Page 15 of Freedom Mine
She walked everywhere because she could. Around the house, the stables, several sheds where they stored mining supplies, and eventually to the men’s housing. Once she was sure no one was inside, she poked her head in.
A series of cots with small tables or stacked crates serving as side tables beside them lined the longhouse. Again, no chains near the beds or locks on the door. Several tables sported small personal effects, mostly combs, scissors, and hunting knives. These men were allowed to keep scissors and knives!
When she reached for the pocket with her knife, she realized she was wearing one of Kayo’s shirts and had no pockets. She’d hidden the knife under her pillow when she’s thrown her dress into the autoclean. She should have gone back for it. Though a part of her said to trust Kayo, that man Garitt had given her the knife along with a warning about Kayo.
This place, these men. . . nothing was obvious here. Kayo had promised to free her, as Garitt had, except Garitt had given her a knife without knowing anything about her. Kayo had allowed her to clean the kitchen, including the knives, but he’d had enough time to size her up. Did Kayo know how to use people, to get slaves to do his bidding without threats?
There was only one way to find out. Alli carefully checked the area again, to ensure no one would see her heading to the entry pylons.
* * *
KAYO
After he calmed down, Kayo headed back toward the house, only to spot Blue exploring the compound. He stayed back, inside the tree line where she wouldn’t see him. She needed this opportunity to venture out on her own, without oversight. Kayo smiled at how she walked with her head held high, as a free woman.
After she left the longhouse, Blue headed toward the pylons. His heart sank. If she left, they’d catch her, use her. She’d never be free. Every part of him wanted to run after her, to keep her from walking out into a world that had already abused her and would do so again, but he could do nothing to stop her, not if he meant what he said about her being free to make her own decisions. This was her decision to make, not his, but his entire body shook with the need to keep her here with him where she’d be safe.
She reached the entry pylons, and carefully inspected each one. Then she moved down the property line, between two active pylons. Kayo’s stomach clenched. Did she mean to kill herself?
He’d never make it in time, but he had to try. As he shot out of the tree line, he saw her bend, as if inspecting the active pylons. Whatever she was doing, she wasn’t trying to kill herself. Kayo slipped into the shadows of the landglider, watching Blue walk along the active pylons. Finally, she stopped in front of the entry pylons, took a deep breath, and stepped through.
No more than a foot past the boundary, she stopped and turned around. The most shocked and beautiful expression he’d ever seen—and one he’d never tire of seeing—adorned her lovely face. Freedom.
He wanted to watch the joy and wonder in her beautiful blue eyes, but this was not his moment; it was hers. As hard as it was to walk away from her, knowing she might continue down the road, away from him, Kayo returned to the house. Blue would decide her own future.
Kayo sank into his chair and opened the top drawer of his desk. With a slight shake to his hand, he withdrew the scanner and passed it over the back of his neck. His body tensed during the three-second delay and then he jumped slightly at the beep, even though the routine never changed.
Free. Seeing that one word on the scanner never got old.
“Hello?” Blue’s angelic voice rang through the house.
Kayo released a long-held breath and thanked the gods he no longer believed in as he shoved the scanner back in the desk drawer and locked it.
“In here,” he called out.
She stopped outside his door, her breasts heaving and her cheeks flushed as if she’d run. His body stirred in ways it shouldn’t. How was he going to handle having her on his property, in his house?
“Everything okay?” he asked, as he reached to touch a lock of her hair. He caught himself in time and adjusted the light panel instead.
The lights brightened slightly, more than he wanted, but at least she hadn’t realized he had been reaching for her. He’d told himself from the moment he saw her, that he could never touch her. She wasn’t his and never could be.
As long as he owned her, he couldn’t allow a bond to form between them. He could be a friend, a mentor. She’d need that, for when she earned her freedom status. The Althiran Empire wasn’t a safe place for a woman, especially one who’d been a slave. Oh, she’d have all the same rights as any other free woman, but she’d be easy prey as well. The predators out there knew how to steal another’s freedom, and she’d be vulnerable, not experienced enough to know how to avoid them.
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice lacking the cheerfulness of moments before.
“Why were you running?”
“I. . . never mind,” she said as her eyes lowered toward her feet and her body shrank back as if she were a chameleon trying to blend in with the wall behind her and disappear from sight. Hereallyhated that. She’d come in here excited and something he’d said or done had scared her.
“Whatever the reason, I promise I won’t bite,” he said, waggling his eyebrows in the hope of putting her at ease.
She flashed a nervous smile. Did he simply make a shy woman nervous, or did she fear him? What would she do if he told her he’d like to nibble on her ear? Probably go running from him, or worse, let him because she felt she had no choice. She knew she was free, but it would take time before she truly believed it.
“I thought you’d require me to be here when you returned. I’m late.”
“Not late at all,” he said.
“You said we would discuss my chores.”
