“I will do my best to avoid any behavior that might be construed as sassing.”
Construed.The thing was gaslighting me, and I had no more energy to deal with it.
“Take me to the car.”
Clanker leaned in, picking me up bridal style, and strode into the elevator.
Chapter 4
Sera
“What are you doing?!” I shrieked, beating its cold, hard shoulder with my fist to no avail. “Put me down at once! Bad clanker!”
It lowered me gingerly to the ground, and I lurched away, pressing my back to the cool wall as my heart pounded. My body tingled as the impression of hard, smooth metal, cool touch, and immense, overpowering strength burrowed under my skin.
Clanker could pick me up with no effort at all. It could probably throw me, crush me with its weight, or strangle me with one hand. If the thing went rogue, I’d be dead.
“Noting client’s heartbeat is 184 beats per minute,” it said, its smooth voice sounding mocking. “Scanning for signs of medical emergency. None found. Stress likely emotional. Attempt soothing… You are safe. There is no immediate threat anywhere in the area. You…”
“Shut up. No words. No typing. Just… Please.”
The elevator pinged, and I got out into a well-lit underground garage. Rows of black and silver cars gleamed in front of me, each probably armored and equipped with the newest tech. By the far side, an ursa female was changing the tire of an enormous off-road carrier, humming to the tune of a pop song playing from the speakers. She wore jean overalls over her furry body, and heart-shaped pink glasses perched on her snout.
Why, oh why, couldn’t I afford an ursa? It took all of my savings and the inheritance I got after my mom’s death, and still, all that money was only enough to hire a clanker.
My bodyguard turned toward an inconspicuous gray sedan, and the doors opened as we approached. I watched as it folded itself into the passenger seat, remaining graceful and efficient throughout. When I got in, it was with far less grace. I banged my head by accident and settled in, huffing from embarrassment and fury, only to find Clanker’s cold, expressionless face expectantly turned toward me.
“Not a word,” I growled. “And don’t fucking comment on my driving.”
I bit the urge to swear again. Oh, this was bad. I usually minded my language, but the events of today put me through the wringer.
Clanker faced the windshield, and I gritted my teeth, shifting the car into drive. Pulsing purple arrows appeared on the wall, pointing me left, and I followed them with a rigidly controlled exhale. A few turns, and the garage door slid open just in time for me to exit.
The GPS turned on the dashboard screen, and I followed the route, gripping the steering wheel with too much force. My gaze strayed toward Clanker, but the thing sat still, its eyes dimmed, like it was resting.
I knew my heartrate was still elevated, cold sweat covering my hands and sticking to my T-shirt. I hated driving ever since the accident. I had been in the car with my mother when it happened and I still bore the scars, all of them hidden underneath my clothes. Usually, I managed to keep the memories from surfacing, but my skin was thin today.
Thankfully, the traffic wasn’t too bad where the GPS led me. The route was complicated with many turns, but at least, we avoided the most congested areas. I turned right and stepped on the gas, enjoying a mostly clear lane ahead.
The car lurched to a sudden stop, and I shot forward, my seat belt digging painfully into my chest. I gasped. There was a corgi on the road right ahead, staring at me in terror as a dark puddle spread underneath it on the asphalt.
A woman ran onto the street, shaking her fist at me, and walked away, cradling the dog. I exhaled, then jolted at the aggressive sound of a honk behind me.
Oh my God. I almost killed a dog. Oh my God.
Clanker watched me, its face impassive, eyes bright. I swallowed. My hands shook too violently to drive, and I couldn’t force my eyes to focus.
The driver behind us honked again, longer and louder. I fumbled with the door, finally opening it, and tried to get out with my seat belt still on.
“I recommend against leaving the car,” Clanker said in a cool voice.
I undid my seat belt and tumbled outside, dry heaving. All I managed to feel was the heat and the smell of car fumes before I was yanked onto the sidewalk. A truck shot past, way too close to our lane. I stared after it with confusion, trying to wrap my headaround what just happened. If not for my bodyguard pulling me back at the last moment, that truck would have killed me.
“What…” I trailed off, remembering the corgi. I had to apologize and make sure it was unharmed, but the dog and its owner were nowhere to be seen.
As if all that wasn’t enough, an angry driver got out of the car behind me, his face red, his fists clenched.
“What the fuck are you doing, you dumb bitch?” he asked, rushing at me.
