Authors: Sarah Bale
The sky was turning dark as the sun set. Rowdy voices sang
as their owners left the Wooden Brothel and Lexi watched from the tree she sat
under. No one had bothered her and she wasn’t surprised. Without Ian, she wasn’t
considered a threat. And she was sure news of the king’s treatment of her had
made its way to the brothel.
The doors swung open and she finally saw the person she had
been waiting for. Colleen sauntered out yelling a goodbye to someone inside the
bar. She was surprised to see the woman wearing a dress that covered her body
and a cape, much like the one Lexi wore.
When Colleen saw her sitting under the tree, she whistled. “So
it’s true? Ian has been captured and the king sent you away? I thought Matthew
was just high but I guess I was wrong.”
Lexi stood and said, “I need your help.”
“Now, why would I help the likes of you? What’s in it for
me?”
Lexi grabbed onto the woman’s arm and saw her most hidden
thoughts. An infant, probably a few months old, lay sleeping in a crib in the
back of a small house. Colleen had lied to everyone, saying she had gotten rid
of the child. But she hadn’t. She had kept the baby, hoping that one day she
could take care of her away from the Wooden Brothel and all its sins. Lexi
wasn’t above using blackmail to get what she wanted—Ian safely in her arms.
“Because you don’t want anyone to know about the baby you’re
hiding at your house. That wouldn’t be good for business, now would it?”
Colleen’s eyes widened and she looked around to see if
anyone had overheard.
“What do you want?”
Lexi said in a low tone, “Take me to your house. I don’t
want anyone to overhear us, despite what you are thinking at this moment.”
Colleen nodded and led her down a narrow path. She would
have never seen it if it hadn’t been for the other woman. They soon approached
several small homes, if they could even be called that. They reminded Lexi of
shacks, barely providing enough shelter from the elements.
“Why do you live like this? The homes in Sapphire City are
built to be sturdy.”
Colleen huffed and replied, “We don’t choose to live like
this, lady. We live like this because it’s our only option. The king made sure
we’re punished in every way imaginable.”
King Loren controlled what goods left Sapphire City Lexi
realized after seeing some more of Colleen’s thoughts. He was intentionally
sending out the minimal so that those who questioned him suffered. Her body
shook in anger. How dare he abuse his power in that way?
“I had no idea. I apologize.”
“Don’t feel sorry for us. We find our own ways to get by,
which pisses the old man off, I’d imagine.”
Colleen led her inside the last shack. A dim light flickered
in the room and Lexi wondered how that place could be the same place she had
seen in Colleen’s thoughts. It was empty, except for a chair by the window.
Colleen strode to the rug on the wooden floor and moved it aside revealing a
hatch.
“King Loren thinks he is punishing us by controlling our
supplies. What the old man doesn’t realize is that the soil is more than
willing to provide us with the shelter we need.”
She opened the hatch and stepped aside so Lexi could go down
first. Stairs made of hard packed clay descended into darkness but she wasn’t
afraid. She walked down until she reached the bottom. A lit candle sat on a
shelf waiting for them and she picked it up.
“My neighbor always makes sure there is a light ready for
me. I don’t know what I would do without her.” Colleen said.
They reached another door and Colleen opened it, revealing
the home from her thoughts. It was warm and cozy and reminded Lexi of her old
home back in Oklahoma.
“Do you want me to get the baby?”
Fear rippled off Colleen and Lexi shook her head, feeling
guilty.
“No. Please forgive me for using your child to scare you. I
desperately need your help and it was the only way I could get you to
cooperate.”
Relief danced across Colleen’s face and then she asked, “How
did you know about my baby? Not even my closest friends know I kept her and
believe me, it wasn’t an easy task to accomplish.”
Lexi knew she could trust the woman and replied, “I saw her
in your thoughts.”
“You can see my thoughts?” When Lexi nodded, Colleen went
on, “Then I will surely help you.”
“I need to find a way to get inside the Witches’ palace.
Preferably without being captured.”
Horror danced across Colleen’s face and she exclaimed, “But
that’s impossible. You have to know this.”
“I think there may be a way, which is why I wanted your
help. What do you know about the Witches’ army?”
“They are men who have been captured by the Witches and
trained to do what they are told without being questioned. They cannot be
trusted.”
“But what if I told you I found a chip in their armor?
Something the Witches didn’t think about that is going to work in our favor.”
Colleen’s eyes lit up with understanding and she replied, “Then
I would say you just might have a chance.”
“I thought so. Do you know where they stay when they aren’t
on duty?”
Colleen stood and strolled to a small bookshelf. She pulled
down a parchment and unrolled it.
“This is a map of Sinoda. If King Loren knew we had it he’d
be furious.”
“What King Loren doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
Colleen grinned and pointed to the map. “Look it over and
tell me what you see.”
Sapphire City was in the center of the map but what she
noticed right away was the design.
“It’s a square.” Brian’s words echoed in her mind. “Or a box…”
Colleen nodded. “Yes. King Loren thought it was safer to
build the realm like this but he was wrong. This layout has made him a prisoner
in his own city. He can’t travel anywhere because it’s not safe.”
“Where is the Witches’ palace on the map?”
“Right here.”
Colleen pointed to the north of Sapphire City. The area was
called Stone Canyon and Lexi could see why after visiting there.
“And this is where the Witches’ army lives.”
On the outskirts of Stone Canyon was a small town. It was so
insignificant that it could be easy to miss.
“The head guard’s name is Carter. He is Ian’s equal in every
way and he is the one you will need on your side.”
“I think I met him today. Does he have a scar on his face?”
Colleen nodded. “Yes. He got the scar the day the Witches
tried to force his younger brother into joining them.”
Lexi didn’t have to ask what happened. The brother had died
and Carter’s scar had been a small taste of the pain he had gone through for
defying them.
“I have to warn you, though. Carter won’t be easy to win
over and you will more than likely get hurt in the process. Pain is his
specialty.”
She shivered as she remembered his green eyes. “I’ll do what
I have to.”
“Then I want to offer you something that might help you.”
Colleen led her into the back room where a small baby slept
in a crib. Lexi was surprised when she could see the child’s dreams.
“She is happy and she loves you,” Lexi said.
Colleen’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I try my best
for her.” She went to a chest and pulled out a dress similar to the one she
wore at the brothel. “If you’re going to face the Witches’ army then you’ll
need something different to wear.”
Colleen turned so Lexi could get dressed. Lexi took off her
clothes and slid the dress on. The rose-colored dress was see-through in all
the right places. It was probably the sexiest thing she had ever worn in her
life and made her feel empowered.
“Very good. They won’t be able to resist you.”
She wondered what Ian would say if he could see her now but
shoved the idea away. She couldn’t think of him. It was too much of a risk and
made her vulnerable. Something she couldn’t afford right now.
“Thank you for your help, Colleen. I hope I can repay you
one day.” She paused then continued, “But I have one more favor to ask of you.”
Colleen helped her put her cape on and replied, “I think you’ll
help us all in ways you can’t begin to understand. And I think I know what
you’re going to ask. Let me leave my baby with my neighbor and then we can
leave.”
Lexi nodded as she waited for Colleen to make sure her child
was taken care of. When she returned, the two left the tiny house hidden under
the earth. The dark air enveloped them as they stepped outside and Lexi knew
she had only a short amount of time to find Carter. Her entire plan depended on
it.
The path toward Stone Canyon was surprisingly easy to follow
even in the dark. With each step she took, she felt a change coming. She might
not be the One but she was going to make the Witches fight to bring her down.
Lights ahead alerted her that they were almost to the tiny
town that the army lived in.
Colleen said, “The guards work in twenty-four-hour shifts.
Carter should be somewhere in the town. His next shift starts when the sun rises
so we don’t have much time.”
“Are you sure you want to do this? I know I’m asking a lot
of you.”
Colleen smiled. “I’m sure.”
Lexi put the hood up on her cape and made sure her dress
couldn’t be seen. She didn’t want to be recognized.
A man stepped in front of them and said, “You must be lost.
There is no way in hell someone would come here willingly.”
Colleen stepped forward. “That is where you’re wrong. We’re looking
for Carter.”
A surprised look flashed across his face before he laughed. “Then
let me show you the way.”
He grabbed Colleen’s arm and pulled her roughly down the
dirt path. Lexi followed, her heart pounding in fear. She prayed this was a
good idea. Men stepped from their tents to watch. They seemed surprised to see
two women in their small city. Thoughts of longing and desire drifted toward
her and she forced herself not to get lost in them. They were all so very
lonely.
Instead of taking them to one of the tents, the guard led
them to an opening in a cave. Though she couldn’t see him, she could hear
Carter’s thoughts inside. He was thinking about their encounter earlier that
day and how much he had wanted her. What an interesting twist of fate.
“Carter, you have some visitors,” the man yelled out, his
voice echoing off the walls.
“I specifically said I didn’t want to be bothered.”
“You’re going to want to see this.”
Carter came around the corner. She was surprised to find he
wore only a loincloth of sorts but even more shocked to see what a beautiful,
chiseled body he had.
“I thought I told you not to show your face around here
again.” To Colleen he said, “And you…I told you I don’t pay for sex.”
Lexi tried to ignore the murderous vibe he was putting off
and replied, “I was hoping we could talk about that.”
Carter stared at her and then said to the man, “Leave us and
see that we aren’t disturbed.”
The man’s mouth dropped open but he didn’t argue. Lexi knew
as he left that he would immediately tell others that Carter was alone with two
women, which meant her time was even more precious.
Carter made a circle around her and stopped so that her only
way to exit the cave was blocked. He was sizing her up to see how she would
respond. She took in a deep breath and held his gaze.
“Why have you returned? I didn’t think you had a death wish,
my lady.”
“I need your help.”
A short laugh left his lips. “My help? Now that is humorous.
What makes you think I would even want to help you? What would I get out of it?”
“You’ll help me because you’re tired of the Witches ruling
your every movement.”
His dislike of the Witches was so strong that she could even
see how he had thought about killing them. Each thought was more graphic than
the next and she knew that pain was indeed his specialty. Over time, it had
become a way for him to get rid of tension too.
“As for what you will get out of it…well…I think we can come
to an understanding.”
She took a step forward and pushed her cape over her
shoulders. His green eyes ran up and down her body until she felt her nipples
tighten under his stare. His lust was so contagious that she felt herself
getting lost in it. And if the bump causing his loincloth to rise like a tent
was any indication, she wasn’t the only one being affected.
“And what kind of understanding did you have in mind?”
His voice broke the spell she was falling under and she
shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
“My body for one night in exchange for your help getting
into the Witches’ palace.” He started to speak but she cut him off, “And I don’t
mean entrance into the palace because I have been captured, either. I want you
to get me in and help me find my friends.”
He chuckled. “You seem to think your body is worth its
weight in gold. What if I don’t think your offer is good enough?”
He was bluffing and she knew it. He wanted her so much that
he was having a hard time keeping his hands off her.
“Oh I’m worth it. Just ask Colleen.”
He glanced at the madam before shaking his head.
“No deal, lady. I’m going to give you a chance to get out of
here before I decide to kill you. Please don’t try to come back again. I don’t
make the same mistake twice.”
He moved so she could leave but she didn’t. Instead, she
stepped in front of him and took her cape off, letting it fall to the dirt
floor of the cave.
“We aren’t finished here. I know you aren’t going to kill
me.”
“And how do you know this?”
She ran her hand down his muscular chest until she reached
his loincloth. He was already hard but when she cupped him, he grew in her
hand.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stop.” His voice
was thick with lust and Lexi shivered in fear.
“I don’t want to stop. I want to help you just as you want
to help me, Carter.”
He turned so that she was pinned against the stone. Hot
breath hit her ear right before he nipped her neck. She pulled him close,
catching his mouth for a kiss. His kiss was rushed, as if he were afraid it
would end but she wasn’t going anywhere.
He fisted her hair and pulled, causing her to moan.
“It’s not you that I want…”
She met his gaze and then nodded. He let her go and she was
glad. Colleen went up to him and rubbed his cheek.
“How long has it been?”
He replied, “Twenty years and just as long since someone
used my real name.”
She ran her hand through his hair as he kissed his way down
her neck. Carter shoved the dress down, revealing Colleen’s breast. Their
building desire was contagious and she closed her eyes, savoring the moment.
Carter had wanted Colleen for a long time.
“Do it,” Colleen urged him.
He dropped to his knees and caught her nipple between his
teeth. Though it had been twenty years for him, he still knew what he was doing
and her head fell back in pleasure. He sucked and nibbled while his hands moved
under her dress. Lexi watched as Colleen’s hip bucked.
“Oh yes, Carter,” she breathed out.
“This dress has to go,” he said right before he ripped it
from her body, tossing it aside.
Lexi could feel Colleen’s excitement. His mouth was setting
the other woman’s blood on fire, which was also creating some very graphic
mental images. Carter kissed a trail down her body and she moaned when he
reached her hip.
“Carter,” she whispered.
Hearing his name again unleashed more feelings and Lexi had
to lean against the stone wall for support. There were so many emotions coming
from him that it made her head swirl. He stood and tore his loincloth off. Lexi
admired his body. He was breathtaking, even nude. Even the scars on his skin
didn’t take away from his beauty.
“Wrap your legs around me.”
Lexi’s gaze snapped from his body as Colleen did as she was
told. He slid into her with a sigh. He was still for a moment and Lexi blinked
her tears away as several thoughts crossed his mind. He was thinking of the
lover he had lost so long ago and of the life he never had.
“Carter,” Colleen said into his ear. “I want you right now.”
He began to move, slowly at first. Colleen’s nails scraped
down his back and he lost control. He pressed Colleen’s back into the stone,
right next to where Lexi stood. Lexi’s heart began to pound as an unknown power
began to take over her own body. With each thrust that Colleen and Carter
shared, Lexi felt stronger and more alive.
Colleen’s throaty moan filled the air, as did Carter’s as
they reached their climaxes but Lexi barely noticed. She could see inside
Carter’s mind but this time she was able to touch his thoughts. He wanted to be
saved. Closing her eyes, she used her new power to heal this broken man. But
each moment became more intense and her own body was responding as if she were
having sex, too.
“What’s happening?” Carter questioned.
She opened her eyes to find that his once green eyes were
now turning a light shade of blue. Her orgasm was quickly building and she
couldn’t stop it from taking over her body. She cried out as her pussy clenched
and she shuddered in pleasure.
Colleen reached out and grabbed her hand.
“Are you okay, Lexi?”
Blinking, she replied, “Yes.” To Carter she asked, “What did
you feel just a moment ago?”
“You were in my head, my lady. You…you saved me.”
“I felt something, too.” Colleen added. “I felt peace. Was
that your doing?”
Lexi nodded. “Yes, I believe so. And I think I can save
everyone here.”
“May I have a turn?” another voice asked.
Lexi lifted her head and saw the three of them were no longer
alone. About thirty men stood inside the cave and she could tell exactly what
they all wanted. They wanted to be saved as their leader had. And several of
them also wanted Colleen.
“I won’t ask you to do this,” she whispered to the other
woman.
Colleen grinned. “Oh but I want to. Thirty men with sex
drive like this one?” She nodded her head toward Carted. “Sign me up.”
Lexi turned to Carter. “Have the men prepare a bed for
Colleen.”
Carter leaned forward and said into her ear, “You have
helped me, my lady. I’m not sure what you did but I no longer feel the hate
inside my soul that I once did. If you help my men then I will do whatever it
is you ask of me.”
She gazed into his blue eyes and nodded. “I will do what I
can for them.”
Carter motioned for one of the men to hand him a blanket and
he laid it on the ground for Colleen.
Taking his hand, she lowered herself to the ground and
waited. Excitement and lust buzzed throughout the air and Lexi inhaled,
savoring it. Their feelings would fuel her own and she would be able to save
them all.
Lexi’s eyes drifted shut as the first man entered Colleen.
His thoughts were of the wife he had lost because of the Witches. As before,
each thrust brought a change within her own body, though she wasn’t even being
touched. Fire burned in her soul and she knew this was what Brian had been
talking about. She reached out to save this man and he cried out.
Over and over, she saved each man until she felt herself
rising to a euphoric state. Time stood still as she entered their minds. Pains
were healed and she knew she needed them in order to become what she was meant
to be. Their cries of pleasure echoed off the walls until it sounded like a
chant of sorts.
Carter’s voice reached her as he said, “My lady, we are
healed.”
Her eyes opened and found herself cradled in Carter’s arms. When
had she fallen? Colleen still lay on the blanket, her skin glistening with
sweat. Lexi inhaled. The scent of sex was so strong inside the cave that it
made her moan. Two of the men pushed through the rest carrying two large metal
tubs.
“We will wash you now, my ladies,” he said as he bowed at
the waist. She noticed that his eyes we the same color of blue that Carter’s
were.
“Have everyone’s eyes changed?” she whispered.
Carter nodded. “Yes, my lady. You have saved us, just as we
all prayed would happen one day.”
“Lexi. Please call me Lexi.”
Carter smiled. “No, my lady. You deserved to be called a
name of respect.”
Colleen added, “They are right, you know. You saved them…and
me.”
The men filled the tubs with hot water and oils. Carter
gently set her in the tub and she sighed as the water caressed her skin.
Someone began washing her hair, knowing hands massaging her scalp until she
felt as if her bones were turning to mush. More oil was added to the water and
the ache in her head went away.
When she was thoroughly bathed, Carter helped her from the
tub and dried her off with a soft linen.
“Since your dresses are no longer an option, I brought some
clothing for you to wear. I think this will help you get into the palace too.”
He held up a pair of black pants and a green tank top, an
outfit so similar to the one Ian had on the first day she met him that it took
her breath away.
“As for your hair, I think we can hide it under the helmet.”
Lexi took the clothes from Carter and dressed. For the first
time since she had been in Sinoda, she felt like herself.
“I want to thank each of you for helping me. I know you are
risking your lives and I will do everything in my power to make sure you are
freed when this is over.”
Carter shook his head and said, “No, it is us who should
thank you. You have already freed us. Getting even with those evil bitches is
just icing on the cake.”
Colleen said, “I’ll just stay here, if you don’t mind. No
need getting myself killed.”
“Of course.” To the men, Lexi said, “Let’s come up with a
plan.”
The men gathered around her, ready to do whatever it was
going to take to rescue Ian and Andrew. With each suggestion, she felt her
heart soar. She was going to get the man of her dreams back and then they could
live happily ever after.