When they got to the platform, the men played to the crowd, preening and clowning around. A roar erupted, echoing off the stone walls of the cavern. Eva let it go on then waved them all to silence.
“Our brave hunters brought back another prize as well. A female creature, rare and strangely beautiful. In all my years, I have never beheld such a sight.”
She clapped her hands. Nadina and Mara had been waiting for the signal. They’d already tossed Lexi’s cloak aside and untied the leather strap holding her in place, replacing it with two long ropes fastened around her wrists. The women each took one and dragged her reluctantly onto the center of the platform.
Lexi stumbled once. Then she drew in her breath, pulled herself to her full height, and strode out of the shadows, determined not to let them see her embarrassment at being paraded half-naked in front of the whole Tryb.
The crowd went wild. For many, it was their first glimpse of her, one they’d been eagerly anticipating. Her attendants had no idea she could understand them so they’d been speaking freely in front of her. Based on their gossip, she’d been the main topic of conversation in the Tryb for the last twenty-four hours. Rumors flew. Some said they knew for a fact she was a mutant with both male and female sexual organs. Others swore she’d been found alone in the Outlands because she’d killed and eaten her mate. The hunters hadn’t bothered to bring back his carcass.
Nadina and Mara led her to a pair of massive stone pillars about ten feet apart. They sat squarely in the middle of the platform, each one twice as big around as Lexi’s whole body. The women pulled the ropes taut, then tied them around the pillars, leaving Lexi bound between them, her arms stretched wide.
Mother Eva stepped in front of her and raised her hands again. Once more, silence descended. “The men before you have risked their lives over and over for the good of our Tryb. As a tribute to their valiant service, I have a special treat for them,” she announced. A low hum ran through the audience. She raised her voice to be heard over it. “A contest, a competition to see which of these men deserves the title of Master of the Hunt. They have hunted in a pack for years, each one depending on the skills of the others to bring food to our people. Never seeking personal glory, always putting their own ego aside for the good of all.”
She ran her gaze from one to the next, smiling. “But like every mother, I know my children. Warriors have always been driven to test their mettle. They need to prove who is strongest. Fastest. Smartest.”
Her tone grew solemn. “In the past, when that need was not satisfied, our males sometimes waged war on each other, driving a wedge between the members of our Tryb and bringing destruction down upon our people. I vowed this would never happen under my rule as Mother. So, from time to time, after a feast, I hold a competition, a game where the strongest and most powerful among us can vie for the title of Hunt Master.”
Eva waved a hand at Lexi. “As befitting the slayers of the mightiest of beasts, this competition will award a very special prize to the victor.”
She walked dramatically down the row of hunters, stopping before each for a moment as she spoke. “Tonight these men will celebrate their prowess as a team. Each of you may choose a hunter and declare your support. Give him a blessed talisman or a secret weapon. Tomorrow night, they hunt again. The creature will be taken deep into the Outlands and set free. The warrior who tracks her down and brings her back will claim her as his own, here, in front of his supporters. She will belong to him, to do with as he pleases.”
The crowd let out a deafening cheer. Lexi tried not to react, but she was horrified. Tomorrow she’d be dragged into the hostile wasteland above ground, turned loose then hunted down like a wild animal. If she managed to survive, one of these savages would haul her back here and do unspeakable things to her while his team cheered him on.
Despite what she’d just heard, Lexi felt a grudging admiration for the old woman. She knew how to keep her Tryb under her thumb. Instead of giving them bread and circuses, like a Roman emperor, she let them gorge themselves on a fresh kill and an endless flow of strong drink. Then, a battle between her finest warriors, with a live sex show as the finale.
“Men, I invite you to inspect your quarry before you agree to compete. Take your time. Investigate her charms. See for yourselves if this prize is worth facing the dangers of an epic Hunt. The Tryb awaits your decision.”
All five men turned as one and advanced on Lexi. The Tryb cheered them on. She strained against her bonds as she looked from one arrogant face to another and saw dark eyes burning with lust.
Chapter Nine
Eli got to her first. He ran a hand down her body, cupped her naked breast, pinched and squeezed the nipple between his fingers. All the while staring into her eyes with a mocking smile on his face, reminding her this time she couldn’t resist, couldn’t attack him. He brought in the crowd, looking to them as if for approval before he ran one hand up her inner thigh to disappear under the scrap of cloth that passed for a skirt.
Lexi tried not to show any emotion. But it was impossible to disguise her body’s reaction. Her reddened nipples jutted out in hard peaks. Despite her revulsion for the man, his probing fingers between her legs made her breathing quicken.
Meanwhile, Balek stayed true to his feline character. He rubbed his body sinuously against hers then swept her hair off her neck. Sticking out his tongue, he wiggled it suggestively then licked the spot right below her ear. He worked his way down her neck, all the while making low, rumbling sounds like the purr of a tiger.
Balek dipped his head and ran his tongue in lazy circles around her breast. Nazery and Khan tried to shove him away, but when Balek growled at them, baring his fangs, they backed off. To save face, Khan stepped behind her, lifted her skirt to her waist and ran his hands over her bottom.
Lexi shut her eyes. She couldn’t bear the sight of the crowd any longer. Their eager expressions as they watched everything the men did to her made her ordeal all the more humiliating. She wished she could make their voices disappear too. The raucous cheers, the lewd cries of approval when one of the men made her squirm or jerk.
Worst of all, though, was the shameful way her treacherous body responded. Despite her embarrassment, the sensation of multiple hands running up and down her body sent shivers through her. Balek’s hot tongue on her breast made her nipples swell. She dreaded the thought that he might fasten his mouth over one of them and suck it. Yet a part of her she’d only discovered tonight ached to know how it would feel.
All the while, Eli’s insolent fingers stroked between her legs. She’d never been touched there before she came to Iridia. Now everyone seemed bent on violating her most private places, poking and probing, setting off wild cravings deep inside her.
At first, his fingers had been rough. Lexi didn’t know whether it was the unfamiliar effect of strong drink or all the stimulation she’d had, but now his hand slid smoothly over her vulval folds, eased along by the wetness flooding her vagina. When he slipped a finger inside her, Lexi gasped. He made a harsh grunting noise and drove it deeper.
Behind her, Khan ground himself against her backside. His penis had grown hard and protruded from his garment. She couldn’t suppress a shiver when it poked into the cleft between her bottom cheeks.
Nazery dropped to his knees in front of her. He gave a tug, and her skirt came away in his hand, exposing her completely. Her eyes flew open, and she let out a wordless cry. It inflamed the crowd. They stomped and roared, chanting something Lexi couldn’t make out through the buzzing in her ears.
Behind her, Khan laughed wickedly, dug his fingers into her hips and started pumping back and forth, his penis against her bare bottom, stiff and hot. With every thrust of his hips her body jolted forward, right into Nazery’s face between her legs. His tongue darted out, flicked the tip of her clitoris. She couldn’t hold back a scream.
Ayron stood aloof, off to one side, watching the proceedings. But when she screamed, he sprang forward and shoved Nazery to the ground, knocking Eli aside at the same time.
He turned on Mother Eva, furious. “Enough,” he commanded, his voice pitched low so only those on the platform could hear. “Hold your hunt if you must. But do not treat this female like a dumb animal. I brought her here to save her life, not to provide amusement for these lechers. You are our ruler, and I bow to your will. Since you have decreed it, we will compete. Until then, I will not stand by and allow this to continue.”
Eva stared at him for a moment then clapped her hands. The two attendants hurried to her side. She spoke to them in a low voice. Nadina wrapped the cloak around Lexi’s body while Mara untied the ropes that held her spread-eagled between the pillars.
