“We haven’t. She is my cook, but I have a special assignment for her today. Is the first cell available?”
“Yes, sir. I would be happy to install her there and show her what is expected.”
The guard leered at her, and she shuddered, grateful once again for Ukhaan’s lack of interest.
“You will do nothing of the kind,” Ukhaan said forbiddingly. “I have plans for the slave, and I require her to be untouched. For now.”
The guard bowed his head in acknowledgment, and Ukhaan turned back to Joan. “Note that my forbearance only continues if you are successful in convincing Varga to invest.” He shrugged. “Otherwise, I will have no hesitation about letting Piaam—or any of the other guards—use you as they will.”
She did her best not to show her horror, but from the satisfied smirk that crossed Ukhaan’s face, she didn’t think she was entirely successful.
“I see you understand.” Without waiting for a response, he turned back to the guard. “Take us to the cell.”
As the two males started down the corridor, she snuck a quick look back over her shoulder. Could she make it back to the lift and up to the surface? But even if she did, what then? She had no weapons and barely any clothing, but more importantly, she had no way of finding Varga. No matter what he had promised her, this new twist would put a kink in his plans.
And the thought of Ukhaan using her against him made her stomach roil. She suspected he wouldn’t hesitate to agree to Ukhaan’s plans in order to protect her. What were they going to do?
The sharp crack of an electric whip barely missing her hip made her flinch and forced her attention back to Ukhaan and Piaam. Piaam raised the whip again, but Ukhaan shook his head.
“I don’t believe that will be necessary. Will it, girl?”
“No, sir. I’m sorry, sir.” She hurried towards him. “I was just thinking about those lorca steaks. I had planned to serve them with creamed grains for lunch today.”
It was one of his favorite meals and he licked his lips, one hand rubbing his huge paunch thoughtfully. “Perhaps there’s time—, no I must consider the long game. If everything goes well, you will be back in time to prepare them. If not…” He gave a cruel laugh. “I’m sure you will be even more anxious to please me once I release you.”
She forced herself to nod submissively and hurry after them. How ironic that her miserable life as his cook now seemed almost idyllic in comparison to her present circumstances. And the thought of a future with Varga seemed like an impossible dream.
“This one’s empty,” Piaam said, breaking her out of her abstraction.
She followed his gaze to the waiting cell. It contained nothing but a large metal bed clamped to the floor and topped with a thin plastic mattress. An open doorway on one side revealed a basic bathroom. There was no privacy, nowhere to hide, and her cramped quarters behind the kitchen seemed infinitely more desirable.
“In you go,” Ukhaan ordered, and she forced her feet to obey. The door slammed shut behind her with an ominous clank. Her life with Kevin had taught her that begging never helped, but it took all of her strength to resist dropping to her knees and begging Ukhaan to take her away. Instead, she clasped her hands together to hide the trembling and did her best to lift her chin as she looked back at the two males.
A low rumble sounded, and the ground shook beneath her feet, not enough to throw her off balance but enough to make her feel dizzy. When she regained her equilibrium, she saw Piaam staring at Ukhaan.
“That’s the second one today, Overseer Ukhaan.”
Ukhaan waved his hand dismissively. “It’s simply because of the expansion to the mine. It will settle down. Now tell my slave what she can expect if she remains here.”
“Food is delivered twice a day. As long as you behave,” Piaam added with a leer. “New gown once a week so it’s better to remove it before it gets ripped off of you.”
She couldn’t prevent a shudder and both males laughed. Piaam continued, gesturing to a pile of surprisingly clean towels beneath a wall dispenser. “As many towels as you want as long as you throw the dirty ones down the chute. That is, if you care about keeping yourself clean. But don’t fool yourself into thinking that the miners care. No matter how disgusting you are, it won’t stop them. And eventually, I’ll have to come wash you. I suspect I’d enjoy it more than you would.”
This time, she managed to hide her reaction, and he looked disappointed before turning back to Ukhaan. “Any other instructions, sir?”
“No. Return to your post.”
With a curious frown in Ukhaan’s direction, Piaam obeyed. Ukhaan stepped closer to the bars.
“I suspect I may regret doing this. You are a very acceptable cook. I find that I am willing to offer an additional incentive. Convince Master Varga to make the deal, and I will take you with me when I leave this planet.”
Did he actually mean that? The offer seemed sincere enough, but she suspected that he would have no hesitation in failing to fulfill his promise if it became unpleasant or inconvenient. Nonetheless, she bobbed her head submissively.
“Thank you, Master Ukhaan. I very much enjoy preparing delicacies for such a sophisticated palate. I hope I can return in time to prepare the lorca steaks.”
He nodded complacently, as if she had nothing more in life to wish for than
