Bound at the Ball (Siren Publishing Allure) by Lea Barrymire Read Free Book Online

find a male that is worthy, then please feel encouraged to allow him to claim you.
    “Throughout the night’s festivities you will be approached by numerous males. Each one has a short period of time to negotiate with you, and then if you accept his proposal, you will be taken to a scene area. For your first Unity ball you are only allowed to negotiate with one male at a time. The elders will be watching to make sure of that.
    “Let me make this abundantly clear. Once you are in a scene area with a male, no one will step in and assist you unless actual bodily harm is being meted out. I would suggest that you hold your tongues and accept the male’s advances. Crying and screaming do nothing but encourage them further.”
    She listened intently to every word, but it didn’t make any sense. Scenes? Negotiations? Screaming? Her anxiety was rising with each sentence. What in the blazing suns were they going to be doing? She raised her hand to ask and received a scathing look from the woman speaking.
    “There is no reason for questions. I am explaining all you need to know.”
    She lowered her hand and bowed her head. Fine . She was a smart girl and she’d get through it. She listened to the rest of the speech, confused and angry. Those seemed to be the only two emotions she was allowed for this “event.”
    “Now, each of you will be wearing a special arm band. My assistants are walking around now and attaching them. These will monitor your body systems and send that information to the portable devices that the elders carry. I want you to know that at all times you are safe.”
    There was that word again. Safe . Rella tried to regulate her breathing, but it was all too much. The outfit, the secrecy, the unknown, the mammoth males waiting in the other room. She could feel tears prickling behind her eyes. Blinking rapidly and breathing deeply eventually cleared her vision.
    “All right, ladies. Please look at the screen behind me. You will be announced in the order shown. Please stand and get into line. After we announce your name, you will go through the door behind me. Stop on the glowing circle on the floor. Oh, I almost forgot the most important part. Remember this instruction if you remember nothing else. Do not raise your heads. You are to remain looking at the floor until you’ve been escorted from the stage. You are representing your race. Do so well, and your family will know of your good behavior.” The woman cleared her throat and continued. “Once you are on the glowing area, remain there until someone takes your shoulder. You will be escorted to a waiting area. Within its confines you may speak to each other. When a male approaches the area, all must fall silent. He will indicate the lady he would like to speak to. He will take you to a location where you can talk.”
    A bell chimed in the room, and every girl sitting jumped slightly. Rella felt somewhat comforted that she was not the only one terrified. The entire experience just became worse by the minute. Not only was she nearly naked, but she would be presented to who knows how many people with a bowed head. She shook with fear.
    “Oh, it’s time.” The woman clapped her hands, her giddiness in stark contrast to the girls facing her. “Isn’t this exciting? Now, get in your line. The first name will be called momentarily.”
    Rella looked at the board and saw she was ninth to enter. At least she wasn’t first or last. She moved with the rest of the girls, counting off until she stood in line. All she could see was the long, blonde braid resting against a naked back. The girl who she stood behind was tall and blocked the doorway. She could hear snuffling behind her. One or more of the girls behind had given in and broken down.
    Anger finally started to rise in her heart. How was any of this useful in celebrating unity between the two races? How was this practice sanctioned by their governments? Terrifying females that were just beyond girls didn’t