Page 15 of Captured

You know that’s not true. This one saved you.But I ignore the little voice in my head. He is Drakian. He is my enemy. To think any other way is utter insanity.

“Don’t talk like you have some sort of conscience. You don’t.” My limbs tremble with rage as I speak. Images of carnage inflicted by the Drakians come to my mind, all those useless deaths they keep showing us in the information loops. “You can torture me all you want. I won’t tell you a thing. I’m not a traitor.”

I lift my chin, ready for the violence to come. For a terrifying, dizzying moment, the Drakian just stares at me. His yellow eyes are void of emotion, soulless and cold.

Then he makes his move, as fast as a snake. Strong arms close around my body and I shriek. My fists pound on his back, my legs pump and my feet connect with hard, unflinching scales. Abject fear grips my throat as I just know he’s going to rip me apart with his bare hands, kill me like I dared him to do.

Then the world flips around as I’m thrown over large, square shoulders. I end up looking at a spectacularly muscled ass, all clad in black scales. His arm secures me over his shoulder, wrapping around the back of my thighs as he starts to walk.

I bounce like some useless bag of bones for a few moments before realizing what’s happening. Then I struggle some more, intent on getting free.

A succession of harsh, searing swats cover my ass cheeks and the top of my thighs. The pain on my already punished skin stings and tears run down my face.

“No,” he commands. “No fight.”

“Fuck you,” I retort, but keep still. It hurts too much and it’s useless to fight anyway.

“Yes,” he answers and I can swear he’s smiling as he does. “Later. Fuck.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as he carries me away. Humiliation burns my face and I’m so angry I could scream, but I don’t. He made it clear that I’m his prisoner and that he will punish me for any infraction of whatever he orders me to do. I might obey, for now, but I will find a way to regain my freedom.

I will escape and I will warn my people. The Drakian doesn’t own me yet.

But as he carries me away, my exhausted body takes over and the constant movement lulls me back to sleep. The last thing I’m aware of is the Drakian’s hand, sliding over the skin of my ass with a proprietor’s touch.