Chapter 38: Kidnapped

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So... I was offered a contract for Servant System...

I honestly don't know if I want it though. As you all know, I try to upload daily, but well... So, that't the first main concern. The second is that I can't just quit Amazon and hope this pays off, not when Amazon is offering a bunch of $ to pay for college, and my parents are adamant that I either go full time or go to school.

All it would take is one day of bad work and schoolwork and boom, contract gone...

On top of that, even if I did one or the other, it just raises the question: Can I actually write 1500 words everyday and not get burnt out from writing? I honestly don't know what to do. I mean, making money from writing is exactly what I want, and even though I don't have a lot of bills to pay, doesn't mean I don't need the money. 200$ a month, plus 0.01$ per coin spent isn't really that viable at the moment, and I don't even know if I am reading the contract right on that front...

Anyways, I just wanted to say that, maybe hear what other people suggest.

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My head throbbed, and my muscles ached.

I tried to open my eyes, but couldn't. Slowly panicking, I thought I was back in the void. Even though I could feel my body, I didn't know if this is what happens the second time round.

Would I be stuck in darkness for another indefinite amount of time?

I started breathing faster, trying and failing to calm myself.

"Oi, boss. The pup's awake."

Hearing a gruff voice, I calmed down. This was proof I was still alive.

Feeling someone prick my skin again, I tried to scream, to thrash about, but realized I was tied up and gagged.

Blinking my eyes, I realized my vision was returning, and the first thing I saw was the narrowed eyes of a scarred man. Seeing his amber eyes looking at me with contempt, I shivered.

"Hmm... the little blue brat seemed to care about you... Why is that? You are just a maid..."

He frowned, continuing to look at me. Sighing, he stood up, looking around. He gestured towards someone, and I could hear shuffling.

A man was thrown in front of me, tied and gagged just like me. Looking down at him, the scarred man growled "I asked you to grab the Sultana's brat. How did you manage to mess that up, huh? All those drugs mess you up that bad?"

Sending a kick into the mans ribs, he continued.

"We were meant to kidnap the Sultana's brat and use her as leverage. Everyone knows she is one of the favored kids. We'd have been rich if you simply snatched the right kid!"

Sending another kick, the bound man screamed into his gag.

"Horian, lift him up."

Another man came into view, before picking up the bound man.

Unsheathing a blade, the scarred man looked at the blade, nodding.

"Yes, that's what we'll do. Yes, that makes sense..."

Chuckling, he looked at the bound man, before his blade flickered.

Blood sprayed from the gaping wound in the mans neck, splattering the ground in front of me. Even after seeing the Countess massacre those mercenaries a month back, I still felt squeamish seeing a man die so close to me.

Flicking his blade clean of the blood, he sheathed it, before shooing the other man, Horian, away.

"Well, it looks like you have a job to do, little maid."

Kneeling in front of me, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"You will be bait to get the little demon here. If we can't get the Sultana's brat, we will settle for the demon. Yes, we will sell her off to a foreign country. With her pedigree, she should fetch quite the price to become some noble's personal toy. You'll join her, of course. Serve your new master together..."

He gave me a wicked smile, before getting up.

"Boss, can we have a go with the maid?"

Hearing that, the scarred man sneered.

"You all use drugs, you force yourselves on women... not even kids are safe, huh? No, you can't. Virgins sell for a higher price."

He walked away, and I looked around.

I was in a dark room, and I couldn't see much. The floors and walls were made from wood, and the air...

Taking a sniff, I could smell the faint scent of moss and pine.

That meant that I was on the surface, which was reassuring.

I saw a few men standing in the shadows, watching me. Continuing to look around, I felt despair creep up when I couldn't see anything else.

Nothing that might help me, and the more I looked around, the more I could see movement in the shadows, suggesting that there were more people here than I thought.

The scarred man reappeared, a small knife in his hand.

"No reason to keep you awake..."

With that, even as I struggled, he pricked my neck again, and I felt the darkness close in, before falling unconscious.

~~~

(Jahi PoV, before kidnapping)

Looking down at the collars, I grinned, imaging Kat wearing one around her neck.

Feeling a slight rush at the idea of publicly claiming her as my own, I decided to come back here before we left. When she heard Anput ask for a collar, I saw her eyes light up slightly, an expectant look in her eyes. I couldn't even tell if she knew that, but I wanted to surprise her, and considering the glances my little cute puppy sent my way the entire shopping trip, I couldn't wait for tonight, where I would give her my first gift.

We continued around, looking at clothes and jewelry. I had to admit, both Anput and Leone are good looking girls.

Anput was fun to be around, as she was the first person I could actually spar against. While sparring Mom is fun and helpful, I can only learn so much when I am entirely outclassed the entire fight. On top of that, her cheerful personality is contagious.

On the other hand, Leone has quite the calm aura for me. Even though she seems to like Kat more than me, I enjoyed her presence. I had no idea why. Maybe it was also because she brought out a side of Kat I could rarely see, which was when she lost herself in her research.

Both of the girls were quite fun, but did I want to marry either of them?

I have no idea.

Thinking so, I looked towards Kat, smirking at her.

What I did know was that I couldn't wait to see my little puppy grow up.

How strong will she be?

Will she look like her mother, with a body made to sin?

Will she still give me those gazes that are filled with desire?

Will she continue to be so fun to tease?

Thinking of that, I led us to a stall selling blades, wanting to see if I can get a rise out of her.

When she looks at me with such blatant jealousy and desire...

Anput handed me a blade, and after testing it's balance and weight, I bought it in her place. Sending a gaze towards Kat, I could see her pouting at me, her hazel eyes slightly alight with jealousy.

Grabbing her hand, I continued to lead us through the market, looking for something that stood out as something I NEEDED to get my little puppy. Sadly, nothing stood out, which only made me more determined to get a collar.

Hearing Leone's stomach growl, I smirked at her. This was something I found I quite liked about the shy girl; watching her pale skin go crimson from the slightest embarrassment.

Feeling Kat drop my hand, I suggested we go look for something to eat. As I looked around, I found a skewer stand, and after considering the other options, I led us towards it.

Feeling my hand was still empty, I turned, looking for Kat.

I saw Anput poking Leone in the stomach, chuckling as she continued to make the little vampire more and more red. Leone was shuffling about, holding Janus close to her.

However, I didn't see Kat.

Feeling my heart drop, I looked around, hoping to see her familiar brown hair, her fluffy ears, or her unique black outfit.

Nothing.

My heart clenched, and I staggered slightly.

No.

No.

No.

No.

NO.

Where is she?

Where did she go?

Seeing my panic, Anput looked back, before asking "Where'd Kat go?"

I ground my teeth, glaring at her.

Anput flinched, before turning away.

Where is my Kat?

Looking around, I saw the familiar horns of my Mom.

Maybe she got separated and made her way to Mom?

Running through the crowd, Leone and Anput followed me, and we reached Mom. She was standing there with Mother leaning onto her, with Julie standing off to the side, expressionless.

"Have you seen Kat?"

Turning, all three of them shook their heads.

"I... I let her go for one second..."

Feeling my heart clench again, I clenched my jaw, feeling a tooth crack under the pressure. The burst of pain helped stabilize my thoughts, albeit for only a second.

Seeing Julie's eye's widen, her face filled with panic, the feeling came back.

Her normally warm hazel eyes glowed a bright blue, and she tried to run out into the crowd, only to be grabbed by Mom.

"LET ME GO! I HAVE TO FIND HER!"

Screaming, she started hitting Mom, however she was quickly pulled into a hug.

Looking down at me, Mom asked "Where did you see her last?"

I pointed over towards where we had been standing, and she nodded.

Mom walked through the crowd, reaching the spot I had pointed to. She looked around, her ruby eyes flaring. Julie still struggled in her arms, trying to break free.

"There. Someone..."

Looking up at my Mom, I followed her gaze, before bolting in that direction.

Someone...

Someone dared...

SOMEONE DARED TOUCH WHAT'S MINE?

I could feel my mana raging in my body, and I sped up.

Kat...

Please Kat...

I ran harder, and I saw a man running, Kat slung over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.

My anger flared, only to rage more as he sped up, before disappearing around a corner. I saw a flash of light around the corner, and when I turned...

I saw nothing, except for the fizzling runes of a Ritual Circle.

Noticing that it was still active, I was about to jump through it when I felt someone grab me. Turning, I saw the stern gaze of Mother.

The circle fizzled out when she grabbed me, and she covered my mouth.

"We can't just rush in, Jahi. Besides, since you two are soul bound, we can find her. We WILL find her.

I slumped into her arms, my heart feeling like it was slowly cracking.

Kat... Please...

I...