The Jewels of Desire

In 4 parts, by Rachael Jane. Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories.

 

Chapter 7: An underhand trick.

I

quickly realize the seriousness of my situation. If I don't return to

the dormitory before roll-call, I will be returned to Buchanan in shame.

A chill runs through me. I berate myself for being so stupid as to drop

my guard and allow Paulo to chain me like this. There is no doubt in my

mind that he's the one responsible for my predicament.

Is

he being a coward who is scared of meeting me in fair competition? That

seems inconsistent with the Paulo I've been with tonight, but he would

surely have woken me had he noticed anybody else entering this café

while we slept. Perhaps he is a better actor than I gave him credit. For

all I know, his training could have included a course in seducing

maidens. After all, half the contestants are young women. Some, like me,

will be gullible enough to fall for Paulo's charms, and walk into his

deadly trap. But I mustn't dwell on Paulo's reasons. My immediate

priority is to get free.

I

test the strength of the chain restraining me. It's similar to the

security chain threaded through the handles of the cabinets behind the

bar. Paulo must have come across a spare length of chain while he was

exploring earlier. The chain is lightweight but strong. There is no way I

can break it. Which means I must somehow break the lock securing the

chain to my ankle. It is a combination lock like the one securing the

other end of the chain to the table. Unless I'm extremely lucky, I won't

have enough time to open the lock by randomly guessing the five-digit

combination. Just as I'm about to vent my frustration with a few choice

curses, a flash of inspiration hits me. Paulo must have known the

combination to fasten the lock to the chain. How did he know the

combination?

I

check the tables and floor around me, as far as my chain allows. The

combination must be written on something. I just hope it is something

within reach. Could Paulo have been careless and left me the

combination?

The

chain is long enough for me to reach the small service area next to the

bar. If the owners of the café have written down the combination, then

this is the most likely place on this level. My frantic search is

rewarded when I find a basket holding more lengths of chain and

padlocks. Each padlock has a small detachable tag with the combination

for that lock printed on it. Unlocking the padlock enables the tag to be

removed. I search the bottom of the basket for any tags no longer with

their padlock. Sure enough I find four tags. Hopefully one belongs to

the lock securing the chain around my ankle.

I

try the numbers on the lock on my ankle. I meet with success on the

third number, and within seconds I'm free of my chain. But before I can

go anywhere I hear two people talking. They are coming up the interior

staircase from the main café below. Two voices I recognize. Paulo and

Chloe! They are too close for me to try and exit over the balcony, so I

can't leave the way Paulo and I entered. My only option in the time

available is to pretend I'm still asleep and chained to the table.

"See, she's still asleep," says Chloe. "The sound you heard was probably the fridge humming."

"I don't know," replies Paulo. "I'm still not happy about leaving her chained like this. It's an underhand trick."

"Think

yourself lucky I didn't chain you as well," replies Chloe. "You saw her

during the preliminary session this evening. She's a serious challenger

and she's best eliminated now."

"But someone will find her in the morning and set her free," replies Paulo.

"Yes. But she will have missed the eight o'clock roll-call by then, and she'll be disqualified from the Argonaut."

"I still don't like it. Anyway, why did you follow us? And how did you get out of the complex?"

"I

saw the pair of you as I was returning from a night out. I realized

that this is a golden opportunity to improve my chances of success. Did

you not read the Argonaut rules? Despite what most people believe, the

contestants aren't prisoners while we are here. As long as we attend the

morning and evening roll-calls, and the various tests and interviews,

we can come and go as we please. Why do you think your night time

frolics weren't stopped?"

"The rules? You mean that fifty page book they gave us when we arrived? Of course I've not read it!"

"Well

if you spent less time trying to climb between a girl's legs, and more

time paying attention to what really matters, your chances of winning a

work permit might be better. Come on, we're leaving before sleeping

beauty wakes up and starts screaming the place down."

"How do we get out of here?" asks Paulo.

"You're

not too bright are you," scoffs Chloe. "The door lock only stops people

entering the café. We can just walk down to the front door and back to

our dormitory."

Paulo

and Chloe leave. My anger competes with my embarrassment. I get up as

soon as I'm sure they have gone. Paulo has taken my nightie and Chloe

has taken my towel. I've no clothes and I'm starting to get cold. A

naked woman is easy target for any loiterers out there. At this time of

night any city citizens still about may well be on the prowl for sex. I

search the service area for a tablecloth or something to put over me. I

find an apron that at least provides me with a semblance of decency.

I

make my way back to the old boarding school, making sure Paulo and

Chloe are nowhere in sight. Re-entering the school presents no problem.

Chloe is right in saying the contestants are allowed to come and go.

Perhaps I should have read the rule book as well but my late acceptance

to the Argonaut meant that I only had a few days to prepare.

A

retina scan at the security desk confirms my identity and I'm allowed

to return to my dormitory. My anger at Paulo's betrayal has abated.

Despite Chloe's intrusion, I did actually enjoy my time with him

tonight, particularly when I remember why I chose to leave my room

wearing such provocative clothing in the first place. I was looking for

the type of experience and adventure which Paulo delivered. Not that I

am in any mood to forgive him; but I'm no longer embarrassed or afraid.

If anything, Chloe's actions have filled me with determination and

resolve. Yesterday I was nervous of the specially trained contestants;

today I realize they are actually afraid of me. I shall look forward to

seeing Paulo and Chloe's faces when I appear for roll-call in the

morning.

The clock says it is 3:30 in the morning when my head hits my pillow. This time I have no difficulty falling asleep.

Chapter 8: Preparations