There were no windows in the holding room. An illumination orb set into the ceiling stayed on through the day. Macbeth had no idea how many trances she waited. The cold metal of the wrist cuff chafed her skin. Her stomach clenched in on itself, long emptied of her meager breakfast porridge. She cared little for the trial taking place somewhere on the estate, whatever they decided she hardened herself to the possibility of her death. Her inner shields were stronger than ever, if she was to face her death, they would get nothing, not a trickle of fear, or a drop of regret, these emotional vampires would reap no easy meal from her.

Lulubelle's fate wasn't so certain. What would the nobles reveal to their Master? Nero looked half crazed when he appeared, fresh from the news of his Erosia's attack.

Yet my Master has been imbalanced from the beginning. Macbeth reflected on this society of secrets and political intrigue, where one false move brought down an entire family. Her spying helped Nero destroy ten minor houses and two major ones from information gathered at his dinner table. Twelve families ruined for one man's aspirations. Was he ever sane? A spike of nausea hit her at the memory of her sessions in his torture chamber, the twisted pleasure she felt from denying Nero her emotions. He wanted the absence, a creature who fed on the emotions of others craved the void she presented. She infuriated him when she cracked, but the look he'd given her earlier stemmed from his darker desires. In the hectic scene of bleeding and shouting nobles and Lulubelle's fear, he must have sensed nothing from her.

What would he do? Would he come for her before they did, taking one last pleasure from her before sending her to her death? The thought of being used by him again made her skin itch. She hadn't even kissed Lulubelle goodbye.

Her poor love, death would free Macbeth from slavery, but she would remain in Nero's clutches, to breed. To spend her life pinned beneath a cruel unhinged Master until she displeased him, like Lia.

The door opened, allowing Nero to slither inside. The illumination orb cast deep shadows on his face, giving him a sinister appearance, like the devils of old Earth lore. He leaned against the wall, observing her with his fire spark eyes, his expression inscrutable.

"The nobles have come to a decision," his voice was smooth, the calm collected voice he used in his games of power. "For their profane deed against my property, they are to relinquish premium holdings to the Chrysostem house. For your act of aggression against the noble sons, your death was demanded. They felt it was an equitable exchange, the life of a slave for the injuries inflicted."

Macbeth tasted bile on her tongue. She swallowed down the surge of mortal fear. She expected this, it was truly happening. Accepting the sentence, she drew herself up, the shield surrounding her emotions unbending. Nero watched her, a flare of excitement appearing in his hooded eyes. He anticipated her lack of reaction? Pushing away from the wall, he stalked toward her, each footstep a small explosion in her ears. He reached for her, a chill creeping through her as he ran the back of his hand along the scar on her cheek.

"I presented a different solution," he rasped, desire pinching his face. Macbeth stiffened. "In exchange for their holdings, I demanded your life be spared."

Macbeth sensed the unspoken condition. She was painfully aware of the value of a slave's life in this society, she knew someone of her station did not equal the value of the noble holdings, especially since Nero couldn't reveal her true role in his household. Lulubelle's role gave her a higher station and worth.

She licked her lips, his eyes following the movement as she spoke. "A kitchen slave in exchange for exceptional financial gain doesn't seem equitable." She forced her tone to be flippant, feeling a different weight on her actions. The touch across her cheek felt affectionate.

"No, it does not," he said, advancing on her until she back into the corner. He braced his arms on either side of her, caging her in as he brushed his lips across her forehead.

Confusion and dread spiraled inside her, battling for dominance behind her inner walls. What was happening? Nero sighed against her skin.

"You are not a traditionally beautiful human," he murmured, "but you are unique, a rare gem in a field of refuse. No noble can boast owning a human capable of blocking us out."

"You told them about me, how flattering," she sniped, wanting to crack her skull against his nose. She'd prepared herself for death, but now more nights in his torture chamber loomed in her future. She could withstand it if it gave her another chance to sneak away to Lulubelle. She may be trapped in this life, but Macbeth would have her. She felt him smile.

"Yes, I revealed your particular gifts when I named you my new Erosia."

Her breath left her. She gulped air before trusting herself to keep her voice steady. "What happens to your present Erosia?"

Nero pulled back with a dismissive shrug, studying her face. "This unpleasant situation has tainted her, if one of those wretches managed to release his seed into her before your intervention her womb might quicken with their child over mine. We shall have to determine any child's parentage and cull the undesired results." His expression turned thoughtful. "She is too soft for field work; perhaps Calliope will accept her into her entourage."

His tone was so callous as he described eliminating Lulubelle's child if it wasn't his, of casting her aside like a used rag. Macbeth felt her rage freezing the pit of her stomach. She shoved him with her free hand, wanting to hurt him, wishing she could make him suffer a fraction of what he deserved.

"This displeases you?" The smile stayed on his face He was delighted he had to ask her.

"I would rather be executed before your entire senate than spend one night in your bed," she hissed at him. His eyebrows shot up.

"Amazing, such venom in your voice but none of this anger leaks from you." He captured her chin in his hand, grinning down at her. "You shall make a magnificent conquest and I shall delight in breaking you."

She snapped her teeth at his fingers as he pulled away but Nero chuckled. "You doubt me?" A dangerous light glowed in his eyes. "I know of your tryst with the former Erosia. Nothing goes on in this household without me hearing of it. I allowed it to continue because the pain and repulsion she felt coming to my bed after your embrace was delicious." He ran his tongue over his teeth, spiking her anger higher. "Each time you deny me, I will rip the payment from her flesh until she is fit for nothing but the mines."

Her ire evaporated, leaving a hollow well of despair. There was no escape from this life, only a new hell.

"My personal entourage shall come for you on the morrow, to prepare you for your new station." Nero backed away, watching her. "We shall have such fun."

The closing door echoed in the empty room as he left. She stared at it, determined to end herself before it opened again. She eyed the chain, wondering if she could properly strangle herself before she passed out. She was maneuvering into a position advantageous to gravity when the door swung open , revealing Calliope and a dressed down Lulubelle. Without her silk dresses and long curls pinned back, she still made Macbeth's breath hitch.

Calliope arched her brow at the chain looped around her neck. "Now that is a great waste of assets, pet." She casually sauntered over, unlocking the shackle.

Macbeth blinked at her. "What is this?"

"I am taking you from this place." Calliope handed her a long shirt and pants, similar to the garments Lulubelle wore, and more covering than she had since she arrived. She almost dropped them as the woman's words registered in her brain.

"You're helping me escape?"

Calliope pursed her lips. "Do not be ridiculous. I sold you, " She patted Lulubelle on the head, "Both of you, to an affluent merchant friend of mine on Minos. His estate is small so it will be cramped quarters for you two, but I believe you will adapt."

Macbeth's mouth hung open until Lulubelle tugged the clothes from her hands, pulling the shirt over her head. "Is this really happening?" Macbeth whispered to her. The woman nodded, a fierce determination burned in her eyes. She held her steady as Macbeth shoved her legs into the pants, the feeling of cloth encasing her skin unfamiliar after so long.

They would be together, out of Nero's reach. Minos was far from Anaon and merchants treated their slaves infinitely better than nobles, often letting them earn their freedom. Calliope had found them a way out, within the Pathosian system.

"Won't Nero be angry?" She stared at her Mistress, wondering if she had her own plans to get away.

"Oh, he will brim with fury but I am the daughter of a high noble house and our marriage is a binding contract. He cannot harm me no matter how much he desires to." Her violet eyes darted away. "Besides, Julius begged me to do something."

Macbeth ducked her head to hide her smile. Calliope still loved him after all. "Thank you, please tell Julius the same."

A sad smile lit the woman's face. "He knows. Now come, the sun will rise soon and we need to be at port before it does. We shall cut through the gardens."

Lulubelle grabbed Macbeth's shoulders, spinning her around for a quick fierce kiss that drew Calliopes smile into a grin. The three of them darted into the hall. They made their way through the lightening shadows until Calliope abruptly stopped, blocking their path.

"No," she gasped, running to the crumpled form on the floor, lying in a spreading pool of blood. Macbeth clapped a hand over her mouth as the man groaned. Julius clutched a wound in his gut. Calliope ripped her skirts, padding the fabric over it to help staunch the bleeding. They both caught the warning in Julius's luminous eyes as Nero stepped from a doorway, back handing Calliope across the face.

"You treacherous harpy," he snarled, spittle flying from his lips, a bloody blade clutched in his fist. "Did you think I would not find out?" His eyes were wild. "Did you think I would let them get away?" His gaze snapped to Macbeth. "Take her."

Arms seized her, slaves from Nero's personal entourage held her fast. He rushed forward, snagging Lulubelle's hair, yanking her to him. His shoulders heaved as he glared at Macbeth.

"You think to leave me? You are mine. Mine! I promised I would break you. I will if I have to destroy everything you love over me."

Lulubelle whispered her name, reaching for her as Nero's arm moved. Macbeth saw the flash of metal across her throat, slit ear to ear before he released her. She collapsed, clutching her neck, her eyes locked on Macbeth as she choked.

Her scream carried through the house, her emotional walls shattering in an instant as the woman she loved lay bleeding out at her feet. Nero's expression swam in her blurring vision but she caught his sneer of disgust as her agony washed over him.

"What have you done!" Calliope shrieked, pulling Lulubelle to her lap, trying to attend to another wound.

Nero ignored them, eyeing Macbeth. "This will not do. Perhaps some time in the mines will harden you up once more. "

Macbeth thrashed against the arms holding her, desperate to reach her love, to hold her, to not let her die alone.

Nero made an impatient sound. "Enough of this."

She saw the dagger hilt in the corner of her eye a moment before it cracked her temple, rendering her unconscious.

End of Volume One