She woke up to tiny jackhammers in her brain and a sore body. Groaning, she attempted to rub her temples only to realize her hands were bound. Highly alarmed, she peered around the shadowy room; the unmistakable odor of damp soil mixed with pungent rat droppings suffocated her lungs.
A masculine moan had her twisting to find Ryuu slumped on the ground.
"Ryuu!" she hissed. "Are you awake?"
"I am now," he groaned, struggling to sit up. "What the hell happened?"
"I think we were drugged."
"Shit." He swore, trying to dislodge the ropes around his wrists. "I knew those doddering old fools were up to no good. They must be working for the slave peddlers."
"But they were so friendly!" she protested naively.
"Wake up, Inka. In this short time we've met, I think you're too nice and trusting," he retorted through clenched teeth. "It's my fault. I should have known better. We're too late to avoid this one."
"Hold on." She wasn't listening. "If we're truly in the slavers' territory, perhaps we'll discover something."
"When I said to have an adventure, this wasn't what I had in mind," he censured dryly.
"Please Ryuu, this is a matter of life and death! My brother is the only family I have left."
"I'm the last person you should appeal to about family," Ryuu stated bitterly. "I'm an only child, and my parents conveniently ignored my existence."
"Fine," she huffed impatiently. "I won't force your hand. I'm sorry I asked."
The room hushed and Ryuu felt her glaring disappointment. He kept his mouth shut until his conscience became too loud. Before he could change his mind, the door swung open to reveal a woman and two large men.
"My, my, what do we have here?" the woman drawled huskily, a cloud of her perfume enveloping the room. "I've been told that we have two fine captures this week and to think that we hit the jackpot with such a beautiful man and a silver-haired princess....," Red lips pulled into a sly grin. "The two of you would fetch a very high price indeed."
"Who are you?" Inka demanded fiercely, wriggling in her bonds.
"My name is Madame Sasha. I'm the woman everyone in town seeks to buy a slave – officially and unofficially." Her voice was gravel wrapped in silk. "Komugi and Shinchan have outdone themselves. I suppose they are due their release but, even I am not that kind."
Her vague comment hinted that the old couple was enslaved. "You're a monster!"
"Or so I've been accused of countless of times." Madame Sasha waved off the insult, her smile gleaming in the dark. "Let's get you ready for the auction. You will want to look your best and win the attention of a good master." Blue eyes shifted to Ryuu. "Or mistress."
"I'd die first before becoming a noble's pet!" The guards had to restrain Ryuu from charging like a wild beast.
"That would be a shame, darling," she clucked her tongue. "With a pretty face like yours, you could have the world at your feet."
If only she knew, he thought cynically.
"Take them upstairs," the Madame ordered.
An hour later, Inka was spruced up in a harem costume of indigo mesh and a matching choker. She flushed at her provocative reflection. The skimpy top did nothing to hide her skin and from the waist down it was a flimsy, translucent skirt that swirled with each step. Needless to say, only her intimate parts were covered.
Crowning her head was a golden chain encrusted with sparkling gems. The entire ensemble gave her the seductive look of an exotic Princess come to visit the mortal realm. Madame Sasha was immensely pleased. "You will fetch a high price with your exquisite beauty."
"Madame," Inka decided to take a risk. "I would gladly sell myself for you if you can tell me one thing."
The Madame raised a brow, blue eyes sharpening. "What is it, child?"
"Two weeks back, did a group of womenfolk and children pass by?"
The Madame's gaze shuttered, and Inka knew she was hiding something. "No. At least they were not handed over to my care. This isn't the only den, child."
"You're not the leader?"
"Yes and no."
"Which is it?" Inka demanded in mounting frustration — in no mood for riddles.
"I am the head but what my men do out there is of no consequence to me. As long as they chip in their monthly quota, I don't care how they acquire the money. Why are you searching for these women and children?"
"They're my family," Inka replied despondently.
"How tragic," the Madame didn't sound sorry at all. "Let me give you a piece of advice. If you've waited a week, then your chances are slim. Many foreigners attend this auction to purchase a slave behind the Emperor's back. They would have already been sold."
Despair wrecked Inka. Her stomach plummeted with nauseating swiftness. Had she failed Lupa?
"Let's make a bargain, shall we?" The Madame proposed with a sliver of wickedness.
Desperate but wary, Inka asked. "What kind of bargain?"
"If you fetch me a high price with your body," she paused, letting the words sink in. "Then I will find the information you so desperately seek."
Inka's eyes narrowed. "How can I trust you?"
"It's a win-win situation darling, although truthfully you are in no condition to bargain with me." Madame smiled like the cat that got the cream. "Are you willing to take a chance?"
Inka was torn between desperation and the necessity to retain her dignity. "What do I have to do?"
"I know you are from the Ashina tribe." Madame didn't bother to mince words. "Entice the audience with your mating dance and I guarantee you an answer."
Inka spluttered indignantly, nails digging into her palms. "That's a sacred ritual for my people! You can't force me to do it!"
"Suit yourself. It's not my life at stake here," Madame shrugged despondently. "If you change your mind, I will be watching."
"Wait!" Inka called out, hating how small she sounded. "Where is my friend?"
"The pretty one? Don't worry, he's going to perform right after you."
------------------------
"I don't understand. Why are we here?" Rei grumbled; his stance annoyed.
Kyou had selfishly dragged him to the underground slave auction they had bribed a councilman to spill. They were disgusted by the corruption in Shuhei's council. No one bothered to hide the fact that slave peddling was illegal. The auction was held deep within the caves. The only way in was through a secret tunnel from a specific mountain foot.
"This is the heart of Donggu's notorious slave peddling," Kyou assessed the unconventional location packed with foreign dignitaries, nobility, and people of means. "I can't believe Shuhei permitted this atrocity."
"I'm more disturbed by how easy it was to find this place. It's as if they're mocking us," Rei scowled fiercely at a nobleman who bumped into him.
"Clearly my righteous brother has changed. If he chose to turn a blind eye on this, then I'll have to shut it down." Kyou uttered as they entered a confined grotto.
Natural limestone structures dripped from the roof, forming an other-wordly altar surrounded by a pool of fresh, mountain water flowing in from the cavern cracks — providing a cooling atmosphere. The grotto was lit by fire torches, casting a soft glow upon the place.
It looked like a pagan shrine, Kyou reflected wryly.
"I heard there's going to be a rare treat tonight." A man said to his acquaintance. "A silver-haired princess and her untamed bodyguard."
Kyou's ears twitched. The irrefutable annoyance he was fast developing around one particular female overwhelmed him — like an instinctual radar.
Was it her? If it was, he was going to spank her stubborn hide.