Page 49 of Ash Storm

Reka shivered, recognizing how desirable her friend would be to the monsters outside.

This time, the fear was deep enough to penetrate her drug-induced haze.

We have to get out of here.

Slowly, the other women started coming in, each one dressed in the same shimmering silver dress.

The sun was starting to set by the time all sixteen of them were herded out to the courtyard once again.

Shimmering sheep sent to slaughter.

This time, there were more men out there. Mainly older ones, but some younger ones, too. Men in all shapes and sizes—some dressed in fine jubbas, other in suits, all of them drinking, smiling, laughing, as if this horror had nothing to do with them.

“Ah, beautiful,” an older man with gnarled hands said, leaning heavily on a wooden cane.

“You’ve outdone yourself this time, Ahmed,” another one congratulated their host.

A man in a finely tailored navy blue suit sipped champagne. His green eyes shone with a strange intensity as he looked over the women. He blinked, and the intensity disappeared. He now looked almost bored. It was a moment before Reka caught sight of the slim gold bracelet on his wrist.

Reka’s heart missed a beat, then sped up.

He was wearing Aileen’s bracelet. If what Ash had said was true, Aileen was free. That meant she’d given the bracelet to this man.

Or he’s lying.

They could all be lying.

This could be part of the fun for them.

She shook her head.

No.

Ash was telling the truth.

She gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t stop believing that.

She steadied her breathing. At least her brain felt clearer now, as if the drugs had started wearing off.

“I like this one,” the green-eyed man said, staring at Anara. “Imagine her on her knees, her luscious lips wrapped around my cock.”

“Ah, Greg. You’re such a romantic,” Afsan laughed. “If you like her, you can make her yours.”

All sixteen of them were lined up on a raised dais that’d been built up on one side of the courtyard. Alistair made sure the virgins were both in the middle of the group.

Afsan jumped onto the dais in front of them.