All Chapters of THE CHOSEN OFFERING: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

She tensed again as she finally heard her cue and felt suddenly light headed. This was madness, what was she thinking?But it was too late.She pressed back against Lot's hard body as the the cloak abruptly opened and swallowed Penelope up inside of it. There was a sudden crush of bodies as Penelope seized her by the hips and twisted them so that she was the one pressed up against their 'Hades' instead. Of course that meant that Calliope was poised with her back to the audience, and would be visible once their little make-shift tent opened up again.The applause petered out and even in the dimness she could make out Penelope urging her on.One more deep breath.She tapped her heel to sound the bells and slipped one bare leg backward out of the cloak, pausing to sound the bells once more before she felt the cloak part just enough for her to duck out slowly. Her heart thrummed loud and high in her chest as she turned and straightened in one slow movement, settling into a not quite stiff

She flushed and averted her eyes, ashamed. "Yes. You're right." Her voice was soft enough that it was possible he didn't hear her. He gave no indication one way or another."Why would you do this without telling me?""B-because you...you asked me not to." she admitted, still looking at the floor."So instead of asking me...or telling me...you decided to lie to me?"If she could have shrunk down into nothing she would have. She certainly felt like she was half way there already."I'm sorry. I know it was wrong. I..." she winced, "I played for the same girl the other night as well. But I wore a veil so no one would know," she looked up hopefully, "so I couldn't embarrass you and so the others wouldn't know."His face twisted into an expression she didn't recognize. It wasn't all anger. He shook his head as if to clear it, looking away."That doesn't change the fact that you lied." He turned back at her, his expression a strange mixture of sternness and questioning...almost imploring. "H

"And what have I done to deserve that fear? Is there any point in asking you why you'd think something so absurd?"She flushed slightly. "It's not that absurd. You've done nothing...I know...I thought you were not likely to be cruel or unreasonable...but..." she trailed off and gnawed on her lower lip."But what?"She averted her eyes, looking instead at the large hands which still held her captive. She moved in closer, stepping between his knees.He was right. It was ridiculous. How could she have thought that? He wasn't like that, there was no logical explanation for her reaction."I know, you're right. It's illogical of me." Then again it wasn't that preposterous. "But...I suppose...It had happened to a young slave I'd known as a child, you see...who'd belonged to my father. No one wants a pregnant slave, it's expensive. It's easier to buy slaves than raise them. The slave was sold as soon as it was clear she survived the birth...I don't know what became of the child."She met his

Black.Flowers weren't supposed to be black. Right?They should be bright, and cheery. They should calm you, or make you happy-or at the very least, content. Black flowers were just...wrong. The iris bobbed on its stalk as if nodding in agreement.And that wasn't the only thing wrong with this place, Calliope mused as she ran her fingers over the inky petals she had been eying. She glanced up from the flower and back to the sitting room door, beyond which Thelios and Lady Nagi were still engaged in a heated debate. Over what, she wasn't sure, though she could easily guess.She'd come in to find them already at it, again, and at the sound of half-raised voices had opted to wait politely in the expansive entrance hall until they were done.She looked back down at the flower and placed a hand over her stomach. Her frown deepened. She wondered when she'd begin to really show, and how long the pleats of her dress would hide it. She didn't care what Thelios said, she was most definitely beg

The many household slaves barely even caught her notice. Kara had been right about that. When one paid attention it was rather interesting to see the differences in how they all moved and carried themselves. You could tell the regular slaves from the...specialty slaves. Or at least that's how she'd been coming to see them. Women like Penelope, who had some particular beauty or skill which made them more useful or entertaining, and therefore more valuable than others. The fact they knew their worth showed. It showed in the way they walked, regally and smoothly, and sometimes lightly, their chins up, their lips curled into a ghost of a smile, their eyes easily meeting those that dared meet theirs.Unless they belonged to a simple household slave, in which case they were ignored. This seemed to suite the poor creatures who kept their eyes to the floor, and who, in comparison, seemed to stoop and scurry as if half-expecting to be struck. They were the most mouse like around the inhuman ma