Demon Possession (18 page)

Manyof thepeople she’dserved in the salonshowed up at the pub, greeted her with kindness,and most of al patience,as she stumbled through making their drinks.

Sonya was kept busy as wel . It became hectic when more than ten people were demanding drinks at once but Sonya seemed to thrive on that. Joking and talking with the crowd to keep them occupied while they waited.

As the night drew on the patrons—after multiple drinks—either noticeably mel owed or hyped up. Some grew more animated andloud. This must be what Xandar meant when he said alcohol affected individuals differently.

A quarrel brokeout,and Analia watched as Sonya took control to calm the situation. Two men had begun shoving each other,spouting in a language she didn’t understand. Sonya, who also spoke their language, soon had them both laughing. They didn’t cause problems the rest of the night.

One thing Anya noticed was that after a few drinks, people loved to talk, and talk, and talk. At first she thought it rude to interrupt them to attend another customer. Then she realized that they rarely even noticed, often continuing their rambling to the person next to them.

During the night Anyareceived a lot of compliments. There were comments of her beauty, her kindness, her aura—whatever that was. At first these compliments resulted in awkward embarrassment,but soon she learned to just say thank you,and brush them off as the inebriated observations that they were.

For a moment, thecrowd died down, andSonya inquired how she was handling everything.

“It’s a little strange.In factal of this is a little strange.” She admitted. She hadn’t realized it til now, but her transition was one of incomprehensible magnitude. Sonya cocked her head in question. “I’d gone from a slave, isolated from everything and everyone, to surrounded, by people who … I just … I feel …”Feel what?Important? Cared for? Like she mattered, a least a little bit?

Sonya surprised her by drawing her into a tight hug. Anya hugged her back until an eruption of hoots and hol ers in the background made them both laugh, and they pul ed apart. Then three men caught her eye.

Bastian, Cale, and Marik were here.

Walking to the bar theygreetedAnya with smiles. Sebastian spoke first. “We wanted to see how things were going.”

Sonya replied. “We’re doing great, right Anya?”

“Right,” she agreed. “Marik, who is running the gal ey?

“I left out a buffet. They can fend for themselves for a night.”

“Would you like a drink? I’ve learned how to make a few real y … er … somewhat wel . How about one of the bottled drinks?” They al smiled at her, the sight of it warmed her heart like nothing ever had before. She was beginning to care for al of them. Stupid on her part she knew, but she couldn’t seem to help it.

“I’l take a flaming inferno. I’ve heard good things.” Marik replied.

“Same here.” Both Cale and Bastian said together.

Flaming inferno?No one had ordered that tonight. Anya looked at Sonya for help.

“I’l get them. Marik hasn’t tried it yet.” Sonya seemed to imply something with that statement, Anya wasn’t sure what. Returning with a bottle Sonya poured the drinks—a total of five.

Five?

Anya looked around for someone else who might have ordered a drink. Sonya noted her confusion,and explained the importance of the act she was about to partake in.An act of trust and friendship. Her heart fluttered. “But I’m working. I don’t know how this wil affect me.”

“You’re shift is nearly over. We’l end it early tonight. You did wel . Much better than I imagined. You are indeed a swift learner Anya.” Sonya raised her glass and the others fol owed. “To Anya and her future, may it be fil ed with nothing but happiness.” Together, they repeated the phrase and swal owed their drinks. With her throat tightening, ful of emotion, she fol owed suite.

After that Sonya shoved her out from behind the bar and the boys maneuvered her to a table, ordering themselves another round of flaming infernos. Anya asked for something a little milder,and settled into her seat. She expected they wanted tospeakwith her aboutwhat happenedthis morning,but no one brought it up. Instead, the conversation took a different path.

“Bastian, how far along are we,do you think?” Marik said sipping his drink.

“Not as far as I would like. It may benefit us to go through the warring zones,to shave off some time.”

Marik stiffened. “Is that necessary?”

He and Sebastian shared a look, “Considering what you told me earlier, it might be wise.”

Cale waved his hand in dismissal. “We’ve been through it before with no problems.Maradaismore thanqualified for the chal enge.”

“Cale, as I’ve told you before, too mucharrogancecan be your downfal .”

Curious Anya interrupted, “What are the warring zones?”

Sebastian answered. “It’s a span of volatile space, where inhabitants are continuously at war for control over territory of a few large mining fields. We’ve flown through before,undetected,but it’s a risk. Any shipwe cross paths withcould be an enemy.” He paused before continuing, seeming to weigh hisnextwords. “We have al the time we need to deliver the cargo. We could avoid it altogether,and go around. What do you think Anya? Should we risk it to save time?”

Analiastaredat him, shocked that he would ask her advice at al , even if he didn’t mean to take it. Al of them watched, waiting for her answer. Sipping her drink she thought hard, wanting to give as educated an answer as possible. Knowing what she did—thatDarius might be coming for her—she considered the options. Darius would fol ow them either way. He had confidence inhis ship, the same as Cale hadshown just now. He wouldn’t hesitate to go through the warring zones if it was convenient.If they did go through the warring zones, there was a higher chance that Darius would be slowed down by attacks.

Of course, the same problem applied to them.

“If we choose to go through the warring zones, what are the chances of attack?”

“I’d estimate a thirty to forty percent chance of attack.” Sebastian replied.

“And what of, say, a larger ship? Would the chances of attack be the same?”

“It’s possible that a larger ship would draw more interest. Pirating for supplies is popular. How large are we talking?”

Bastian was edging for information. Anya knew she was walking a dangerous line. Smiling she replied, “We’re talking larger than this ship. Thirty percent is a high number. How confident are you, if wewereto be attacked?”

Cale replied to that. “Very. We have faced hundreds of attacks and defeated every one, many ships larger and more equipped than ours.”

Now she edged for information. “How much more equipped?”

Sebastian responded. “By our calculations, many of our opponents harbored weapons that couldcause greater damage than ours, but none of them seemed to match our experience,and the experience of our crew. We bested them with our wits,as wel as our firepower.”

That certainly didn’t apply to Darius. Darius knew the capabilities ofExtarga,and how best to exploit it. His weapons werethe best,and often it took only one shot to bring an opponent to their down.

Anya took a moment to considerevery option,versusevery outcome. “I think it would be worth it to go through the warring zones.”

While Sebastian pursed his lips, the other two took on a grave expression. It didn’t matter what any of them were thinking at this moment—most likely that she had put them al in danger by merely being here—she ignored the guilt, there was nothing she could do about it now.Anyafelt her conclusion would keep them safe … or as safe as possible when Darius might be chasing them.

Cale replied in a drab tone. “Interesting Anya, however did you come to that conclusion?”

She shrugged and lied through her teeth. “What convinced me was your confidence Cale. You seem very sure that no harm would come to us. So why shouldn’t we take the shortcut?”

Cale snorted and swal owed the last of his drink, but didn’t comment.

Marik changed the subject. “How did you like working the bar Anya?”

Beaming,Anyareplied. “It’s a lot of work, a lot to remember. Sonya is amazing at it. I think, once I get the hang of it, I should be fine.” She smirked, “Til then be cautious of my mixed drinks.” They al laughed at that.

Sonya stopped by the table to refil theirglasses,winkingat Anya before moving to the next table.

Together, the three males sucked down their drinks, while Anya sipped her stil -ful glass of whatever-it-was. Marik commented. “We’ve been what, nearly a month into the journey? The crew seems to be reacting fine to being cooped up.”

“So far there have been no incidents.” Sebastian replied.

Anya was once again curious. “What kind of incidents would you expect?”

“It’s been proven that when people are cooped up inthe samespace,or isolated for long periods of time they tend to go stir-crazy,andbeginto act abnormal y toward others or their surroundings.”

“Oh.” She suddenly felt uncomfortable with this topic. Her own experiences have shown proof of his claim. Again she remembered the vision of the old man, materializing before her,and sometimes speaking—at the time she thought it nonsense—about her becoming free one day. But now that she thought of it, it wasn’t nonsense after al , she was free. Weather she held on to her freedom remained to be seen. “But this is nothing like isolation. Your people are together, talking and laughing,and working.There are rooms dedicated to entertainment and exercise. There is so much to do here, this feels nothing like being isolated.”

“Some people might not see it your way. Some would get easily bored without seeing new sights or meeting new people.”

She rol ed her eyes at that. “Honestly, if I can go a decade without even seeing the stars,anyone should be able to handle six months without the luxury of new sights or people.”

“They kept youthatisolated?” Marik replied.

Dammit! She was doing that damn talking-without-thinking thing again.

“That’s why everything seems so new to you?” Sebastian tone went empty,but his grip tightened around his glass. Cale said nothing but his expression had gone dark.

Just then Sonya saved her by plopping down on an empty chair. “I’m closing up shop, you guys want anything else?”

“Yes.” The three replied in a near unified voice.

Anya stood, taking their gazes with her. “Not me, I’m tired.” She said, using the opportunity for escape. “I’l see you in the morning Cale.”

Anya entered her room.

On the way,she wondered at Sebastian’s next scheme. Perhaps he’d ripped up the floor of her room, or flooded it. She expected almost anything …

except what she found.

A large mustard colored couch stood in place of the old one.

Running her hand along the back, it was soft and looked as though new. Bewildered, Anya testedthecushions, burrowing her bodyintotheir softness. The plushy fabricformed neatlyto her curves.

Why he’d done this she didn’t know. At the moment she didn’t care. Like a siren’s cal , the softness of the couch was lul ing her to lie her body down. She was exhausted from the day’s events. Every muscle screamed at her, and her emotions were stil a little raw.

During training, when she tapped into her anger, her mind lost control and threatened to delve into madness from the wretchedness of her memories. As always she was tempted to embrace the madness, but as always something was there to keep her from it. This time it was Sebastian. Bastian held her tight, enveloping her in his warm strength and masculine scent. Al she could do was hold on to him until the turmoil inside her abated. His muscular arms pul ed her to him, warming her, pul ing her out of her insanity, making her feel safe.

When she was ful y herself again embarrassmenthadflooded her.Had there beenpity in their eyes? She didn’t want their pity. She wanted them to think of her as strong,and capable. Like someone who could take care of herself.

She wanted to see herself that way too.

That’s why she would continue to train with Cale, not because Bastian ordered her to, but because it would benefitherin the end. She would learn al shecould, and would never losecontrol as she did today.

But first, sleep.

Her body ached,and her lids grew heavy. But before she al owed herself to sleep she forced herself into the shower to let the warm water relax her further.

The kindness everyone was showing her was overwhelming, fil ing her up with so much appreciation and gratitude, until she overflowed with it.

She suspected Bastian knew the dangerous position she’d put them in, and stil he was kind to her. Was even al owing her training so she can one day defend herself, as wel as a job that wil bring her money when it is time for her to leaveMarada. Why was he giving her so much when she could give nothing in return, besides a constant threat to al of their lives? The guilt sat like a clump of iron in the pit of her stomach.

Showered anddressed, Anya reentered her room. Steam poured from the bathroom,dissipating into nothingness. The contrast of the cooler air slammed into her,and she quickly curledup on the couch, blanket and pil ow in place.

This new couch was much larger than the previous one, al owingher to stretch out ful y instead of the scrunched position shehad beenforced to take with the old one. Sinking in,Anyalet herself drift.

Once again, Anyawoke to a darkened room. Lifting herself from the couch she scouted for Sebastian. The room wasempty, and no dark shadows loomed ominously in the corners.Disappointmentgrippedher, she was hoping to thank him.

Ignoring the pang of wistfulnessAnyaprepared to meet Cale in the training room. She made her way past the nursery, beautiful mixtures of smel s and energy licked at her skin. The lively vegetation from within cal ed to her. With only aquickpeekinside, she walked past.

Cale was standing in the same spotas yesterday. Anya smiled and greeted him warmly. He only nodded, which she thought, for him, was like a twirling-hug-embrace.

“We’re going to practice some of the holds from yesterday. Don’t hold back. Try as hard as you can to get free.”

Feeling total y unprepared for the umpteenth time Cale was behind her in an instant. His huge arm wrapped itself tightly around her neck. He squeezed,hard. The strength of his grip told her that he wasn’t going to hold back either.After a moment of hesitation, Anyafound his foot with her heel.