Trapped: Chaos Core Book 1 Read Online Free Page A

get caught using my real name, I was sure the
Countess was dead too. I don’t think there was a day when I didn’t
wish you were free with me,” Aspen said. The last part was true
until only a few months before. She couldn’t remember when exactly
she started thinking about her future without him, but she did, and
life started to get better. Seeing him alive brought a rush of love,
regret, and relief. She almost didn’t notice that he nearly
flinched every time she mentioned freedom, or running away. He was
her favourite person, they were made together, to be a genetic match
as a couple for their entire short lives. Why she loved him didn’t
matter, whether it started when they were created in a lab or was
brought on by a mystical force, the feeling that she had to be with
him was stronger than any sensation she’d ever felt. If she didn’t
think he was dead, she would have never left.
    Aspen tried to embrace
him but she was stopped short by the suit. He wrapped his arms around
her and she squeezed him as much as she was allowed to once they were
cheek to cheek. “I was torn apart,” she whispered against his
ear. He shushed her and said; “it’s all right, you’re where you
belong now.”
    Aspen was chilled by
the thought of what may come, and inwardly cursed herself for not
realizing that the thought that she didn’t want to be brought back
hadn’t even occurred to Larken. She stepped back, steeling herself.
    Larken regarded her
wordlessly for a moment then as his expression betrayed his
disappointment. “You’ve changed so much,” he said quietly. “The
Countess won’t be happy, but I’m glad you’re back. I missed you
so much, Aspen. I’m sure she did too, you’ll just have to earn
her trust, it’s going to take some time, but we owe her that much,
right?”
    It made Aspen furious
to see Larken so obedient, he was much worse than before, but she hid
it, and nodded her response.
    He took her hand, the
long sleeve of his loose silk robe complicating the gesture for a
moment, and smiled at her. “Good, let’s see if she’s ready for
you to attend to her. She’s so anxious to see you again that she
told me to wait for you and present you just as you are, so you’ll
have to bathe and change after.”
    “Here we go,” she
said, eying the perimeter of the massive garden as he whirled towards
the platform ahead. His black, gold and white decorated robe billowed
in the breeze, and he took a moment to adjust it a little. The thing
was open down the middle of his chest, coming to a close at his
waist. Tight black leggings and sandals completed his simple outfit,
exactly the kind of thing a doll would wear.
    A glow in the distance
to her left and right indicated that there was some kind of energy
shield surrounding the garden. There were also no designated spaces
for sliders or any other ground vehicles, meaning that they were
probably blocked or far from any civilized outpost. If the only way
in was by ship, she would have to find out where the new hangar was
and steal one. If the shield surrounded the entire complex, she’d
have even more work to do.
    “Do you know where my
friends were taken?” she asked as she walked hand-in-hand with
Larken.
    “Those people?” he
asked. “The vineyard always needs people, so probably there. Why?
Do you think any of them would be suitable to serve at court?”
    “One, she’s dark
haired, named Sun,” Aspen replied. She hadn’t even thought of
suggesting that someone who was captured with her could be
transferred to the slave pool for court. It was a long shot at best,
and presenting the idea would have to happen at the right time.
“Let’s wait to mention it though, I’d rather have all the
attention on me while we’re celebrating my return.”
    “So you missed court?
You missed the Countess?” Larken asked, brightening.
    “I missed you,” she
said. “Maybe some of the clothes, my bed, but I missed you
constantly.” His mood was descending as she