“The elder female is often a rtive of the younger ones. It is not necessary that she be, though. The


    young ones will grow into the roles of the elder females, take over their responsibilities as the women


    age. The stronger the young ones the more interest the elder females will show in them.”


    “Thank you for the information, Mistress,” I said politely.


    My mind was worn down. I was being presented with so much to learn, much of it seemingly both


    random and important. It was killing me not to be able to ask questions, but my men’s opinion on that


    was paramount: never question the females, ever.


    The mating finally ended and the three women from the ring flew up to Nu-reeh. My inclination was to


    drop my head, but my new instincts told me to watch the women carefully.


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    “This is the female?” one of them asked Nu-reeh crouching in front of me to look in my eyes.


    “Yes,” Nu-reeh answered.


    “Whose child do you carry, ve?” the woman asked me.


    I had no idea whose it was and that stammered out of my mouth.


    The woman cursed about the ineptitude of humans for several moments before she stalked away.


    Evidently, I had offended her.


    “I apologize, Mistress,” I said to Nu-reeh, “for upsetting that woman.”


    “You are weak,” Dinah informed me, “to see one as great as us develop from such insignificance is


    insulting. Your child must take strongly after her male breeder.”


    My eyes shot wide open and I stared between the women. My hand went to my stomach and my little


    girl turned. She, my child was a she.


    Nu-reeh and Dinah were discussing which male breeder it probably was. Christof usually made girls,


    but it seemed this off spring would be powerful. It must be Damien or Bane, they said. Evan’s line had


    been known to create fearsome girls, but it was so rare. They were undecided.


    I wanted to know how they knew.


    Ang’s Library


    The order burned itself into my mind: do not question the women. I wanted desperately to ask, but I


    was forbidden by my owners. The women would tell me whatever they wished, but probably not at my


    prodding.


    “You are so silent, ve,” Nu-reehmented as my men climbed toward us.


    She seemed to be testing my resolve about not speaking.


    Master Damien came to stand beside me and ced a hand on my shoulder. The reassurance felt


    good. I was safe now that my family was here.


    “The ve does not wish to anger you, Mistress,” Master Damien said politely.


    “Wise decision,” the Large woman said turning away.


    “Care for your Masters this evening, ve. They will be punished in the morrow.”


    The women walked swiftly away down the corridor and my men stood around me watching them go.


    “Interesting,” Christofmented.


    The internal conversation was fast and repetitive. I wanted to know how Nu-reeh knew what I was


    having. My men were not able to understand how the women knew, although they were only interested


    because I was.