One of Kotal's creature guards shoved her, propelling her forward at a stumbling pace. Her captor, Erron, only grunted. From the palace, he had dragged her along a dirt path to a separate building that she assumed to be his quarters.
"You're my payment, princess. What's to understand?"
""This bullshit 'wedding night' for starters? Wanna explain to me how th-"
"Don't get your dander up. You're a bargaining chip for saving my skin. Kotal wouldn't appreciate that strategy so let him think I have a different motive involved."
""All the exits covered, right?"
With a smile that didn't quite reach his deadened eyes, he nodded. "Now you're gettin' it.
Nothing more was said, and really, she wasn't feeling chatty. This little stroll flanked by two massive palace escorts led her away from the imposing stone wrought home of the Khan to a smaller building. Training insisted she scan each step,memorize any information that might aid her later.
"Quit it." Erron mumbled beside her. One arm stretched in front of her to grab a door handle and swing it wide. Add mind reading to reasons to his 'talents'. "You won't get out until I decide." Another shove had her teetering across the threshold. What the hell was with this getting pushed around like a damned doll shit today?
Any annoyance was dropped as soon as she took in her new surroundings. The place was... kinda posh. Like, nearly 'dream home board on Pinterest' type glam. Whereas the palace was a sort of dark monument feel, someone here had splurged on comfort. Tapestries shimmering with gold draped along the walls behind overstuffed furnitures in dark brocades. Even the deeply inset fire place was patterned with elaborate tiled stones.
Very much opposite of what she'd anticipated for a mercenary outlaw. So what gives?
"Nice place." Jacqui slowly turned in a circle. No more palace guards, either. Looks like things were starting to move in her favor.
"Get comfy, your home for the next however long." The ever present gambler's hat was gone along with the bandoliers, tossed over some chair. Ol' boy better not be having any ideas...With his back to her he flung the leather half mask over towards his other discarded outlaw swag.
Masks worn in Netherrealm usually denoted some epic disfigurement and it wasn't like she hadn't seen gruesome before. Whatever Texas Chainsaw shit he had going on, it wouldn't phase her. Getting some sort of plan of escape was the bigger concern.
When he turned back to her, tumbler of what she assumed to be alcohol in hand, Jacqui stifled a gasp. Normal face. Several days of stubble darkened a sharp, squared jaw but otherwise, no serrated fangs or spiked protrusions ...One sandy blond eyebrow arched at her open mouthed stare and he drew another sip of his drink. "Up to snuff?"
"Points for no fangs." Jacqui replied evenly. It didn't escape her notice that normal Josh Holloway looking Erron was unarmed. If she could keep him drinking..
Her captor snorted. "Oh Princess." He drained his glass. "Isolated, defenseless, and vulnerable. Still, that little mind of yours churning out a plan to fight me. Cute."
Eye roll. Ok, he had size on her but Jacqui was not without skill. Was he trying to provoke her? "Because you'd just sit back and accept your fate in my shoes, right?"
No answer came so she met his stare. You ain't intimidating me, cowboy. His eyes dragged up and down her body and he grinned. An actual smile. Unexpected. "You could always try using your wiles on me."
It was hard not to laugh but she managed. "Yea, unless we're filming a detective show from the 80s, that shit's not gonna happen."
Erron made a slow saunter around her, but she remained still, refusing to turn and keep him in her sight. "Did a lot of connivin' in there to keep you alive, Ms. Briggs."
Uh oh. That tone. Any woman in the military knew there were men in their ranks who used that tone to intimidate female soldiers. Rape threats weren't uncommon stories amongst enlistees. With the way he was talking, her instincts began blaring. "We've established you did it for your own self serving purposes. So you'll understand if I don't feel all that grateful."
She heard him draw another sip. "You got a man?"
Warning bells, blaring. "You've met him. He kicked your ass. But I guess that doesn't narrow it down."
"That mouth," he muttered. "You got a boyfriend, a damned kid. No man lets his woman run around flingin' her ass into trouble the way you do." Sirens. Emergency broadcast system.
The fuck he did not. Fists clenched, the concealed blade point dug into her palm. This feigned sexual interest had to be some game. Time to start being unexpected. "If we're going by that logic, cowboy, you need a man more than I do."
Fingers gripped her hair with a rough jerk and she was pulled back against her captor, Erron's chest pressing into her back. Jacqui stayed her nerves, forced her body to relax against him. Whatever game he was running on her, instincts honed with years of training knew that she would only get one chance to defend herself. Be unexpected…
"I ain't changing any time soon, Princess." Hot breath ran along her neck. "But you're welcome to try and reform me."
Yea, no. No. Billy the Kid was not going to have this way with her. Probably his salty, misogynistic ass saw this as payback for being locked up and dragged around by a woman. It didn't matter. Operation Blue Balls was go.
"Are we really married?" no tremor, no panic. Calm, Jacqui, calm and ready.
"Mmhmm." Now, he was sniffing her hair?
"Aren't you supposed to kiss the bride?"
Buzzing in her ears, her own heartbeat, hammered as she felt herself being turned around. Grim set lips softened, leaning in towards her. One chance. Make it count. The small quill wasn't long enough to cut deep, Jacqui knew, but it was plenty to lodge into an eyesocket.
Go time.