Free Flames of Arousal by Ruth D. Kerce Page A

the corner of the cage, she tried to figure a way out of her current prison.
    The guards varied their routines each day, which made things difficult. None of them had shown her any extra interest, so she wouldn’t be able to easily lure any of them into letting her go with sexual promises that she, of course, had no intention of seeing through. No one else in her cage looked like a trained Warrior or fighter, so no help existed there. The prospect of escape seemed dim indeed.
    A deal with Rave was certainly out of the question.
    Perhaps if she could speak with this Frost, whoever she was, she might be able to arrange some sort of exchange. Halah still knew a few trade-worthy secrets. But the woman never came down to the cages. Or she hadn’t so far. Halah couldn’t even ask to see her, because asking a guard anything just resulted in punishment.
    Slaves didn’t speak to the guards. She’d learned that when she’d complained about the food and gotten the butt of a surge-rifle in the stomach for her words. Another female slave was slapped after asking for water. And another ended up berated and tripped for just saying thank you. Halah learned fast to keep her thoughts to herself, and to only speak with the other slaves in low whispers when the guards weren’t close enough to overhear.
    Perhaps, she could ask Rave for a meeting with Frost, if the woman ever came to the cages alone. Rave, though untrustworthy, might not be as quick to punish as the male guards, simply because she’d spoken. And Rave would probably enjoy setting up a meeting, just to see who would prevail in a face-to-face confrontation. Halah knew how Rave thought. The female Pain Master took great pleasure in conflict.
    Time, a definite factor, was running out for her. The guards rotated female slaves in and out on a daily basis. Somehow, she had to come up with a viable plan before she ended up in an even worse situation than she was now. Like some Marid officer’s whore. Or worse, an Egesa’s, or a group of Egesas’, sexual plaything.
    * * * * *
    Forests of Xylon
     
    Standing in the corner, Erik looked over at Alexa, who slept peacefully on a med-cot, with Braden sitting by her side, his fingers splayed over her stomach. The perfect couple. So much love.
    Just as he loved Leila. He leaned toward his mate, brushing her hand with his.
    “How’s she doing?” he whispered.
    “Fine for now. The contractions have stopped. Just a false alarm apparently, but she can still deliver at any time.”
    “Do you expect complications?” He knew Alexa felt nervous about the births, because of her and Braden’s different genetics.
    Leila shrugged. “Her half-human physiology makes this an unknown for me.
    We’ve only had a handful of Earth females bear children on Xylon and none of those were super-breeders like Alexa.” She glanced up at him, worry in her eyes. “If we were in the Lair, with access to all my medical equipment, I’d feel more comfortable.”
    So would he. If anything happened to the babies, or Alexa in particular, Braden would never survive the loss. “Can she be moved before the twins arrive? Or after even?”
    “I wouldn’t recommend it. She’s been through too much stress already. She’s going to need time to build back her strength, especially after the births. Why? We can’t get out of here unless Laszlo permits it, and I don’t think that’s going to happen. He believes we’re safer here.”
    “Laszlo doesn’t know everything.” He’d respected the man in the past, but their once strong leader seemed to be growing weaker by the hour, even with Leila giving him stimulants. Erik doubted Laszlo even possessed the ability to command effectively anymore. He hadn’t completely trusted the man since he’d disappeared from the Lair, leaving Braden to pick up the pieces of command.
    Her eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about, Erik?”
    “I’m thinking, after the delivery, if everything goes all right with Alexa and the