My breath hitches. “Amuse you how?”
He shrugs. “I guess we’ll find out.”
My head sways forward. I’m straining so hard to hold it up.
Julan grips my neck, frowning. “You seem to lack much strength. Was it difficult for you to hold yourself upright on the space station?”
“No, never. It’s probably from the drugs they gave me before they brought me to your planet.”
“Hmmm. Perhaps. We’ll see what the doctor says.”
“Doctor?”
“That’s who I called. He’ll be here shortly. He’ll examine you.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
He frowns at me. “You’ll do well to remember your place, Little pet. I’ve purchased you for my amusement. I’m startled byyour intelligence. That changes things. But I advise you not to argue with Daddy. Naughty behavior will not be tolerated.”
A knock at the door startles me.
Julan is still carrying me as he returns to the entrance and opens it. “Yamal. Thank you for coming.”
The man named Yamal enters. I assume he’s the doctor. He’s wearing blue like the man who injected me initially on the space station. Maybe that man was also a doctor. He’s carrying a large black bag in one hand and something I don’t recognize in his other.
“Has she spoken yet?” he asks. “I’ve heard rumors that the humans can speak.”
Julan laughs. “Incessantly. It would seem humans are far more intelligent than we presumed.”
Yamal looks surprised as his gaze comes to me.
“I’m not a dog,” I nearly shout.
Julan grips my chin and holds my face, turning me to look at him. “You will not speak disrespectfully to me or anyone else. You will address the doctor as Sir. You will addressanyman who directly speaks to you as Sir. Do you understand me?”
I swallow, regretting my outburst. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Interesting,” Yamal comments. “Perhaps she will not be difficult to train.”
I pout. It’s hard to hold my tongue. I don’t need training. I’m not a pet. But I don’t reiterate my point.
“What is a dog?” Yamal asks, his focus on Julan.
“I have no idea. It doesn’t translate into Venkorian.”
Neither man bothers to ask me.
Yamal sets his bag down and unfolds the other item. It takes me a minute to realize it’s some sort of table. An exam table. He brought his own exam table to Julan’s house.
I shudder, nerves crawling up my skin.
“Was this garment on her when she arrived?” Yamal asks Julan.
“Yes. Intel suggests that all the human females on the space station are dressed similarly.”
Yamal pats the padded table. “Remove her clothes and lay her on the table. I’ll need to examine her thoroughly and take notes so we’ll know more about the human body.”
I cling to Julan’s neck, my heart rate accelerating. “Daddy, I don’t want to be naked.”
