Shayah's expression softened as she gestured to a neighboring chair.
"You are at Sheikh Al-Shahid's royal palace, my home. We brought you and your daughter here after an unfortunate event. My husband... has a lot of acquaintances. Some are less favorable than others, if you know what I mean."
Laura felt ill to her stomach as memories of the traffickers flooded her mind. "So, you're saying human traffickers sold us?" The question came from her lips before she could withdraw it. She needed to know so she knew what to do next.
Shayah was not affected. "Yes, but let me be clear: I had nothing to do with that. When I saw you, an innocent mother and her kid, I commanded that nothing bad happen to you. My husband, however, had other ideas. However, I convinced him otherwise."
"What does he want?" Laura inquired fearfully, her voice shaking with knowledge.