Page 1

CHAPTER 1

Men are monsters.

No, that’s an insult to monsters.

Men are like fire.

And fire burns everything it touches.

“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” Sofia suggests as she squeezes my hand. “I hear they sometimes keep the women in camps to do stuff like laundry or cooking. I’m a good cook. One time I made⁠—”

“Head into the wind!” a male shouts. His command is muffled through the planks blocking us from the outside world, but I can hear it well enough.

The ship heaves and jerks when the massive sail adjusts.

“We’re slowing down,” I say as my heart thunders a warning in my ears. It’s the first time we’ve slowed since departing.

Which means we’re almost to Monster Isle.

A place full of shifter-vampire hybrids where humans are prey.

Humans like us.

Yet I don’t blame the monsters for this depraved game.

I blame the men who sent us here to die.

Mostly one man in particular.

Edward Rinhold.

My brother.

Tilting my head to listen, I catch various male murmurs and the shuffle of bare feet.

“They’re moving the other women,” I whisper as I strain against our chains to press my ear to the splintered wood. I regret it when a slam hits the wall, making me hiss in pain.

“Stay in line!” a voice yells. This one I recognize.

The captain.

He and I have become friends over the past few weeks.

And when I say “friends,” I mean I’m surprised he hasn’t slit my throat in my sleep by now. Probably because I’m worth a pretty penny he intends to cash in.

“I’m not for sale,” I whisper. It’s been my mantra.

I’m Liliana Rinhold. I’m a Lady of a family from the Magic Sector.

My brother’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

You’re a woman. You’re an object to be used for the benefit of this family, so stop whining and be useful.

He said that before ordering me to flirt information out of a rival.

I wasn’t very good at it.

And now I’m here.