Chapter Nine
***Savanah***
"Let him in," Savanah told the guards. "He isn't going to give us away to the others."
"You're right, Savanah. He's not. I can feel his sincerity and his shame over the way the mayor acted when you were in his home. His emotions are mixed up. The child he was still longs for his father's love, while the man he has become despises him. And yet, there is another underlying emotion that I'm picking up slightly. It's sadness. Kyllian, why is there sorrow when you speak of your father if you hate him so much?" Irene inquired. She was the rider of the second land skimmer.
"He's confused or something. At times his words don't make a lot of sense. I fear his brain has become addled and he is incapable of helping anyone. He wasn't always like this. The father I knew was cynical but tough. It showed in some of the notes I found in his computer system. But later ones are written the way he seems now, arguing both sides of a subject and never stating his own mind. I believe he may be ill."
Savanah and Aisaak both looked down at the ground. Neither wished to speak up. They had suspicions that the mayor was being controlled by another entity, but they didn't share the same reasoning. Savanah thought it due to her own confused, often far away, mind and the handsome man who had made her that way. Aisaak was wary because he had heard the name that terrified him and seen the black tail he imagined belonged to Tuuleuss.
"He didn't appear so addled when he refused to aid me," Savanah announced. "He defended the authorities and the men who rule over Delti Utopia 6. He praised them for the money and tourists they brought in."
"I know. I heard it all and confronted him about it. Our conversation was less than satisfying. At first, he claimed you were lying and after money. When I explained that he should have given your story more credence, he switched over to saying how little authority a mayor had and how he wouldn't know where to start looking for evidence. As I said, his mind isn't all there. Please, don't judge me by his attitude. He didn't raise me. This is the first I've seen of him in ten years," Kyllian replied.
"It's difficult for me to trust men now. But in this form, your dragon, I find myself feeling safe. Perhaps, I will confide in you."
"I will remain as a dragon if it makes things easier. I don't mind at all. It is refreshing to find those who prefer the dragon over the man."
"As much as that would please me, it could frighten the others. They have learned not to fear Aisaak, Tann, and Tika, but you are a stranger. For them, I will tolerate the man you are, Kyllian. Transform once more and sit with me near the fire. I will tell you my story, though I confess there are things that I don't remember. While I talk you can share a meal with us," Savanah replied.
Constantine,the leader of the derelicts, refused to come close to the new arrival. He made his pirates stay far away as well. He'd heard that Kyllian was the mayor's son and his worry that he and his men would be imprisoned was too strong to have faith in the young man's word. Constantine remained in the background, ever watchful over Savanah. He had been particularly protective of her since he had been one of her rescuers.
Because Savanah acted unafraid, Torbin's old crew accepted Kyllian's presence and continued with their day.
Tika desperately wished to meet the handsome new weredragon, but Tann stopped her forward motion with one look. She had a tendency to rush into situations where she wasn't wanted, needed, or safe. Tann was a man of little patience, but he finally explained, "Kyllian and Savanah have important business to discuss. Leave them be. There will most assuredly be a time when you can make the Naga's acquaintance."
Savanah sent the girl a smile. She remembered being an eager teenager once upon a time. That girl had been shattered by the hands of her kidnapper. "What is it that I can add to the things I told your father, Kyllian? It's simple enough. I was taken off the streets, without my consent, and used for slave trafficking. I wasn't the only one. We were kept beneath the largest casino where there used to be storage for shipments. We were fed well and dressed in fine silk, but we weren't free. It was also not our choice to service men, although we were compliant. Our minds were twisted. We lived in a dreamlike state for hours at a time. I think the trauma of being held hostage and forced into sex made us that way."
"Who kept you there? Were there guards? Were you beaten or restrained?"
"There were guards," Savanah told him. "They were entrusted to keep us from escaping and to not allow the customers to harm us. Their purposes conflicted with one another. I always found that to be quite odd. Some were restrained at times, including me. But it wasn't for punishment. I saw it more as a way to keep us from harming ourselves."
"Other than the customers and the guards, did you see anyone else?" Kyllian asked in hopes of discovering who was behind it all.
"Krane brought in new women, but he's dead now. Irene told me so. He can't hurt us anymore. A very handsome man came every day. He didn't use us at all. He danced with me and treated me like a prize. When he was with us, we were so happy. Afterwards, we didn't mind the other men's attention so much," Savanah said dreamily.
Kyllian was shocked at the change in her voice and demeanor. She was smiling sweetly and spoke as if this man was a god. It was eerie and scared him a little bit.
"Did everyone get out when you were rescued?" he asked to change the subject.
"No, no! I've been trying to tell everyone that there are a lot more. They keep saying the ones that stayed behind wanted to, but those aren't the ones I mean. There are others who are locked in another place. Women from all different species who were taken by force. We must save them! Don't you see?"
Savanah was shouting and in a panic. Kyllian did what came naturally. He pulled her into his embrace and held her tight. Her ear was close to his heart and as she listened her hysteria calmed. She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. The man's heart was the same as the dragon's. She now trusted the man.
"No more questions for today," Kyllian advised. "You're upset, and I'd like you to relax. Just know that I believe you. How would you like to show me this little encampment? It is a truly amazing sight."
Taking him by the hand, she showed him the main attractions. The tiny storefront where they traded goods, the bar where she got him a homemade beer that nearly dissolved his esophagus, and even the spaceship where she now lived. He was fascinated by the genius way they thrived. It was so simple and yet it worked far better than the corrupt city.
"Will you be staying with us? You said your father doesn't like your dragon. You're welcome here now," Savanah stated.
"I would prefer it, however I can't. If I don't go back, Thomas will send out a search party and I won't allow this place to be found. I must go back to preserve your safety. I will be back and if you ever need me, just come get me. Don't concern yourself with father. He is too afraid of reprisals to mention you to whoever the big boss is."
"You will help me?"
"Most certainly," Kyllian answered as he touched her face gently. "I must tell the others goodbye and swear once more that I won't give away this location. See you soon."
Savanah watched as he walked away. He believed her and that was enough for now. She felt Irene step up and hug her from behind.
