Page 93 of Condemned

“It’s time for us to give Avalon her gifts.”

They sat her at the top of the steps and one after the other they came to her.

Carefully, with reverence, she unwrapped them and they bestowed them on her.

Timin’s gift was a sheer white dress with gold embroidery. He undressed her first. When he slipped the garment over her head, it fell to her ankles in a silken wave. She kissed him and he stepped back.

* * *

Her chest was hurtingso much, weighed down, leaden. Soon she’d be gone. So useless.

A noise made J’kai kink her eyes sideways.

“Raid-en?” she blurted in a choked whisper. The tall mauleon sprinted to her, his red and white-striped hair a novelty she would bless forever.

“Yes. I saw that one down there leave you, thought it odd. I followed you because I was afraid.” His brow was lined with that fear. “What’s wrong?” He kneeled beside her. “Tell me!”

“Pois-on. Those ampoules. Need. Them.” She begged with her eyes because her voice had finally gone.

“How many?” He grabbed two and jabbed them into her leg where they injected as he squeezed.

The antidote wasn’t quite as quick as the poison, but she managed a, “Two. More. Please.”

Life surged into her muscles and she spat, turned to look past Raiden to the farm where a fake soldier stalked his prey.

Her one chance was in the burrow.

“I’ll live.” But she might not have the strength to save them. Her legs could move, a little.

* * *

Zo’s gift was a blackcollar with golden hearts studded around the circumference, and a larger heart dangling at the front. He locked it onto her neck and kissed her on the lips, then backed away, as if he’d not just given her a gift that clearly said she was owned by him... them.

She touched the collar. Two months ago she’d have been revolted by such a thing. Now it brought tears to her eyes.

Kondio’s gift was a set of golden clamps joined by silver chain. Mischievously, he had her lift her dress, and she was of course naked beneath. The first clamps pinched onto her nipples then he led the chain downward and fastened the third clamp to the hood of her clit beside the ring.

His kiss was harder, more arousing, and she was sure all of them found the spectacle of her gasping quite amusing. She’d cursed a little at the pain but wore his gift beneath the dress.

Takk approached her last.

Arx kept the same pace. The line of trees hid him intermittently and the grass came up to mid-thigh. No hurry when they would see him as the king’s officer. They were ogling the female anyway. They’d let him close with them, and his daggers would be in their flesh before they could gasp. Amateurs. He loosened the first dagger. The last tree shadowed him. Once past this tree, he’d round it and reach the gate into the yard.

“I know your gifts.” She smirked at Takk. “Blue and Pink?”

“No. I purchased something else since then.” He took the last three steps in one stride to tower over her and place the final package in her hands. “Open it.”

Inside a simple white box closed with a gold ribbon was a long heavy silver chain. There was a handle at one end and a clasp at the other.

“Your leash, girl.” With his mouth near her ear, stirring her skin with his breath, he let the rest of the leash fall while he fastened the clasp end to her collar. Then he stepped away holding the handle. The leash swung between them.

“What say you, is this minx ours?” They each murmured a yes. “I see you accepting our gifts like a queen on a throne. Kneel for us, Avalon.” Slowly he walked backward. “Crawl for me.”

Her hesitation was one of admiration for his gall and also a willing excitement. He knew what he’d done to her at the temple and how she’d loved it.

Sedately, she went to her knees and she followed him, crawling down each step on all fours. At the bottom, she waited on her knees as they gathered around her.

J’kai blinked and drew a shaky deep breath, watching the long barrel waver from left to right then in tiny circles as she sighted on the moving target: Arx. This would’ve been a difficult shot if she was healthy. Half paralyzed and with a wounded hand, this could go either way.