me to you.”
“I don’t need a slave.”
“You need someone to do your hair, makeup and help you dress.”
“I can care for myself.” Toemeka closed her eyes, wondering if she was to be Cadmus’ concubine. The thought was revolting. It made her so angry she blinked back tears that threatened to slide down her cheeks. Opening her eyes again she asked, “What is your name?”
“I have no name.”
“No name! Everyone has a name.”
“I’m not a person, just a slave.”
“A slave is a person! Were you born a slave?”
“No, I was sold into slavery as a young girl.”
“What was your name then?”
“Amaretta.”
“Amaretta. What a pretty name. That’s what I’ll call you.”
“As you like.”
“Please help me sit up. I need to go to the bathroom.” Toemeka gasped in pain as Amaretta assisted her into a sitting position. Her side burned like fire. Amaretta helped her to a large bathroom with a polished stone floor and whirlpool. After she’d used the bathroom, she hobbled back to bed and Amaretta helped her sit down. Amaretta brushed her hair until it shone, then took out some makeup.
“Please don’t let Cadmus know I’m awake. I’m not ready to face him.”
“Don’t be afraid. He won’t harm you. He beats his slaves, but not his mistresses. Besides he seems very taken with you. He’s checked on you often these last few days.”
“Days!”
“Yes, you’ve been here three days. The doctor kept you drugged. You have several broken ribs.” She started applying rouge.
“I don’t want makeup. I refuse to be Cadmus’ kept woman!”
The girl froze in terror.
“What is it?”
In a barely audible whisper, Amaretta replied, “He’ll beat me if I don’t do my job.”
“I’ll take responsibility for not wearing makeup.”
“He’ll take his anger out on me.” She bowed her head, trembling.
Toemeka didn’t want the girl beaten. “All right, apply the rouge and lipstick, but I refuse to wear more than that.” Toemeka held still while Amaretta applied the makeup, mulling over what the girl told her. She’d been here three days plus the time in space travel. Michio would be deeply worried. In her unconscious, drugged state they wouldn’t have had any inner linkup.
And what about Baymond? How was he doing without his mother to care for him? Her heart ached, greatly missing her husband and child. She’d never been away from Baymond before, even for a brief time. It felt as if part of her had been ripped away. He was a completely dependent infant. Their physical and emotional link was especially strong since she was nursing him. Her engorged breasts ached and began to leak milk as she thought of him.
Amaretta left the room once the makeup was applied. Before long Cadmus entered, carrying a vase of flowers that he set on the bedside table. “I thought you would enjoy some flowers from the garden. I’m sorry you were injured.” He sat on a chair next to the bed.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Injured? As I recall you deliberately hurled me across the room.”
“You must be feeling better.”
She scowled. “I’ve awakened from my drugg
ed stupor if that’s what you mean. What are your plans for me?”
“I want you for my mistress.”
“I find that hard to believe. Mistresses are easy enough to acquire. You don’t have to travel across the galaxy to get one.”
He nodded. “True. However, there are other reasons for your abduction.”
“You can’t keep me. I’ll escape.”
“Don’t try it. My fortress is located in the domed city of Henotaux on a moon called Devil’s Eye. The city is owned and controlled by criminals. It’s not a safe for you leave my compound unless you’re in my company.”
“I’ve never heard of Devil’s Eye.”
“It revolves around plant Kunassre, an uninhabitable planet in the Suri solar system.”
“How long will I be confined to bed?”
“You can get up whenever you feel strong enough. Your ribs will heal on their own.” He leaned over and kissed her.
She tried to push him away and pain shot through her.
“Don’t worry,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “I only want a kiss for now.”
“What are your other reasons for abducting me?”
“You’re bait to lure Michio and Prince Erling here so I can kill them. Then I can become the ruler of Jaipar.” His voice was eerily calm and matter-of-fact, as if nothing could stop him from achieving his goal.
She broke into a cold sweat, dread filling her. How could she keep Michio and Erling from falling into his trap? “Queen Koriann rules Jaipar. Killing Erling won’t change that.”
“She’s a figurehead. Prince Erling heads up the military plus he united the planet against Samrat Condor. Michio worked alongside him and even took over leading the military, when needed. With them dead, conquering Jaipar and the rest of the planet is within my grasp.”
Alarmed, Toemeka said, “They have no idea where I am. They’ll never find me here!”
“Not until I’m ready for them. I plan to bring you completely under my control before drawing them here. You’ll be my woman more than just physically; you’ll want to be with me.”
“There’s nothing you can do to make me want to stay.”
“You’d be surprised how drugs, mind-control and physical abuse can break a person.”
“You don’t want a zombie and I don’t think you captured me just to gain control of Jaipar. I think your interest is more personal than that.”
“You’re naive. You’re an object to me — nothing more. I will use you as I please, then discard you when I’m done. Your old life is over. I suggest you work on pleasing me because if you don’t, I’ll decide I don’t want you as a mistress and you’ll become a slave. A slave’s life is hard; my men use and abuse them as they choose.”
Toemeka recoiled in horror.
A sinister smile spread across his face. “You’re beginning to understand. But don’t look so worried. I’m not tired of you yet; you’ve only just arrived.”
“I’d rather be a slave than a personal whore for you!”
Cadmus grabbed her upper arms and gave her a hard shake. She cried out as pain tore through her fractured ribs. “Would you, Toemeka! Have you ever been raped repeatedly by every man who wants you? Have you ever been beaten until you couldn’t move? How long do you think you’d survive those conditions? All of your inner strength will desert you.”
He released her and she drew shallow breaths, hoping for the pain to ease. His cruel words and negative vibrations terrified her. He was already affecting her emotionally and controlling her through fear. She visualized the Master beside her inwardly and some of her courage returned.
He watched her reaction closely. “No defiant answer this time?”
She clenched her fists, afraid to anger him further.
“You’re learning quickly. Now you know the score. Please me and I’ll treat you well. Offend me and I’ll crush you. I can be a great lover or a merciless master. You decide.”
As he left the room, tears started rolling down her cheeks. Her heart ached with longing for Michio and her baby.
During the next few days, Toemeka became increasingly listless and depressed. The doctor gave her pills to dry up her milk. She hated taking them, but saw no choice. It seemed symbolic as if the final bond between her and the baby was being broken and she’d never see him again.
Cadmus came to see her regularly, bringing gifts. She had no interest in any of his offerings and refused to be drawn into conversation.
Before coming here, she’d always felt the Inner Master’s loving presence and had been able to contact him. But now she felt cut off from him. Nor was she able to spirit travel and reach Michio in the Inner Worlds. Some force seemed to be blocking her, or perhaps it was her own despair. How could she reach out to Michio when she knew she’d be drawing him to his death?
Her hopes for the future and her will to survive weakened. She knew when her ribs healed, Cadmus would take her for his mistress until he tired of her. Then he’d cast her to his men. She sank into a deep depression, similar to the one she had after her family was killed and her village burned eight years ago. She lost everyone she loved then and now she’d lost her new family, too.
Her nightmares returned with force and she replayed her family being murdered nightly.
Most of her waking time was spent lying in bed, looking out the window as she surrendered to overwhelming lassitude. Movement caused such discomfort that she didn’t even try to sit up.
Amaretta stayed beside her, taking care of her every need. The doctor came to see her daily and told her she needed exercise. He gave her pain medication, but she hated the drugged state it left her in and used it as little as possible.
One day when Cadmus came to see her, she looked at him without emotion — not even fear or despair — then turned her head to look out the window. She dimly noticed he seemed distressed about something.
“The doctor tells me you’re not getting better,” Cadmus said. “He says you don’t have any will to recover.”
“Why would I want to recover?” she asked. A tear slid down her cheek. Tears came easily these days and she didn’t seem to be able to stop them.
He was quiet for a long time. Only her muffled sobs could be heard in the room.
“Please don’t cry. Perhaps I shouldn’t have threatened you. I didn’t expect you to respond in this manner. You used to be such a fighter.”
She gazed despondently into his eyes. “I have nothing to fight for.”
“You have your life to fight for.”
“My life’s over.”
“It’s not over. It’s just changed. I don’t want to destroy your spirit. It’s part of what I like about you. I wish I was indifferent and it didn’t bother me to see you languish away — but it does. I don’t want you to be terrified of me or fear what might happen to you. I promise to never turn you into a slave. Now rest and heal.”
As Toemeka watched him leave, it felt as if a burden had been lifted. She didn’t feel the heaviness surrounding her anymore. She wondered if Cadmus had been using dark powers to control her and now withdrawn them. She put up a shield of Light to protect her from further mind invasions, then closed her eyes and sang her Soul Song. For the first time since being abducted she felt connected to the eternal life force that always surrounded her. She realized if she stayed in tune with it, she would never fall so low again.
She was usually aware of the Sound Current flowing through her in a steady pulse, giving her life and energy. Being cut off from it was worse than going without food, water or sleep. Her fear of Cadmus combined with the drugs created an opening in her aura that allowed him to use psychic powers, cutting her off from the connection to her higher self.
A Light filled her inner being and she could hear the melody of the Sound Current. She decided to try to reach Michio. She focused her attention on moving out of her body, but it was as if the inner door was closed. She tried for over an hour before giving up and conceding that her spiritual strength was greatly d
epleted. She found a position where her ribs didn’t hurt and fell asleep.
When she awakened, she felt refreshed and uplifted. She decided to fast to help keep her attention on Spirit. She chanted her Soul Song whenever she felt her attention wander throughout the day.
In the afternoon her thoughts turned to Michio and Baymond. She believed they were meant to be a family and Michio would somehow rescue her. It was up to her to recover so she could contact him inwardly and escape.
Toemeka asked Amaretta for pencil and paper. Once she got them, she began drawing a sketch of Michio holding the baby. She became absorbed in her work and found comfort in expressing her love for them in this way. When she was done, she looked at the picture, pleased that it was a good likeness of both of them.
Amaretta watched her draw with fascination. “Your drawing is so lifelike. Who is this man?”
“My husband, Michio. He’s holding our infant son.”
“He’s handsome and the baby’s precious. You must miss them a lot.”
“I do. Someday I hope to reunite with them. I should hide the drawing so Cadmus doesn’t take it from me.” She tucked it under the mattress. “I need a new subject. Would you pose for me?”
“Me? Why would you want to draw me?”
“I like drawing people and you have an interesting face.” She studied Amaretta for a moment, then began sketching, trying to show the woman’s inner beauty and character. Toemeka composed the picture so Amaretta was portrayed as a small figure in a large distorted room, to show the girl’s loneliness and feeling of being trapped by the circumstances of her life.
Once it was completed, Amaretta studied it. “The drawing makes me look so forlorn.”
“If I had oil paints, I would do a full-size painting of you.”
“You’re an oil painter?”
“I painted when I was young, but these last years left me with little time to do any kind of artwork. This afternoon passed quickly for once. I feel almost like myself. Please help me out of bed.”