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“You wanted to kill my tutors in the mountains,” I argued shaking off their concern. “The only reason you didn’t is because Nu-reeh demanded you not do it. She sucked the anger out of you. Don’t you remember being murderous one moment and then having the sensation drain away a second later?”
No, they didn’t remember any of that. They’d been angry, but then killing Runen had seemed like a waste of time. The decision had been theirs.
“You don’t understand our code of honor, little Sister,” Bane said stroking my back. “We were raised to believe man’s life is sacred. The taking of that life is only allowed under certain circumstances. Runen and his family injured you, but they were much weaker than us. Killing them would not have been satisfying or honorable.”
I was ready to snap. Here I was giving the biggest secret on the planet and they didn’t believe me.
“Rue and his Brothers,” I insisted, “don’t you remember being furious with them and wanting to hurt them. Nu-reeh told you they had been punished already. At first you didn’t care what she thought and just as quickly you agreed with her.”
By the look on their faces, they didn’t remember that at all. Christof started to tug me toward the cabin and I fought him.
“She admitted it to Hannah, ask her!” I pleaded.
The only response was the concern on their faces as I saw them contemplating this new problem.
“NO,” I shouted, “think about it. Remember how you felt and how the feelings changed. She can control you when she wants to.”
“Ciara,” Damien soothed, “you are too worried and it has made you imagine things. We were told this could happen. The Healers have seen other humans that become quite frantic. Relax for us. We can help you with this.”
I jerked against Christof hard and Evan leaned down and scooped me up. We started for the cabin and I struggled with him.
“The Administrators know.” I said. “You all at least remember when they threatened you all they would ‘Make you act the correct way’ when they caught Evan and me in the woods? Didn’t you wonder about that comment?”
Kein sighed behind me and he remembered the comment. He feared I had spoken to the Administrators that day without permission. He had worried the other men would demand punishment for me, which Damien’s family would have refused. Now he understood why I spoke when I wasn’t supposed to.
“This strange fascination has gone on a long time,” Christof said sadly. “We should have paid more attention, Brothers.”
They didn’t believe me, instead they thought I was delusional. Damien and his Brothers recognized the illness. They’d seen it in Warriors who were forced to go too long without food and water. The confusion and strange beliefs would fade once they had access to what they needed. My family had never seen this in a healthy person. No one was sure what to do.
I did panic when I thought they might tell Nu-reeh, so I begged then not to do that. As a compromise I told them I would discuss with them whenever my ‘delusion’ struck. But, they didn’t need to tell…Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“She will kill me,” I begged them. “Please, don’t tell her.”
We had made it back to the cabin and the men stood outside for a moment.
“If it gets worse,” Damien warned, “you are to tell us. No more secrets about what you are thinking. I don’t want to have to ask you these things to find out.”
I nodded and promised to tell them. That seemed to satisfy Damien, but not Christof.
Inside the men drew a warm bath and we all stepped into it. Damien and Evan rubbed me in the water and Christof interrogated me. My friend wanted every thought in my head. We sat in the sunken tub talking until it cooled and then got out.
They tried to pull me to the bed to relax more and I refused. I kept insisting I wasn’t crazy and I did not need to rest. In a way, they relented.
In front of the fire, Christof continued his questions as Kein plucked out relaxing melodies on a small stringed instrument. Evan held me and ran a brush soothingly through my hair. Bane and Damien pulled a meal together, quietly watching the interrogation. Christof’s questions didn’t end until the meal was ready.
The meal the men had made was quite good. I had the feeling I was the only one enjoying it, though. The men ate in silence focusing on an intense internal conversation.
I’d been very honest with Christof and nothing else I had said seemed off. They didn’t understand why I had this one strange obsession. I wondered how long they’d consider the idea until something proved it to them.
Christof and I enjoyed the Earth fruit again after lunch. I told him how these things grew at home and he enjoyed the story. As we ate I told him about farms on Earth. He seemed to find it interesting.
We had sex again in the early evening. They excited me in the ways they were familiar with and it worked much better than this morning. I orgasmed only once, which they found odd, but after the fiasco earlier it was enough for me.
Just like this morning I was wiped off in the bed and instructed to stay put for a little while. Kein pulled a blanket over my naked body so I would be comfortable. The men redressed as I lay there. I napped listening to them puttering around in the main room. I woke to the clatter of talons.
Nu-reeh stood at the end of the bed when I opened my eyes. I yelped and fell off the pillows my hips were precariously balanced on.
“Stay still,” she ordered gruffly.
Bane crawled beside me and situated my hips back into position. He stayed beside me and I drew comfort from his presence. My fingers sought his and I held his hand tightly. I felt safe and protected with him near.
“Did you enjoy the treats I left you, slave?” Nu-reeh purred.
Bane gripped my hand to stop me from answering. He looked over at Damien.
“Yes, Mistress, thank you,” Damien answered for me.
“You did most of what I wanted this morning and I can be very benevolent when my orders are followed,” she said stroking a hand down Damien’s back.