Page 25 of Triplets for the Barbarians

Jewel

Iexhale sharply as I pace through my cell, measuring each step while I try to focus on the rest of this mission. By now, Yossul and Fadai have been checked into the Blackwood Inn, likely planning the next few steps.

They need to get back here and get me out so we can check the hangar so we can make our assessment. Once that’s done, I’ll get away from Pearl City, and they’ll stay back, still undercover, close to the enemy so we can better our odds in the second stage of this mission.

It's easy to succumb to the pressure when you have everything to lose.

After what we’ve been through, after all the gains, and after all the burials we’ve had to attend, I don’t want it to end here. I don’t want to draw my last breath with the sour taste of failure on my lips. Dammit, I don’t want to die just yet because that’s what will happen if Shaytan and Blaze claim me as their own.

That won’t be a life worth living, and I will inadvertently get myself killed before I’ll let those monsters touch me. The mere thought of such an outcome has my throat tied up in knots. The sound of incoming footsteps sends my senses flaring all over the place. I know who it is before he even walks through the door.

Blaze Pyrin stops in front of my cell, wearing a most satisfied smirk. His black leather uniform bears distinctive gold-thread embroidery, and he has gold-plated tresses on his broad shoulders. He smells of burnt wood and a spiced cologne, his black hair combed and braided down his back.

“What do you want?” I grumble as I cautiously step back into the shadow of my cell’s farthest corner. There are soldiers outside, but none will intervene if he tries something. And judging by that sneer on his face, he’s got some ideas.

“Just checking in on my bride-to-be,” he says. “Are you comfortable?”

I snort a mocking chuckle. “You’ve got a serious case of delusion. I’ll never be your mate.”

“Mine and Shaytan’s. We’re a package deal.”

“All the more reason for me to run screaming in the opposite direction.”

“The Kreek brothers can’t save you,” he says. “You might as well embrace the truth. This is where you ended up after so many years of fighting a useless fight. The universe is trying to tell you something, Jewel.”

The Kreek brothers are on their way to get me out of here so we can blow up your precious starship. I’d love to be able to say that to Blaze so I can wipe that smirk off his face, but discretion is of the utmost importance. Plus, I need to make sure their cover isn’t blown.

“They’ll track me up here,” I say. “Don’t underestimate their skills.”

“Oh, I’m not underestimating anything,” Blaze replies. But with both Shaytan and me present here, there’s no way in hell the Kreek brothers will even get past the gates. We’ve tightened security and have additional drones out surveying the area. Jewel, you are precious cargo and a highly desired prize. Now that we have you, we’re never letting you go.”

“How could you let yourselves fall this low?” I scoff, shaking my head in disgust. “From a civilized society that could’ve worked together to save itself, you all just gave up on everything and started killing each other. It’s pathetic.”

“You’ve been a part of it since you came to Sunna,” he says. “You bear some of the responsibility. Had you simply surrendered, had you accepted your fate from the beginning, this war would’ve ended years ago.”

“That couldn’t be further from the truth, and you know it. You’re all still lying to yourselves, I see.”

“And speaking of lying to oneself,” he says, then takes out a key and casually enters my cell, “aren’t you tired? This is only going to end one way. I can smell the Kreek brothers all over you, but that bond isn’t fully formed until a child is born. I will be the one who plants a seed in your womb.”

My muscles tighten and my stomach growls furiously as my heart starts racing. Each step he takes toward me makes me feel small and weak. “You’d better keep your fucking distance.” Thoughts swirl around in my head. Possible strategies. How the hell do I keep him away from me? He’s clearly up to something, and I doubt I’ll enjoy it.

“Or else what?” He laughs. “Jewel, I’m going to make you understand, once and for all, that you no longer dictate any terms here on Sunna. You are mine. Mine and Shaytan’s.”

“I’m nobody’s but my own!” I snarl, my hands balled and ready to strike.

I doubt I’ll manage to swing even once. He didn’t become Shaytan’s right-hand without a set of valuable skills, and knowing General Hull and what he’s capable of, I’m sure Blaze is quite the adversary on the battlefield.

“I guess I’ll have to show you, then,” he says, coming closer.

The hungry look in his red eyes spells trouble. I can’t take him on, and I have no idea where Yossul and Fadai are. I do know they can’t blow their cover this early in the game, not without screwing the rest of the mission.

“Don’t be foolish,” I scoff. “I don’t think Shaytan will appreciate you grabbing a slice of this cake before he comes back.”

“I’m in charge of tasting the scrumptious food before we share it,” he chuckles dryly.

I move along the wall, trying to keep at least a few feet between us. I can’t let him lay a hand on me, and damn it, I have to think fast before it’s too late.

“Blaze, there’s something you and Shaytan don’t know. A truth we’ve come upon in the past year. I think it’s time for you to hear it.”

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