LOGIN(Zorya)The tray from my lap was sent flying. I really wanted to eat. She grabbed my hair, dragging me out of the bed and jerking my head up.“Who gave you the right to stay in the guest room, you filthy slave?” “Your brother,” I gritted through the pain that was scalding my scalp. This woman had a death grip; some of my hair was going to be ripped off. Her nostrils flared; her eyes viciously glared at me. “Get one thing drilled in your dumb brain. Shade is mine. If you think going on that hunt with him will bring you closer. Dream on.” She pushed me to the ground. My hands saved me from falling on my face. Both siblings were delusionally unhinged. Obsessed with their slaves. I turned my head to face her. She lifted her feet to kick me when an amused voice from the doorway startled her. “Now, now, Canara. That's not the way to treat your brother’s guest.”My eyes drifted off to see who had spoken. A tall man leaned against the door frame. His arms folded over his robust chest. A
(Zorya)As if that was somehow on my hands to come back. Resort? I didn't want to go to any damn resort where he would rape me daily. I stayed quiet, watching the moon-kissed mountains and ignoring his slimy hand on my leg. He closed the partition between the driver and us. “I know, this must be terrifying for you. But you will return, and you will be a different person. Stronger, more accepting of the harsh realities of this world.” What? What was this man even rambling about? Harsh realities? Slavery was a choice. Maybe I didn't know his complete story, but he became this person—a slaver. “I will never accept slavery or abuse,” I quietly said, not wanting to anger him but also not completely abandoning my voice. His firm fingers tightened on my thigh. His other hand grabbed my face so I could stare into his obsessive eyes. “You think you have a choice?” His nostrils flared at me. “I have a choice to determine right from wrong even if I have no say in it.” He scoffed, a smil
(Zorya)My sudden emergence worked. Hadis was holding Ashlia's shoulders. Seeing me exit the bathroom, he let her go and hurriedly took a step back. Those pained expressions were masked with indifference. “Be ready. I will come back in half an hour to fetch you,” he said disinterestedly to me. Throwing one last pleading look at Ashlia, he left the room while clicking on a small device he was holding. The door closed, and Ashlia collapsed on the bed with a tired sigh. I gestured with my eyes and hands to ask what that was all about.She shook her head, and I understood she wasn't ready to speak about it. “He brought you clothes; get ready.” Quietly, Ashlia helped me dress up. Instead of a white gown, Caliath had sent a pastel green wrap dress which could be tied around my waist with a belt. There was also lingerie and, to my utmost surprise, a pair of white slip-ons. Tears almost slipped out of my eyes when I saw shoes after such a long time. Quickly, I put them on. Not only were
(Zorya)After our meeting, I had a few hours before we needed to leave. I wanted to speak to Ashlia. Caliath let me go but held Xalik back. “Don't tell anyone about the Hunt. Not even Ashlia. Just tell her you are going away with me for a few days,” he warned, and I nodded with a gulp. “Hadis will bring the clothes you need to wear. Be ready within the hour.”I rushed to the Clinic with Jazian. Ashlia and Rami were in the infirmary, arranging medicine and smiling with each other. “Ash!” Painfully, I called her out. Her beautiful smile vanished at the sound of my anguished voice. She rushed towards me, holding my arms. “What happened?”“I am going away for a few days with Alpha Caliath. I will miss you.” I didn't even know if I would ever see her again. She painfully bit down on her lower lip. “I will miss you too. We will have Pad Thai and sweets when you return,” she assured me. “Yes, I have some culinary skills too. Sometimes I like putting them to good use.” Rami winked at
(Zorya)That's what the hunt was? Xalik scoffed beside me. “Classic. Not only did we take their lands, but we also created a horrendous tradition out of it, and our forefathers have been following it for centuries.”It seemed like Xalik was also aware of this history, because he didn't appear as fazed as I was. “They didn't have much of a choice. The Hunt was the suggestion of Dhwlarians. Besides, the population needed to be increased. So to the human refugees who flocked to their new, safe kingdom, the seven families told a different story. The Hunt was declared a sacred tradition to appease the "Old Gods of the Soil," but known to only a select few. The more powerful the families grew, the need for slavery set in; hence, places like these emerged.” Caliath scoffed, and I understood he meant the Sunken Pit. “It's the kingdom's darkest, most sacred spectacle. It is a ritualistic "tax" the noble families pay to the very land they rule.”“That's not the most vexing part. The problem
(Zorya)I knew that some fresh hell had been broken loose on us. Caliath's father left after his announcement, but he stopped both of us there. Xalik and I sat side by side with a little distance between us. Caliath paced, agitated and angered. Xalik and I shared a worried glance. Quietly, he closed his eyes and opened them, trying to assure me without speaking. My hand ached to reach his, to have that assurance which his touch always brought. Caliath finally stopped pacing and stood facing us with his hands behind his back, and his expression hardened. “The Hunt is not a joke, and it's nothing like the tournament where one has to fight in an enclosed cage.” His angered eyes travelled between Xalik and me. “I thought you were the kingpin of this place. How come your father decided for your slave and me?” Xalik leaned back into the sofa and lazily placed his arms behind his head, almost taunting Caliath. This man had not a single fearful bone in his body. He loved provoking Calia







