Jam Crisis

By Meyari McFarland

The Wrong Choice Spelled Doom

A generation ago America passed a law allowing a bankrupt person's debts to be bought by rich Masters. The debt slaves then belonged to their Masters for the duration of the debt. If they failed to pay back their debts then they clearly weren't worthy of normal human rights. They became nothing more than property, sold off as true slaves to cover to cost of their debts.

Dustin had done his best in the debt slavery system but he'd failed. It seemed as though no matter what he tried it always ended in failure. He'd tried to be a good son, a good debt slave and then a good true slave, but at every turn he was shown in the most painful ways possible that he hadn't succeeded.

Being sold to his new Master Augustin should have been a relief. Unlike Master Reyes, his previous master, Master Augustin was calm and controlled. But Dustin knew better than to trust the calm before the inevitable storm. Sometime soon his Master would snap and then Dustin would be the first thing to feel his Master's rage.

All he could hope to do was stay quiet and be careful not to set his Master off. Unfortunately that was a doomed hope when his Master gave him impossible tasks to complete with incomplete information. Dustin tried his best only to fail for trying too hard. What Master Augustin told him after his fall changed everything that Dustin had ever thought and believed in ways he would never have thought possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MDR Publishing
• Release date: Aug 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301069217

Meyari McFarland

Meyari McFarland has been telling stories since she was a small child. Her stories range from SF and Fantasy adventures to Romances but they always feature strong characters who do what they think is right no matter what gets in their way. Her series range from Space Opera Romance in the Drath series to Epic Fantasy in the Mages of Tindiere world. Other series include Matriarchies of Muirin, the Clockwork Rift Steampunk mysteries, and the Tales of Unification urban fantasy stories, plus many more. You can find all of her work on MDR Publishing's website at www.MDR-Publishing.com.

Book preview

Jam Crisis

By Meyari McFarland

Dustin, Mater Augustin said as he studied a particular article in the paper. He didn't look in Dustin's direction at all. Go get me some tea and some of that new bread, will you? Not toasted, just a little of jam on it.

Yes, Master, Dustin said.

He bowed properly even though Master Augustin didn't look at him. His Training Master had always said that it was important for true slaves to be very polite. Once he'd finished the bow, head pressed against the floor for the count of three, both hands on the ground with the fingers spread wide despite how much that hurt his fingers on his left hand, Dustin stood and hurried from the room.

What to do? Dustin whispered once the kitchen door was safely shut.

Dedication:

This story is dedicated to my best friend and beta reader Kay. Thank you for all your help, sweetie!

Other Books by Meyari McFarland:

Fitting In

Artifacts of Awareness

A Range of Debts Collection

The Nature of Beasts

Published by Mary Raichle on Smashwords

Copyright ©2013 by Mary Raichle

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be emailed to [e-mail]

This book is also available in TPB format from all major retailers.

Table of Contents

1. Jam Crisis

2. Controlled Edge

3. Afterword

Jam Crisis

The rustle of the newspaper being pulled open, folded back and then folded again made a shiver of apprehension skitter up Dustin's spine. His heart beat harder, anticipating a shout, an angry comment on the next news article, Master Augustin's coffee mug flying across the room to crash into the far wall. Dustin bit down on his lip, the pain helping control