Page 9 of Freedom Mine
“You can leave any time, but I’m hoping you’ll give me a chance,” he said, baiting her, tempting her to run. And yet his face didn’t twist with perversion as her former owners had when they’d pretended to be fair-minded men.
“What will happen. . . if I leave, right now?” Why was shestillspeaking to him? She had no desire to speak with him, not really, and certainly not because she liked it when he smiled. She should lower her head, avert her eyes, submit before he hurt her.
His face lit with another smile, though it was not as full as when he’d set her down outside the pylons.
“You’ll be caught eventually, though not by me or my people. We won’t come looking for you. Leaving and returning has to be your choice. But sooner or later, someone will take you. If you get as far as the port and attempt to board a transport off Varkos, you’ll be scanned.
“You’re in the Althiran Empire, Blue. Anyone with cause to question your freedom can scan you at any time. And dressed like that. . .” His eyes traveled the length of her, though his gaze didn’t linger on any one part of her. Instead, his attention settled on her face, as if she were a person, anequal.
She nearly laughed out loud at that thought.
“You’d be scanned before you ever got near a transport or even a shop to buy new clothes, if you had the money to do so, which I know you don’t. Unless you have the means to upgrade your status, it’s only a matter of time before someone scans you. And once you’re caught, well, there’s no guarantee whoever catches you will bring you back here. Not everyone worries about the registries. You’ll end up a slave somewhere, maybe even at a pleasure house. I can imagine what your owners have done to you in the past.”
No, he couldn’t, but that was the past. She had to worry about the present, about him and what he’d do to her.
“But the pleasure houses are a lot worse.” His voice fell and he looked up toward the sky for a moment as he exhaled. “I know you don’t believe me, and I can’t prove anything to you. But you’re as free as I could afford to make you. I’ll get the rest of the money to pay for your freedom status, but it will take time. I promise you will have your freedom to go anywhere in and outside the Empire.”
“The only promises owners keep is to punish slaves who don’t please them,” she mumbled as she passed him and walked toward the house.
* * *
KAYO
Kayo couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. Not only was she speaking to him now, but she’d also had the courage to make that biting comment, something that any slave would know was an invitation for trouble. Apparently, she was giving him a chance to prove himself.
He broke into a jog to catch up to her. When he flung the front door open, he found her standing in the foyer with her head lowered, her eyes downcast.
“Afraid I’ll punish you for your remark?” he said, more of a lighthearted joke, but she didn’t move or speak.
Hells, he had no clue what he was doing. And here he thought he’d made progress with her outside.
“Come on, Blue. Let’s get this over with.” He led her to his bedroom at the end of the hall and opened the door.
“Hey, Kayo, you up there?” came a shout from outside. Ranth. If he was looking for him, it couldn’t be good.
“Wait for me inside, Blue,” Kayo said, ushering her into his bedroom in case Ranth decided to open the front door.
He had a strict rule about none of the men being allowed in his house unless he’d given express permission, but Ranth wasn’t great about listening to rules, which was part of the reason he’d bought Ranth. The man had been covered in scars from a whip and worse, front and back, when Kayo had seen him at auction. Ranth wouldn’t have survived as a slave much longer.
Kayo wasn’t quite ready to expose Blue to the men here, especially Ranth who was unpredictable. In a few large strides, Kayo opened the door, blocking Ranth before he could come in.
“Trouble?” he asked.
“Damn harkifa got loose and ended up in a ditch halfway to the mine. Can’t pull him out by myself and everyone else is in the mine. Jace recalled the first shift a little while ago. Not sure why. I was hoping you could lend me a hand.”
“Sure. Give me a minute, and I’ll be right out.”
Stupid work animal. Great for carrying equipment to and from the mines, and carrying the pozite down the mountain—well, they’d be great at it once they found another vein. Since the landglider was useless in the heavily forested area around the mine, the damn animals were essential, but he’d never seen a more stupid animal. Stupid, strong, and stubborn.
“Hey, Blue,” he said as he reached his door. He’d have to forgo the grand tour for now. Maybe having the house to herself would give her a chance to get used to the place. He pushed the door open and froze.
There, on the edge of his bed, sat Blue, totally naked except for a white bedsheet she’d wrapped around herself. She rose and reached for the knot holding up the sheet.
“Stop,” Kayo said, his voice harsh and angry. He’d only meant to show her around, starting with his room where he had a pile of bedding stacked and ready to give her for her room. His gaze shifted to the pile, still on top of his dresser. Sheets, blankets—he’d given her two in case it was cold up in the attic—and a pillow.
“Forgive me,” she said, her voice wavering. She turned, dropped the sheet and slipped her dress over her head.
His stomach knotted. He hadn’t gotten through to her. She’d taken his comment seriously, about punishing her. Or maybe she thought this would be how she worked for freedom. Without another word, Kayo stormed out of the house.
