Page 46 of Retribution
“You will kneel, slave,” he said in a biting tone.
She continued obeying, dropping to her knees, keeping her head lowered as she took up a subservient position. Despite the gravity of the situation, pride swelled within him to see her obeying him so readily. She finally understood the risk she faced—and the risk he faced—during this unfortunate but necessary trip into town.
He gave Layla’s name to the official, though he suspected the male already knew Layla’s details. News from Earth traveled to planet Kall fast, as warriors stationed on Earth sent messages home frequently.
The tracker injector looked ominous and Zamek frowned at the sight of the long, wide metallic object. A fresh tracker was placed into it and the official gave Zamek an expectant glance.
“Ready when you are, General,” the young Kall male said, holding up the device.
“May I do it?” Zamek asked, reaching out a hand.
The official appeared surprised, though he soon passed the injector over. To Zamek’s relief, the male busied himself at one of his screens, giving Zamek the privacy he sought with Layla. He might’ve just spanked her bottom for her disobedience in his quarters, but he had no wish to cause her undue pain, and he prayed the injection of the tracker didn’t hurt her too badly.
With the official’s attention elsewhere, Zamek took a moment to kneel at Layla’s side and stroke her hair.
“After this,” he whispered in a gentle tone, “I will take you home, human. Please hold still.”
Her anxious gaze danced to his and she gave him a quick nod. “I-I’m ready, General—er, Master—whatever I’m supposed to call you.”
He leaned closer and kept his voice low. “Once we reach my home, you may call me Zamek. Just Zamek.”
Hope sparked in her eyes and he had the sudden urge to kiss her and hug her tightly to his chest, but he positioned the injector at her upper right arm, wanting to get this over with as fast as possible.
“Close your eyes and count to five in your head,” he said.
The instant she shut her eyes, he pressed the button on the injector, and the device made a loud clicking noise as the tracker was embedded under her flesh. She hissed in a rapid breath, then opened her eyes and gave him a dark look.
“That was a dirty trick,” she whispered, shifting her arm as she winced.
“Ah, but it worked. You’re welcome.”
Chapter 22
Layla kept her gaze down,not wishing to make eye contact with any of the passersby on the street. Even if Zamek hadn’t ordered her to keep her head down, she probably would’ve done it on her own. After witnessing the auction and seeing the raucous crowd enthusiastically bid on slave after slave, she could only imagine the distasteful looks she would receive. Slaves were convicted criminals (though not all of them were actually guilty) and she would be viewed as one.
At least the airship was parked nearby. They only had to walk about four blocks to reach it. Another plus—her arm didn’t really hurt anymore. The pain was quickly fading (unlike her bottom, ugh). Zamek’s trick of asking her to count and then injecting her with the tracker when she wasn’t expecting it had made the process easier. A quick pinch of pain and then done.
Just as they reached the airship, Layla heard a scuffle behind her and had to resist the urge to turn around and look. It sounded like a male and female arguing. In English. Her stomach did a quick flip.
“Stop! Let go of me! I think that’s her!”
Layla stopped in her tracks, only for Zamek to jerk her forward. But she dug her heels into the ground, because that voice…
Glancing up, she shot Zamek a pleading look before she spun around. Her eyes instantly met with familiar blue ones.Betsy. Oh my God. Betsy.Boundless joy filled Layla, even as Zamek growled at her and gave her another sharp jerk.
“It’s her!” Betsy cried, speaking to the huge Kall male who was holding her back. “It’s Layla.” Sorrow filled her eyes when she took notice of Layla’s manacles.
Zamek paused and turned to face Betsy and the Kall male, both of whom were now approaching. A quick peek around the street showed no one else was nearby. Thank God. Maybe Zamek would permit her a moment to speak with her friend.
Tears blurred in Layla’s eyes as Betsy finally reached her.
“You’re alive!” Betsy said. Then she gave Zamek a cruel look. “Are you General Zamek? Have you hurt her? What have you done to her?”
The Kall male—Commander Edek, Layla presumed—grabbed Betsy’s arm and pulled her back a few steps, whispering something into her ear that only made her look angrier.
“General Zamek. Welcome back to Sumlin District, and congratulations on your victory against the Bexxanians,” Commander Edek said with a slight nod. “Please forgive my wife’s outspokenness. If you are not already aware, Betsy and Layla are good friends.”
“He didn’t kill you,” Betsy blurted, her attention focused on Layla. “That-that is good. But has he hurt you?”
