He turned on his communicator andcalled Erling.
Erling’s face appeared on thescreen. “What’s up?”
“Is it possible that Cadmusisn’t dead?”
Erling frowned, looking puzzled.“It’s possible. I stabbed him in the chest, but it might not havebeen a fatal wound.”
Michio sank down on the bed,feeling as if he’d been struck physically.
“What’s wrong?”
“Cadmus kidnapped Toemeka,”Michio said in a choked voice.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She contacted meinwardly, letting me know she was in trouble. When I reached home,she was gone and Baymond was crying in his cradle. There’s evidenceof a struggle and I found Cadmus’ name scribbled on a scrap offabric.”
“I’ll come immediately.Together we’ll find her.”
“No, I’ll come to the palacewith Baymond. Do you think Koriann will look after him while wesearch for Toemeka?”
“Of course, he can stay in thenursery.”
“See if you can find out whereCadmus went after he left Jaipar. There must be some trace of him.He’s a well-known man.”
“I’ll send detectives to yourhouse to see if they can find any more clues. And Zac can researchwhere Cadmus went after he left Jaipar ten months ago. Are you allright, Michio?”
“I will be, once we findToemeka.”
***
Toemeka woke up in a strangebedroom. She no longer heard the humming engines of the spacecraftand knew she was on land again. Was Baymond all right? Had Michiogotten her inner message and come home immediately? She hoped hefound the label with Cadmus’ name scribbled on it and deduced thatCadmus kidnapped her.
It hurt to breathe. When shetried to sit up, pain swept through her. Lying back down, she put ahand on her throbbing side.
“You’re awake at last,” ayoung woman said, coming over to the bed. “I’ll go get Cadmus.”
Toemeka turned toward the voiceand saw an uncomely girl who looked to be about sixteen. She haddull, mousy-brown hair, lifeless blue-green eyes and a sad, defeatedexpression.
“Who are you?” Toemeka asked.
“I am your slave.”
“My what!”
“I live to serve you. Cadmusgave me to you.”
“I don’t need a slave.”
“You need someone to do yourhair, makeup and help you dress.”
“I can care for myself.”Toemeka closed her eyes, wondering if she was to be Cadmus’concubine. The thought was revolting. It made her so angry sheblinked back tears that threatened to slide down her cheeks. Openingher eyes again she asked, “What is your name?”
“I have no name.”
“No name! Everyone has a name.”
“I’m not a person, just aslave.”
“A slave is a person! Were youborn a slave?”
“No, I was sold into slavery asa young girl.”
“What was your name then?”
“Amaretta.”
“Amaretta. What a pretty name.That’s what I’ll call you.”
“As you like.”
“Please help me sit up. I needto go to the bathroom.” Toemeka gasped in pain as Amaretta assistedher into a sitting position. Her side burned like fire. Amarettahelped her to a large bathroom with a polished stone floor andwhirlpool. After she’d used the bathroom, she hobbled back to bedand Amaretta helped her sit down. Amaretta brushed her hair until itshone, then took out some makeup.
“Please don’t let Cadmus knowI’m awake. I’m not ready to face him.”
“Don’t be afraid. He won’tharm you. He beats his slaves, but not his mistresses. Besides heseems very taken with you. He’s checked on you often these last fewdays.”
“Days!”
“Yes, you’ve been here threedays. The doctor kept you drugged. You have several broken ribs.”She started applying rouge.
“I don’t want makeup. Irefuse to be Cadmus’ kept woman!”
The girl froze in terror.
“What is it?”
In a barely audible whisper,Amaretta replied, “He’ll beat me if I don’t do my job.”
“I’ll take responsibility fornot wearing makeup.”
“He’ll take his anger out onme.” She bowed her head, trembling.
Toemeka didn’t want the girlbeaten. “All right, apply the rouge and lipstick, but I refuse towear more than that.” Toemeka held still while Amaretta applied themakeup, mulling over what the girl told her. She’d been here threedays plus the time in space travel. Michio would be deeply worried.In her unconscious, drugged state they wouldn’t have had any innerlinkup.
And what about Baymond? How washe doing without his mother to care for him? Her heart ached, greatlymissing her husband and child. She’d never been away from Baymondbefore, even for a brief time. It felt as if part of her had beenripped away. He was a completely dependent infant. Their physical andemotional link was especially strong since she was nursing him. Herengorged breasts ached and began to leak milk as she thought of him.
Amaretta left the room once themakeup was applied. Before long Cadmus entered, carrying a vase offlowers that he set on the bedside table. “I thought you wouldenjoy some flowers from the garden. I’m sorry you were injured.”He sat on a chair next to the bed.
She cocked an eyebrow. “Injured?As I recall you deliberately hurled me across the room.”
“You must be feeling better.”
She scowled. “I’ve awakenedfrom my drugged stupor if that’s what you mean. What are your plansfor me?”
“I want you for my mistress.”
“I find that hard to believe.Mistresses are easy enough to acquire. You don’t have to travelacross the galaxy to get one.”
He nodded. “True. However,there are other reasons for your abduction.”
“You can’t keep me. I’llescape.”
“Don’t try it. My fortress islocated in the domed city of Henotaux on a moon called Devil’s Eye.The city is owned and controlled by criminals. It’s not a safe foryou leave my compound unless you’re in my company.”
“I’ve never heard of Devil’sEye.”
“It revolves around plantKunassre, an uninhabitable planet in the Suri solar system.”
“How long will I be confined tobed?”
“You can get up whenever youfeel strong enough. Your ribs will heal on their own.” He leanedover and kissed her.
She tried to push him away andpain shot through her.
“Don’t worry,” he said,leaning back in his chair. “I only want a kiss for now.”
“What are your other reasonsfor abducting me?”
“You’re bait to lure Michioand Prince Erling here so I can kill them. Then I can become theruler of Jaipar.” His voice was eerily calm and matter-of-fact, asif nothing could stop him from achieving his goal.
She broke into a cold sweat,dread filling her. How could she keep Michio and Erling from fallinginto his trap? “Queen Koriann rules Jaipar. Killing Erling won’tchange
