I make my way to the exit, calling back to him before I reach the door. “Thanks, Link. I hope to see you around.”
“You can count on it.”
I push open the door to find Dylan on the other side, waiting, so I guess he wasn’t lying about that part at least. “Everything okay?” he asks, frowning as he looks between me and the door that has closed behind me.
“Everything’s great. Let’s get going.” I link my arm with his and drag him out of there as the nurse exits the exam room and watches us go, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.Yikes, way to go, Lila. Making friends everywhere you go.First Natalia, now this one. God, I hope everyone in this circus isn't bitchy.
* * *
LINK
Iwatch in disappointment as Lila gets dragged away by that manwhore of a dragon. God, of all people to be taking her under their wing, why the fuck are her grandpas letting it be him? Of course it didn't take him long to get his hooks into her. Not only is she gorgeous, she will be so very politically powerful if not personally powerful once she takes control of the circus. For her sake, I hope that the friendship is genuine, but in case it’s not, I plan on being there to pick up the pieces.
There’s just something about the girl, something special. I knew it from the moment I put my hands on her. I was completely shocked when I felt her bond mark appear on my shoulder. I’m not even sure if she knows what it means; she certainly didn't show much reaction. It’s the reason I offered to take care of her little problem. Despite the ridiculous excuse I gave her, I never would have offered the same to just anyone. I could see in her eyes that she wasn’t buying it and braced myself for yet another rejection, but then she said yes. Regardless of how embarrassing it would have been, I just about came in my pants. Imagine, a cyborg with pleasure bot capabilities finishing before he’s even given one ounce of pleasure to his woman. What a disgrace.
But could I really blame myself? Who would have thought a human-raised woman would be interested in a cyborg? I mean, we are known throughout the galaxy for being well-versed in the pleasure arts, but she doesn’t know that. For all she knows, I haven't even got a working dick. Iampart machine after all. Lucky for me, and hopefully Lila, that’s not a problem for cyborgs. Being made from nano-technology, all parts of us are virtually organic. Our “biology” allows for cell regeneration and manipulation, making our bodies virtually indestructible while also allowing for me to change certain parts at will. Not only do I have a dick, but it can do things that will make her scream.
A throat clearing behind me has me swinging to find my nurse, arms crossed, tapping his foot in annoyance. When did he become so damn annoying? He’s new to this rotation, and he definitely isn’t an improvement on the last one. He’s acting awfully territorial, which is one of the most common drawbacks to working with a receptionist from my home planet. Working with another cyborg is something that’s hard for me to trust. They always know who I am, who my family is, and their eagerness and interest in me just muddies the waters. There’s no way of knowing whether they’re here for an honest job or if my mother manipulated them into applying, trying to secure herself the cyborg-in-law of her dreams. God knows she wants me to return home and take my place at the head of the company, but I have never had any interest in business. Dad put his foot down and said that my investment in our company could develop naturally or not at all, and it didn't. Hence me ending up a doctor. Galaxy Circus is a good fit for me, and I would never want to be forced away from this place I love.
“What is it, Josa? Where were you earlier? Lila said you just up and walked out.” I return back into my examination room with Josa trailing behind me.
“Pfft, I can't believe they allowed a human to join the circus, and they're groomingherto take over.” He crosses her arms and leans against the wall, watching me clean up instead of actually doing his job. If that weren’t bad enough, the disgust in his voice when he speaks about Lila is enough to set my gears on edge.
“She’s not human. She’s Skarrian,” I argue. The logical side of me knows that Josa’s bigotry won’t likely be fixed by anything I say in this moment, but my short exposure to Lila has created some kind of connection between us. I can’t just let someone speak ill of her without at least trying to say something in her defense.
“Yeah right, she’s practically human. Now the brothers have her mainlining Skarrian water in the hope it will kickstart something. I say they're panicking. You did a body scan. Are there any signs of powers?” He pushes a sly look on his face, and I can feel myself scowl.
No, unfortunately. Apart from the initial burst, I could see nothing on her physiology to suggest she has powers. Skarrians usually have a ball of energy inside their chest that represents their power, but Lila’s was missing. I push the scowl off my face, not wanting to tell this annoying cyborg that. Before you know it, the gossip would be spread around the circus like Lycic fleas in a Restolan brothel.
“You know that's covered by patient-doctor confidentiality,” I tell him, and I see his eyes slide toward the computer. Not getting what he wanted from me right now, he must decide to choose another topic to fight about. His eyes return to me, and this time, he’s fuming.
“How dare you protect her! I heard you offer to take care of that needy bitch’s horniness, throwing away your professionalism and reputation! Don’t you care how that reflects on you? Actually, forget you. Don’t you care how that reflects onme? Your mother promised me your hand in marriage, and I will not have you lowering yourself to those standards. ‘Taking care of’ a Skarrian would be at least some step up. But ahuman? What would everyone at home say?”
I pause, not believing the words that have just come out of his mouth. Surely that can't be right. But then I think about it some more, and a wave of fury at my mother flows through my body. She’s done things like this before. Why wouldn’t it be true this time too? But this time, instead of throwing a woman at me, she tries the opposite sex in the hope that I might bite. Most cyborgs aren’t picky, and especially with my skills and desire to give and receive pleasure, I’m not too picky myself. But I will never, under any circumstance, get pleasure or give it to one of my mother’s plants.
Beneath the weight of my anger, the tray of instruments buckles in my hand. The sounds of crushing metal create a sharp echo through my normally tranquil exam room. Flinging it to the side, I whirl on the nurse, my anger only rising thanks to the smug look on his face. “My mother had no right to offer you that. And just what is she getting out of this deal? I know she didn’t offer my hand out of the goodness of her heart.”
“Never you mind what your mother’s deal is. When I find out the information she wants to know, you will be leaving the circus and returning home with me to your rightful place. There will be no argument.”
I snort with amusement. “And how do you think you are going to make me do that?” I ask him. Short of him reprogramming me, there is no way that I would voluntarily do that.
“She said she would give me access to your source code.”
I stagger with horror as dread hits me. “No, she can’t. She hasn't got it.” When a cyborg is born, their source code, the very foundation of their being, is imprinted on a data chip. The doctor at birth gives it to the Caretaker, who hides it away so that no cyborg can corrupt another. He is the only one who knows where they are hidden and is fiercely protective of them. There are many rumors floating around about other dimensions or secret vaults on an asteroid, and not even the cyborg's parents have access to it. How could she have gotten hold of mine? “She’s lying.”
“Are you sure about that? Are you willing to risk it? It’s no skin off my nose. I can just make you leave when the time comes. You’re under some measure of protection while I’m stuck here as part of this miserable circus, but once your mother gives me that tool, their protection won’t matter. Hear this, Link, youwillbe mine.” With that, he turns and leaves as I sink down onto a chair.
That smug cunt thinks he holds all the cards, but I’m not about to let him fuck anything up between me and Lila. I want to explore the attraction between us, and no blackmail attempt is going to stop that. I will be contacting my father though, to see if he knows anything about my mother’s threats. Then I’ll be talking to the warlock. Xavier may know a way to help me. We’ve been friends since we both started at the circus around the same time. He is much like me, happy to keep to ourselves and a small select group of friends who care nothing about status or powers. He’s the type of friend who would help cover up a murder... which it may come to if what Josa says is right. My mother having access to my source code is a nightmare waiting to happen. Forget forcing me to come home. She could just rewrite my whole being. No, she can’t possibly have it… Can she? Fuck.
I push a button on my screen to connect me to my father. Hopefully he has some answers for me.
* * *
LILA
Dylan flirted his way through the corridors, leaving everyone with a smile on their faces after that single interaction with him, while I stayed quiet and just observed. People were cautious but kind, and quite a few said hi and wished me good luck with all I had to learn. Before long, Dylan is directing me into a plush chair back in the same room I met the grandpas in yesterday. He flops down onto the sofa next to me, wings tucked in behind him, a huge sigh leaving his mouth. “I’m not really sure where to start. I haven't ever had to teach anyone any of this before, and there’s just so much.”
“God, I don't know,” I tell him just as something out the huge picture window catches my eye. The big arena is filled with a water tank, a group of people standing off to the side. It seems like the people are all wearing pastel-colored bodysuits or wetsuits, but as I try to get a closer look, one of them spins.
