Starlight and Blood

Chapter 1

They yanked on the ropes, holding her bound. Her feet aches and bled from the lack of shows she had lost on her last attempt at escaping. Her cheek swelled from the blow she had sustained as punishment. The four men continued to ride their horses, ignoring her. Her toe caught, and she fell to the ground hard.

“Get up.” The leader of slave traders spat. His eyes gleamed with dull eyes as they raked over her. Staring too long at the tare on her dress that exposed her thight. She quickly covered her skin, glaring at him. Daring him to try. He responded with a smirk. A promise.

“Ehh might as well let her stay down there. We gotta take a leak anyway.”  Another male spoke from the front. Sporting a black eye that she had given him during her capture.

The men began to talk among themselves. Slowly getting up, her eyes sought a sharp rock. Glancing upward through her lashes, she noticed no one paying her any attention. She quickly snatched it up, hiding it between her wrists. She looked up just in time to zone into their conversation.

‘Fine yall go do your business. I'll watch her “ the first guy spoke.

The other men chuckled, hopping off of their horses. They left, leaving her and the leader. He got down, rounding the horse to stare at her. He smirked before heading towards a rock. He made eye contact as he shoved his hands down his pants.

She looked away, disgust making her shiver. How did she get here? Just a few days prior, she stood with her people. During the celebration of the lunar solstice. Expecting to receive the symbol of her people  as she had reached the age of becoming her final task was supposed to be simple. Plush the vines of the night tree and return. However, what met her upon her return was not a welcome….but betrayal. She shook from her musings.

Her anger grew more. Taking the time he was distracted, she quickly whispered into her palms.

“Stone of earth harden your core so that i may escape those i abhor.”

Her eyes quickly scanned the area. The stone turned to metal. She sawed away at the binding between her wrists. So easily the fibers tore. The man shook himself, bending at his knees. She paused as he turned his pants open. The gleam in his eyes as evil as he was.

“Since we are alone, let's have a little fun.” He suggested. He smiled, showing yellowing teeth.  The skin near his cheeks pulled, showing the patchy areas littered around his face. With slow steps, he approached her. She jumped to her feet, glaring at him.

“I love it when they are fiesty.” He chuckled.

Sticking his tongue out to lick at the air as if he could taste her. Her face contorted to show her disgust. Almost an animalistic smile took over his. He jumped, scuffling her to the ground. His weight and the impact knocked the wind out of her. The sound scared the horses, making them jerk. Her hands flew above her head from the movement. He smiled even more at his luck.

“Give me a taste moor.” He growled.

His hands going toward her skirts. Her heart jumped into overdrive. Her chest rose and fell quickly, catching his eyes. Greed and promise oozed from his eyes. She struggled. Jerking. Puling. He leaned forward. Intent clear in his movements.

Why? Why should she have to go through this? She had done nothing wrong. Anger and determination melded into one.Giving her strength. Her wrists pulled and snapped free. The sound like music to her ears.The sound reaches his haze of lust and needs too late.

She was free. After so many attempts. She could escape. Really escape. But would it work? She didn't have time to guess. Only action.

Her desperation covered her in a blanket of angst, taking away her time for processing. She had to act now. He looked up only to see the glimmer of shine from the metal meet his left eye.