a's

at me, but there was nowhere to run. My back was agains

hem, but I knew brute force alone wouldn't save me. I saw the weakness in

rked for after Mother died. He had always been reckless and careless, but even in my wors

aws itching to tear through them, yet I remained trapped, at t

ture countless times when settling his debts, yet never had I imagine

strength. "You... this can't be real." I whispered, panic sharp in my voice. "Dad!

didn't win and couldn't pay back, he would offer his most prized possession in re

ds sink in, watching me carefully as tears streamed down my face

memory, hoping this man was lying, that I had misheard. A part of

ally far enough from my home. My voice broke and

ery bit of confidence. "What if I paid you back?" I wipe

the vehicle said. He gazed at me from the rear view m

oney, and once I send you over to them, I will rec

at the same time. "Somebody help me!" I

over my nose and mouth before I could finish my plea. My struggles g

tench of sweat, dirt, and smoke as I opened my eyes s

the infamous slave camp at the center of the realm whe

self, and I scrambled to my feet and bolted for the

escape with his wide arms. "Let me go!" I y

ing his armor, and began punching him in desperation. "Let me out! I... I cannot be a slave! I wo

d of my tantrums, slapped me across the face and shoved me to the ground. Pain blossomed across my cheek,

ch strike, yet I clung to him tightly with my claws scraping the dirt as his

s patience snapped, then he drew a sword, and my heart froze. The tip gleam

Then, as if the gods themselves intervened, a man dressed sharply with author

m yet commanding. "She is the m

eyes. Then he glanced around, nodded, and lowered his

our other girls in the corner. "All five of you will be tak

ch of you because someone will be arriving shortly to transport you to the Hellbo

vely as I sank to the ground, tears spilling freely on realizing th

an rumored to be notorious for his crue