Page 5 of Empress of Savages

Even as I was yelling, I knew that no sound came out.

I could be dead.

Am I dead? Could I be hearing all this and thinking if I was dead?

Perhaps all of this is just a nightmare. Maybe I’m just dreaming this whole thing. If it is then I wish I could wake up.

I can’t stand hearing people all around me, talking about me, discussing me. Making decisions about me.

And I can’t make a sound or even raise a finger.

“Okay. Thanks, Doc.” The Emperor lets a sharp edge slip into his voice.

The power in the room has shifted. Tilted. The Doc was the voice of command, the master of the situation. Now it seems like his power was only borrowed. Or lent.

Now, he is a servant. His task, for now, is delivered. He is an advisor who’s analysis has been needed, though unwelcome, but it has been heard. His presence is no longer required.

The Emperor, the Warrior and the Mastermind have all changed and lowered their tone.

The Warrior says, “We’ll take the doc back.”

Striding to the door, the young Mastermind says, “We don’t want you to be late home for your dinner.” He could be talking to a puppy. “Come on, Doc.” Or a slave.

The change in their manner was instinctive. Habitual. But it was no accident.

These men are ruthless. All three of them. Maybe I couldn’t hear it before or I shut it out but now I hear it. They are all accustomed to taking what they want. They don’t let anyone stand in their way.

They all reminded the doctor of their power, and of his position. They are the masters here, and he had better not forget it.

I wonder what they have over him.

I’ve been kidnapped, and I’m being held by these three ruthless men.

When the door closes, the Emperor is still by my bedside. Musing to himself, he whispers, “So,Principessa. What are we going to do with you?”

Is that me? Is that who I am? A moll who’s drawn to the bad guys? I hope that at least it means that I’m one of the good girls.

Are these the kinds of men that I know? A merciless Emperor, a savage Warrior, and a dark, devilish Mastermind?

These are not your regular bad boys. Not the Saturday night rowdies, talking dirty, drinking and kicking up a noise types. The tailgating, year-round mini-spring breakers that chase after dancers and cocktail waitresses.

These men are more like feared and highly sought after super-villains. Cold killers with souls hammered out of the steelworks of Hell Central.

So what kind of woman am I?

CHAPTER THREE

Daddy doesn’t know that I’m here and I’m going to stay underwater as long as I can. Underwater, with sunshine dappling the blue tiles at the bottom of the pool. I love swimming in the sunshine.

I practiced holding my breath. Neither of my brothers can stay underwater nearly as long as I can. I bet I can hold my breath underwater longer than anyone.

Up on the side of the pool now, Daddy is standing with a woman and they’re talking to a big man. The man has his back to the pool. Daddy and the woman can’t see me because the big man is in between us. I bet I could even come up for a breath and they still wouldn’t know I was here.

She’s very glamorous and what she’s wearing shows off more of her body than I ever saw anyone show before. The way Daddy looks at her is like he’s won a big bet or he’s just got a great big juicy steak. When I grow up, I want a look just like hers.

While I’m in the big man’s shadow, I bob up to the surface. My ears are full of the roar of the bubbles and the sounds of the trees. I’m so near to them and they have no idea. I have to pinch my nose to stop myself giggling.

I’m going to duck down again and this time, I’ll go close to the edge of the pool so I’ll be really near, but they’ll still never see me. Then I’ll see if I can come up again without them knowing. I’ll be near enough to hear what they’re saying then.

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