Page 50 of Ash Storm

Ash

One by one, the lanterns in the courtyard were lit up. Overhead, the sky was still a mix of teal and orange and purple, but night was falling fast.

All afternoon, Alistair had stuck to him like a dog in heat. He didn’t trust Ash, and made no effort to hide it. Ash could see the wheels in Alistair’s mind turning. He didn’t have enough to go to Afsan—not yet—but Ash could see he was looking for the smallest excuse to do so.

Which meant Ash was going to be completely useless in kicking off their escape.

Thankfully, Griffin had noticed too.

And then, finally, luck struck in their favor—the women filed out, this time dressed in identical see-through silver dresses.

Ash counted them quickly.

Sixteen.

They’re all here.

And he wished they would rescue them all. But escaping with more women would endanger Reka and Chloe, and that was something they couldn’t afford. And Ash knew Reynolds and Thorne were looking into the guest list. Most of the women would hopefully be rescued en route to wherever it was they were heading. If not, they’d have to find a different way to get to them.

Ahmed Afsan got up onto the dais with the agility of a teenager. He radiated exuberant energy.

The sounds in the courtyard died down. Guests came closer, like fireflies drawn to the light.

“What is up with him?” Ash whispered.

“Shut up,” Gezi replied, also in a whisper. “This has nothing to do with us.”

“My friends,” Afsan began, raising his voice so it filled every corner of the courtyard. “I want to start tonight by thanking you. Really, thanking you. For coming to my humble home. For celebrating another year of working so successfully and profitably together.”

He paused, raising his hands like a prophet announcing important news.

“You are my best customers. But you’re also my friends. Which is why I’ve hand-picked these girls, just for you. In your phones, you’ll have the details and measurements of each one of these girls. Each one could make a great slave. Bid carefully, and remember, there are no returns.”

The rock in Ash’s belly grew until it was hard to stand up straight.

He focused on Reka—easily the most stunning woman in a line-up of very beautiful women. They’d done something to her hair to make it shiny, and her face glowed—as if the horrors of the previous days had never happened. But it wasn’t her face or her hair or her curves that caught his attention. It was the way she stood, her back so straight and proud—that intoxicating mix of strength and vulnerability that he’d seen up close the previous evening.

And a part of him hated it, because he knew some of the animals participating in the auction tonight would be looking for exactly that—a woman to break.

Ash only just stopped the growl from escaping his throat.

It will not be her.

None of these men would get their hands on Reka, no matter what Ash had to do to stop it.

He allowed himself another quick look. There was something in her posture that hadn’t been there the previous day. She looked somehow more relaxed, more at ease. Next to her, Chloe swayed lightly for an instant. A couple of the other women smiled listlessly.

They’ve been drugged.

Hell.

This could complicate things.

Ash looked away, but not quickly enough. Alistair was looking at him again, and had caught him staring at Reka.

Alistair nodded, and Ash had to restrain himself from rushing at the man and flattening him against the wall he was leaning on.

He reminded himself his first priority was to rescue Reka and Chloe. If the situation allowed, perhaps they might get the chance to kill Afsan. Maybe Alistair, too. Ash wouldn’t lose a minute of sleep if that happened.

But he had to focus.

He watched, out of his peripheral vision, as Alistair moved closer to Afsan. A sixth sense told Ash they were talking about him. Moments later, Afsan turned to speak to the fight master, who was standing close by. The man moved swiftly away.

“Study the details, my friends. Then come and watch our fighters as they fight to the death while you ponder your selection. Any questions, you all know my partner, Alistair. He will be happy to help. The bidding will begin promptly at eleven p.m.”

A few minutes later, the bell rang, announcing the first fight.

The girls were all still up on the stage, surrounded by guards.

Fuck.

Ash had been hoping to be gone before the fighting began, but it looked like that wasn’t going to happen.