by Sabrina Kade
“No!” I squeak, cheeks reddening as both Chimase and Vydeka look down at me. I take in a shaky breath. “I mean, no. Please. That won’t be necessary. I will tell him that I tripped and hit the corner of a stand. It’s all good. There’s no need for you to do that. So please, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind,” Chimase says again, keeping me locked against him. “If word gets out that a slave was hurt by myself or someone involved with me, it will not look good.”
“I won’t say a thing,” I promise. “Please.”
Something shifts in his golden eyes, but to my shock and relief, he releases my shoulder, and I stumble away. Desperation to leave creeps upon me, but formality matters more than anything. The Sidyth pair looks down at me from their impressive heights, but I manage to find the courage to bow slightly. It’s a human gesture, but one that seems to please Sidyths, so I continue to do it as a show of respect and gratitude.
“I will not speak a word of this to anyone, uh… Chimase?” Chee-mass-say. The name feels awkward against my tongue, and the male’s eyes light up.
“You speak so well,” he notes, cocking his head to the side again.
I can’t help but feel strangely under his intense gaze. It’s not as though other Sidyths haven’t looked at me before. But this look… it’s not merely a look of disgust. Or betrayal. It’s something different. It almost reminds me of Soh, but not quite.
“You said your master’s name is…”
“I did not say. She did.”
“It’s Sohmac’s,” Vydeka fills in as I try to cover up my frown. “His plaything since his Chosen passed.”
The two nod and I’ve had just about enough. I’m tired of being spoken over. With another deep bow, I start to turn away, saying once again that I need to pick up the supplies for tonight’s feed, but I can feel the male Sidyth continuing to watch me. I hasten my step, and Vydeka hisses once more.
“What are you doing, Chimase—”
A large hand lands on my shoulder, making me cry out as I spin around.
“Please!” I gasp in surprise when I notice the male staring down at me. “I haven’t done anything wrong. I want to pick up the groceries. I am going to be late.”
“But your nose,” he tries. “Please. At least let me pay for the feeds—”
I shake my head no. “That’s okay. Please. Just go with your female. I don’t need any trouble.”
A shocking flicker of hurt crosses his face, but he releases me once more. I’m not sure what’s up with this Sidyth, but he seems different than most of the other males I’ve come across. He hasn’t hit me. He hasn’t scolded me. He’s even complimented me. And he’s not… he’s not bad looking. Surprisingly, he’s quite humanoid. There aren’t as many scales on his face as some of the others, and his hair is shaved on the sides and longer on the top. It’s a strange style considering most male Sidyths either keep their hair short or shoulder-length, but for some reason, it suits him.
I feel a slight tingle in my lady parts I haven’t felt in a long time as we continue to stare at each other.
“At least tell me your name,” Chimase says in a low voice.
I lick my lips. I don’t like where this conversation is going. It’s obvious he’s impressed with my ability to speak. Most Sidyths are, but I don’t want a new master. Soh isn’t perfect, but at least I know what to expect from him. I have no idea what this one’s thinking, and I don’t like the way his mate is glaring at both of us.
“I’ll let you go if you tell me your name,” Chimase tries again. “That’s all I want.” He shakes his head slightly. “Please.”
My eyes widen. Please. There’s a word I haven’t heard many Sidyth males say to me.
“It’s Hollis.”
“Hollis what?”
“Hollis Blane.” I quickly lower my eyes and spin away before he holds me captive any longer. I wipe the drying blood under my nose with the back of my hand and sprint towards the banbask stand. Soh will appreciate a fresh loaf as an apology for my tardiness. I say nothing else to the male, but he doesn’t reach for me again.
Thank hell for that.
I didn’t like the way he looked at me.
And I didn’t like what his look did to my lady parts.
***
“You are late, Howl-Eaze,” Soh grumble hisses from his sitting room as I remove the fabric from my feet and set them near the doorway. He’s probably been waiting at least a half hour for me to return. I can only hope the sweet smell of banbask bread will be enough to settle down his anger. I know banbask bread lifts my spirits. It’s light and fresh, but with the texture of naan.
Judging by the low hiss in Soh’s voice though, perhaps I’m too late to prevent punishment.
“I’m sorry, Soh.” I quickly shuffle to the sitting room, and sure enough, Soh’s seated on the floor, legs crossed Indian-style. He’s staring out into the space beyond his window, and he rubs an arm against his dry lips. The sound of the skin dragging across skin makes me shudder. As he starts to move to a standing position, I scurry into the cooking area to prepare his dinner.
I splash only a few drops of water under my nose to remove the rest of the caked blood, and thankfully Soh doesn’t seem to notice, just rummaging through the bags.
“Banbask,” he hisses lowly. “You know how much I enjoy banbask with kendax. Thank you, Howl-Eaze.”
“Not a problem.”
“Now. Why don’t you tell me why you were late?”
I stiffen, keeping my back to him as I dry my face off with the cloth I keep next to the sink. The kitchens on Sidetha are human enough, and though there are different names for a lot of tools and appliances, I use the human terms, so I have something to hold on to.
“I tripped in the marketplace. Cracked my face on the corner of a stand. I’m alright.”
“I did not ask if you were alright, I asked why you were late.”
He moves closer to me, and within moments, thick-scaled arms wrap tightly around my shoulders. Soh’s chin rests upon my head, and my heart picks up with his closeness. Older or not, Soh isn’t super attractive, but he’s just so big. He makes me feel terrified of the day he loses his temper again. It doesn’t happen often, but it happens often enough to instill fear in me.
“Are you lying to me, Howl-Eaze?”
I frown, relieved he can’t see my expression. Part of me wonders if that idiot male or the woman he was with already called Soh to let him know what happened. That one – Chimase – was certainly enough in my business about wanting to know me and my master’s name. Perhaps, Soh is checking to see if I’ll continue to lie to him. I’m not sure if I want to take that chance, especially when his arms tighten further around me, pushing some of the air from my lungs.
“Did word get back about something else?” I try baiting him.
“You. Tell. Me.” Another squeeze. Another pained cry tries to escape my lips. “And don’t lie to me, Howl-Eaze. I will know.”
He’s heard something. Fuck, I could kill that stupid male Sidyth for ratting me out.
“A male Sidyth was running from a female in heat,” I admit quietly and thank hell Soh loosens his grip slightly. “The male ran into me. And then the female ran into me.”
“Do you know who that male was?”
I shake my head. “Just… just his name. Ch-Chimase.”
“Wolband Chimase Etansyl. Do you have any idea what that means?”
I shake my head a second time. “I’m afraid I don’t.”
“He comes from a wealthy family. A very wealthy family. One of the wealthiest. And that woman who ran into you? Vydeka Satheesh? It appears that she is ready to Choose a mate.”
“I’m so sorry—”
“Chimase himself called to let me know that he was thankful that she was not able to claim him today. I’ll never understand youth. If a female would act so brazenly towards me…” he trails off, loosening his grip again before clearing his throat. “Thanks to your clumsiness, he does not have t
o take her as a mate today. I must say, I was quite surprised when he called upon me. One does not want to receive personal attention from the Etansyl family.” He squeezes me once more. “Do you understand why?”
“I do not.” My thighs tingle as Soh’s cock hardens against my ass. He’s turned on by this. This powerplay. Towering over me and making me feel as though there’s no escape. There’s not. His biceps alone could kill me with a hard enough squeeze. And as much as I hate my body for reacting like this, I know Soh isn’t exactly the source of nightmares. He’s just… not perfect. But more importantly, he’s not hurting me. He’s not raping me. I don’t mind his cock against me. It’s massive, and he rarely sticks it into my pussy.
“They like to have the best,” Soh mutters, brushing his dry lips against my neck. I let out a moan, and he places a hand against my mound, cupping it gently. “The best travels. The best feeds. The best service workers. Do you know what you are, Howl-Eaze?”
A pit of dread forms in my stomach. This no longer sounds as good.
“What am I?”
“You are a human slave who does not need a collar. You do not wear a leash. You do not run away, and you listen to others when ordered. You are a coward, Howl-Eaze. Powerful families like cowardly humans. Especially ones who can… speak Sidese.”
My breath catches. “Oh… oh… well, I suppose that makes sense.”
“Chimase Etansyl was very impressed by you. And therefore, he is impressed with me. He wanted to know what my tricks were to have purchased such a well-behaved service worker. Are you proud of yourself, Howl-Eaze? Has this been your plan all along? To capture the attention of a higher-up name than my own?”
This time the squeeze from Soh isn’t kind or sensual. It hurts, and my knees buckle as Soh leans over me, pushing me down against the counter. I barely manage to brace a hand on the table in front of the water basin.
“I gave you everything any human could ever ask,” he says thickly into my hair, removing the tie that holds it up, allowing the thick black waves to cascade over my tanned shoulders. Within moments he has me naked, and his cock presses up against my opening. He’s breathing hard now. “He wants you. An Etansyl wants what rightfully belongs to me. Do you think I can refuse an Etansyl’s request?”
I’m assuming not, but Soh doesn’t want an answer. He wants to drive his cock into my pussy without apologies to prove his ownership. He’s not going to be gentle.
“Did he say he wanted me?” I hope my question doesn’t upset Soh. He’s already pressing against my opening, not even waiting for me to get wet.
Soh grunts. “No,” he relents. “Not exactly, but I could tell he was interested. I could smell it over the voice comm. He was polite, but he asked if you were for hire.”
Dread blooms. “Hire?”
“You are mine,” Soh hisses against my bare skin before thrusting his cock fully inside me. I cry out in surprise, but he only continues to pound, pushing me more and more against the counter. “You are not for hire. No one may touch you but me. Do you understand me, Howl-Eaze?”
“I understand,” I gasp, writhing with each thrust of his scaled dick. He’s pumping harder and harder, muttering about how he doesn’t ever want to lose me, but if Chimase puts in a formal request, there’s little he can do. It’s not about money, Sohmac has plenty, but it’s more about his worry about losing me. In his sick and sad way, Soh loves me. He loves that I don’t fight off his touch. He likes that I listen and do as he asks. I’m an easy human to keep.
He may call me a coward, but I’m alive.
I close my eyes as Soh lets out a snarl and a final jerk before he pulls his cock away from my pussy. Chilled seed drips down my thighs, and my face crashes against the counter. Not from an orgasm. I can’t remember the last time Soh gave me one of those with his cock. This moment was all about him. A dominance over me. A reminder that he still cares about me. The fatherland is one sick, twisted world, but at least with Soh this fucked up world is familiar.
I hear the familiar sound of Soh putting his clothes back on.
“Go back to your room for the rest of the night. I’m not hungry anymore,” he calls over his shoulder before heading towards his privacy chamber. I guess he’s not inviting me to stay in his bed tonight. “When you go to the marketplace tomorrow, make sure to ignore Chimase Etansyl. I won’t… I won’t lose you, Howl-Eaze.” His voice cracks with emotion at the end that’s so startling; I don’t move my face away from the counter. I’m still bent over with my cheek pressed against the cold surface.
I want to tell Soh that I’d never leave him.
I don’t want him to ever find out that’s only because I’m too terrified of what else is out there beyond him.
CHAPTER TWO
Almost an entire week goes by without any more sightings of Chimase Etansyl and that woman Vydeka. I keep my eyes peeled at all times when I go to the marketplace, terrified of seeing either of them again. I don’t want to be hired by some wealthy family. Falling under the radar with a family as important as the Etansyls is never a good thing. They can do whatever they please and purchase whatever they want, and so they’re not used to hearing the word ‘no.’ Eventually, Soh calms down when he doesn’t call again, but he still reminds me every day to keep my use of Sidese language to a minimum, so I don’t attract attention.
“For a human, you are quite interesting to look at. Your skin is the color of kendax with just a hint of jendari cream. Of course, my brothers would be interested in you. You are fascinating — hair like the darkest of holes with eyes to match. Your chest is larger than any Sidyth woman’s I’ve ever seen. And though you are small, you are built like a woman. But soft. You are submissive and somewhat intelligent. Do not draw so much attention to yourself, Howl-Eaze.” He frowns down at me in the doorway before reading off his requests for the feed tonight.
“Anything else?” I ask, looking over my shoulder for a moment. It feels as though I’m someone’s watching me, but the path is bare.
“You are mine,” Soh says again, leaning down to stake his claim on me. With a sharp flick, his tongue drags from the top of my ear to the top of my breast, and he hisses the entire journey. Another piercing lick flicks across the skin over my heart. “If I could Choose you, Howl-Eaze, I would.”
My eyes widen. “That is forbidden speak, Soh.”
“I know, I know,” he grumbles, lowering his forehead to my shoulder. “I am sorry. It seems the idea of losing you still spooks me.”
I lift my hand and gently brush my fingers through his silky, white hair. It reminds me more of a horse’s mane than the hair on a man. “Has Chimase called again?” He shakes his head no against me. “I will not speak Sidese unless placing orders with vendors, Soh. All will be well.”
A soft lick grazes my neck. I shiver as Soh pulls away and straightens up to his full height. I shouldn’t be so forgiving of him. I know he’s not perfect and at the end of the day, he sees me as nothing more than a pretty toy he can pleasure. But is that so bad? I’ve been abducted from home. I have no family and no friends (not even human) since arriving on the fatherland. Everyone watches out for themselves. And Soh isn’t awful.
He’s not. He’s the best this world has to offer a human.
Fuck and shit, I am a complacent coward.
“Return home as soon as you are finished.”
He drops a hand to the top of my head, ruffles my hair once before spinning and shutting the door behind him. I take in a trembling breath and stare into the path ahead of me, still unable to shake the strange feeling that I’m being watched. Perhaps Soh is right. Speaking Sidese so openly has attracted too much attention. And I don’t want to leave him.
I want to be back on Earth again more than anything.
I want to be an adult again. I want other adults to take me seriously.
But that’s not a possibility, so right now I’m just trying to survive.
Slinging the gathering sack over my shoulder, I start my walk towards th
e marketplace, making sure to keep my eyes on the ground and my lips locked together. A few Sidyths are roaming the area, and I even notice a female walking a male human on a leash, but other than that, nothing seems worrisome or out of place. I swallow hard, relieved that Soh is finally returning to his usual self. Honestly, I don’t think I’m prepared to have so much sex with him, especially if it’s merely to mark his territory. He probably believes that the more seed he sprays on me, the more other Sidyths will accept that I’m not available for hire. Great.
I stalk the hillside and look down below towards the marketplace. I must have been imagining things. The whole situation with Chimase and Vydeka has made me paranoid. Of course, no one is watching a lowly human service worker—
My thoughts are snuffed out like a candle flame when a rough hand seizes my entire arm and pulls me back down over the hillside.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit, and double fucking shit!
Soh was right. I drew too much attention to myself. Someone decided not to wait to buy me, but it is taking me for their own. All the horror stories I’ve heard the past few years are about to come true. And just because I drew too much attention to myself! I pinch my eyes shut at the rough touch, expecting to be gagged or drugged to keep my mouth shut, but nothing painful comes.
I open my eyes.
An unknown Sidyth male with wild, pale hair glares down at me and I start to scream—and he quickly covers my mouth. Fuck. His palms have scales on them. I break out into a cold sweat and start to cry as my feet are easily lifted off the ground, and my kidnapper begins to move. I can’t see the marketplace or Soh’s home anymore as I’m dragged along and then thrust between two large three or four-story buildings.
“I’m going to remove my hand,” the Sidyth grunts. “Do not scream. I will make you regret it.”
I nod immediately so he removes his hand. His other hand remains wrapped around my entire upper arm with room to spare. He doesn’t look cruel, but he’s still a kidnapper. Does he want to sell me? Does he want to rape me? So many questions come to mind, but of course, I don’t ask any of them, too afraid of what he’ll say if I speak Sidese.