7. Maggie

Chapter 7

Maggie

I wasn’t sure how to reply to his declaration that he was here for me, so I said nothing. He was a friend. Nothing more. If things got tough, he might bail on me, not once looking back.

And despite how appealing I found him; he was basically an unknown. Sent to find me by my sister, but one other person on this planet who might just as eagerly use me as help me.

I shouldn’t let despair get to me, but it socked me in the belly.

His sturdy presence filled the spaces I hadn’t realized were empty, and I wasn’t sure I could trust in that. I was an independent woman. I didn’t need anyone else. I loved my sister, and I was grateful to have her in my life. But if I had to get by without her, I would. A lesson learned after our parents were killed, and we’d had to find a way to survive .

Was Talia safe with the Zuldruxians? I hoped I’d have the chance to find out.

“You need to turn so I can change,” I said in a sharper tone than I meant to. I wasn’t angry with him but with my situation. He’d stepped into this torturous life and offered me hope I wasn’t sure I dared to cling to.

Anger was better than curling up on my bunk and sobbing.

He spun, presenting me with his backside, and I changed quickly, grimacing as I tugged on the clothing stiff with dried sweat. Despite having water in my room, I hadn’t been able to wash it. How could I be naked or wear only the thin nightie for the time it would take the clothing to dry?

I slid my shoes beneath the bunk, all the way to the wall, and the tunics and pants beneath the stuffed mattress.

“I’m ready,” I said, though was I? I used to love dancing, but being tied to a pole to perform on command tended to beat that joy out of a woman quickly.

He released the lock on the wall and held the end of my chain loosely in his hand. We walked upstairs, where I was assaulted by the sharp tang of spilled liquor, the gyrating beat of Veerenad music, and the heavy gazes of the patrons.

I minced my way across the floor and from the tightening of Davon’s jawline as he glared at my feet, I suspected it was all he could do to resist carrying me over to the platform where I performed each night .

“Dance,” Wortek hissed as I passed him. “Perform well, and I’ll reward you in the morning.”

With what, another rancid meal?

But I nodded and kept a veil of respect on my face, something I’d quickly learned kept him from making threats. He hadn’t hit me. He hadn’t threatened anything sexual. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t.

Davon secured me to my pole, and I worked the stiffness from my body quickly, trying to make the moves seem like they were part of my dance. I couldn’t perform all night if I didn’t do at least the basics to warm up my muscles.

Then I closed my eyes and let the discordant music sink beneath my skin. I twirled and spun, pretending like always that the pole was my dance partner.

Except tonight, I kept picturing it was Davon holding my hand. Him supporting my back as I dipped to the side. His body shielding me from the leers of the crowd.

Dawn cracked open the world, spilling light through the bar’s dingy windows. The lingering patrons were told to leave or, if they couldn’t stumble to their feet and go outside on their own, they were tossed out onto the street. The bartender capped all the bottles, and the lights came on. Soon, workers would stream into the room and start cleaning.

And I was finally released from my pole.

“You did well.” Wortek came over to stand beside me and Davon, the latter holding the end of my chain. He thrust out a wrapped package. “Clothing. This is more attractive than what you’ve got on. Wear it three nights from now. I’ve got a special guest coming, and you need to look good.”

“When will I be given a night off?” I asked politely. “Every worker deserves at least one per week.” More than that, but I’d start there. If I could get out of this bar, I might be able to find a way to get free. Davon had insisted he’d help me, but he still may not have a plan.

“You don’t need time off.”

“I do if you don’t want me to collapse from exhaustion.”

Wortek snarled and advanced on me, his claws lifted.

Davon slipped between us, making it look like he’d inadvertently stepped forward and just happened to get in Wortek’s way.

“She’s right,” he said. “Can you see the lines on her face? She needs better nutrition. Time to rest.”

“She sleeps all day long already,” he snapped.

“She needs more than that.” How could Davon sound so reasonable, so ingratiating? “Think. If she’s exhausted, she won’t perform well. Customers will be unhappy, and they’ll drink elsewhere. Your special guest will not be impressed with that, will they?”

Wortek scowled. “Alright. You can have half a night off but not for a few days. Dance well, female, between now and then, or you’ll feel this.” He lifted his fist. “Once my important guest leaves, you can take the rest of that night off.” His gaze sought Davon’s. “She can pace around inside her room. That’s time off.”

“On a short leash?” he asked. “Not to be unkind, but that’s not much of a break. Do you pace a room during your time away from the bar?”

“I sleep. Find a willing Veerenad female. Walk around the market.”

“Let her do that,” Davon said.

“Find a willing Veerenad?” Wortek’s low, chittering laugh rang out.

“I could take her to the market. Walk her around. Let her see the beauty of this city.”

Now he was laying it on thick. Yet I watched them both with a spark of hope flickering deep inside me. If Davon could get me away from this bar, we’d be able to make a plan.

Or escape. How long would it take for Wortek to realize we weren’t coming back?

“I’ll keep a close grip on her chain and bring her back by morning,” Davon added.

“Not much of a market at night.”

“I’ve seen some vendors open at all hours.”

He grumbled before he nodded his snout. “Alright. You will stay with her. Don’t let her get away or I’ll find you.”

Wortek never made empty threats.

“Take her back downstairs.” He turned away. “Don’t linger with her this morning.”

I froze, keeping my face neutral. Did Wortek know Davon had helped me, how he was giving me the hope I needed to make it through this alive?

“Why would I linger with a human?” Davon elbowed Wortek as if they were buddies talking about their latest lay. “She’s too puny for a Zuldruxian male. Have you seen our females? Four breasts, and they’re not projectiles on their chest. Flat like they should be. And I’m partial to blue skin.”

“Scales are far superior, but I see what you mean.” Wortek released a cackle, sharing a fang-toothed grin with Davon. “I can’t imagine how human males find them appealing enough to plant their eggs.”

Eggs? But they were lizard people and maybe closer to crocodiles than I’d realized. Although, crocs laid eggs, they didn’t plant them inside a female.

Veerenad procreation didn’t matter as long as it wasn’t directed my way.

“I appreciate your willingness to interact with this human,” Wortek said, turning back. “Especially when you can’t stand to look at her.”

Davon grunted and escorted me downstairs. He lingered in the doorway while I washed my hands and splashed water on my face. It trickled down beneath my top, cooling my overheated body.

“I’ll bring food soon,” he said softly. “Wait for me.”

Don’t fall asleep like always, then. I was so exhausted, it was all I could do to remain on my feet, but my belly spasmed with hunger. I was incredibly thirsty. And the meal Davon had brought was not only filling but tasty .

Once he’d left for the day, I’d wash quickly in the sink and dress in one of the outfits he’d given me. Then I could sleep. Blessed, wonderful sleep—the only escape I could find from this wretched place.

“Thank you for everything,” I said softly. “Do you have a plan yet?”

“The start of one,” he whispered. His tusks flashed in the low light when he smiled, stunning me until I shook my head to clear it. “I’ve got provisions ready. Clothing. Your skin would burn in the desert.”

“When can we leave?”

“I’d thought tomorrow morning but maybe in the excitement after the upcoming guest visit?”

“Perfect.” Despite being tired, I wanted to hop around. Hug him.

I couldn’t hug him.

The food he brought me nourished me, but it was his calm strength that kept me going ,plus his determination to get me out of here and take me to my sister.

I’d already come to appreciate the quiet way he moved, the way he’d gently touch my shoulder as he urged me off the dance platform, as if he knew I needed that bit of encouragement and support. And the way he watched me with the flames of protection in his eyes. He’d kept everyone away from me while I danced as if I was a princess and him my bodyguard.

And look at him, manipulating Wortek into not only giving me some time off, but making him believe he had no interest in me at all.

Did he have interest in me outside of rescue? He couldn’t believe I was his mate. If he did, he would’ve acted on that, right?

Instead, he behaved like my older, overprotective brother. I’d caught myself watching the play of his muscles across his shoulders and the slick way he could slice through even the hint of a fight among the crowd more often than I’d liked. I didn’t like the way my heart warmed when I felt his gaze land on me.

It would be wrong of me to want anything else from this male than friendship.

“I’ll be back shortly,” he said. “If I take long, it’ll be because I’m waiting to make sure Wortek isn’t coming back down from his rooms.”

I nodded and dropped onto the side of the bunk. Just resting. As long as I remained upright, I wouldn’t fall asleep.

Davon left, and I was soon contemplating flopping onto the bed and napping. Not sleep; just a nap. Tipping my head back, I closed my eyes.

My body swayed . . .

Footsteps echoed overhead, and I jerked awake. The door at the top of the stairs opened.

Davon appeared at my doorway with a big metal thing perched on his shoulder.

When he set it on the floor, I stared at it a moment before realizing what it was.

“A tub?” I croaked, gaping up at him.

“I’ll bring hot water from the kitchen. Wait?”

I’d be excited even if he filled it with cold water.

A bath.

“Davon,” I breathed, my eyes stinging with tears. “You don’t have to do this.”

His steady gaze met mine. “Sure I do. And so much more.”

I launched myself at him, knocking him back a step or two before his arms went around me to hold me steady. As I looked up at him, I felt like the world was exploding, as if everything wrong in my life had suddenly found its way right.

His breathing stuttered as he stared down at me. His gaze drifted across my face before focusing on my mouth. Did he want to kiss me?

Heat flooded my face. Of course he didn’t. He was a friend, someone sent by my sister to help me, not a romantic interest for me.

It would be very easy to care for this man.

That scared me, and I backed away from him. “Thank you.” My voice came out much too shaky. “You don’t know what this means to me.”

“I think I do. I want you to have something good in your life. A bath isn’t much, but if I can give you comfort, I will.”

I nodded.

“I won’t be long.” He turned and trudged from my room and down the hall, his boots thumping on the stairs. It didn’t take him long to fill the tub. While steam skimmed across the surface, he backed from the room. “I’ll stand at the top of the stairs. No one will pass me.”

Pure heaven awaited me. I couldn’t stop grinning.

I stripped quickly and sunk into the bath, leaning back against the smooth metal. Heat poured through my limbs, and I’d never felt anything as wonderful as this.

My moan of joy ripped out.

Thuds echoed on the stairs, and Davon appeared in the doorway, clutching the frame, his gaze frantic as he sought threats in the room before focusing on me.

“Are you hurt?” he growled. “I will kill anything that comes near you.”