Free The Blackguard (Book 2) by Cheryl Matthynssens

Aorun, then stopped in front of the two Daezun and scrutinized them. “These are not half-breeds.”
    “The specifications for your needs are not like loose stones just lying about to pick up.   Yes, those are full Daezun found on our borders. We had never brought Daezun in before, but thought to offer them should they meet your needs.” Aorun spoke as if they were bartering silks or art. “I am sure that such a pair would be good for your stables. There is certainly a man or two who would pay to degrade them.”
    Veaneth nodded. He pulled out a strange little stone he used when he assessed the merchandise. As usual, the fleshy mage went down the line one by one, starting with the half breeds. He put the stone in the hands of the first one. It lay mutely in her hand, and she looked up at him, her dark brown eyes filled with confusion. Veaneth shook his head and moved to the second, a solid male with deep sapphire eyes that had a hint of sparkling silver in them. The stone hummed softly in his hand, and he too looked up at Veaneth with confusion.
    “I will take this one.” Veaneth said, scooping up the stone. A Blackguard grabbed hold of the man and hauled him off to the other side of the room.
    Veaneth moved down the line to test each one, taking the two half-breed men, one half-breed woman, and all of the Lerdenians except one very beautiful farm girl. She was fair in face, with golden locks and the silver of power in her eyes, yet Veaneth had not wanted her.
    Aorun was surprised at this. “What is wrong with that one?” he asked curiously. “She meets all that you have asked.”
    “Hips are too narrow,” Veaneth said bluntly, approaching and assessing the two Daezun.
    “What of these two?” Aorun asked. If the mage didn’t take them, he’d send them to the mines or the inner sewers.
    “Look at me,” Veaneth stated firmly to the two men.  Both men forced their gaze up, their Daezun spirit dancing in their eyes.
    “They are fresh, and not of the mines?” Veaneth asked, licking his lips as if anticipating a great meal.
    “Yes, as I said, we found them at the edges of the farms,” Aorun replied, watching Veaneth closely.
    “I will take them both,” Veaneth answered softly.
    Aorun nodded to his two men and they each grabbed ahold of one of the two Daezun and half-dragged them over to the others; the Daezun’s feet had been bound, and they couldn’t walk themselves. Aorun nodded at his two remaining men, who responded by taking the three women out of the room. Aorun followed behind them. He did not know what Veaneth did once he left, but Aorun knew he wanted no part of it. “Take these three down to the brothel and see if Aerius will take them.” The three women began to cry, and Aorun was startled to feel a hand on his arm.
    “I want the Lerdenian farm girl.” Sordith’s voice was hard, but his words held respect.
    Aorun looked at him with surprise. Sordith had never asked for a woman before, let alone one that was not there by her own choosing. He eyed his man carefully; Sordith’s eyes were on the woman, and there was something there in them. Lust, maybe? Aorun smiled slowly. “About time you became truly one of us.” He smacked Sordith on the back. He’d had enough of women who didn’t know what they were doing last night. He doubted this lass had much knowledge, given the fresh farm look of her. “She is yours. Go and do what you will.”
    Sordith looked at Aorun coldly, with hard and calculating eyes. “Anything I want?”
    For a moment, Aorun almost felt sorry for the girl. “Of course. I cannot deny one of my best. You may do with her as you please. She is yours. You have my word that none will interfere.”
    The young woman cast herself at Aorun’s feet. “Please, milord. Just let me go home, I beg of you! I will insure my father gives extra in exchange, beyond the general tax.” Her hair was spread at Aorun’s feet as she kissed the toes of his boots.
    Aorun wrinkled his nose