unwanted

chapter thirtyfive

uncivil

Looking at the familiar faces was bittersweet. Godrick was instantly alert and checking the immediate area. Kar was in a fighting stance, while Frick checked Kellum over.

Jess noted Pensley's absence the same instant she realized that none of them were happy to see her. None of them gave two figs about her. Frick barely glanced her way.

Hiding her upset, she reached for her slippers and ignored the next two groups that arrived.

She really needed to learn how he was able to call things to him. That little gift would have come in handy more times than she could count.

"You are to wait here until Dezrick gives the order. Remember your instructions. I expect to see all of you without a scratch when we end this."

How very cocky. She just hoped he had the ass kicking skills needed to back it up.

The hand on her shoulder made her skin crawl. Or at least that is what she was telling herself.

She nearly tripped to get away from his touch.

Now everyone in the room looked at her.

"When we leave this room, you need to listen to my every instruction. Are we clear, Jessalynn?"

"How about I make myself clear? Don't call me that, and I don't need you to save me. I was doing just fine on my own. You get in my way and I'll leave you behind."

Kellum held his hand up to stop Kar's move in Jess's direction.

"Forget this shit." Jess found herself on the other side of the door alone. She should have never asked for his help. He was the last person she wanted to beholden to.

Before she could even check to see if anyone was around, he was at her side.

He caught her shoulder again. "If I know anything about you it is that you will do anything to keep Julian safe. Even if that means having to listen to me and follow some rules. I am trying to keep your feelings into consideration but if I at any time feel like you are putting yourself in danger, I will take you away from here. Do you understand me, Jessalynn?"

She grinded her teeth together to keep from telling him to fuck off. Her eyes shooting daggers at him, she gave a quick nod.

"Once we are done here, we___."

She jerked away from him and headed down the short hall that would take her to where the raours and their men usually had meals.

She would rather stay here with these Neanderthal women than to ever let him finish that conversation. All she was going to do is play nice, till she had what she wanted. Julian.

"Dezrick?"

"Clear. Once you enter the next room stay to the right. I will open doors that are clear and give you a path to the human Julian. He only has one with him now so once you are in his room, you'll have to deal with his companion."

"Jessalynn, where is your cell located?"

"Inner rooms. There are a few cells down there and a torture room of sorts. Once past that you get to the holding cells where all the slaves are kept. I know or have at least met most of the kitchen slaves but there are more down there as well. All women. Except for maybe a handful. Most the men are kept out here."

"Dezrick, I am sending the next set of warriors to the cell. Tell them to file out into other cells until they hear my command to move out."