21. Meera

"This is it. Your chance to get revenge. Make the most of it, Meera." I take a deep breath to steady myself and confidently walk to the entrance of the auction house.

Four guards are standing at the door, two on each side. I feel my heart beating faster when I recognize three of them.

For a moment, I hesitate. I lower the hood on my head to obscure my face even more and quickly jump to the side, hiding behind an ornamental tree-like statue.

Those are some of the cruel xaphan guards who captured me! I think I remember their names… Vork, Hagnos, and Rorth…What if they overpower me again?

My head is spinning, and the coldness of my skin surprises me when I wipe the sweat off my forehead.

I want to run away! I want to…

Suddenly, I hear Kavian's voice in my head, reminding me to stay focused and remember the plan.

A calmness flows over me and my heart starts to calm down.

I slowly inhale and exhale before straightening my back. I walk out behind the statue and head directly for the guards.

The tallest one, Hagnos, notices me first.

"Hey, halt! Who are you? What's your business here?"

The other three look over at me, their eyes alert.

"Oh, you don't remember me?" I put a hand on my chest. "Well, that just hurt my feelings. Surely, you know who I am?"

I whip the hood off my head and grin at them, their surprised expressions almost comical.

"You!" Rorth growls at me and starts to charge in my direction.

Vork grabs his arm and stops him in his tracks. "No! We aren't allowed to act against a freed slave. Do you want to lose your head?"

"Fuck!" Rorth glances at the other guards before he turns to glare at me.

I put my hands on my hips. "So… how's life been? Treating you guys well?"

Vork bares his teeth at me but none of them respond to my questions.

"As for me, well… life's been great. The big demon who bought me is very rich and lives in a really nice place. So I live in a really nice place." I start pacing, counting my blessings on my fingers. "I get to eat only the best food, take very long hot baths, drink expensive alcohol…and…"

I look at the guards, who are very unimpressed with me.

"And I get to share a bed with a demon." I wink at them, laughing at their disgusted expressions.

"Fuck this. No one can report our behavior if the bitch is dead." Rorth runs at me, his claws extended and eager to tear into my flesh.

I jump back, filled with fear once more when a sudden movement catches my eye.

Kavian melts out of the shadows behind them, his eyes glowing bright with demonic power.

That is so fucking hot. No, wait, Meera. Focus.

A shiver runs down my spine, and the adrenaline starts to course through my veins.

This is it. Payback.

Shadows spread out from their feet and start to swirl tightly around their legs like tentacles.

Confused, the three of them try to kick off the shadows but only end up flailing like idiots.

The shadows make their way up the guards' bodies and wrap around their necks.

They claw at their throats, trying to fight off the visible but intangible enemy that's slowly squeezing the life out of them.

Vork desperately slices into his flesh, hoping to affect the shadowy claw but only manages to hurt himself. His blood runs down his chest and over his hands, dark and disgusting in the pale moonlight.

Rorth gasps for air and slams his back against the wall of the auction house in an attempt to free himself.

The other guard is on the ground, writhing as he does his best to fight against an impossible foe.

Kavian walks over to me, not even taking notice of the dying xaphan behind him.

His eyes are fixed on mine. I feel my stomach tighten and my heart race once more. This time, I welcome the unsteady beat making my blood rush.

I barely register the snaps before Vork and Rorth's bodies limply fall to the ground. The remaining one goes quiet but I don't even care.

I'm lost in Kavian's eyes as he stands before me, fearsome and more attractive than ever before.

He reaches out and caresses my cheek.

"We must hurry and free the slaves. And when we get home, I want to celebrate by devouring you slowly and deliberately."

I shiver with expectation. "I can't wait."

He spins around and pulls me by my hand. We rush past the dead bodies and hurry into the auction house.

I look down at the guards who ruined my life.

Lousy fuckers. Your paltry wings were useless in the end.

It doesn't take long to find the cells of the slaves—the building is hardly an architectural marvel.

The hallway is dimly lit by torches at either side with rows of cells spanning the entire area.

I start with the cells to my right, using my lockpicking tool to swiftly unlock the doors. I hurry over to the women huddled in the corner and start unlocking the chains keeping them bound to the cell. My lockpick makes quick work of the flimsy locks.

A cold, nauseating shiver runs down my spine.

Not too long ago, this was me. I was trapped with no hope of escape. I can still remember the smell of this horrible room and the feel of the cold floor sometimes haunts my dreams. Thank fuck for Kavian and his personal vendetta against Gorran.

Once they're all released, I hold out my hand.

"Come. We're here to free you."

They look at each other and then look at Kavian, who is standing behind me.

I glance back and almost snort.

He's doing his best not to look intimidating, his arms going from folded to hanging limply by his side. He's not smiling but it's clear he's trying to appear friendly.

I look back at the women. "Kavian's an ally. He helped me get my freedom and now we're helping you."

They still seem unsure and fear is practically oozing from them.

Shit. How do I convince them to trust a demon of all things?

Kavian sighs. "Look, you can come with us and possibly get away, or stay here and be sold to a demon, or worse, and spend the rest of your life in misery."

Though the words are spoken softly, the women flinch. Then they stand a little taller and walk out of the cell.

I guide them to the front of the auction house, near the entrance. "Wait right here. I need to free the others."

Fear washes over their faces and I give them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be quick."

Going from one cell to the next, convincing the women to follow me becomes easier as they realize what's happening.

Kavian flexes his arms impatiently as I free another group of women.

"This is taking too long! The rest of the guards could spot the bodies any moment and then our plan goes to shit."

I snap at him. "I'm doing this as fast as I can, Kavian. I only have two hands."

He spins around and heads to the row of cells on the opposite side of the hallway. With an almighty pull, he yanks off the entire door.

I stare in disbelief and he gives me a grin. "Now you've got four hands."

With an unexpected and gleeful chuckle, I continue to free the women on my side while Kavian focuses on the other side.

A bony hand wraps around my wrist. I look up at the very thin and pale young woman I just released.

"I remember you," she croaks, her voice barely audible. She was here the night I was auctioned.

This poor woman must have been through torture, still stuck here. I swallow back my tears of empathy and give her shoulder a squeeze.

"You'll soon be free, I promise." I lead her out to join the other waiting women.

Soon, all the cells have been emptied and I stand with Kavian at the exit.

"We've got about two dozen women here. Your plan of setting them loose all at once will probably work. Catching so many desperate humans at night won't be easy."

Kavian nods and turns to the freed slaves.

"You're going to run like there is a horde of demons behind you. Get as far from here as you can. Steal clothes and food as you move so you don't get recognized by the slave traders."

He looks over the group.

"And spread the word about this attack. Tell everyone that Gorran's weak guards were defeated by one demon and a human. Let everyone know that slaves have been freed and even more will be freed soon."

They stare at him with awe, their eyes shining with new-found hope.

As the women hurry past him to flee, he quickly gives each of them a handful of coins.

Without looking at me, he frowns. "Shut up. Don't say a word."

Their grateful, hushed words of thanks make my heart ache.

If only I could do more for these poor people. But this is a great start. At least they now have a fighting chance and don't have to accept their fate.

The last woman runs out the door and we follow to make our escape.

Jumping over the bodies still lying on the ground, Kavian grabs my hand and pulls me closer to him.

We run hand in hand to the secluded area where we left the carriage that brought us here.

When the door closes behind Kavian and we're both seated, it starts to move, slowly but surely leaving the auction house behind.

My heart races and I'm smiling uncontrollably.

I look over at Kavian and he's grinning triumphantly as well. We don't speak. There's no need—we can taste our victory.

The first blow against Gorran has been struck successfully.