Marital Law Page 11

  With his vision blurring and on the brink of passing out, Colin managed to nod his head, hoping the man would understand his response.

  Relenting, Lucius still kept his hand on Colin's neck to ensure the boy knew he meant business.

  “The location of your friends and family, Colin! Tell me now, or I'll snap your neck like a twig in that scourge of a forest you call home!”

  “I—I'll show you. It's impossible to explain. I will take you to it. Please, please don't kill me,” Colin begged.

  Satisfied, Lucius released his grip on Colin's neck, but he kept his eyes drilled into the boy. “If this is some sort of trap that you and your people have dreamed up, I won't hesitate to kill every last one of them! I want you to think about that for the next few hours while I call up the monitors for our little forest gathering mission.”

  Turning, Lucius headed for the door. He had to duck his head to keep from hitting it on the top of the frame, which only further intimidated Colin. Left sitting on the bed, all alone in the oversized room, Colin fretted over what he'd done. He prayed things would work out, that his people would somehow remain safe. Lucius was a demented individual, and Colin knew he'd stop at nothing to have his way.

  Sleep for Colin was like thoughts of death to an old man: constantly on his mind, but no idea when it might visit him. He heard every footstep with the large home, cringed at every slamming door. He did his best to try and calm his fleeting mind, knowing he would have to endure much in the coming months, possibly years.

  Thoughts of the short time he’d spent with Sidnie returned to Colin's head and helped pull him away from his current situation. He lingered there, wondering what she might be doing, what her life back in Providence South looked like. Was she happy? Sad? Would she soon marry? Have kids?

  The latter thoughts were too much for Colin, so he focused in on Sidnie's deep, dark blue eyes and the intensity there. She was a fiery girl, quite possibly the fieriest he'd ever met. Thoughts of Sidnie eased Colin's weary mind, and he needed it.

  Minutes lapsed, and Colin was startled when he felt someone touch his arm, shaking him.

  “Get up, Colin. We have to get out of here!”

  Rubbing sleep from his eyes, Colin stared up at Sidnie's face, and a beautiful one it was. Her clear, smooth skin shone brightly under the soft glow of the lamp. She was mesmerizing.

  “We have to go now!” Sidnie said again, tugging on Colin's arm.

  Pulling himself onto his feet, Colin followed closely behind Sidnie. As soon as they reached for the handle, it suddenly flew inward and Lucius's large hands reached in and seized Sidnie's throat. He effortlessly lifted her off her feet and squeezed.

  Colin threw himself into Lucius, but only bounced off the man's large frame. Within seconds Sidnie's limp body was tossed aside like the innards of a gutted animal. In shock, Colin looked over at her lifeless form. The whites of her eyes bulged outward, unblinking. A loud, throaty scream erupted from Colin, one of pure rage.

  Then, Colin awoke. He looked franticly around the room, struggling to get his bearings. His clothes were soaked, his mind slogging through the same sea of slush. After his heart calmed to a manageable level, Colin got up from the bed, and went over to check the door. He'd clearly seen Lucius's men lock it after they departed, but he just had to make sure.

  Reaching out, Colin pressed down on the large handle, and to his surprise, the door opened with little to no effort. Cautiously, Colin peered out into the long, narrow hallway. He didn't see or hear anything, so he gingerly stepped out of the room.

  Walking on the balls of his feet, Colin turned left and made his way down to the end of the long corridor. He had no idea where it might lead, or what awaited him when he got there.

  Chapter 15

  My time had arrived

  It was peaceful outside today, the sun’s rays inviting, not relentless as they had been in the past few weeks. I was out in the field tending to the garden, pulling weeds that were attempting to choke out the green tomatoes I’d planted a few months back. I’d managed to put thoughts of the Capitol and Elisa out of my head, choosing instead to focus on my family.

  I had learned so much since marrying Caleb, since assuming my role as provider, leader of my tiny home. I didn’t take the job lightly. Awakening at 5:00 every morning, and either going to work in the fields or heading for the woods in search of meat.

  I’d perfected my skills with the spear, easily tossing it fifty yards and sending it straight through the heart of my prey. Surprisingly, my small arms were beginning to show signs of a bump.

  Secretly, I used my time in the woods hunting for animals, to better prepare for the possibility that I would one day have to fight to keep my husband, my mate. While other women saw only a wild, smelly animal, I pictured other women around Providence on the prowl for a man—my man.

  The goal for everyone in Providence was to make it to the twenty-year mark because once you made it two decades, your marriage was untouchable. But up until that point, you could be challenged by another female suitor, and stood the chance of losing your husband.

  Munford Law was pretty straight forward and strictly enforced: a girl’s mother chose her daughter’s husband, the two wed at sixteen, other women both young and old, could challenge you to a battle for your husband up until that twenty-year mark. If you lost the fight, your old husband went home with the victor. And you only had one opportunity to request a rematch. Lose it, and you would never be with your mate again.

  Knowing that my mother and father had made it to that glorious mark of two decades, I spent countless hours with my trusty spear, in hope of making it as well. I remembered when I was just thirteen, my mother had recounted one of the times another women had issued her the challenge.

  “The first time was shortly after my two-year mark with your father, Wayne. A young girl from an adjacent town left the challenge letter on our doorstep, while I was out gathering food from the garden.

  “Normally, I would’ve told Wayne to bring in the crop, but it was nice out and I wanted a break from your crying butt. You were only fourteen months old at the time, and I think you managed to cry for your first two years in this world.

  “I saw the letter almost immediately, even from fifty feet away. The symbol on the front, two bloody spears crossing each other was unmistakable. I dropped my gathering, yelled for Wayne, and the two of us looked over the letter together.

  “It read: I, Ashley Baxter, challenge you, Sonia Rashellus, to battle for your husband, Wayne. If I win, he comes home with me. At which time, we will immediately go down to Munford Hall and be wed. Signed, Ashley Baxter. There was a blank space with a line underneath it, awaiting my signature. Ashley had signed her name in her own blood, as was customary with the challenge, so I pulled out my knife, sliced open my right palm, and did the same. The battle was about to begin.”

  “Dressed for a fight, I made my way down to the arena. I’d never seen so many people gathered together like this before, and this was my first time as the source of entertainment. Most of Providence South was there, and their faces told me they wanted blood, no matter the hurt and sense of loss which would no doubt come from these engagements.

  “Having never met or even heard of this Ashley Baxter before, I knew nothing of her skills in battle. For this reason, I chose to lay back, to give her the opportunity to attack. When she came at me, I was easily able to fend off her blows, and even managed to slam the wooden end of spear across her back a few times. From the look on her face, she was surprised at my abilities, and decided right away to approach me with caution.

  “I’d always had a keen ability to read people, to search out their weaknesses in battle, and to exploit those areas. Ashley’s was leaving her left side unprotected each time she took a swing at me with her spear. With this knowledge in mind, I waited for her to dance her way towards me. When she attempted to ram her spear into my right shoulder, I sidestepped and sent the end of mine into her ribcage. I could’ve rammed
it home, puncturing her lung and killing her, but I chose to let her live.”

  “The relief on Ashley’s face told me she would never again challenge me, and that was enough. In all my life, I’ve never challenged another to battle, but if forced into the arena, I always made sure my opponents knew better than to call me back.”

  ****

  More Trials, More Tests for Lucius

  With the successful tests on the woman with the one leg, Lucius knew it was time to take his plan to the next level. He needed a fully functional human subject and he knew exactly where to find one.

  After going through numerous old warehouses, Lucius managed to find the woman a portable wheelchair, which allowed her to get around the laboratory and dungeon more easily.

  Opening the lock to the woman’s cell, Lucius smiled when he saw her look up at him admiringly. The two of them had gotten closer over the past few weeks, as the woman tested her strength and stamina in many arenas. Now it was time for her final test, and then he would be moving on to his next specimen.

  “Hello, my child. I have come today to give you a chance to show me how thankful you are for everything I’ve done for you. Would you like that?”

  The woman/thing nodded her head and grunted.

  “Good, now let me undo your chains, and you can follow me.”

  The woman waited patiently, never taking her eyes off Lucius. When he unlocked her, she attempted to crack a smile.

  “Just follow me, and we’ll get to it then,” Lucius said, as he looked back over his shoulder.

  Lucius took the woman to the first holding cell where he kept his test specimens, opened the door, and waved her inside. “Come over here, my child,” Lucius said, motioning her over next to the table where another woman lay strapped down. The woman’s eyes were wild, fear and sweat pouring off her. The right side of her face was badly deformed, and her right hand completely missing.

  “Do you want to make me happy, my child?”

  The thing nodded and grunted.

  “Good. Here’s what I need you to do: all of these men and women are no longer of use to me. You are the only one who matters. You are my success, my child. I need you to kill them. Can you do that for me?”

  The woman didn’t immediately respond, telling Lucius there was still too much of the human inside of her. He might still have to tweak the potion a bit, but for now, he’d move forward with the next level of his plan.

  A look of confusion, maybe even regret came over the woman’s face.

  “Don’t you want to make me happy, my child?” Lucius pushed.

  A beat.

  “If I’m not happy, you won’t be able to remain here at the Capitol.”

  The woman nodded, and then she reached out and placed her hand over the nose and mouth of the woman tied to the table. In short order, she smothered her to death, with little effort.

  “Very good, my child. Now I want you to do the same thing to the rest of them. I will open their cells and meet you back at your room in thirty minutes. Understand?”

  Vigorous nodding, more grunting.

  Lucius smiled and patted the woman on the head. “You have pleased me, my child. I will see to it that you are rewarded.”

  After they were all extinguished, Lucius took the woman back to her room and said, “You will no longer be chained to the wall. You can roam freely inside your room. I will keep the outer door secured, to ensure the safety of my staff in the area. Oh, and I will have the servants cook you up a hearty calf for dinner. You deserve it.”

  Lucius left the woman with a grin on her face. He didn’t mind rewarding her with a hearty meal. It would after all, be her last.

  ****

  The woman surely wouldn’t be missed around town. She was an outcast, had lost her mate in the arena to another, and even her own parents had disowned her. Lucius had his assistant bring her to him, had him lock her in the cell adjacent to the woman with the missing leg.

  With his body-and-mind-altering chemical in hand, Lucius let himself inside her cell. She was skinny, but very tall for a woman. He knew her height would work well with the potion. It would make her tower over the dwellers.

  “Why, why have you brought me here? What are you planning to do with me?” the woman said, frightened.

  “I’ve been watching you for weeks now, Alice. I saw you lose the battle, watched as everyone turned their backs on you. I will never turn on you, Alice. If you will trust me, and do everything I tell you, you will never be ostracized again.”

  The woman didn’t say anything, but it was obvious she was still on edge. That was fine, because Lucius liked them that way. He liked the smell of fear, of the unknown.

  “How would you like to be bigger and stronger than everyone in Providence, in the entire world?”

  “What?” asked the woman, not understanding.

  “I can make it where you’ll never lose a battle again, Alice. No one will even think twice about crossing you. Sound good?”

  “How?”

  “You have to trust me, Alice. If you can do that, I can make it happen,” Lucius said, removing the needle.

  Fear came across the woman’s face and she began to squirm a bit.

  “Now, now, my dear, Alice. Don’t be afraid. Just let it work its magic, and you will soon be invincible.”

  The woman looked tense, but she stopped moving and did her best to relax.

  “There you go, my child. Very good,” Lucius said, as he brought the needle to her arm.

  It took a few minutes for all the changes to transform the woman, but when they did, Lucius knew he had just created the perfect killing machine. The woman stood toe to toe with him at seven feet, and while he had more fat than muscle, she was pure muscle.

  “You will adhere to my every word, my child. I am your master. Do you understand?”

  The new creation went through the same mental confusion as all his previous specimens, but she eventually gave in to him.

  “I want you to break your bonds and stand up.”

  He stood back and watched as the creature effortlessly ripped her restraints to shreds and got onto her feet. She was intimidating, making Lucius swallow back the lump in his throat. Now I want you to follow me.”

  Going over to the next cell, Lucius opened the door of the woman in the chair and said, “I’m going to lock you two in this room together, and the one who makes it out alive, will get to live out the rest of their days here in the Capitol, with me.”

  The woman in the chair grunted and shook her head vehemently. If she could speak, Lucius knew she would’ve cursed him up one end and down the other, but he didn’t care. It was time to move forward with his plan, and it no longer involved her.

  Locking the door behind Alice, he watched the short battle inside ensue. It wasn’t much, but the woman in the chair did somehow manage to get Alice in a chokehold. If she had both her legs, she might’ve fared better, but Alice eventually snapped the woman’s arm, and then her neck.

  Satisfied, Lucius poked his head back inside and said, “Now I think it’s time I set you loose in the forest. I have some people I want you to meet.”

  Alice had a mad look in her eye, almost as if she had enjoyed killing the woman. She quickly nodded her head to Lucius and said, “I want nothing more than to make you happy, master.”

  “You will have ample opportunity to please me, my child,” Lucius said locking the cell door as he exited. He was surprised Alice was able to speak so well, because the others were only able to manage a few words here and there, in between grunts. She’s the one, the perfect specimen.

  As he headed up to brief Marcella, he couldn’t help but marvel at all he’d done. Things were finally moving in the right direction. He would be the one to bring the dwellers to their knees, and if Marcella didn’t accept him as her equal, then she would fall prey to Alice as well.

  Chapter 16

  One year later

  Seeing the symbol on the letter made me want to fall to the earth and
curl into a ball. Tears tried to cloud my vision, but I refused to allow them even a brief visit. It just wasn't right. My wedding was only one year ago, barely past the acceptable time limit to be challenged in battle.

  Anger boiled inside of me making me instinctively reach for my spear. The handle measured five feet in length, the tip sharper than any knife I'd ever come across. Hurling the weapon with everything in me, I gained little satisfaction as it impacted a small tree about 100 yards to my left. The head of the spear sheared the top half of the gnarled crown completely through. I envisioned doing the same to whoever had dared challenge my marital union.

  My hands were shaking as I slowly unfolded the letter, and this only angered me more. I cursed this show of weakness, cursed the person responsible even more. When I saw the signature at the bottom of the letter, my heart faltered, my head swam. No, it can't be. She would never...she knows me, respects my union with Caleb.

  I let the letter fall to the ground, my body following suit. Kaylee's signature was unmistakable, the way she always drew the tip of a spear at the bottom of the 'l' in her name, glaringly obvious. I couldn't understand, couldn't fathom why she would do such a thing. She was my best friend, my other half, my constant companion. Was it some sort of cruel joke? I thought she was happy for me and Caleb. This had to be a joke.

  Slowly, I gathered myself up from the earth and made my way to the house. I found Caleb at the sink, washing the dishes left from breakfast. He turned and looked my way, and upon seeing the worry on my face, he dropped the plate he was rinsing into the sink. It made a loud clinking sound, which repeated itself a few more times as it broke into many pieces.

  “What's wrong?” Caleb asked as he turned to face me, drying his hands on a towel.

  At a loss for words, I showed him the outside of the challenge letter, and watched his face take on the same expression as my own.

  “Oh, no! It can't be. Who would challenge you so soon? We've only been married...” Caleb started, his hands covering his mouth in shock.