Scent of Valor (Chronicles of Eorthe #2) (13 page)

“And five bars of gold.”

She shot him a glare. “She’s not made of spun sunshine.” Pemma twisted to glance at Peder. “Maybe I should ask Ewald for Goldie instead. He’d make a better fighter when we go west.”

“He’s not for sale either.”

“For a business owner, you don’t seem eager to make money.”

He gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on her. “You’re very bold for an omega.”

She took a steadying breath and ran her hand over the hard bulge in his pants. “Omegas are the heart of the pack. There’s no requirement that we be meek
all
the time.” She gave him a firm squeeze, just to the edge of pain and let go. He seemed like someone who would like pain. “You can have me and two gold bars, but you have to finish before Ewald is done.”

He groaned. “Fine. You drive a hard bargain.”

She didn’t consider this cheating on Ewald. They weren’t mated. He liked a skilled, pretty concubine to dote on and she wanted to serve her pack, but she didn’t do this kind of thing often. Ewald would be more insulted at her lack of discretion than her fucking a complete stranger. He might have even enjoyed watching.

She tired of being used. Maybe, if the Goddess blessed her, a hunter would look at her the way Peder watched his mate from across the yard. Being with Ewald had taught her a hard lesson. No amounts of silk or gold would bring her happiness.

If she had a chance to help just one couple in love, then she’d make her sacrifices with a clear conscience.

“Make sure the lord doesn’t come out until I’m ready,” Timothy ordered the closest guard. “And have someone package Kele and chain her to their carriage.” He led Pemma to the back of the compound and shoved her inside an empty cell.

“Let’s play slave girl and master. Take off your clothes and get on your knees.” He pulled off his shirt and pants, tossing them in the corner. His thick, huge cock jutted out, hard and eager. “I want to start by fucking that clever mouth.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Peder slid the hairpin Pemma gave him inside the hem of his kilt and watched as Timothy led her to the back of the compound. What had the tiny omega female done? He glanced Nahuel’s worried expression. “I think we made a mistake.”

“She offered.” The other hunter didn’t sound so reassured, though.

“Yes, but sometimes omegas can’t stop themselves from offering to help. It’s in our—their nature.” After last night, he couldn’t consider himself omega anymore. Kele was right. He’d changed. He could only hope he didn’t continue on this path and turn into a monster like his old alpha. “It’s why they need hunters to guide and protect them.”

“Too late now.”

Her muffled moans drifted to his sensitive ears, almost too low for him to distinguish them. He couldn’t tell if they were from pleasure or pain though. He fisted his hands. They shouldn’t have asked for her help.

The pen’s door opened and two vampires dragged a struggling Kele out. “Let go of me. I don’t care if I’ve been sold.” She kicked one in the groin and elbowed the other in the face. With a few well-placed punches, she raced into Peder’s open arms. Her hands ran over his chains and the thick lock. “He’s sold me. We have to escape now.” She tugged the chain with all her strength but nothing happened. “Maybe if I shift and use feral strength, I can break it.”

“It’s vampire iron.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her so they were nose to nose. “Listen to me. I asked her to buy you.”

“You did what?”

“I’ll find you. No matter where she takes you, it can’t be worse than here. When I escape, I’ll come for you, no matter how long it takes me.”

“No.” She shook her head, but it was too late.

The vampires had recovered and tackled her to the ground, landing a few punches of their own.

“Stop it.” He leaped forward but his chain snapped him back. “She’ll cooperate now.” He rubbed his sore neck and throat. The pain just added to his overall bodily discomfort. Beaten yesterday, fight last night, and training all morning. It felt like old times.

They clamped a collar around her neck.

The tears in her eyes were almost his undoing as they dragged her toward the carriage. She mouthed his name and reached out her hands.

Peder hadn’t even kissed her good-bye.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. “You did the right thing, hunter. You’re a good mate.”

The shifters in the pen gathered at the bars, watching their public sorrow.

They half carried her out of the compound, where Pemma’s carriage probably waited. The Goddess would burn his soul when it left this shell for selling his mate and misguiding a sweet omega female. He was no better than Sorin’s father.

He fell to the ground and rested back against the wall, trying to block the sounds of Timothy’s climax. How could Pemma’s vampire master not hear that?

The laughter in Ewald’s meeting grew much louder at that moment.

Peder closed his eyes and bowed his head. Tonight, he’d have to make a move.

Pemma scooted from under Timothy and pulled her dress back on. “Quick, help me with the buttons.” The latest fashion had the fastenings on the back of the dress rather than the front. He’d only loosened enough to pull it over her head, but they needed refastening before she faced Ewald.

“My lord, your purchase is awaiting at your carriage.” One of the guards spoke loudly as if giving Timothy a cue.

“My purchase? What do you mean? Where’s Pemma?” Ewald’s voice carried in the empty yard.

“The slave she purchased is quite lovely. Let me show you.”

“Slave?” Ewald’s question held an edge of anger. But he’d said she could buy one in front of the guards as well as Timothy. Her master wouldn’t break his word publically. Once they were back at Lord Weis’s manor she’d hear a lot about it, though.

Their footsteps faded.

Pemma toed the big cat who still panted on the ground. “Come on. Hurry. Do you really want a vampire lord’s wrath aimed at you?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” He climbed to his feet and did her buttons then hugged her from behind. “When he tires of you, Pemma. You come see me. I like a female with spirit.”

She elbowed him in the gut. “When he tires of me, I’ll be in the West and my pack has enough single hunters that I’ll have my choice of mate.”

He snorted. “They’ll all be dead within a year.” He clasped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “You act dumb for him, but I know you’re smarter. You should remain here in the city when he goes. Don’t follow a fool.”

“I haven’t a choice.” She checked her hair with her hands. “My grandparents are going and I won’t leave them. How’s my hair?”

He gave her a weary smile. “It’s fine.” He dressed and let her hurry out first.

She rushed to Nahuel and Peder. “Do you have a message for her before I go?”

Peder’s eyes grew wide. “I never meant for you to…”

She clamped her hand over his mouth. Time was running out. “Never mind that. Message?” She released him.

“We’ve said our good-byes. Where are you taking her?”

“For now, Lord Weis’s manor but soon we’ll be leaving for the West.”

“Pemma? What are you doing?” Ewald clamped his hand over her shoulder and yanked her away. “Didn’t you hear me calling you?”

“Yes, I did. That’s why I hurried to see you.” She rose and kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t want him tasting Timothy on her mouth. “Do you like the female I purchased? She’s so lovely and only two gold bars.”

“Two gold bars? Are you insane?” He pulled her away from the hunters chained to the wall. “You weren’t supposed to purchase anyone.” His whispered fury could still be heard by the other shifters.

She pouted. “I know, but Timothy was so convincing.” She let a tear roll down her cheek. “Maybe he’ll understand if I explained my mistake.” She twisted as if about to search for the cat slaver.

Ewald frowned. “Never mind that. We can’t go back on our word. I still may need his contacts in the future.” He tugged her to the carriage where the pale slave female stood chained to the back.

Timothy appeared. “Is all to your liking?” he asked her, not Ewald.

A blush scalded her cheeks. “Yes.” No, she’d have to soak in a bath for a week before she felt clean once more.

Ewald pulled out his money purse and paid for the slave, scowling the whole time.

The slaver handed Pemma the key to the female’s collar. “Careful, she bites.” He nodded toward a set of guards who had obvious bruises on their faces. “She goes by Kele, but you can change it to a more Europan name if you wish.”

She strode to Kele. “I’m Pemma.” As she reached to unlock her collar Ewald squawked a protest. “You don’t mean to drag her behind the carriage.”

“Where do plan on placing her?”

“Inside with us.” She glanced at Kele and flinched at her hard stare. The wild shifter didn’t care for her. “Or maybe in front with the driver?” She retreated to Ewald’s side and handed him the key.

With a heavy sigh, he approached the female shifter. “I’ll be a good master, Kele. You’ve nothing to fear from me or Pemma. Just let us get you home and prove it to you.” He unlocked the chain from the carriage and led her to the front.

The whole time, Kele’s glare never left Pemma, and she saw her death within it.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kele sat next to the carriage driver and clung for dear life as the horses pulled them through the streets. In feral form, she could have run faster. However, attaching horses to a hulking mass of wood with rattling wheels, then adding pedestrians who took their lives in their hands by crossing in front, made travel too fast for her shifter heart.

“Get out of the way,” she shouted to one female crossing the road, who was picking her way over muddy puddles slowly.

The driver jerked in surprise and gave Kele a three-tooth grin. “You’re from the wild aren’t ya?”

The carriage swung precariously as they took a corner. “Keep your eyes on where you’re going, crafter.” She was chained to this thing. If it crashed, she couldn’t jump free.

“Don’tcha worry. I’ve been driving horses since before you were a pup.”

People bolted from the street at the sound of hooves hitting the cobblestone. The carriage passed their surroundings so quickly she lost her sense of direction. Most stores seemed like they were selling goods.

Someone with a handsome face and a mess of curly hair caught her eye. She spun around, gripping the bars of the carriage. Was that Benic? But the carriage turned a corner and she lost sight of him. She was so desperate for freedom she’d even choose
him
for her rescuer.

She’d been bought. Her. Kele, daughter of Inali and Chaska, alphas of the Payami, fifth generation of alpha females on her mother’s side, now a slave to some floppy female shifter pet. If there was a lesson in this, she failed to see it.

They drove out of the city—well, at least the buildings grew more scarce, and she could breathe easier—toward a large white stone building.

“What is this place?” A place of prayer maybe?

“Weis Manor. Your temporary home until my lord tires of your lord.” He cackled and slapped his knee.

She couldn’t stop her grin at his laughter. So it was called a manor, in which a lord lived. Seemed just like another vampire word for a den. Castle, manor, house, compound…cage.

The driver slowed the horses until they stopped smoothly in front of the door. He did have skill after all. He leaped down and assisted Pemma out of the carriage, then Lord Ewald while Kele climbed down on her own.

The petite female blinked at her, then back at her vampire master. “What do I do now?”

He’d had a frown on his face from the moment he’d laid eyes on Kele. “This was your idea my dear. Deal with it.” Then he stormed inside, leaving them in a pregnant silence.

“So, umm, Kele. Maybe we should start with a meal and a bath.”

She rattled her chain. “Maybe we should start by unlocking this. Your lord has the key.”

Pemma jumped. “Oh, wait here then.” And she raced inside, dress flying up around her knees.

Kele glanced at the driver. “I don’t know where she thinks I’ll go.” She rattled her chain again.

He chuckled. “Take it easy on Pemma. She has a good heart, that little one does. I’d say she did you a favor buying you from a place like that. I’m sure once you prove yourself loyal, the alpha will let you join his pack.”

Running her fingers through her tangled hair, she tried to make herself appear half civil. Part of her wanted to shift and howl at the injustice of everything. They wanted a wild shifter—she’d give them one. But she could hear Peder whispering in her head. Stay quiet, stay low, and wait for her chance to escape.

Then what? Return to the compound, fight her way in, and break the bonds of slavery from every shifter inside with the might of her idiocy? She had to use the muscle in between her ears and not the one that pumped her heart.

Pemma returned with a triumphant smile, holding the key. She unlocked the restraints, folded her hands, and waited.

Kele undid the collar around her neck and glanced around the grounds. No guards. No hunters.

The driver led the horse with the carriage away and left them alone.

Would Pemma fight her if she ran?

“Before you try to run.” Pemma gave her a shy smile as if reading her mind. “I want you to know that Peder asked me to buy you.”

“What?” Kele loomed over her with fisted hands. “When did you speak to my male?”

Pemma crouched to her knees in an obvious omega manner. “He wanted me to save you, hunter. It will make it easier for him to escape if you aren’t locked in the compound.”

She gaped at the top of Pemma’s pretty head. “You’re helping us?” She rolled her eyes and wanted to thump herself in the head. “Please stand, Pemma. I’m out of sorts.” Bullying omegas was something her mother did.

Pemma glanced at Kele’s fists, then rose slowly. “You won’t attack me?”

Kele relaxed her hands and held them out from her body. “No, I’m an idiot, not cruel.” She rubbed her temples to ease her growing headache. When had she last eaten? “I saw you with Timothy. You went in the back room with him so I just assumed—”

Pemma gasped and set her delicate fingers over Kele’s mouth. “Shh…Ewald can’t find out about that. It’s the price I paid for your freedom, and he won’t like it.”

Kele’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. How did she respond to that? Pemma whored herself for her release? And—and the omega didn’t even know her. The driver was right. Pemma did have a good heart. Too good—she might get into serious trouble. “You shouldn’t have done that. I can’t repay that kind of courage. Did he hurt you?” Kele couldn’t believe this conversation. She needed a pinch to wake up.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” Her tone didn’t give Kele any confidence in Pemma’s answer. The omega linked their arms. “I told the maids to draw you a bath and bring a meal. I think we should keep your presence from my alpha for now. He hates it when I bring strays home.”

“I’m a slave, not a stray. I
have
a pack.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. In Europa, we don’t use slaves so I’m unfamiliar with the protocol.” Pemma eyed her. “You’re much taller than me. Maybe one of the maids will have a dress that will fit you better than this rag Timothy gave you.”

She looked back at the city. “What about Peder?”

Pemma shrugged. “One thing at a time.”

Past the threshold, Kele halted. The sunlight glinted off the white stone floor and blinded her. She moved farther inside and noticed many things shone. Crystals hung from the ceiling like a great lamp and gold-framed pictures decorated all the walls. Flowers in containers decorated the tables. Her pack was considered wealthy but not like this.

Pemma tugged on her arm. “This way. The bath will be ready soon.”

They climbed a set of curving stairs and followed a hall that went to the far back of the building. The walls in this part were bare of decorations and shiny things, yet a lovely red carpet covered the wooden floors.

Pemma opened a door to an apartment. Kele was familiar with this layout. Dens were created in a similar manner. They were a huge home separated into different family rooms.

A large copper pot filled with steaming water sat by the fire pit. While she stared at the bath, a female appeared with a bucket of hot water and poured more in the tub.

“Will that be all, miss?” The strange shifter didn’t raise her downcast gaze.

“That’s fine, thank you, Genella.” Pemma rested her hand on the other shifter’s shoulder.

She raised her gaze to give Pemma a shy smile before exiting the room.

“The servants are not sure how to treat me. Technically, I’m omega and should be the one drawing baths, but being Ewald’s concubine seems to confuse the hierarchy on this side of the ocean.” Pemma pointed to a plate heaped with food. “Eat or wash first?”

Kele blinked. For an omega, Pemma was a bit bold. “Wash.” Kele had been dragged and beaten a few times since her capture. The blood and dirt had formed a crusty layer on her skin. She undressed and held her chin high when she glimpsed concern in Pemma’s face. Kele sank into the tub and hissed at the scalding heat. Little cuts she hadn’t been aware of stung all at once.

Pemma circled around her with a pitcher and poured the contents over her head. The omega rolled up her sleeves and soaped up Kele’s hair before she could catch her breath at the sudden deluge.

“I thought you were some kind of lady as well.” Kele cringed as Pemma’s nails scraped her scalp.

“No, I belong to Ewald. Well, my pack does and I’m his present choice of companion, though I wonder after my behavior today if I still will be.” She poured more water over Kele’s head until she was rinsed and half drowned. “Lean forward so I can wash your back.”

“Wait, I’m your slave. Shouldn’t I be washing you?”

Pemma paused and stared at her. “But I’m omega and you’re obviously a hunter. That would be weird.”

Kele nodded and leaned forward. It would be. Pack hierarchy was instinctual. Vampires could try to beat the wolf out of them but it would take cutting out their souls. They couldn’t live without their feral sides. Not to mention, nothing compared to being cared for by an omega. They just had a special way that soothed the jagged edges of a hunter’s heart. There wasn’t any need for posturing with them. Omegas didn’t care about climbing positions in the pack. Peder used to own these qualities. The longer he stayed in Timothy’s care, the more she feared he’d lose his gentle nature that she loved.

“Okay, we’re done.” Pemma set the soap down after scrubbing her all over with a stiff brush. Every inch of her skin felt raw and fabulous, all of the slaver’s stench and grime washed off.

Kele’s heart sank a bit—so was Peder’s mark. She’d just have to make him give her another.

Pemma glanced at the bath. “I should wash too before Ewald smells Timothy on me.” She quickly disrobed after showing Kele how to undo her dress buttons. While Pemma washed, Kele ate.

“Will you want any of this?” She pointed to the half-eaten plate.

Pemma shook her head. “I’m fine. I don’t eat much.” She stepped out of the tub. The omega withdrew a light-pink gown from the wardrobe that went well with her long dark hair. “I have much apologizing to do with Ewald tonight.” She pulled out a yellow gown and compared the two in the mirror.

“The pink one,” Kele managed around a mouthful.

A maid entered the room with a blue dress. “This should fit her, miss.” She gave a small bow and left.

“They bow to you.” Kele pointed to the closed door.

“They belong to Lord Weis, who requires all his servants to do that. It gets confusing with guests and their packs. Then you toss me in as an omega lover to a lord. I guess it’s just safer to bow to everyone.”

Kele laughed and swallowed an unchewed bite whole. Enough—if she ate anymore, she’d get lethargic. She held the dress out and assessed all the fastenings. Where did they all go? She pulled it over her head.

“It’s on backwards.”

“Oh.” She tugged and pulled until it fit better. “Like that?”

Pemma straightened the hem a bit, then began with all the buttons and ties until Kele couldn’t take a deep breath.

“That’s a little tight.” Kele tugged at one of the bows.

“It’s supposed to be.” Pemma sat Kele in front of the mirror and ran a brush through her hair. “I’ve never seen this color on a shifter.”

“My father had the same coloring.” Her voice hitched unexpectedly. “You said on a shifter. Who have you seen it on?”

“A Yeti tribe came to Gaul for some kind of political thing. Maybe it was a wedding. Anyway, in their civil form, they all have pale hair like yours. Some of the vampire females do too, but I’ve gotten only glimpses of them from afar.”

“Glimpses? What do you mean? They don’t travel with their husbands?”

“Oh dear Goddess no. They’re guarded like precious treasure in Europa. Seeing one up close is as rare as seeing a unicorn.”

“Unicorns don’t exist.”

“They don’t?” She sighed. “No wonder I haven’t seen one yet.”

Kele stared at Pemma’s reflection in the mirror. Either this omega was the kindest person she’d ever met or the most diabolical. Within hours, she’d completely disarmed her. Her own mother hadn’t managed that in over twenty years. Kele couldn’t do anything but like Pemma.

“Peder’s very handsome.”

Kele blinked. “I know.”

“Is he any good in bed? You know, sometimes the really handsome ones don’t try very hard. I find if you want a better experience, the somewhat uglier ones really put more effort into the act.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Pemma slowed her brushing. “What do you mean?”

Kele’s cheeks burned so hot she feared they’d melt off her face. “We haven’t been together long.”

Pemma looked so puzzled. “Is it a wild shifter thing to mate like this?”

She shook her head. “No, most omega females I know would probably agree with your assessment of males. I’m just…complicated.”

“Well, playing hard to get seems to have worked out for you. You’ve got the finest catch in the land. He seems smitten with you.”

Kele met her own stare in the mirror and saw what speaking about Peder brought out in her face. She smiled and touched the glass. “He’s my soul mate.”

Pemma’s childish smile faded. “Then we’ll have to put our heads together and figure out how to save him.”

“I thought you said he was going to escape.”

She snorted. “That’s what he said, but you know males. By the time he decides to do it, you’ll be silver and he’ll be gray.”

As the evening drew closer, Peder escaped deeper within himself. He knew Timothy expected him to kill again tonight. The only thing keeping him together was the small hairpin Pemma had given him.

Timothy led both him and Nahuel by the collar into the fighting arena.

Peder held his head up high but couldn’t meet anyone’s gaze. Dread clung to him like a bad aftertaste. The handler had their ankles linked in chains and bound their wrists. Instead of taking them to an underground cell, Timothy settled them outside the challenge ring while the arena filled with viewers.

“Some of the spectators like to see the fighters beforehand. If you’re lucky, you might catch the eye of a wealthy patron who’ll pay to spend the night with you.” Timothy bent toward Peder. “You probably won’t ever have to sleep alone. Revenue just from that is a bonus.” He chuckled and rubbed his solid, flat stomach. “Hunters, things will only get better. The more money you make me, the better I’ll treat you.”