Chapter 31

Rhuyin

I was in hell. There really was no other explanation.

I examined my reflection in the floor length mirror in Master B's wagon, my nose tickling at the smell of almonds that permeated the conveyance.

The clothing, what there was of it, was dark green and black dyed leather crisscrossing my body. Around my neck was a leather collar with metal spikes jutting out. Sylvi had done something with kohl around my eyes that made them look dark and mysterious. A skimpy thong barely contained my cock and a pair of dark green leather boots completed the outfit. A gold chain attached to the collar.

I think you look amazing, Luke signed.

At least you get to keep your face covered, I groused, feeling heat spread across my face. Luke's outfit was the same green and black leather with gold accents, but there was a lot more of it. The outfit hid the scars and sun and moon tattoo on his back that declared him of the royal bloodline. The stars had been inked in black when he had been declared Mageian, effectively disinheriting him. We had talked about possible ways to cover the tattoo for both him and Elex. Sylvi had some paste that could hide them for a time, but she had warned that it could wear off or be washed off, so we were saving it.

Luke's clothing hugged his chest and hips like they were painted on. Covering the top half his face was a domino mask of black and gold.

He grinned at me behind the mask, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

I might have to ask Master B if we can keep your outfit once this is over,he signed.

I rolled my eyes.

Only if you want to be the one wearing it!

He laughed at me.

Seriously, though, you look hot!

I think my face turned another shade of red at the comment. While I'd worked hard to be physically fit for my Soma training, I had never done so with the intent of looking good.

Our plan was to hide in plain sight. We would enter Alexandria on Master B's wagon dressed as courtesans and be paraded through the streets; Master B's wagon was painted with information about our "engagement" at the House of Eros. Once within and at the House we would work to free Stergiou and Hel's father.

Luke walked up behind me and trailed his fingers down my back and over my mostly bare ass.

"Too bad we don't have more time before we have to leave," he breathed into my ear, sending goosebumps across my skin. I couldn't hear him, of course, but I saw his lips move and felt that strange vibration that communicated his words to me. The heat of his breath whispered across my skin.

You'd better stop that, or I am going to be positively indecent, I signed, gesturing to the sharp outline of my rapidly filling cock in the skimpy thong.

He just flashed me a wicked grin before stepping back.

I felt a vibration through the floor of the wagon and recognized it as someone knocking on the door of the wagon.

The conveyance was surprisingly roomy within. Bunks let down from the walls for sleeping and small nooks and storage spaces were built within the walls. The wagon was ideal for someone who wanted to smuggle any item. There were just so many places things could be hidden, it was insane.

"Please, do not ever place a torch in this location," Master B had told us and he'd shown us the wagon.

"It could have…explosive…consequences," he said.

Showtime, Luke signed, and I nodded ruefully.

We exited the wagon to the sight of Hel and Elex similarly attired, Hel in a skimpy blue and silver outfit similar to mine. I saw him tug on a strap in annoyance and grinned. At least I wasn't the only one dealing with the discomfort. Sylvi stood talking to Master B. She wore leather from head to toe and a whip dangled from a belt at her waist.

"Is everyone ready?" I saw Master B ask. Everyone nodded. "Best we get started then."

Hel and Elex were dressed in outfits similar to ours, but with a blue and silver color scheme. Elex's face was hidden behind a mask similar to Luke's, the telltale white streak in his hair hidden by some dye that Sylvi had provided. Hel wore a mask that matched Elex's.

We climbed atop the wagon where we found padded benches bolted to the top. Master B directed Elex, Luke and Sylvi to lounge on the benches. He directed Hel and I to kneel beside them. I felt Luke place a possessive hand on my shoulder and I shot him a wry grin. Of the four of us I was the only one that was unlikely to be recognized, so I wore no mask.

My heart was racing as we approached the city. The crowds increased as we approached. I'd heard so many stories about Alexandrians and their cruelty over the years I wasn't sure what I expected to see, but it wasn't to see throngs of men, women and children filling the road as we neared the entrance to the city.

Wagons and animals queued for what seemed like miles. I couldn't hear the noise of the crowd except as vibration through the wooden floor of the wagon, for which I was thankful. Several times I saw Hel wince as some particularly loud noise rang through the crown.

What got me was the smell. Since Bonding with Luke my sense of smell had become sharper and more defined. The press of animals and humanity around us caused such a stink I wasn't sure how the others could stand it. I resorted to breathing through my mouth until my nose became deadened to the scent of animal dung and the press of bodies.

We finally arrived at the gate where a guard reviewed Master B's paperwork. He glanced a jaded eye over the wagon and the five of us on display.

"What house will it be this time, Master Bacillus?" he asked as I read his lips from a distance.

"Why, the House of Eros this time, Sergeant! You should come see my newest acquisitions! They are bound to train some new players within the House. I'm sure that Master Hestus would consider a discount for one of our city's fine defenders!"

Master Bacillus leaned forward and slid a small pouch of coins into the man's hand. The Sergeant "Harrumphed" and stamped the papers presented.

"I prefer the lighter Houses myself," he said before leaning forward conspiratorially. "Best be cautious there, Master B. I hear that those in power have been visiting the darker Houses more often of late. I'd hate to see you lose one of your family there."

I turned my gaze back to Luke's. I couldn't tell him what I'd seen without shouting, and signing in public would be a bad idea, since in Alexandria it was reserved for Scribes.

We rolled through the gates without further incident, but the further we traveled into the city, the sadder and more depressing it became.

The roads were rutted and unfinished. Beggars lined the streets. Children, women, elders, men missing arms and legs, all starving in full view of the city.

In several places traffic slowed to a crawl as the wagon drivers navigated the pits and ruts in the roads. At one of these chokepoints we were halted waiting for our turn to move past the pitted road. To our left was a large courtyard with a raised platform. I realized with a start that it was actually a gallows. The body of a woman hung from the wooden structure, her blonde hair covering most of her bloated face. A sign hung over her head that declared her a disobedient Mageia.

In front of her dangling body was a boy that couldn't have been much older than Tik. He was held in stocks, the wooden frame clamping his head and hands into place, but forcing him to remain on his feet. Behind him a man swung a whip that slashed down on the young man's back. A wooden sign hung in front of him that read "THIEF".

The boy's face was ashen, and the whip wrung screams of agony from his lips, his achingly thin body a testament to a life of poverty and starvation. I was happy for once that I couldn't hear, because the terror and pain on his face was enough. I felt Luke next to me, his body stiff as he witnessed the boy's punishment.

I felt a warm rush of power in the air as Luke summoned his power. Without warning Elex's hand came down on his brother's.

"Not. Now," he growled out through gritted teeth.

"I can't just—" Luke began, but a sharp shake of his head cut my Bonded off.

"I'll handle it," he said.

I watched in fascination as Elex leaned back against Hel's knees, his eyes going slightly unfocused. He kept his hands behind his back as if they were bound, which also hid the rings of power that glowed around his arms. To the best of my knowledge the rings only appeared around Tesseris Mageia when they used their powers. Other Mageia's power was invisible to the rest of the world.

I could sense the surge of Fire that burst through the air as the guard administering the punishment brought the whip down on the boy's back. The ends of the whip snapped off from the handle of the whip, the tail going flying into the crowd surrounding the gallows. The guard looked at the weapon in surprise, a small tail of smoke rising from the broken weapon, then threw the pommel to the ground and stalked off.

I saw Elex give Luke a small smile that he returned with a sigh. The crowd lurched forward and we slowly left the sight of the boy still sagging in the bonds of the stocks.

"We have to change this," Luke growled.

"We will," Elex responded, his teeth grinding in frustration. "But we have to complete our mission."

Luke nodded in response, blowing out a quick breath. I tightened one hand around his ankle and he glanced down at me. With the mask on, the similarity to Elex was even more pronounced than normal. Both of them had brilliant blue eyes that changed with their moods. Right now, Luke's were a dark and threatening blue, like the ocean during a storm. It may have been my imagination, but even through the rumble of the wagon over the cobblestones I thought I felt the earth quake.