The last time I was like this, I hoped for death. Instead, Sunif found me. I had forgotten the brutality and loneliness of my first few months as a banished warrior. Now it is all I think about. I miss my brothers, even Yva's boasting.
I want to know what is happening with Sabine and Edilk. Is it possible for a human woman to be a mate? Or is it more of an attachment the way two warriors might have? The way Orik and Vari have?
I can't bring myself to regret my surrender, as someone needed to do it, but I can still ache for the loss of my brothers.
At night, I give in to the thoughts of Chloe and pretend that she wants more information for her science. That she wants to inspect my meq more thoroughly. She takes her time touching each bump as if to test my reaction. First with her hands and then her tongue. My balls draw up, and my shaft thickens as my climax tears through me. I groan, not caring who hears, my hips thrusting, as I spill on the floor.
I slump with my back to the wall, and my breathing too quick.
Eventually, I get off the bed and pull up my pants. I need to clean up the mess. At least cleaning gives me something to do.
As soon as daylight streams through the holes in the wall, I can't fight the hope that Chloe will return today. I eat a little of the food, realizing that I will run out by the end of the day if more is not brought. The same is true for the water. I can survive a couple of days without food or water before things become desperate, but I do not want to be weakened in that way.
Will the guards listen to me if I call for help and ask for food?
In my tribe, a brute would not be left without food and water. They are no use if they are weak, but perhaps the humans want me to be weak because they view me as a threat. Perhaps they think my brothers will steal all their women. Perhaps if they didn't treat them so poorly…
My thoughts are cut off as my kam sense Chloe approaching with two guards.
There is a clicking sound and then the door to the lab opens.
I drop onto the bed, so I don't appear threatening.
Chloe flicks on the light. This time, I am prepared for the flash as the sharp white lights turn on. I cover my eyes and give myself several heartbeats before I remove my hand.
"We have fresh food and water for it," one guard says. "You should sedate it."
Chloe gives the guard a look. I wouldn't call it disgust, but she is unimpressed with the suggestion.
"We can do it at the end of the day, so it doesn't interrupt your work," the man rushes to add.
"Leave the food and water, and I'll figure it out. Andithas a name. Tiril can understand everything you say." She lifts her eyebrows and stares at the guard.
I bite the inside of my lip to stop myself from smiling. When the guard looks at me, I quickly lower my gaze to the floor. I don't want to be making trouble with the guards. Nor do I want to be sedated. I figure that means being put to sleep like they did to bring me here. I do not like being asleep while they move my body. I do not trust the guards.
"You're not allowed to letitout," the guard says, refusing to use my name.
"I am aware of that. And you're not allowed to interfere with my specimen. If you are incapable of giving him food and water, I will deal with it."
I lift my head enough to watch them. The guard has his hands on his hips and is looking at me as though he expects me to lash out. I could kill him from where I sit, but he doesn't know that, and I'll keep it that way for the moment. I'm assuming Chloe hasn't told anyone that I can make a charge.
Chloe is a good bit shorter than the guard, but she lifts her chin and faces off with him as though she isn't bothered by anything.
The guard drags his attention back to Chloe. "I don't like leaving you alone in here with it."
Chloe shakes her head. "I'm fine. I can do my job."
"It's not that…"
"What then? What am I missing?" I can tell from the tilt of her head and the tone of her voice that she is playing with him.
He hasn’t realized yet that she has backed him into a corner.
The guard presses his lips together and his cheeks darken.
Oh, he thinks I'm going to seduce Chloe. That's why he doesn't want to leave her alone with me. I'm tempted to speak out. To say that it is Chloe who needs to…not seduce me, but to make the first move and express her interest.
But I decide to say nothing and instead watch what the guard will do.
