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Not everyone in the new clan came into the center to join us. I could see a massive group of them just outside the circle of the village, a few holding torches to banish some of the shadows. Only about ten came into the village proper, including an older one who looked like the clan leader if I had to make a guess. He slid off his horse and swaggered up to Orthorr, like he had every right to be there. Ugh. I couldn’t stand cocky men like that.

“Orthorr! Greetings, brother!”

Orthorr’s expression was terse but polite. “Feiskedr. Blessings upon your travels. To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?”

“Trade, of course,” the cocky man stated. “And maybe a look at your tributes. Ours were decidedly lacking this round.”

I stiffened at the way he said that. And I didn’t miss the past tense in that sentence. Theywere? What happened to them that he wasn’t saying “are”?

“Trade, we can offer. But our tributes already have protectors.”

Feiskedr didn’t look happy about the immediate rebuff he got from Orthorr. Annoyance flashed across his features before he wiped it away and plastered on his cocky grin again.

“I’m sure we can discuss it. After all, they have not met us yet. They could prefer us.”

I didn’t need to know the rest of the tributes to know they wouldn’t go willingly with these guys. They embodied the rumors told about barbarian clans in every town within riding distance. I scanned over the group, studying their expressions. There wasn’t a kind-looking one in the bunch. And when I reached the one on the end, my brows furrowed. Had I seen him before?

Either way, this was not a place I wanted to be. If they noticed I was out here and not with my protector or something, they might try to take me. That had happened to me once already. I wasn’t letting it happen again.

While Godr and the others were focused on the newcomers, I slipped away and headed for Feigrind’s tent. I couldn’t get in trouble for returning to where I was supposed to be. And I’d rather relax in bed than tempt a shady group of barbarians. I ducked into the tent, taking a moment to light the lantern before sitting down to get comfortable. I heard noises, but no screams or shouts, so I assumed everything was fine.

I should’ve known better than to make assumptions after my life was turned upside down.

I was just getting comfortable and considering going to sleep early when the tent flap rustled. My eyes opened, expecting to see Feigrind there, and my heart faltered when I saw who stood there instead.

He leered at me with great interest. “I thought I recognized you. How profitable is this clan that they can hire a whore for an entire season?”

“I am not for hire,” I growled, sitting up. “I have a protector.”

He scoffed at me. “Lies. They would not take a whore as a tribute. Not even this pathetic little clan is that desperate. Do not play coy with me. I requested your service the last time I was in your town. You were claimed by another for the night. I will get my turn now.”

Over my dead body.

Nine

SIMON

Itried to get to my feet to have a better advantage, but he backhanded me before I could fully stand, sending me to the ground again. My ears rang from the force of the blow, but I didn’t let it stun me for long. As he climbed on top of me, I attempted to knee him in the balls, but he blocked me and forced my legs apart so he could lie between them. I slapped and punched where I could, but the angle was all wrong. He was bigger than I was. I didn’t have my knives to help me.

For the dozenth time since the night Tomas sold me out to the guards, I felt helpless. I was tired of feeling helpless. Tears pricked my eyes, and I resorted to screaming until he covered my mouth with his big palm. Which, of course, gave me the perfect opportunity to bite him. He ripped his hand away, cursing loudly. It hurt my teeth, but it gave me an idea. He didn’t wear a tunic, despite the cooler weather. He wanted my services? Fine. I never said I’d be nice about it.

I bit his nipple until he screamed from the pain. Only when he grabbed a fistful of my hair and jerked me away did I release him. He bared his teeth, glaring at me with eyes full of fury.

“You will regret that, you little?—”

He was gone before he could finish the sentence, ripped off me by Feigrind, who looked downright murderous. He threw the man out of his tent, and I heard the sound of a sword leaving a scabbard. I launched to my feet, poking my head out of the tent to watch. If Feigrind was going to kill the man, I wanted to enjoy it. I remembered him now. He was kicked out of the brothel for hurting the one he was with that night. The poor boy was so badly injured, he couldn’t bear to return.

This asshole deserved to die.

“You dare touch my tribute!” Feigrind roared, pointing his sword at the man. “You dare enter my tent and touch what’s mine?”

The possessiveness was unexpected, but I didn’t hate it. I could do a hell of a lot worse than Feigrind.

The one who attacked me shoved back to his feet, ripping his own weapon from its sheath. “You claim a whore? Are you truly that desperate?”

A crowd had drawn around us, and I felt my spine stiffen as a dozen sets of eyes all swung to me. I was not ashamed of my job. And I wouldn’t let them shame me. I lifted my chin, glaring at them all. I hadn’t asked to be here. They should have taken me back in the first place.

“Bite your tongue,” Feigrind snarled. “Or I will cut it from your throat. He is my tribute. Mine!”