Page 5 of Primal Call

Jasper patted his arm. "Don't mention it, just doing my job." He looked up to include Asher in his gaze. "We gotta look out for each other, right?"

The two young men nodded, the briefest spark of connection flaring in their haunted eyes. United, if only for a moment, despite their dire circumstances.

Jasper held onto that spark like a lifeline. If he could keep that tiny flame of hope alive, maybe they'd make it through this nightmare…

"How are we getting out?" Asher asked. Jasper's heart twisted in his chest.

Finn and Asher looked to Jasper expectantly, but he couldn't meet their hopeful gazes. He knew the truth — they were trapped. This was a Borraq ship, bound for some hellish fate worse than death. There would be no overpowering guards, no daring escapes.

"We could try to ambush a Borraq when they come in," Asher said. "If we catch them by surprise..."

Finn nodded along eagerly. "Yeah, and then run for the escape pods. There have to be some on board. If we can just get to one of those, and signal to human space..."

It was nonsense. Wispy little Asher wasn't going to take down a Borraq, and Finn wasn't running anywhere on that leg.

But that small spark of hope in their eyes… Jasper couldn't bring himself to snuff it out. Not yet.

He forced a tight smile, and nodded. "Could work. We'll have to pick the right moment, though."

The hold clanged open. Jasper tensed. Heavy footsteps echoed off the metal walls, growing louder as they approached. The captives all shrank back, huddling together in fear.

A massive Borraq ducked through the doorway, his broad shoulders barely fitting.

It was the same one who had captured Jasper. He recognized that wicked grin, those glinting eyes.

The Borraq surveyed the room with a predatory gaze, like a wolf among sheep. "Listen up, humans," he growled, his voice a rumbling bass that vibrated in Jasper's chest. "I am Rivek, your new owner. You belong to me now."

A whimper ran through the captives, but no one dared speak. Rivek stalked forward, his steps slow and deliberate. He stopped in front of Finn, looking down at the injured man with a sneer.

"Damaged goods?" he said, kicking Finn's bandaged leg with his boot. Finn cried out in pain, flinching away. "Probably won't fetch much at auction."

Jasper's heart clenched. He couldn't let Finn be sold off like chattel, not in his condition. Swallowing his fear, he stepped forward.

"Please," he said, hating the way his voice shook. "He's injured, he needs medical care. Let him go, I'll… I'll do anything."

Rivek's gaze snapped to Jasper, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, Jasper thought he might lash out in anger.

But then the Borraq laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You'll do anything?" Rivek repeated, mockery dripping from every word. "And what makes you think you're in any position to bargain, human?"

He stepped closer to Jasper, looming over him. Jasper fought the urge to cower back, forcing himself to meet Rivek's gaze.

"I'm a medic," he said, his voice steadier than he felt. "I have skills that could be useful to you. If you let the injured ones go, I could be of use to you"

Rivek's eyes flashed with something dark and amused. He reached out, grabbing Jasper's chin in a bruising grip. "You will be of use to me," he growled, his breath hot against Jasper's face. "I don't need to bargain for that. You're already mine, to do with as I please."

He shoved Jasper back, sending him stumbling. Jasper caught himself against the wall, his heart hammering in his chest.

Rivek turned away, his attention already moving on to the other captives. He prowled through the room, evaluating each human with a critical eye. "This lot will do for Karthis; she likes a matched set. And these pretty ones… the Zephyr Six boys will pay well for them."

Rivek's words hung in the air like a death sentence. Jasper felt the blood drain from his face as the full weight of their situation crashed over him.

Slaves.

They were all going to be sold as slaves to the Borraq.

Jasper saw the same sickening realization dawning on the other captives' faces. Finn stared down at his hands, his expression hollow. Asher had gone deathly pale, his earlier bravado extinguished.

They seemed so young, Jasper realized with a pang. Just a couple of terrified young men who never should have been swept up in this nightmare.

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