Page 21 of Red King
“No,” she mumbles, wiping her nose with an already well-used Kleenex.
“How long have you been on this island?” a dark-haired woman asks. Her eyes are narrowed.
“I arrived yesterday.” I smile, trying to come across as kind and helpful.
“You work forthem. For these men who are going to pimp us out. And what? I’m just supposed to trust you?”
I nod, holding my ground, even though I want to flinch at her harsh words. “Yes. I’m here to offer medical care. I know it’s difficult to believe, but I’m here for you, even though I get paid by them.”
“You’re here for when we get beaten…hurt or raped, is that it?” The two of them glare at me. “You’re here to put us back together so that it can happen again. Is that it?” The one with the dark hair folds her arms as she talks. “Or maybe it’s to help us get pregnant. That’s what they want us for…isn’t it? Are you going to slip fertility drugs into our morning coffee?”
The third starts sobbing into her hand.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t accept or be a part of any of that. I can say with certainty that all the others who work here feel the same way I do. You’re here to date the dragon shifters. To see if our species would work together. No more is expected of you unless you consent and are willing. You won’t be hurt or raped. I promise you. None of us would stand for it.”
“This istheirisland. You would have no say. In fact, you’re a woman, too. You could be—”
“No…it’s not like that.”
“How can you say for sure when you only arrived yesterday? You don’t know anything, do you?” she snaps at me.
“I do…I wouldn’t be here if I thought women were going to get abused or hurt. These men are desperate to—”
“Exactly,” the dark-haired woman practically yells at me. “They’re desperate. You said it. What will they do to us?”
“Let me find Cathy. She’s—”
“What? Our Communications Liaison Officer?” she says with a sneer. “What is she going to do? She knows just as much as you. It’s a joke. I don’t want to meet these dragon men. I don’t want to date them. I refuse to stay here one night, let alone three months. I want to go home. Most of us do. Barring one or two crackpots who are actually happy to be here. They’re the exception.”
“I’m Paisley,” I tell her. “What is your name?”
Her jaw tightens.
“I’m an ER nurse from Cedar Pines. It’s a small town in… It doesn’t matter.” I flap a hand. “I’m just a normal person, living a normal life. I came here to…” I shrug. “You don’t want to hear my sob story.” I shake my head. “I arrived yesterday, as did all the other staff here. We’re here to help. These shifters seem pretty clueless. I think they’re going about things the wrong way, but that doesn’t make them bad.”
It’s weird. I’ve only met a few of them, but they all seem…nice. I think they’re dangerous, as in they could snap a human like a twig, but I don’t think they would actually do it. I don’t think they’re bad. It’s a gut feeling right now since I only just got here. Maybe I’m fooling myself. Only time will tell. What I can say is that they’ve gone to a lot of trouble to build us a beautiful place to live. They’ve provided care, or Dr. du Pont and I wouldn’t be here. Those aren’t the actions of rapists and murderers.
“They practically kidnapped us,” the other dark-haired woman snorts.
I sigh. “Tributes are brought to Draig Island every year.”
“Why?” the blonde asks, her tears dry for the moment.
I shrug. “It’s general knowledge that it’s an agreement between our government and them. I guess Mistveil has now been included in the agreement.” I shrug again. “That’s my best guess.” I look at my watch. “We have all been instructed to meet outside in fifteen minutes. I’m sure you’ll receive a full briefing on what is expected. They have to give you an opportunity to express your concerns. It won’t be as bad as you think.”
I pray I’m right.
“I hope you’re right, Paisley,” the dark-haired lady says, plucking the words right from my mind. She narrows her eyes at me for a second before relaxing. “I’m Carmen. This is Jacki and Lauren.” Lauren is the tearful one.
“I would say it’s nice to meet you,” Jacki says. “But I can’t.”
“I understand. I’m here for you. Cathy, too. All of us are, I swear. Try to keep an open mind until you find out all the facts.”
Carmen nods. “You’re probably right.”
“Come on,” I tell them. “We should probably head outside.”
Arctic
