The men were quiet at breakfast. Master Damien still looked tired. I wondered if he was sleeping much


    at all. After what Rose had said, I understood his concern.


    Everyone at the Keepers was excited to see me, except the Keepers, who looked at me askance. My


    ident had evidently gotten them in trouble, but not killed I was d to see. The other girls were


    ecstatic to see me. Out of sight of the Keepers, they examined my back


    Rose was particrly relieved. My Lack of scarring proved the Warriors still wanted me. The Last


    beating she had seen had been much worse.


    The girl they hadshed was from an aggressive where the women were Warriors. She had tried


    to kill her owners as they slept. Rose had feared anyshing from the General would be that bad, but


    apparently what you did made a difference. Unlike me, that other girl had been sent back to the


    vers.


    Ang’s Library


    Once everyone else dispersed we were able to talk more freely about the other problem. Fuji and Rose


    both told me when the Warriors did things together it would help the bond grow


    “Right, they do everything together,” I said, “I can’t help them with that.”


    The girls nced at one another and then Rose Looked at me, “Does Christof join his brothers where


    you are involved?” she asked hesitantly.


    They both knew I was shy about discussing what my owners did with me.


    I thought back on it and the answer was definitely a no. Christof would sit to the side when my other


    owners had sex with me. He took his time with mete at night after he walked me to the bathroom.


    That wasn’t normal they told me. The men took on the native women as a group. They subdued them


    together, if that could be done. One of the group would have sex with the woman, depending on who


    the woman’s mating smell attracted. Sex was the ultimate group effort, it should be that way with me


    also.


    When the Lunch bell rang my stomach was in knots. I wanted to talk to Christof, but I still wasn’t sure


    what to say to him. When I saw my kneeling ce had been Left outside I knew he would being


    for me.


    I fiddled anxiously with the hem of my panels as I waited for him.


    “Come, Ciara,” he said softly when he arrived.


    I rose and followed him through the little trail in the forest. We stopped and he handed me my bowl as


    usual. He never fed me, he just let me eat what I wanted.


    ‘m sorry. I didn’t want to watch, but they made me,” he said dejectedly.


    “It wasn’t that bad,” I lied and he looked at me like I’d grown an extra head.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “I’ve beenshed before Ciara and I saw you up there. You don’t have to be brave for me. I know you


    took that beating because of what I did. I can’t stand to see that happen again.”


    I saw an opening and took it. “It doesn’t have to, Christof. If your brothers had known the way you felt


    about the women they would have helped you. You only needed me because you aren’t depending on


    them.”


    Christof’s face darkened as he turned away from me. “Can you imagine how they would react if they


    knew we were ves here? It would kill them to know that our entire lives have been built on a lie. It’s


    better this way,” he said viciously pulling the leaves off a neighboring tree.


    He needed to talk and vent, so I just Listened as he spoke.


    “I know the women wille take me again, probably to kill me. They were furious I didn’t keep to the


    coupling schedule. When they took me this time the leader cited how valuable we are to them, all of us.


    Evan’s talent, Damien’s strength, and my ability are all highly treasured. You know, they even went


    easier on us this time to prove to me that we hold worth to them,” Christof finished his rant and walked


    around the little clearing we were in.


    I followed him silently until he turned to Look at me.