“Your breasts are enlarged and your nipples are hard.”
Joan blushed as she looked down and realized that the memory of her time with Varga had caused her body to respond, her nipples thrusting against his shirt. “It’s normal for human females.”
“Hmm.” Saka ran a complacent hand down her own smooth front. “It seems inefficient.”
“Oh, it has its advantages,” she said lightly, refusing to respond to the other female’s bait.
“I will admit that your warrior doesn’t seem to object. At least, based on your little display earlier, I assume he’s your warrior?”
Was he? He had said he was here to rescue her—at his friend’s request, a little voice whispered—but he hadn’t mentioned what would happen once they left this planet. He treated her so tenderly, but then again, his eyes had been full of sympathy when he noticed Saka’s scars. And the female was very attractive. She forced herself to shrug.
“He’s a free male.”
“Hmm,” Saka said again, her eyes all too knowing as she inspected Joan’s face. “I’m not quite sure I believe that.” Before Joan could respond, she continued, “You’re the one who sent the food, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I am—I was—Ukhaan’s cook.”
Saka shuddered. “He’s a cold bastard. Not remotely swayed by my, uh, feminine charms.”
“He’s a dead bastard now. Killed in the cave-in.” She smiled at the other female. “And I was always happy that he was more interested in food than sex.”
“Ah, but I can’t cook,” Saka said bitterly, then shook her head. “Still, thank you for the treats. It was nice to get something I didn’t have to… pay for.”
“I’m glad you liked them.”
Rummel came up beside them, Polly lagging a few steps to his right. She seemed almost as suspicious of Saka as she did of Varga and kept shooting her nervous glances. George, too, stayed on the far side of the corridor.
Saka sighed. “I’m not sure bringing the moaner was the best idea. Can she keep her mouth shut for a change?”
Joan expected Polly to shrink away, but instead she glared at Saka, who laughed. “Maybe there’s some spirit there after all.”
“We’re almost to the mines,” Rummel interrupted, with a reproving look at Saka. Joan wasn’t surprised that he had taken Polly under his wing. Despite his constant grumbling, he had a kind heart. “Two more cells, then the supply rooms. I suppose I’m going to have to find clothes for all of you.”
“Two more cells?” she asked eagerly. “Does that mean two more women we can help get away from here?”
“One female, one male.”
Her stomach clenched as she remembered Ukhaan’s harsh instructions to choose one of the weaker males as a substitute for her. “Oh no.”
Varga returned to the small group and immediately tugged Joan against his side. Saka raised a knowing eyebrow, and Joan did her best to keep from blushing.
“I agreed to rescue females, not males,” he said firmly. “And none of us are going to escape if we don’t keep moving.”
She obediently fell in step beside him but was already trying to come up with the best way to change his mind. The poor male was only there because of her—and Ukhaan’s gluttony, she forced herself to remember.
But when they turned the corner and found the next cell, she felt the doubt creep in. There were two occupants of this cell: the slender, purple-skinned female who had been on the ship with her and a huge, lethal-looking male. He was as tall as Varga, his height accented by the black crest that topped his wedge-shaped head. His body was covered with matte black scales, and sharp spikes jutted back from his elbows and knees. How could anybody think someone like that could be compelled into sexual slavery?
She didn’t realize she had misunderstood until he thrust the female behind him and glared at Varga.
“My time is not yet up.”
Varga had his weapon out and pointing at the male before he finished speaking. “Back away from the female.”
The female in question gave a frightened cry and huddled behind the dark-skinned male as he glared at Varga.
“It’s all right,” Joan said quickly. “We’re here to take you out of this place.”
A face peeped out at her from behind the male—a very pretty face with dark purple eyes set at an angle amidst delicate, alien features. White hair waved gently, seeming to cling to the male’s skin. “Really?” she asked doubtfully.
“That’s the plan. Just move away from him.”
The female looked from Joan to the weapon in Varga’s hand, and her eyes widened, her hair whipping around her face.
“No! Don’t hurt him!” She tried to throw herself in front of the big, dark male, but he gently restrained her.
“Be calm, Taliane,” he said softly, then frowned at Varga. “Does the female speak the truth?”
Joan glared up at him. “I’m right here, and of course I do.”
The male looked down as if seeing her for the first time, and she thought she caught a flicker of amusement on that strange face. “Forgive me, small female. What is the plan?”
Varga growled before she could respond. “Not one we will offer to a stranger.” After a momentary hesitation, he added, “But it has a reasonable chance of success.”
“Fair enough.” The male sighed and looked down at Taliane, now clinging to his arm. “Perhaps you should take that chance.”
“I’m not leaving you, Issar.”
Saka gave an exasperated sigh. “Don’t be a fool. You can always find another male.”
“I don’t want another male.” Taliane’s teeth fastened on her lower lip. “He has been… good to me. I’m not leaving him.”
“Do
