Light of the World

to my beta reader, Heather.

Thank you so much for all your hard work in helping me with this book and putting up with me dragging my feet with it.

You rock!

IMPRINT: Science Fiction Romance

Science Fiction Romance

Light of the World: Rebel Hearts: Book 1

Smashwords Edition

Copyright© 2017 by Magenta Phoenix

First E-Book Published June 2017

Cover Design by Melody Simmons

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission from the author.

All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations are strictly coincidental.

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Content

Copyright

Special Thanks

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Epilogue

Author’s Note

More Books

One

Clenching his fists tightly, Vadim braced himself for the next strike of the branding whip against his exposed back. The fiery cord stuck him across his lower back, causing his body to jerk forward and the chains coiled around his raised arms to tighten. Nose flaring with his angry breaths, the muscles along his jaw tightened against the pain. Ignoring the pain of his torn and burnt flesh, Vadim glared around his prison that had been his home for the last five years.

The prison colony of Terlus was not like most in the galaxy. His prison was made of solid stone that resembled a cave more than a prison. A steady flow of black rain water flowed down the stone walls from the small opening in the stone ceiling a mile above his head. The cool drops gave little comfort as this tormentor chuckled darkly behind him.

Prisoners of Terlus were no better than slaves, forced to mine the ore of the dark planet for those that operated the prison colony. You work or you die. It’s a simple choice if you want to keep your life after the Council of Unity sentence you to death.

The mere thought of the council made Vadim’s teeth grind together in anger. The Council of Unity is a group of thousands of high ranting Overlords of different planets that governed every inch of every world. With the creation of the council eons ago, peace was spread throughout the galaxy; however, peace has a price and one that everyone must pay; loyalty and submission.

It was a price that Vadim and his planet leaders had not been willing to pay. He hadn’t always been a prisoner; he was one now because he stood against the council and stood by his people. His people were the Pyra, a species of humanoid beings that possessed dark silver hair and clear blue eyes. His people followed the ways of old warriors and possessed unique gifts that made them a target of the council. His people had refused to submit to the power of the council when the council had invaded his home.

Being a warrior of his people, he followed his king in his decision to fight against the power of the council, but they were no match against the strength of the Overlords forces. At the end of the bloody battle; like Vadim, warriors that refused to submit were taken and sentence to death while others were condemned to be slaves far from their home. It would have been easier to bear if that was all the council did.

The day that every rebelling warrior was seized; for their willfulness, they were asked to reconsider submitting to the rule of the council. Those that refused were shackled like animals and forced to watch as their love ones were executed. Vadim had suffered that same fate many years ago.

But the council’s action didn’t have the result they’d hoped for. Along with several warriors, He escaped before he could be sold as a slave. But the blood that flowed through the veins of every Pyra would boil at the idea of being imprisoned. He knew his people would fight rather than be slaves for the council. He prayed that what remained of his kind were scattered across the galaxy, forever running and forever without a home. It was a foolish hope, he supposed.

His refusal to cry out at each lash caused his jailer to become angry. Wake up! his tormentor shouted as his branding whip sliced at Vadim once more. You think remaining quiet and refusing to work will save your hide here?

Groaning, Vadim shook his head with a smirk. Are you getting tired back there, Jailer? Perhaps you should take a break.

You are already dead, slave. You just don't know it yet. Shoving the burning coil against Vadim’s back, the green skinned Terlusian hissed with pleasure as Vadim groaned with pain.

Ce’ter! a dark voice shouted from the open door of the cell. Panting as the Terlusian jerked the burning whip from his back, Vadim raised his head to see the head prison guard striding toward him.

His name was Furi and was a Terlusian as well. Like all the guards he was dressed in a black vested shirt and pants. A laser pistol was strapped to his left hip while a circular blade was strapped to his right.

He gave Vadim a scowling look before turning his look of displeasure on the guard behind him. What do you think you are doing? I said punish him not skin him alive! How do you expect him to be of any use to us now?

Stepping away from the prisoner, the guard snarled with an amused grin. What does it matter? This one never worked anyway. he said, pointing the glowing whip to Vadim in question. Perhaps we should just do with him as the council would want us to do. Kill him and let him be a warning to all that would defy the laws.

Stepping forward, the head guard flashed his pointed teeth at his subordinate. Reaching out, his black clawed tipped fingers jerked the whip from Ce’ter’s hand. You follow my orders or I will have you killed as an example as well. tossing the branding whip aside, his yellow gaze turned back to their abused prisoner. Let him down and unchain him. Return him to the lower level. I won’t have him damaged further than you already have. Furi hissed out. Without another word, he turned and left the room and disappeared down the dark tunnel.

Cursing in his incoherent language, Ce’ter strode to the wall to release the length of chain that held Vadim barely suspended off the ground with his arms bound above his head. As the chain was released, Vadim fell to his knees. The heavy chains around him pulled his arms to the dirt covered floor. Before Vadim could move to his feet, a clawed hand gripped his short silver hair, savagely jerking his head back.

Opening his pale blue eyes, Vadim glared up at the Terlusian that held him. When I am free of these chains I will kill you. He vowed.

Laughing, the Terlusian shook his head with humor. "Keep dreaming, Warrior. For your crimes against the Council you were sentenced to death, you are only still alive because of us. You are a slave now. Accept it or die! I don’t care which you do. Now get on your feet."

* ~ * ~ *

Walking down the dark tunnel, Vadim ignored his tormentor’s efforts to goat him into attacking him as he prodded his open wounds with the muzzle of his laser pistol. He wasn’t stupid to give into his anger twice in one day. Another whipping by this Terlusian would kill him and he would never taste the freedom he longed for. For now, he would bide his time and wait for the right opportunity.

The fluttering light of torches began lighting his way as he was led toward the lowest cavern; where only the prisoners dwelled. Upon seeing him approach with a guard at his back, the two that stood before the iron barred gate came to attention.

Open the gate. Ce’ter hissed as he shoved Vadim roughly forward.

With a grim look, the two guards nodded. One moved away to press a key pad that was strapped to his wrist. With a loud bang, the iron gate rose over the blocked entrance. Not waiting for the Terlusian at his back to shove him again, Vadim quickly ducked beneath the risen gate and strode into the large cave. All around him were small camp fires where prisoners where huddling for warmth and where some slept curled in the grim on the ground.

Thought the lower level possessed smaller caves that some prisoners resided in; with a population of thousands it was rare that anyone even had one for more than one night. Just like food rations and what little supplies the prisoners possessed, caves were also fought over daily. Vadim possess his own cave and every night he had to fight to keep it.

Amongst the shadows beyond the dancing flames of the meager fires, Vadim saw several dark forms shifting as others took notice of his presence. From the darkness, a familiar face drew closer to the light of the flames. Gritting his teeth, Vadim found himself face to face with his constant rival. Shoving past the dirty and ragged clothed prisoners, the tall Colian known only as Dei, stepped in his path.

Shifting slightly, Vadim winced at the movement that pulled at his wounds. Dei was spoiling for a fight as he always was. Besides himself; Dei was the only other prisoner that was once a skilled warrior honed in the darkness of battle. It was that same darkness that he craved and searched for every time he crossed paths with Vadim.

Crossing his bulging arms over his chest, the black skinned Colian smirked at him mockingly. So; our great sovereign has returned. Dei’s baled brow lifted with false astonishment.

Get out of my way. Though his words were whispered, the other prisoners wisely moved back from the two warriors.

Ignoring his warning, Dei took a confident step forward.

What makes you think you are better than the rest of us? waving his hand toward Vadim in question, Dei began circling him as he continued. Perhaps you like the touch of the branding whip that your masters give you every time you rebel? Or is it you simply wish for death?

Sparks of rage leapt into Vadim’s eyes at Dei’s taunting words; your masters…The foul words echoed through his mind and made his blood boil. His kind were not a people of submission, they were fighters. Though he may be imprisoned; he would never be any man’s slave. It wasn’t in his blood to bow to another and he wasn’t about to start now.

Struggling to rein in his need to rip the arrogant Colian apart, Vadim forced his hands to his sides, clenching them tightly.

No one is the master of me. I would rather die as a rebellious prisoner than an obedient slave like you. Vadim whispered with an accusing tone.

Dei chuckled with dark humor. What would it matter? he asked as he circled in front of him. You may be one of the last of your pathetic and stubborn kind. Stopping directly behind him, Dei leaned close to whisper low beside Vadim’s ear. I know what the Council did to your planet. I have to wonder what end befell your precious wife and son. How loud did they cry out for help because you weren’t there to protect them?

Like a star dying in the dark sky, Vadim’s anger exploded. Spinning around, he stuck out. In his mind, he wasn’t fighting the obnoxious and bullheaded Dei; he was fighting the dark ghosts that haunted him, the faceless murderers that snuffed out the light of his beloved family.

Striking Dei across the face had him stumbling back into a group of onlookers before falling to the ground. Swiping his meaty thumb across his split lip, Dei smirked as his finger came away bloody. Springing back onto his feet, Dei reached around to his back to pull out a makeshift dagger fashioned from a long strip of metal that had been sharpened to a deadly point.

Eyeing the crude blade in his opponent’s hand, Vadim shifted his weight to the balls of his feet as he took a fighting stance; he waited for Dei to make his move. With a dark grin, Dei lunged forward thrust with his blade. Dodging to the left, Vadim narrowly missed the blade as it cut through the air at his side. Charging forward, Vadim struck Dei in his throat driving him back. Before he could land another blow, Dei’s blade cut through the air as his hand swung out. Leaping back, Vadim wasn’t quick enough to avoid the razor tip of the blade as it cut along the left side of his jaw.

All around the fighting pair was the jeering voices of the other prisoners as they watched the fight with excitement. As though he fed off the excitement of the crowd, Dei smirked evilly at Vadim before he leapt toward him. Feeling the battle rage deep within singing through his blood, Vadim rushed to meet his opponent.

Before Dei could slash out with his blade, Vadim stuck. Driving his clenched fist under Dei’s jaw, he gripped his wrist; jerking Dei’s arm away to the side of his own body, Vadim drove his other hand up under Dei’s extended arm. With a loud snap, he successfully broke Dei’s good arm.

Roaring in pain, Dei head butted Vadim before driving his good hand unto his gut. Releasing his hold on Dei, Vadim stumbled back just as someone hit the back of his knees from behind, driving him to the ground. Bending down to retrieve his fallen blade, Dei’s heavy boot swung out again, nailing Vadim in the face sending him falling onto his back.

Before he could recover and leap away, Vadim found his wrist were pinned to the ground as several prisoners loyal to Dei stood on his arms, crushing the bones against the brittle dirt ground. Unable to move, he stilled when he felt the sharp edge of Dei’s blade against his throat. Lifting his eyes, he saw Dei’s smug face above him as he stood over his body. Blood, sweat, and dirt were smeared across his face like some ancient war paint.

I almost hate to kill you; it’s been some time since I’ve had such a worthy opponent. If only you hadn’t fought me wounded, you may have beaten me. Making a sucking sound with his lips, Dei clenched his jaw with amusement. Fate must smile upon me today. I have been away from the battle field too long and I will relish every second of your bloody death.

Before Dei could clench his good hand to slit Vadim’s throat, the Colian was jerked back as a spike a foot in length appearing to be made of bone was shot into his shoulder. Before he could react, a small form leapt onto Dei, sending him flying a short distance from Vadim. Startled at the new fighter’s appearance, Dei’s loyal followers leapt away from Vadim to disappear amongst the crowd.

Rising to his feet, Vadim’s lips smirked slightly as he took in the sight of Avon. Standing in her normal attire of a short covering over her breasts held up by a single strap at her left shoulder that ended a few inches above her belly and a tight legging with one of the legs ripped away to her right knee. As usual her feet were bare, with only a red tinted gold bangle around each slim ankle. Her short hair was cut in an array of blonde and brown strands around her beautiful face. With her features, she appeared to be only in her late twenties.

Eyeing Avon with a look of anger, Dei leapt to his feet, ignoring his injuries, he unwisely attacked Avon. Standing with her legs parted and her arms lying limp at her sides, Avon didn’t move a muscle as the large Colian rushed toward her. Once Dei came within striking distance, Avon moved with a fluid grace that had Vadim’s eyes enthralled.

Rising on one foot, Avon gripped the spike embedded in Dei’s shoulder as leverage. Leaping up, one of her knees stuck him in his face a moment before she used his distraction to wrap both her slim legs around his neck as her hands gripped his head. Tossing her body backwards, Avon releasing her hold on him long enough to twist through the air and landed a small distance away as Dei fell to the ground face first.

The ground rippled with vibrations at the impact of Dei’s heavy form striking the hard ground. Snarling, Dei rolled over as he ripped the boned spike from his shoulder, intending to use it as a weapon. Striding towards him; unafraid, Avon flexed her shoulders as smaller, bone spikes emerged from deep beneath her skin. A slender spike at the underside of her right wrist shot between her fingers.

Gripping the spike, she twirled the unnerving weapon between her fingers for a second before throwing it at Dei. The crowd gasped in fear as the spike sliced through the air and through Dei’s left ear before being embedded in the ground beside his face.

Taking a running leap, Avon landed on her spread legs over Dei. Crouching down, she had held her flat hand out beneath his chin as two deadly spikes emerged from her palm, pressing against his throat in warning. Reluctantly accepting that he couldn’t fight back, Dei tossed the spike aside, yielding.

Her fair face was a cold, emotionless mask as she spoke. You’re not king here, Dei. You’re the jester. She sneered with disgust.

With a sickly wet sound, Avon pulled the spikes back beneath her skin with a grimace. Rising to her feet, she purposely kicked a cloud of dirt into Dei’s face as she stepped over him. Unafraid that he would attack her, she insulted Dei further by presenting her back to him as she walked away. Behind her, Dei rose to his feet, palming his bleeding shoulder before shoving through the crowd and disappearing down a dark tunnel.

Casting her dark gaze around the crowd until it fell on Vadim, her expression softened from deadly to unfeeling. Pressing her lips into a firm line, she strode toward him. Prisoners leapt back to give her a wide berth as she moved unhurried across the space.

Giving Vadim a final withering glare, Avon passed by him without a word. Hunching his shoulders at the pain in his back and from the fight, he turned to follow Avon in silence. After traveling down further into the bowels of the prisoner’s quarters is eyes fell upon the jagged entrance of their shared cave.

Grimacing, Vadim knew Avon was cross with him for engaging in a fight with Dei. His male pride was wounded that she’d stepped in as she had. He was a warrior and could have handled it himself, but he wasn’t about to point that out to his hostel comrade. From their time together, he had gleaned a bit of information about her people and he knew that Avon came from a culture much different from his own.

Avon’s people; the Quiluex were a nomadic warrior species like his own, but whereas Pyra women were meek, guarded and protected, Avon’s people were all warriors, even the females. He found it a bit disconcerting that more prisoners around them feared a small female more than they did him, but he brushed it away.

Taking a step across the entrance, his eyes searched out for Avon in the dark interior. His sharp eyes spied her crouched form as she built a fire in the dugout pit at the center of the cave floor. The lean muscles of her shoulders and back tightened as he moved closer to her.

Yes. She was cross with him.

As the light of the rising flames dance off the walls of the cave, chasing away the shadows, Avon turned her attention to him. Not bothering to turn to look at him, she called over her shoulder at him. Come and sit by the light and I’ll take a look at your wounds.

Though his wounds from the fight were barely noticeable, Vadim felt his back burn and throb with unbearable pain. He would survive without doctoring, but with Avon’s present displeased mood, it wasn’t wise to start a fight with her as well. Plus accepting her offer to help would help deflect some of her anger away from him.

Moving closer to the crackling fire, he settled himself down beside her tense form. Turning around so that his back was facing her, he tensed when he felt Avon’s gentle touch against the burnt flesh of his back.

With a sound of irritation, Avon muttered in disgust as she took in the sight of the crisscrossed blistered slashes across his back. When will you learn?

As her soft hand brushed against the raw wounds, Vadim remained silent. His fists clenching against the ragged material of his trousers as he breathed deep through his nose against the pain. Sweat dotted his brow as he allowed his friend to probe his wounds as she inspected his injuries. He could feel the warmth of his blood trickling down his back, urging him to swipe it away. He fought against the need to pull away from her feather light touch and wipe away the irritating streaks.

What could he possibly say to make her understand why he fought so hard against their jailers that had brought the punishment he’d received today? Like Avon; he had originally been sentenced to death, but the Terlusians had chosen to use him as a slave instead. In all the time he’d know Avon, not once had she shared her story with him on why she was sentenced by the council for death and he hadn’t asked. Like him Avon was a fighter at heart, but unlike his blind battle rage, she chose when to fight and when to step back. She chose to keep her urge to fight locked away while he chose to strike out at their masters any and every way he could.

After a few more painful prods to his wounds, Avon’s hands fell away. When he felt her shifting away from him, his locked-up words tumbled from between his lips. I won’t make it easy for them. turning to look at her over his shoulder, he met her hard expression with his own.

There’s a difference between standing up and stirring up trouble, Vadim. You keep angering the Terlusians and fighting amongst the other prisoners—you will die.

He scoffed, turning back around. Better to die fighting than live as a docile slave, begging for whatever crumbs they throw us.

And that’s what you think we are? a hard voice echoed from the dark cave entrance.

Turning at the dark rumbling voice, Vadim instantly recognized the large figure that was forced to duck down before entering the cave. It was Caz, another slave that Vadim shared his cave with and had grown close with.

Many of the prisoners within the colony were terrified whenever Caz walked by—and with good reason. From what Vadim knew; Caz was an Ogra, a humanoid being that possessed the form that could only be described as a near giant.

Aside from his immense size and wide, square shaped face, there was nothing abnormal about him. Caz possessed a dark tan color to his rough leathery skin and no hair on his bald head, his body was thickly muscled even compared to others on this planet. He possessed no eyebrows but instead had a thick line of circular marks above his eyes and across his forehead that appeared to be bare bone. Besides standing nearly eight feet tall, the only thing about Caz that sometimes unnerved Vadim was his strange eyes. His eyes were a strange milky silver color with a small purple pupil.

Walking towards them, Caz was forced to hunch his shoulders down to avoid striking his head on the ceiling of the cave. Reaching them, Caz frowned down at Vadim, perplexed at his earlier words. You think Avon and I enjoy living this way? That we enjoy living as a slave with the threat of death hanging over our heads every moment of every day? with each word, Caz’s voice rose and echoed off the cave walls with heavy vibrations.

Unconcerned by his show of a temper, Avon motioned past Caz to the far corner of the cave that she’d long claimed as her space. In the far corner was a small fur skin mat that served as her bed and a few tools. Hand me that jar next to my bed. She requested absently with a soft tone.

Following her gaze, Caz spied the small clay jar that she had hidden at the corner of her bedding. With a hard grunt, Caz stomped over to where she motioned. Crouching down, Caz carefully lifted the jar into his hand like it was made of the frailest material. Slowly rising to nearly his full height, Caz carefully made his way back to them while holding the jar close to his wide chest with a worried expression. Despite his immense strength and terrifying features, Caz was one of the clumsiest beings you had ever met.

Falling to his knees next to Avon, the stone floor vibrated beneath their bodies. Holding out his large protectively cupped hands, he offered the jar to Avon with a nervous smile.

Barely pausing to acknowledge him, Avon winced slightly as she pushed a spike out of her forearm before snapping it off. She ignored how Caz flinched at the pain that it caused her to do so and his following look of disapproval. Snapping the sharp point from her spike, she dipped it into the clay jar, coating the circular bone spike with the scarlet colored paste.

Giving Vadim’s scored back a grim look, she sighed heavily. Take a breath. She murmured softly.

Attempting to look over his shoulder, Vadim had no time to question her words when fire raced down his back as she smeared some concoction into his wounds. "J’alli he’r!" he cursed loudly in his people’s forgotten language.

His wounds from his lashing felt like they were on fire while someone took a dull hook to pull the edges of each wound together. It was beyond painful. As a Pyra warrior, he could withstand pain and torture, but this was beyond what he had ever felt in all his thirty-five years.

What in the fiery oblivion did you just put on me?! he hissed out against the pain.

Gasping, his hands tightened into tight fists against the worn material of his trousers as the air was forced out of his lungs as the pain and heat grew more intense. For a moment, he forced himself to remain still, praying to any deity in the known universe that it would stop before he lost consciousness.

Behind him, Avon swept her hand over the floor of the cave, lifting her dirt cupping hand; she smeared the cool earth over the bubbling liquid over his wounds. Just when he thought the consuming pain would overtake him, it lessened to a cooling sensation until the skin of his back felt tight and uncomfortable. He felt like if he merely turned to look at his companions that his back would be ripped to ribbons. What had Avon done to him?

Fire ore. Avon finally answered.

Vadim froze. Fire ore was the reason why the Terlusians kept so many of them alive. Every day, every single being within the slave colony was forced to mine deep within the heated pits of this dark planet for the precious ore that the Terlusians were greedy for.

Fire ore was retrieved as a sparkling gem in the size of a man’s fist. Fire ore is incredibly difficult and dangerous to mine. The surrounding rock was hard as the strongest metal and took many slaves to break through and the walls are incredibly hot and many slaves are scalded alive daily for just a simple lump of ore.

A single lump would make the lowest of beings richer than many kings. But fire ore has other uses than just a valuable gem. Once exposed to heat for a long period of time, the blood red gem will melt into a liquid like acid. Mixed with soft earth, the fire ore will instantly cool until it becomes a hard shell.

There. Avon said with a confident nod, brushing the remaining dirt from her hands. The barrier the ore formed over your wounds will prevent infection from entering your wounds and killing you while you work. In a day or when your wounds are closed we will chip away the barrier.

Ignoring the stiffness of his back and how it forced him to move slower than his normal quick fluid reflexes, Vadim leapt to his feet to turn and glare down at Avon. Caz also regarded the small Quiluex with a shocked and scolding look.

You are foolish, Avon! Vadim scolded.

In the five years since he’d met Avon, he’d found he felt protective of her as though she were his sister and in that moment, he felt like an over protective brother. Have you even considered what the Terlusians would do to you if they knew you had stolen the ore we are forced to mine?! his finger stabbed angrily toward the clay jar that Caz still carefully cradled.

Shrugging her shoulders, Avon rose to her feet and met Vadim’s stormy expression with a nearly bored look. What else could they do to me? she scoffed as if amused. "Besides, as you are well aware Vadim; I am far from helpless. she paused, giving both males a pointed look. Looking back at Vadim, she gave him a mocking expression. We all have our little rebellions, Vadim."

Bending at the waist, she took the clay jar from Caz before turning away to replace it in its designated place next to her bedding. Turning back around, she headed for the entrance of their cave, turning back to the both of them, she motioned at Vadim. You should go lay down. Our shift will start again in barely a quarter of an hour and you need to get some rest. I will go and get us all some rations. Without another word, she left, leaving Caz and Vadim staring after her, speechless.

Turning to Caz who was watching Avon’s departure with a grim, yet steady look, Vadim scowled. Did you know that she’d stolen ore? he demanded.

Jerking his head up, Caz’s strange eyes glared at him. Rising to his feet with heavy lumbering steps, Caz replied. Believe me, had I known I would have stopped her. But it does explain a lot. He mused towards the end.

Explain what? Vadim asked with no particular interest in Caz’s answer while taking stiff steps across the cave to his fur pallet on the floor.

Think about it, Vadim; when was the last time you went without a meal? Caz inquired turning to look at Vadim with a frown. You know as well as I the Terlusians do not care if the prisoners here are fed. The food here is scarce and constantly fought over and yet neither of us has gone without a meal in months.

Wincing at the tightness of the skin of his back, Vadim lowered himself down onto his pallet. His brow furrowed as he fought to find the words to disagree with Caz’s words, but he could not. It was true that they never went without food, but he’d never thought to ask why that was. Could it be that Avon, the smallest of their strange group had been providing for him at personal risk to herself and neither of them had noticed?

The new-found knowledge soured his stomach and his mood by each passing second. On his world, women weren’t expected to give anything up for a simple full belly for a single night, yet Avon had been doing just that. She’d been sneaking back into those dangerous mines and stealing fire ore to melt down and barter to other prisoners in exchange for their daily food. If was the last thing he did, Vadim swore to himself that he would escape if only to take Avon away from this place and find her a proper protector. A male that would make sure she never had to risk her life for a simple bowl of stew and hard crusted bread.

We need to stop her and keep her safe, Caz. Vadim said. His eyes pinned on the Ogra’s shadowy form from the other side of the fire light.

Scowling at him, Caz replied. No matter what we do, she will never be safe here and neither will we. We are condemned. It’s just our choice whether or not to fight it or accept it.

Without another word, Caz’s hunched form lumbered toward the wall beside the cave entrance where another fur pallet was arranged. This pallet was larger and more of a mess than the other two. Settling down on his bedding, Caz groaned with relief as he rotated his neck and shoulders once he had room to hold his head up without fear of striking the ceiling.

Lying down on his back, Vadim attempted to get comfortable as the hard-incrusted skin of his back pulled painfully with every move he made. With a huff, he carefully rolled over onto his side facing away from Caz. Within moments he could feel the numbing agent in Avon’s concoction working to dull his pain, though his back still radiated heat from the lashes of the branding whip.

Closing his eyes, he sighed with disgust at the events of today. He couldn’t shake off Caz’s last words as the welcoming weight of sleep began to fall over him. He wouldn’t accept this existence. He refused for this to be his life. His warrior blood rebelled against the thought of dying as a beaten slave. His grave would be on a battle field, not huddled in the dirt with a whip wielding master standing over him. Even if it took his life, he would fight for his freedom and the freedom of his friends. No matter what, he’d find a way.

He had to.

Two

Raising the pick ax in a smooth swinging motion over his head, Vadim grunted as he struck the solid, hissing stone in front of him. Red rocks smashed and crumbled at his feet in heavy chunks. Beside him, Caz worked with his bare hands to smash and pull at the rock wall in front of him. Both of them were covered in black ash and sweat. The heat of the mining caves made the air heavy and difficult to breath. Thin tendrils of steam drifted from the walls attesting to the heat ore that hid beneath layers and layers of protective rock.

Around him were several other slaves working tirelessly at their assigned positions with only pickaxes and a single torch for light in the dark maze of tunnels around them. Several Terlusian guards were stationed at the mouth of every cave tunnel armed to the teeth to make sure that everyone worked. Vadim was no exception to that today.

Lowering his tool to the ground, Vadim panted for air as he tilted his head back to look several feet above him. Several hundreds of feet up in the dark tunneling ceiling, his eyes caught the pin prick of sunlight that filtered thought the large opening above them. However, the sight of the sun wasn’t the reason he was looking heavenward. Shifting his gaze, he struggled to make out the form of Avon.

Their jailer had given her the duty of scaling higher up the cave’s shaft to chip away at the walls that held lesser valuable gems known as sun stones. Sun stones were formed with the help of the harsh sunlight and the heat of the rocks to for sparkling gems of multitude of colors. These gems could harness the light of the sun and emit it in the darkest of places. He supposed there were some through the galaxy that would want such stones for their homes, but at the risk of Avon’s life?

Both Caz and Vadim had lost their privilege to an hour sleep cycle between their shifts for voicing their anger. With a roll of her hazel eyes, Avon had shoved past their protective bodies and climbed onto the swing attacked to a pulley system at the top of the cave’s shaft.

Using the slack of rope that hung beside the rope and board seat, Avon would have to pull herself up high and hold onto the rope to prevent her from plummeting back down while she worked. As there was nothing to secure her in the flimsy seat, any number of things could kill their small and stubborn companion.

Icy sweat beaded his brow at the thought. Avon could fall backwards off the board that served as a seat or the anchoring length of rope could slip from her small hands while she collected the sun stones that grew high above them. How could she properly balance herself?

Stop it. Caz hissed out beside him. Jerking his face down, Vadim turned to see the giant male glaring down at him.

Worrying about her will only make it worse. Caz said in a clipped tone as he ripped a large second of rock from the wall in front of them.

Returning the receiving glare, Vadim bit out. You cannot tell me that you are alright with the thought of her up there? Any number of things could happen to her. It should be one of us up there.

Slamming a heavy rock to the ground in anger, Caz’s strange eyes flashed dangerously at Vadim’s words. Why do you think she was ordered up there? It’s to make sure we work down at the base. Your rebellion has put her up there! taking a shaky inhale of breath, Caz snarled as he took a step toward Vadim in threat. You are my friend, Vadim, but if anything happens to her because you want to strike out at those bastards—I will make you sorry.

Few things scared Vadim, he’d seen too much to scare easily, but in that moment, he didn’t doubt that the Ogra wouldn’t hesitate to break him in two. Opening his mouth to lash back at Caz, Vadim was silenced at the far-off sounding voice above them.

Unless you plan on whipping them out to see who the bigger man is—can it! I can take care of myself. The sound of Avon’s stubborn voice echoing above them was like an icy balm to Vadim’s clenching chest.

The squeaking sound of the pulley seat lowering had both him and Caz lifting their gazes to see Avon lowering herself low enough above them till the light of their torch revealed her.

Like them, Avon was covered in sweat and ash, her multicolored hair was slicked back from her face with the exception of a few rebellious strands that fell into her face. Flashing both of them with an irritated look, she shook her head at them.

And just for your information, she addressed them both with a glaring look. My people live hundreds of feet off the ground in trees, I think I can handle this. she bit out sarcastically.

Dropping her gaze to adjust the pale cloth satchel looped across her chest before falling to her side, Avon shifted her gaze to the length of rope that she had coiled around one of her legs. Gripping the length of rope above her head, the muscles in her arms tightened as she began to pull herself back up.

Avon, Caz called out with a softer voice.

Hesitating when he’d called out to her, Avon looked down at him with a frown. Seeing that he had her attention, Caz brushed off his scaled, ash covered hands before he bent to retrieve his small water skin. Moving around Vadim, he held it up to her in offering.

Take this with you. Caz said in offer.

Seeing this; Vadim had to stifle the urge to grin. The not-so-gentle giant was attempting to be gallant to the most rude and stubborn female in the galaxy? This could provide entertainment for him. Vadim abruptly raised his pick ax above his head, going back to work when Avon turned her frowning gaze at him in confusion.

Shaking her head, Avon declined Caz’s offer. You will need that. It’s hotter at the base of these walls than the top. Why would you give me your water supply? she asked, her thin brows lowering in confusion.

Caz’s cheeks flushed a darker tan as though he was embarrassed. Opening his mouth to reply, Vadim watched as no sound emerged. Caz quickly snapped his jaw closed.

You shouldn’t be so foolish with your own life, Caz. Keep your water. Jerking her confused gaze from Caz, Avon pulled herself back up the wall in silence.

Looking back over at Caz’s large form, Vadim nearly laughed to see the Ogra still holding the water skin up in offering even after Avon had already scurried back up into the darkness. After a moment of silence, Caz dropped his hands looking bewildered. Was it possible that Caz was more protective of Avon than Vadim had thought? When Caz turned back around, Vadim was quick to avert his eyes.

Without a word, they both continued to work in the hours to follow. In the connecting tunnels, they could hear the other slaves being relieved of their duties for their rest cycle, all too aware that they would have no rest this day. Using a shredded cloth to mop at his sweating brow, Vadim lifted his ax to bare down on the wall in front of him, the moment the dull tip of his ax hit the rock, something happened. Beneath him he felt the ground shift as a ripple of vibration echoed through his feet.

What was that? Caz asked, his large hands stilling against the wall as he felt the vibrations as well.

Holding up his flat hand, Vadim indicated he shouldn’t talk as he listened carefully. Within a minute later, another ripple of force beneath them hit. Not a second later, the cave walls shook with a loud sound of explosion. The sounds of screaming and yelling voices echoed through the dark tunnels as another explosion shook the foundation around them.

What was going on?

Turning to look at Caz, Vadim hissed out low, Stay with Avon, I’m going to see what’s going on. Not waiting for a reply, he tightened his grip on his pickax that hung at his side; Vadim took off down the dark tunnel without a backward glance.

Without the benefit of a torch, Vadim’s sight was useless, not that it concerned him. He’d worked these tunnels for too long to not know every step and ever turn by heart. The sound of fearful cries, fighting and more explosions grew louder with every step he took.

Seeing a flicker of fire light, Vadim knew he was close to the entrance of the upper cavern of the slaves. He paused toward the entrance as he didn’t see a single guard in place. Guards never left the tunnel entrances unattended. Brows lowering in confusion, Vadim moved toward the opening of the tunnel and nearly stumbled over something large.

Gripping the rocky walls on either side of him to balance his footing, he looked down to see what blocked his way to the entrance. The small flashes of light from the entrance flared brighter with another explosion revealing the body of a Terlusian guard. On the guard’s chest was a large jagged wound slicing deep into the creature’s chest. Had another guard turned on him and killed him, why?

Shoving past the body, he moved toward the light. Nothing could prepare him for what he saw. High above, a large section of the natural ceiling had been blown away to reveal a wealth of sunlight above. But what held his attention was the large silver ship that hovered above the opening.

He watched as several cloaked figures dropped down to the ground attacking Terlusians that rushed toward the dark cloaked figures. Many slaves rushed to escape the battle that was taking place as they scurried over the broken bodies that were scattered across the ground like bread crumbs.

Not a few feet from him, Vadim watched as a cloaked figure turned toward the rushing form of a guard. His breath froze in his lungs as he saw something emerge beneath the bottom of the figure concealing cloak. It was a pointed tail. Reflecting with yellow armor like scales the tail’s tip was shaped like an arrow with a deadly tip. Moving quickly, the fighter’s tail slashed through the air, cutting the guard down before he even could reach the unknown fighter.

As the body of the guard crumbled to the ground, the fighter lifted his cloaked head toward Vadim. Shouting something out in a foreign language Vadim couldn’t place, the fighter indicated toward Vadim. Several other cloaked figures turned toward him also and quickly began cutting their way towards him.

Not staying long enough to find out what was going on, Vadim turned and rushed back to his comrades. Far behind him, he heard the fighters stumbling through the dark tunnel attempting to catch up to him. For the first time in his life, he was thankful for the sharp twists and turns of the dark mining tunnels.

Rushing back toward Caz, Vadim slowed when he spied the large Ogra holding the flaming torch over his head as he fought to spy Vadim in the darkness. Even when his strange eyes met Vadim’s, Caz’s perplexed expression didn’t fade.

What is going on? he asked with clear concern.

"The planet is under attack and more are heading this way. We will have to