“Yes,” Pherebos says sharply. “I don’t want to be watched while I enjoy what I paid for. I paid a highprice—I’m not sharing the experience. So tell me where the cameras are.”
“I don’t think Noviosk would—” the guard begins, but his eyes flick briefly to the upper left corner of the room, just above the bed.
“Got it,” Pherebos cuts in. “I’ll disable them myself. And tell your master—if he wants to watch, he’ll have to negotiate that price with me directly. Oh, and while you’re at it, bring a proper outfit for my slave. From now on, I'm the only one who gets to enjoy her nudity!”
We’re finally alone.
I feel a little awkward and glance away, not sure what to say or do. But Pherebos doesn’t seem to notice—he’s focused on something else entirely.
He crosses the room and stops in the corner, fingers brushing the wall. Then, with practiced care, he peels off a tiny pellet—barely an eighth of an inch wide. He folds it between his fingers, then starts scanning the room like he’s on a mission.
He checks every corner, even crouches down to look under the bed. A moment later, he finds another one, tucked into the frame of the bay window.
After a few more minutes of silent searching, he lets out a long, heavy sigh.
“I think we’re alone now,” he says, but his voice doesn’t sound all that convinced. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he planted some in the bathroom too.
I stay quiet. I don’t know what to think.
He comes over and sits beside me on the bed.
“My Faskaya, I’m sorry about all of this.”
Why did you run from me?
‘’You were going to sell me!’’ I shoot back.
“If I wanted to sell you, do you really think I’d come all the way here to buy you back? I don’t know what you think you heard, but you’ve got it all wrong.”
He pauses. “Come on. Let’s get in the shower. We can talk there—no one will be listening.”
I hesitate. I still don’t know if I trust him.
There’s the gentle, caring Pherebos… and then there’s the cunning smuggler. Which one is real?
But I want to hear him out. So I follow him to the bathroom.
Chapter 23.
Pherebos.
I step into the small room adjacent to our quarters. My eyes catch a tiny surveillance pellet tucked into the far corner, just across from the shower. I pretend not to notice. Better to let Noviosk think he’s still in control.
Instead, I move to the stone wall that conceals the shower controls and turn on the water. From what I can tell, the chip’s angle only covers the entrance—nothing beyond that. And as for audio? The sound of running water should mask anything we say.
“Go ahead, I’ll join you,”I say firmly.
She hesitates, her eyes red and swollen from crying. The sight hits me harder than I expect. And knowing I’m part of the reason she’s like this? That’s worse.
She steps under the warm spray, and I take a moment to breathe. This isn’t just about escape anymore. It’s about trust—rebuilding it, if I even can.
As she slides under the warm spray, I take off my clothes. My body is still taut from the parody I've offered our voyeurs. When I take off my pants, it's clear to everyone in the room how into it I am.
I don't even hesitate. I shrug it off and join my partner in the shower.
The most important thing is making her believe I’m being honest—that I truly love her.
“My Faksaya,” I whisper, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
