Free Maggie's Abduction (Siren Publishing Classic) by Lea Barrymire Page A

anticipation.
    Maggie managed to turn herself and face the doorway that was now an uphill climb. She could see emergency lights in the hallway casting bluish shadows through the open door. Indecision weighed heavy in her mind. Should she try to get out into the hallway or stay in the cell where she knew Raharan would find her? If she made it to the hallway, where should she go? She had no knowledge of the ship beyond the way to the mess hall and the bathing room. Was she safe in the hallways, where anyone from either race could find her?
    The decision was made for her when the ship shifted again and righted itself. The door slid shut moments after the floor was horizontal again. She crawled to the door, hoping it would open for her, but it was once again locked. The emergency lighting inside the cell was just enough that she could find the blanket and crawl onto the bed to wait for rescue. Fear took up residence in her thoughts as every possibility ran through her mind. What if everyone on the ship was dead? What if all of the Pa’Kren died in the fight and only the Xeltec were left? What if Raharan was killed and now another Pa’Kren was going to take her?
    She sat for hours on the bed, waiting for something to happen. Silence was the only thing she dealt with throughout the time. Finally she lay on the bed and drifted to sleep. She dozed off and on, waking often, hoping and dreading some noise from another being. Her stomach ached with hunger.
    Maggie’s fitful sleeping was finally interrupted by the sliding sound of her door opening. The hallway was fully lit, and the large body that stepped into the doorway was a dark unrecognizable presence. She knew instinctively that the male standing there, staring at her, wasn’t Raharan. She sat up quickly and pulled the blanket around her body like a shield. Her thoughts were still fuzzy from sleep. There was something she was supposed to do if another male came for her, wasn’t there?
    Fear gripped her when the male stalked toward her, growing larger the closer he came. His face was still in shadows, and he loomed over her like a villain from a bad horror film. Her breath caught in her throat as he took another step toward her. She remembered then. The conversations and words flowed back into her thoughts. Maggie quickly looked down at the floor, curling her legs into her body.
    “Pa’Kren male, I am both property and mate of Raharan, leader and heir of the Tarah’ken clan. He has instructed me to respectfully speak with you on this matter only.” The words tumbled from numb lips. Without seeing the male, the fear increased. Having her head bowed, she couldn’t see what was happening, but she did as Raharan had instructed. She was to remain submissive and not look directly at any other male until she was brought to him. He had told her that all Pa’Kren males would respect his name and title and would accept the claim on her. She just hoped that he was correct. She was at a disadvantage having her head down and felt vulnerable. All of her instincts were screaming at her to watch the male, make eye contact, and try to talk her way into a better situation.
    A growl brought her out of her musings. She clenched her fists and dug her nails into her palm. Don’t raise your eyes. Don’t look him in the eye. The chant ran through her mind over and over. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm her fear. Raharan had told her repeatedly that her fear smelled sweet coming off her body. If this male responded to the scent the same way Raharan had, she might be in trouble.
    “Look at me, human,” a deep gravelly voice boomed through the cell. Maggie took a breath through her teeth and fought her instincts to look up. She knew she wasn’t supposed to, but would her refusal be considered punishable?
    “Pa’Kren male, I have been instructed by Raharan to remain respectful of his claim on me. I am not allowed to meet your eyes,” she whispered. God, please let me