Twin lamps burned outside the gateway but nothing could make the place feel welcoming. Jannike scowled at the nervous anxiety in the pit of her stomach. She could do this. Forcing aside memories of months spent rotting in a similar place on another planet, she strode to the sturdy gate and pounded on it with her fist. A guard slid a viewing slot open and peered through.
“Whatcha’ want?” He spat a wad of chewing tobacco at her feet.
“Did a woman prisoner arrive earlier?”
“Don’t give info for free.”
Jannike stilled. “What did you have in mind?”
The tall lanky male looked her up and down. “Kiss and a feel of ya tits for starters.”
“All right.”
The guard opened the gate and sauntered out. Face expressionless, Jannike leaned over and kissed his mouth. She winced at the hands that gripped her breasts and willed herself not to react. After allowing the groping for thirty secs, she pulled away.
“No prisoners due until tomorrow.” The guard spat again, this time hitting her boot. Her mouth tightened. “New shipment from the hulks on Ibrox due then.”
“So you haven’t received any new prisoners this evening, either male or female?”
“Nah, could do with a little female company though. Liked the feel of ya tits. Don’t suppose you wanna let me dip my wick?”
“No.” Jannike had promised herself she’d never use her body as a bargaining tool again. She had her limits. “Thanks for the info.”
Jannike hurried back to the hotel. When she slipped inside, Ry was still asleep. Nanu and Kaya had claimed floor space, and both sat up when she entered. Mogens’ skin glowed an eerie black, almost blending into the darkness. She should have been used to it but seeing him this way always brought discomfort.
“Did you find her?” Kaya asked.
“No.” Jannike wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “Do we have anything to drink?” She could still feel the guard’s moist mouth on hers, his grubby hands groping her breasts. Shuddering, she accepted the bottle of grog from Nanu. Tipping back her head, she took a long draft. “I don’t know where Camryn is because they didn’t take her to the jail.”
“What do we do?” Kaya asked. “Where is she?”
“Nothing can be done now,” Mogens said. “We should rest. Tomorrow, we hunt.”
“Ry is meant to go to the governor’s house tomorrow to talk with Gweneth and collect the winner’s purse.” Nanu said what they were all thinking.
“He won’t marry her,” Jannike said.
Not one of the crew disagreed with her.
Ry woke and bolted upright in bed to see his crew sleeping on the floor. Apart from Camryn. Hazy memories returned—winning the race, the ball. Talor departing without making good on his promise. His fight with Camryn.
She’d left.
“Jannike,” he barked, recoiling at the pain slicing through his head. He probed a sore spot with his fingers and winced.
“Aye, Captain.” Jannike woke alert and ready to take action.
“Where’s Camryn?”
“We don’t know. She’s not at the jail.”
“Talor?”
Jannike frowned. “I’m not sure.”
Kaya stood and switched her weight from one foot to the other. She stared at her feet before blurting, “I told Talor about our plans.”
“What?” Nanu howled, springing to his feet. “Yep died because of you!” He launched himself at Kaya, attacking with his fists. She didn’t try to fight back. Blood spurted from her nose. Her head snapped back, hitting the wall before Jannike dragged Nanu away.
“Let her talk,” Mogens said.
“I met Talor during one of our trips to Ibrox. I didn’t know who he was since I hadn’t been on the
Indy
for long and he doesn’t look like Ry. We spent time together. I liked him,” she mumbled, heightened color in her cheeks.
“Go on,” Ry said, his stomach tight with tension. Where the blue blazes was Camryn? Was this Kaya’s fault?
“When I found out who he was, I tried to stay away. I couldn’t. He’d tell me to meet with him again and I would. I couldn’t stop myself.”
“Compulsion,” Mogens said. “It’s obvious your brother has the power to coerce. Just as I said before.”
“Did you tell him anything about Camryn?” Ry stood and concentrated on Kaya even though his head ached. Although he wanted to blame her, he couldn’t. He knew his brother.
Kaya shook her head. “No…well, I did. But there wasn’t much to tell Talor, apart from the details of our hell-horse and what we intended to do. Thankfully, he didn’t always ask the right questions.”
“Ah, Captain, you might want to put on some clothes,” Jannike said.
“No point dressing fully,” Ry said, grabbing his trousers. “I’m going to shift and search for Camryn.”
“But someone will see you,” Jannike protested. “You’ll cause a riot.”
“Too bad. It’s the easiest way for me to search for Camryn.”
Mogens faded into gray before seeping back to black. “You’ll heal better in feline form.”
“What about the wedding?” Nanu asked.
Ry growled. “I don’t want to marry the governor’s daughter.”
His crew all looked at one another before Jannike spoke. “But, Ry, what about the currency? If you refuse to marry the woman the governor won’t hand it over.”
“I know. Let’s find Camryn first then we’ll worry about the wedding and dowry.” Picturing his feline, he shifted, fur rippling across his skin, the magic of the change reshaping bones and limbs until he stood on all fours, waiting for his crew. When they stared, he growled and followed up with a warning bark. They erupted into action, all dressed in secs flat.
Jannike opened the door and peered outside before standing aside to let him out. Frankly he didn’t care if anyone saw him. All he wanted was Camryn.
Ry prowled down the stairs and heard his crew clomping behind him. Impatiently he waited for them to open the door leading to the street. He burst outside, the hurried footsteps behind telling him his crew followed where he led.
* * * * *
Camryn stalked the perimeter of the luxurious bedroom. Her prison. Behind the sumptuous velvetlike curtains stout bars blocked an exit via the window. The thick door remained locked despite her vehement protests. She had no idea of the time but the scant light entering the small barred window told her it was still dark. She paced the confines once again and opened her mind, searching for Ry. Nothing.
“Damn and blast,” she muttered, kicking the door when she passed. “Shit.” Camryn limped a few steps when pain radiated from her toes and up her leg. At least it wasn’t the same leg the hell-horse had bitten during the race. That was still a little tender. She had no idea what Mogens put in his green paste but it was a wonder, promoting rapid healing. She limped over to the bed and flexed her toes. A double bed, she noted with a healthy dose of unease. They’d have to hold her down before she’d have sex with that short tub of lard.
Tiredness pulled at her as she tried to connect with Ry again. Like an unwelcome rash, he appeared whenever she didn’t want him. Right now she’d give just about anything to see him walking through the door. Because she felt pissed and bore the stubborn gene, she stood and limped around the room once more, the thick floor covering muting her footsteps. The lap of luxury and she wanted out.
“Camryn,” the whispery sound floated from the corner of the room.
She froze, rooted to the spot, every sense working to relay information to her doubting brain. No one was present. She was alone.
“Camryn.” This time the voice was familiar.
“Ga-Gabriel?”
A faint form shimmered before her, and she blinked to clear her vision. “Trust your instincts, Camryn,” he whispered. “Love the cat.”
“But I…I l-love you.” Shock made her stutter.
The form glided across the floor and hovered, a little scary but also mesmerizing. “You have a huge heart. Room for another.”
“No!” Camryn blurted. “I failed you.”
“Never,” he said. “Go with love sweet, Camryn.” Gabriel’s form started to fade.
“No, don’t go.” Her heart drummed in choppy, audible beats. She reached out, trying to grasp him, stop him, but her fingers groped air. And then there was nothing.
She blinked. Had she imagined him? Blast it, she had to leave before she went mad.
Another survey of the room confirmed her findings. There was no way out, and depressed, she slumped on the bed.
Camryn woke suddenly, at a loss to explain what had disturbed her slumber. A click directed her attention to the door. It opened before she had a chance to hide.
“Hello, my dear,” the governor said.
The woman with the orange, yellow and red hair stood aside to let the tubby man enter.
“It’s very early. I didn’t think you’d be awake.”
“So why did you come here?” Camryn demanded, moving away from the bed. The gleam in the man’s eyes made her uneasy. Surely he didn’t expect her to welcome him? “I need my beauty sleep.”
“Enough,” the woman snapped, her gaze hard. “You will not speak to the governor in that manner. Some respect please.”
“When he earns it,” Camryn gritted out.
The governor ignored her outburst and surveyed her as if she was a new purchase and unfamiliar. “She smells. Arrange a bath and the usual grooming. Clothes—I’ll leave to your discretion.”
“Don’t I have a say in this?” Camryn asked snidely.
The governor chuckled. “No, my dear. No choice whatsoever.”
“Very well,” the woman said and her nose wrinkled as if she didn’t relish the chore. “It will be done.”
“I will visit tomorrow night,” the governor said with a lingering look at Camryn.
Camryn suppressed her shudder. She knew what thoughts ran through the pervert’s mind. At least Ry had given her a choice and hadn’t forced himself on her. She’d taken one look at the hunky alien and hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him.
“Sweet dreams, my dear,” the governor said. “I look forward to tomorrow night.” He walked out with the woman following two steps behind. The door closed and the lock clicked into place.
Camryn closed her eyes, despair creeping up on her. No! Ry and his crew would find her. She knew they would.
Ten minutes passed. No longer tired, Camryn paced. The lock slid back again and the door opened. The boss woman entered along with two men bearing a large tub. Several other ladies followed, carrying buckets of steaming water. The men set the tub down and moved back against the wall while the ladies poured the water into the tub and left the room.
“Strip,” the woman in charge said.
Camryn glanced at the two silent men and frowned before returning her attention to the woman.
“If you do not strip the men will do it for you.” Amusement colored her voice and Camryn sighed.
Slowly she let her cape drop away. “I will need help with the buttons.”
“Georges, help her with her buttons,” the woman directed.
Camryn could tell by the curl of her lips the woman expected an argument. A glance at the two men told Camryn there was no point offering resistance. Better to pick her fights.
Georges walked over to her, and Camryn offered her back. His big fingers fumbled the buttons and soon her gown gaped, only held up by her hands at her breast.
“Continue,” the woman said.
Camryn let the dress slip to the ground. She stepped out of the pool of fabric and rolled down her stockings.
The ladies arrived again with more water. One added a vial of oil to the bath and soon a floral scent reminiscent of lavender filled the room. Another placed a small container of something on the lip of the bath while another carried towels.
Showtime, Camryn thought with a wry twist of lips. She unfastened her stays and chemise, tossing both aside. Her nose rose in the air when she glanced at the woman in charge. “I presume the bath is for me?”
“What is that on your back?” The woman grabbed her shoulder and roughly turned her to face to door. A gasp of horror escaped. “Out,” she ordered. “Everyone out. You, take her dirty clothes with you.”
The two men halted their perusal of her breasts and snapped to attention, marching from the room at the order. After gathering her soiled clothes, the ladies with the buckets followed. The door shut, leaving Camryn alone with the agitated woman.
“You wear the mark of the cat.” Accusation shaded her words and her brow creased in a mighty frown.
Camryn didn’t understand her acute about-face. What did the tattoo mean? Ry didn’t know. His strange tattoo puzzled him. Mogens knew nothing, or if he did, he wasn’t saying while the rest of the crew hadn’t seen the tattoo. Mogens thought it related to Ry’s race. Lately he kept muttering about mates.
After a long pause, Camryn decided to follow gut instinct. She lifted her chin. “Yes, I do.”
“This changes everything. Take your bath. A maid will bring you clean clothes and food.” Then she strode from the room.
Camryn waited for her to lock the door but didn’t hear the click announcing her imprisonment. She darted forward to test the door and found it open when she twisted the handle. Whatever the mark of the cat meant, it had rattled the woman. She shut the door, frowning. Difficult to go anywhere without clothes. Camryn walked to the bath, deciding to take advantage of the warm water. The water splashed when she climbed in. Warm and fragrant, it came up to her breasts. She leaned back with a soft groan of pleasure. She scrubbed the dried mud off her feet and washed her entire body. Although tempted to linger, she climbed out. Heedless of the puddles she left, Camryn marched over to the bed and dried herself, wincing at the tender spot on her back. The mysterious tattoo. She wished she could see it properly. The tender didn’t have mirrors, and she’d had to rely on Ry and Mogens to describe it—a leaping black feline, according to them.
The door opened and a woman entered bearing a set of clothes. A second bore a tray of food. They stared at her back, their gazes full of curiosity.
Camryn accepted the clothes and yanked on the chemise, frowning at the lace and silky fabric. Fine and transparent, meant to attract a man. Her scowl intensified. No way did she want to entice the fat tub of lard. Every time she looked at him, she pictured a frog.