Captured Obedience

by Tasha Winters

  “I can’t give you up. I would never mate again without all of you. I’m in torture between happiness and sadness. Lakan did this. He forced my fate. I’ve no choice but to complete my part to keep the life promised me in my dreams.”

  “Maya, I could give you your family in holograms. They would be with you in your village only and it would be like visiting them. It would take a while to build everything, but we could.”

  She nodded but it was obvious she didn’t fully comprehend the concept. It was equally apparent that Zander ignored the part about her fulfilling her purpose by going after Lakan. Like living in her men’s world, it was a reality she must face. They finished the culling and exchanging process for today and went back to the townhouse.

  Sterling

  Sterling came home angry at the whole system and ready to chuck it and his work out the window. Maya and Zander had made a stir-fry that Maya had decided she liked. The strange and pungent flavors must have appealed to her because she created it once a week. Zander called it their new pizza. Sterling calmed the moment he saw her. He exhaled in thankfulness when she walked right into his arms as though sensing he needed her comfort. With her gifts, she probably did.

  Things were different than when they had first met this wild, frightened little badger. At times, she was indeed what Paxton had described her as, a little rabbit in badger skin. She was her own skinwalker in a way, two people in the same skin. But over time, she had become vocal in her thoughts, finding her way in this new environment, and with them. She was still a scared rabbit sometimes. When she was crossed, her badger came out, but her true self always shone through. They knew she loved them. She was tender or aggressive, according to her moods, but always present and passionate.

  At dinner Sterling discussed his meetings on getting the immigration center to release her.

  “They told me in no uncertain terms that my goal was to conform her to standards, only. If she is ready, I’m to let her go or send her to a job skill training center.” He ran his and through his hair.

  “Sterling, what did you think they would say?” asked Zander. “It still works well for us.”

  “Yep,” agreed Paxton who had come in late. “We want them to certify and give her the papers she needs. Then we let them know we’ve trained her to assist us. It isn’t a lie, we have, and she does.”

  Zander nodded. “If you can’t go through the center, there are plenty of side roads to get where we want to go. Submit for release. Then we take it from there.”

  “They don’t believe she is ready in such a short time. They want proof.”

  “Do you want me to talk to my uncle? He isn’t Commander Cole to me and I might be able to convince him we’re serious, but I don’t blame them. She was out of control and unable to communicate. After less than six weeks, we’re asking them to believe she is assimilated when much less aggressive people have taken longer. And they have been from this time.”

  Paxton spoke his thoughts aloud. “And of course, our baby badger will never be assimilated as they measure it. Given what we know now, and what we know Ambrose projects, we cannot say all the immigrants are just what they seem. I submit, they aren’t. We simply didn’t know it. We don’t know ripples in the continuum haven’t been happening forever.”

  “They want to see her.”

  “No.” Her response was quick and sure.

  “Honey, I know we promised you,” said a weary Sterling, “but they want to see your progress.”

  “I don’t trust the government men. I won’t go.”

  Paxton spoke. “I understand but we don’t have a choice. You need—”

  Zander interjected. “She can refuse without retribution.”

  “Yes, of course she can,” agreed Paxton irritably, “but not without consequences of another kind. Not all results from obstinate refusal are physical. In this case, they are much worse.” He turned back to Maya. “If you refuse, we can never marry you because we need papers to do it. Those same papers will allow you to go where you want, when you want. But without them, there are no further freedoms and the ones you have now will end.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “They will want to send you back to where they think you might have come from or place you in a camp for the rest of your life. It won’t be a kind of place you’re familiar with. We won’t be able to save you from it. I’m not even sure Ambrose will have enough clout. If they do this, they will want to use you to inform their research. We will never have the life we all desire.”

  Zander spoke. “Maya, baby, he’s right. I mean, we can take up to a year but if you won’t go in, the result will be the same. If you don’t show them you’re able to do well if you stay, there are only two responses they will have.” He patted her hand. “Sterling, do you think they will take a video of her going through her categories of proof?”

  Sterling perked up. “That’s a great idea. It’s a lengthy process, but it might work. I can give the paperwork to you and we can put her through her paces, so to speak.” He sat back and grinned.

  “Good. I have more work tomorrow at the zoo, but we can start in the evening. It will mean we have to stay a few more days but after tomorrow, I’m free to work on it.”

  “Perfect. I have Center work tomorrow and Thursday. I think we can easily do it in a day or two with breaks in between.”

  “Does it mean I do not have to go to that place?”

  “If it all works out and they accept the video, that’s what it means. We get the final documents from another office not in that building.”

  “Then I can do it.”

  “Well, if we have another free day, I’ll take Maya to the arboretum with me in the morning.” Paxton raised her hand to kiss her palm.

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  “Then it’s settled,” said Sterling. “Now, can we get showered up, eat dinner, and then engage in some cuddling? I’ve missed you all day, my dear.”

  In the city her dreams were becoming strongly predictive, even prophetic. Sterling commented on it tonight. “You seem more worried tonight, honey. I sense it’s something different.”

  “These people, these bad things, are in my dreams. There is so much evil and so many people, everywhere. I know what will happen to them and then it’s on the screen. I should help these people. Someone like Lakan will hurt them, even kill them. There are many here. The skinwalkers are everywhere.”

  “We have one skinwalker to worry about right now and I don’t want it to concern you. Not about him or any of the others you think are here. It’s not your responsibility to tell people what might happen to them. And if you do, the government will find out and think you’ve something to do with it. Then we will fight them to keep you.”

  Maya said nothing. What could she say? They were all truths that had no response. Sterling wondered if he understood why the cosmos or whoever brought her to them. Whether or not she could see it, he felt he understood some of it. The evil surrounding their time might be as she had thought, coming from all walks of life, all eras, merging into this time of greatest evil, greatest depravity of man. Society was working on changing the direction of humanity, but it would be a slow process during which many ills would befall the world.

  Men of science usually ignore the existence of the paranormal, but Sterling had worked with some projects to test the theory of the heightened sensory responses he, Zander, and Maya experienced. He felt as though he could almost read other’s thoughts. With Maya, he could send her impressions and she could do the same. He’d never disclosed it until Maya came along in his dreams. He was sure he could connect with Maya on that level now, more than ever. She didn’t speak of it, but he was sure it was true. The government could not get hold of Maya. It would be too dangerous for her and the world at large.

  The next day, Maya went with Paxton, Zander returned to the zoo, and Sterling tried again at the immigration center. Commander Cole talked pleasantries but seemed bewildered when Sterling was adamant that Maya
was ready for integration.

  “I must have confused the woman you’re referring to with the out of control young woman you brought into my office.”

  “No, you’re correct. It’s her. I’ve tried some experimental training tools and they have worked quite well. She’s afraid of the center because of her treatment here when she arrived. She won’t believe we can protect her. I plan to put her through her paces and bring it in for you to see on video. You’ll agree with me once you’ve seen the audio-visual proof.”

  “I know you mentioned some innovative ways to help assimilate immigrants but this transformation in such a short amount of time would be a miracle. Are you securing ownership? Patenting it?”

  “It’s in the works. You know the processing time is long. But I’ve identified the work as mine, so no piracy will happen without great penalty.”

  “Sterling, I’m anxious see her in person. Where did she come from?”

  Sterling recited the answer he and the others had decided they would use. “She is from a secluded mountain village that separated from the rest of civilization some time ago.”

  “And the language?”

  “A mixture of languages, as most are, to create one they used daily.” When it seemed the center’s commander had accepted his answer, he continued. “As I’ve explained, she is mortally afraid of this place because of her treatment earlier.”

  “Well, then she isn’t ready. I’ll believe it when she can walk in here and face her fears. I’ll have all her paperwork fast tracked if she can do that. Good luck.” The dismissal was obvious.

  Sterling came home to explain it was all in Maya’s hands.

  “No. I told you I will not go back. They are dangerous and not to be trusted.”

  “I work there, sometimes several days a week. Not everyone is like the men you encountered.”

  “Maya, honey, I’m sorry but there’s no alternative. It’ll be up to you, and we can allow you to get there in your own time. Until you do, though, you’ll be under the same tight security you have been. We’ve no choice.”

  The men watched her stomp from the room.

  “I’d like to give her a little longer to decide because once we leave here, it will be easier to refuse. While she is herself, something is pulling her to stay, and I don’t mind saying it bothers me.”

  “Is it Lakan, do you think?” asked Zander.

  “I’m trying to hear her thinking but when she is emotional its chaotic and it closely resembles mentally dodging chairs flying at me.” They laughed.

  Paxton spoke thoughtfully. “I’m worried that the longer we’re here, the more likely that Lakan will find her. The security is nothing compared to the compound. And he has shown an unrealistic amount of patience in stalking his prey.”

  “I’m worried about that as well. There’s no hot fencing like at the compound. And have you noticed there are more deaths on the news?”

  Sterling stood. “Coincidence. We’re still here for a while longer and we must be more in tune to her and the environment here. Something seems unsettled. I have my internal creep alert going off.”

  “Maya thinks it’s Lakan,” said Zander.

  “Yes, I believe she does. I’ve no idea if he can do that but I’m not ignoring it.”

  “Then let’s take her home. I’m done tomorrow,” said Paxton as he stood and paced the front room in worry. “We can keep her safer there.”

  Zander shook his head. “I want nothing more than to do that, but we need to end whatever is going on. Yesterday, another animal was killed on the compound. I have to say, even if I don’t want to believe the Lakan story, I can’t let this continue. It’s one reason I came to the compound, to raise the level of safety for the animals. And now we have to think of Maya.”

  Sterling and Zander agreed.

  “I’ll see if I can work on honing my connection with Maya and at least get a better feel for what we’re dealing with.”

  After a while, the men agreed to go home in a few days. The night was quiet, and all had gone to bed when a terrified scream came from Maya’s room. The townhouse did not have a king extra-long in it, so they slept with Maya on alternate nights. She had gone to bed in a snit, so she wasn’t sleeping with anyone tonight. Another scream pierced the air. Three men came barreling down the hallway to her room. The door was closed. Barging in, they found a trembling, half naked Maya, rocking and chanting on the floor.

  Zander gathered her into his arms and walked into the next room, which was his. As he passed the others he said, “She’s as cold as ice. We need a blanket and something warm to drink.” When the others returned with the blanket and warm drink, she was saying nothing. Zander shook his head, his face rife with worry and concern.

  “She can’t keep this up. Something has to give.”

  “She’s showing signs of shock. Let’s get her warm and see how she does.” Sterling nodded at Zander’s observation but said nothing. He wrapped the blanket around her and sat, deep in thought.

  “She’s worried Lakan is coming. She heard him. Saw him. He wants her.” Sterling seemed to leave the intrusive thoughts behind. “Sorry, that’s all I can get. She was crazy panicked, but her mind is slowing down now. I can get that from her anyway. Sorry, it’s just an impression. It’s not like I can read her mind, but I get a sense about some things. This one was as strong as the one when I saw her in person for the first time at the center. I know I’m right.”

  “I’ll go on your version of intuition any day, man. So, what now?” Paxton leaned over Zander who still held her. She was moving around some. Pax kissed the top of her head and hummed quietly. Under normal circumstances, Zander would be the biggest nurturer and Pax would step back, but tonight, they all felt that strong pull to comfort.

  She could feel their combined intensity.

  Maya was terrified tonight was the night she’d have to deal with Lakan and she didn’t feel ready. He had been in her room. His glowing eyes from the darkness of her open closet called to her. At first, the fear froze her tears and her screams but when he moved, she found her voice and cried out. Lakan didn’t move at first but when doors flew open he pounced at her. He must have decided they were too close because he turned and bounded out of the window.

  When she had inquired if it was still open, Sterling said he’d closed it. Sterling had tried to speak with her, get into her thoughts and she had let him. She needed the comfort of knowing he saw what she saw, but it had been hard. Maya had spent her whole life closing off her thoughts so she didn’t hear another’s, but in her dreams her control evaporated. She heard and saw things that had happened—and would happen. That gift, Lakan should have had but the creator gave it to her and to Sterling. In some ways, Zander too. Zander’s were not as strong as her abilities nor were Sterling’s gifts, but Sterling told Maya he’d used his little until she came along. It would grow with exercise.

  Now, the fear had subsided and the need to feel her men around her, comforting her, pounding into her, loving her, was overwhelming. It was the only thought occupying her mind. To feel them, touch their bodies, to give to them as they gave to her was her only goal. She shut the door on Lakan and her meeting with him because, for tonight, these men were her only concern.

  “I say she needs us to show her protection and that we can push Lakan out of her mind.” Sterling sounded confident.

  “Surround her with us. Got it,” said Paxton, ever the man of action.

  They slid the mattress off Maya’s and Paxton’s beds since they were the closest to the living room and laid them side by side. The three were going to cuddle her. She was sitting up on the sofa Zander had placed her on, watching them work.

  “I like that you’re a big man everywhere, my chief.” She reached for his package and he chuckled.

  “You’re awake now I see, little rabbit. Do you want to have a little play? Will that help your nightmare go away?”

  She sobered. “Nothing will do that until I’ve killed Lakan. My time is soon, v
ery soon. Love me so if I don’t succeed, I’ll have something to remember.”

  Paxton’s chest rumbled with his displeasure. The other men echoed his sounds of controlled frustration.

  “You want loving, sweetheart? You got it. But don’t talk about things as though you won’t be around because that will get us all smacking that bottom of yours,” warned Zander.

  “And no freedoms or treats with lots of added learning,” added Sterling.

  “I don’t mind telling you I’ve been waiting to plug your beautiful ass and that would be the perfect act to get it done fast.” Paxton was a rough player. Maya had shown how much she loved it.

  Zander looked at their girl. “Okay, my baby badger, what kind of loving do you want?”

  “All kinds?”

  They tried not to love her together too often because of the overwhelming sensations and how sore she’d become but when their baby asked for it, they would not deny her.

  Maya

  Maya knew Paxton wanted her ass badly; he always did. She loved his teasing. Sterling was a breast man and Maya loved his kisses. That helped when Zander wanted inside her. He knew how to position himself on the bed perfectly to allow Pax access to her rear while Sterling orally entertained her, and she reciprocated eagerly.

  Sterling didn’t want to hurt Maya and always thought back door play was hard play. It was, but Pax loved it and so did she. Someone whipped her nightie over her head and tossed it to the floor to prepare for the guys to wind her up. Loving all three was intense but by the time she saw Pax had made it back, Maya was firing off her first orgasmic rocket.

  Paxton had gone to find his oil. She knew him too well to expect anything other than his penetration of her darkest place when she was so very needy. He’d wait until Zander had her, because she wasn’t prepared for double penetration. They would work on it, even so far as Zander in and then Pax, alternating like a seesaw, but nothing more. Tonight was a night for pleasure and release. Later they would experiment and explore.

  Her whole body tingled from Zander’s fingertips touching, massaging, heightening her sensuality by touch. He was a master at making her skin tingle, making her anticipate his next touch.