Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Raven

She’d finally done it. After a month of struggling, she’d finished the book. Some words still tripped her up, but she was getting the hang of their language.

The guys were always patient, even when she wanted to read aloud and had a million questions.

“Time to wrap it up. We need to leave,” Arenk announced.

She hopped off the bed and started to put on her shoes. Arenk ran his fingers through his hair, letting out a deep sigh.

He moved to the dresser, started packing some of her things into a duffle bag. His jaw was tight, twitching every now and then. Her heart began to race.

“I can pack. Are we going somewhere?” Raven asked, taking the bag from him.

“I’ll explain on the way.”

She quickly tossed in the items she’d been collecting while his back was turned. She’d enjoyed her time with them, but she needed to find her sister. She couldn’t do that here.

As soon as she found a ship to take her off this planet, she’d be on it. That was the final part of her plan. As they left the building, Laro was waiting outside, grinning from ear to ear.

“What do you think?”

“You’re trying to prove something,” Arenk replied.

Laro just laughed, continuing to buff the vehicle. It couldn’t fly, but it was a sight to behold. The glossy white paint complemented the chrome accents perfectly.

Arenk tossed her bag in, and even Laro looked confused.

“Can I drive?”

“Maybe when we get to the forest,” Laro replied.

The ride was smooth, but eerily quiet compared to their usual banter, with Laro cracking jokes and her laughing along while Arenk played the role of the scold.

They pulled over once they were deep in the forest.

“Come on, climb up here.”

She moved to the front, settling into Laro’s lap. He explained the controls, and she took over the driving. Arenk continued to stare out the window, silent.

Laro’s hands slid up her thighs, reaching her core. She squeezed her legs together.

“Focus on the road,” Laro whispered in her ear.

“Hard to do when you’re poking me from behind,” she retorted, grinding against his growing arousal.

“Says the one going commando,” he shot back.

Laro used one hand to take over the wheel. The other he slipped between her legs. The vehicle came to a stop, and Laro rolled down his window.

“Reach out and adjust the mirror. That last bump knocked it out of place,” Laro instructed.

Raven leaned out the window. She had to kneel on the edge of the door to reach the mirror. The window started to rise.

She tried to pull back in, but a hand pressed against her legs, stopping her.

“Not funny,” she protested.

The window continued to rise, trapping her.

Laro’s prank was not amusing. She tried to wiggle free, but to no avail. Her heart skipped a beat when a wet finger began to probe her.

She couldn’t see who it was through the tinted glass.

The finger moved in and out, a thumb making small circles. She squeezed her legs together, but it didn’t help.

Her breathing quickened, a moan escaping into the forest. The hand just held her open, not missing a beat. A pressure began to build in her lower belly.

Just as she was about to climax, the window lowered.

“If you don’t want to join in, that’s your choice. But don’t ruin my fun,” Laro said, raising the window again.

“We have a place to be, and we’re already late. If you insist on being a nuisance, take her and finish in the back. I’ll drive,” Arenk said, his tone darker than she’d ever heard.

Laro lowered the window for her to climb back in. The rest of the ride was silent until they reached a dirt road. He slammed on the brakes next to a sign that read General Dhol.

Laro covered her ears with his hands. She could hear muffled shouting but couldn’t make out the words.

“…General…whore…coward…”

She looked at the sign again. General Dhol. When he removed his hands, he just sat there. His knuckles were white from gripping the wheel, his eyes bright.

She started to rub her hands together, trying to calm her nerves.

Laro pulled up to a large, beautiful wooden house. She noticed guards at the door, armed. Maybe they were meeting their boss. Arenk got out and grabbed her bag.

Her heart sank.

“Come on, little one.”

“I’ll stay here,” she said, taking Laro’s hand.

“Now, Raven. We’re late.”

“What’s happening? You’re acting strange. You said you’d explain.”

He sighed. “Remember the man in the store when you first arrived?”

She nodded.

“He’s put us in a tough spot. The best way to keep you safe is to do what he says. Do you trust me?”

She nodded and got out of the car. Laro didn’t move or look at her as the guards led them into the house. They were taken to an office.

The same man with the long braid was sitting behind a desk, typing on a computer.

“You’re late, but I see you’ve come to your senses,” General Dhol said, looking up from his screen.

“Did you see my counteroffer?”

“I did. And rejected it. Leave her things there, and I’ll see you at work in a few days.”

“No, you will accept it, or we’ll take our chances with the king. No one will be happy.”

The ticking of the clock filled the room. She held Arenk’s hand tightly. When the general didn’t respond, they headed for the door.

“Okay, but not once a month. I want one night a week, with room to negotiate later. But since you guys had her for a month, I want her for at least a week. Then we can start the weekly rotation,” he proposed, pacing around the desk.

Arenk’s jaw tightened as he drew in a deep breath.

“Deal.”

She let go of his hand. “I’m not some fucking object to be bartered.”

“Can we have a moment?” Arenk requested.

“Make it quick. You’re eating into my time,” General Dhol retorted, shutting the door behind him.

“This can go one of three ways. One, you end up in a lab being experimented on. Two, the king adds you to his harem and loans you out to officials. Or three, this.”

“Doing what?”

Her eyes started to sting as tears welled up. Arenk held her gaze. They stood in silence, the ticking of the clock the only sound. She brushed her cheek with the back of her hand.

“Do as he says. Be a good girl, Raven. Be strong.”

“I’ll never forgive either of you for this. I want to leave this planet. What about my clearance to make a call?”

“Who do you think holds that power? Everything will be okay. He won’t hurt you.”

“Just you guys.”

He sighed and set her bag down. As he opened the door, she clutched his arm, pressing it against her chest.

“Please, don’t leave me here. Please.”

“We’ll be back in a week. Behave,” Arenk said, gently extricating himself from her grip.

She followed him to the door and then to the car. Her tears streamed down her face as their vehicle pulled away from the driveway.

~They abandoned me.~

She sprinted down the driveway. To hell with them. She’d run into the forest and figure out her next move. The sound of heavy footsteps and crunching gravel echoed behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder to see General Dhol closing in. His smirk sent a shiver down her spine.