Boaz’s idea of a men’s day out included slaves being used for target practice. They were on the training field, wielding daggers while two male slaves ran around every which way, wearing a wooden board. Boaz sent his dagger flying. It hit one of the slaves on his leg and he cried out in pain, sinking to his knees.Boaz barked out a laugh as blood pooled down the slave’s ankles. Jerome looked sick to his stomach. Tatum hid his disgust, having had enough time to practice how to school his expression to one of bored indifference.“Your turn,” Boaz declared, pointing at Tatum. He chanced a glance at his son and shook his head in disappointment.“I’m convinced I did not father you. If your mother were alive, I would have her tell me who she spread her legs for because it most certainly wasn’t me.”As usual, Jerome said nothing as his face began getting some of it’s colour back. Tatum felt a strong need to stand up for his friend. His father hadn’t been this cruel. He was tough on his sons

The palace was abuzz with dancing and singing as night fell. But Baka could barely join in the merriment as she tended to Stephan. The guard from earlier had helped her for a while but had to return to his post. So she had been the only one tending to him.She had managed to stop the bleeding and hoped she had cauterised his wounds enough to avoid an infection. Thankfully, the dagger hadn’t pierced any important organs. He had simply lost an alarming amount of blood and needed to eat a lot of food with iron. He had a mild fever and was currently asleep. But the worst of it was over. Now he just needed to heal. And she had to find a way to get him out of here.But how? She was only hu—A thought struck her at that moment and she paled. When was the last time she felt a tingle? Night had already fallen. She had last taken Imposter at nine am in the morning. The last time, Imposter had taken a little over five hours to wear off.Her mind raced as panic shrouded her vision. Oh, God n

Tatum glanced towards the entrance of the throne room as a young slave boy was brought in in chains. He had wild brown hair and a hardened face. His clothes were drenched in his own blood, with laceration marks marring his torso.He moved in pain. He couldn’t be over fifteen years old. From the corner of his eyes, Tatum saw Baka hold her breath as she pressed her lips together, hard. She was trying not to cry. He chanced a glance at Boaz who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. The man was sick. Tatum lowered his head.Whatever was about to happen will be imprinted on their minds forever. He was sure of it.The guard accompanying the slave boy pushed him forward, kicking him behind the knee so that he slumped on them against the floor.“Tell us your name, Boy,” Boaz commanded.The boy said nothing, looking down at the floor. Several seconds passed. Tatum watched as everyone’s gaze was transfixed at the boy. Jerome and Rose seemed uneasy as they stared at him, wanting to look away bu

Baka couldn’t say she was thrilled to be back at Khandom City, but she was glad she wasn’t in Avenue City anymore. She never wished to return to that place ever again.They had arrived at night and as luck would have it, it was Thorin who greeted them at the gate.“Welcome back, my lord.” He smiled at Baka but said nothing to her.“Thank you,” Tatum replied, getting out of the car. “There are suitcases, three bags of grain in the back seat, and a boy in the trunk. See to them.”Thorin stared at him in confusion. “My lord?”With little force, Baka got out of the car and went over to the trunk, tapping it lightly. “His name is Stephan and he’s hurt. Please take him to Healer Freya.”Thorin looked first at her then back at Tatum. If perplexity were a person, it would be Thorin at that very moment. “Do as she says, Warrior.”An expression of concern crossed Thorin’s features but he said nothing else. With a brisk nod, he went over to the trunk of the car and opened it. Sure enough, ther

Tatum frowned, wondering why he didn't believe the slave boy. Maybe it was because of his association with Baka. Or because he didn't seem the sort to think up this treachery.“Do you understand what you're saying? I want to hear you say it. You're accused of poisoning our crops, subsequently leading to the starvation of the entire city. Do you deny it?”There was a small pause, then Bekon replied. “I do not deny it.”Tatum heard Baka’s gasp from all the way to his throne seat. Again, he tried not to look at her.“Who do you work for?”“I acted alone.”Tatum did not believe him for a second. Yet his heart rate didn't spike up.“How were you able to procure the pesticides for your destruction? You're a slave. You don't have that kind of money—or any money at all.”Bekon stared at him. “I stole it.”This time, his heart rate spiked. “I just caught you in a lie. You will do well to answer me truthfully.”Bekon lowered his head.“Do you know what the punishment for treason is? Death by wil