by Coralee June
“So, just so I’m understanding this correctly, you want me in Ethros so my brother will be more cooperative about staying?” Jules asked.
“That’s the idea, sweetheart. You sure do ask a lot of questions for a prisoner.”
Jules and I exchanged a brief glance before she settled deeper into her seat. I thought of my relationship with Cyler, Maverick, Jacob, Kemper, Patrick and Huxley. Although we were still on the cusp of our courtship, I realized that if these men knew that we were maybe more, it would add to their leverage.
This, too, seemed to dawn on Jules, because she let out a hearty laugh that filled the transport. Blan stiffened beside me and scowled at her.
"What’s so funny?" he asked in a gruff voice.
"Oh, nothing." Jules wiped a tear that fell down her cheek. She let out a quick choking noise before placing a hand over her mouth and swallowing her amusement.
After taking a good five minutes to calm her manic amusement, she finally responded. "Yes well," she began with bright eyes. "My darling brothers would go to the ends of the earth for their baby sister." Her gaze drifted to mine, and when Webb and Blan were done staring skeptically at her, she winked.
Jules Black winked at me. This must truly be the end of the empire.
Our trip to Ethros was long, and I spent our time alternating between worrying about the men I loved, trying to shift away from Blan, and exchanging wordless stares with Jules. About thirty minutes into our drive, Webb brought out the whiskey, and the two soldiers downed the entire bottle by the time we reached Ethros.
At sundown, we approached a shady beach with large rocks sticking out of the sand. I watched in amazement as the transport drove at top speeds headfirst into the water. We hovered over the rocky waves as we leveled, my stomach lurched and dropped until the movement stopped. I had to force myself not to stick my nose against the window and peer at the ocean below.
I spent a lifetime confined to the Stonewell home in Galla and often dreamed of seeing the ocean, even if just once. One night, Josiah brought a projector to my room and showed me clips of his trip to the beach. I'll never forget how the waves moved along the white walls of my room, making the manor feel less like a prison and more like the clear beaches surrounding Dasos. Now there was an ominous depth to the dark waves hidden by shadows cast by the setting sun. The memory made my heart sink. What happened to Josiah? Was he even alive?
"I forgot that Ethros is an island. If I knew we were going on vacation, I would have brought a swimsuit," Jules mused as the transport hit a wave and my stomach lurched once again.
"This isn't a vacation, sweetheart." Blan looked at her like he wanted to slap the smirk off her face. His hard eyes were unyielding and penetrating. Every time she made an easy comment about our situation, it riled him up.
"What do you plan on doing with the Walker?" Jules asked while picking at her nails. I heard an edge in her breathing, despite her nonchalant tone. I wasn’t surprised by the approach. She always viewed me as a Walker, and now she would be in a community of like-minded prejudice. I had hoped that we were making strides in our friendship, so it stung when she so easily dehumanized me.
"I'm sure Cavil will assign her a job."
"Well, she's pretty useless. Can't clean or keep her mouth shut. I mean, I guess she’s a decent cook. And she's loyal, which is hard to find in a good Walker these days. Otherwise, she's a waste of space."
I bit the inside of my cheek so hard that salty blood coated my tongue. Jules was playing the part of my Holder. And she was playing it well.
"She seems pretty defiant. You should've put a fetter on her a while ago," Webb piped in while scratching the inside of his nose. I dipped my head and stared at the floorboard of the transport while pinching my thigh. “When I heard Dormas was liberating Walkers, I couldn’t believe it. Ethros doesn’t tolerate insubordination. Everyone pays their dues.”
"And she's not even wearing an ear tag, it’s like you want her to run away. I get what you’re trying to do in Dormas, but it’s never going to work. Walkers are like the roaches of the empire. There’s no sense of loyalty. It’s disgusting." Blan scraped his tongue against his top teeth while wrinkling his nose.
"Yes, well, she amuses my brothers some. You know how there’s a shortage of women in Dormas," Jules explained carelessly.
"Ah, that makes sense. I bet she does a hell of a lot more than simply amuse them." Blan leaned forward and slowly snaked his tongue over his bottom lip. “I’ve known men that enjoy the pleasures of a Walker from time to time. Some find the filth appealing.” Webb looked me up and down with hungry eyes.
"Could you please at least pretend to be a gentleman? No need to be so vulgar," Jules scolded with a wave of her hand.
"I don't see how anyone could find a Walker attractive. Even without her tag, I saw her for exactly what she was," Blan said. He pressed closer to me, and I held my breath.
"And what’s that, Seargeant Blan?" Jules asked.
"A filthy Walker."
Chapter Three
The transport transitioned from the water to land with a thud, and we were jostled around inside as it propelled us towards a dimly lit city full of stucco buildings. Tall trees filled the skyline and tents lined the sand close to shore.
We glided through town as I observed all the makeshift homes with brightly painted doors and flowers that bloomed in their gardens. It was a beautiful place, and under different circumstances, I might have been able to enjoy the views. But Blan’s hot thigh pressing against mine was a constant reminder of how much danger I was in.
We pulled up to a brightly lit mansion with a coral colored door illuminated by street lights. When the transport doors opened, I took a moment to pause and collect myself before Blan shoved me outside. I walked as slowly as I could up the drive, taking in my surroundings and cataloging all the information I could. I rolled my neck and straightened my spine. I resolved to stay diligent. If I were going to survive this, I couldn't let my emotions dictate my decisions. So with a small smile and fiery eyes, I made my way up the winding drive.
The air was light, crisp, and smelled of salt. A breeze picked up the curly strands of my hair as the moon shined brightly upon us. In any other situation, I might have been in awe of the beautiful scenery of Ethros. Instead, I made a mental note of all that surrounded us. The trees. The walkway. The garage.
Blan knocked on the door and after a moment, a willowy woman draped in a long white dress that tied around her neck answered. "Hello, Webb, Blan. Is this our new guest?" The woman looked at Jules with a half smile but cold eyes. A golden Walker tag was clipped to her ear. She, too, wore a fetter. However, hers was made of gold with a red line through it.
"This is Jules Black and her Walker," Webb explained before walking inside. We followed behind.
"I see. Why bring the Walker? It's just another mouth to feed," the woman said with a sigh while typing on her tablet. She spoke casually to the two soldiers, and I wondered if, like in Galla, the Walkers here had varying ranks.
"Cavil said to bring her. He suspects she might be useful." Blan plopped himself on a plush white couch in a sitting room that connected to the main entryway, before propping his feet up on the coffee table.
"We have enough Walkers as it is," the woman said pointedly while rolling her eyes. "We’re all slaves to the whims of our fearless leader, hmm? Come along, I'm sure I can find a job that'll help you earn your keep."
Webb slumped down beside Blan and wiggled his fingers at me with a wide smile. "See you around, little Walker," he called out before taking a swig from his monogrammed metal flask.
I flexed my fingers while turning away from him, forcing myself to remain complacent or to at least pretend to be. I involuntarily shivered at his cruel grin and followed after Jules.
The Walker woman gracefully led us down the hallway, and her long white dress kissed the tile floor as she passed. She looked elegant and poised for perfection. She didn't seem like a Walker, her posture and r
aised chin certainly weren’t submissive enough.
She pointed out the various bedrooms, sitting rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms in a bored tone, but slightly perked up when showing us the antique library. After Jules gushed over their collection, we were led to a suite.
"Here is your bedroom, Mistress. Your brother and the other Dormas leaders will stay in this hallway as well. With the exception of Maverick, of course. Cavil has ordered that a room be prepared in his laboratory.
“You may call me Dominique. I'm the head Walker of Commodore Cavil's estate and your main point of contact. Should you need anything, feel free to page my comm-watch." She waved her arm, drawing our attention back to the fetter on her wrist. I remained quiet but stared at her.
"The Dormas Leadership Council should be here by morning. Cavil sent word that the rescue mission was fairly easy. They just had to make a quick pit stop at Lutheras to get one of the leaders into a healing pod. He had a few broken bones that needed mending." I sucked in air and closed my eyes as fear gripped me. However, Dominique’s words lacked concern, she sounded like she was discussing the weather and not a person. I ached to draw information out of her but bit my lip, holding my questions back.
"Do you know which one?" Jules asked.
"I'm not privy to that sort of information, Mistress," Dominique replied in a curt tone that lacked affection or even empathy.
"Of course. Well, it's been a long day. I'm quite tired and would like to sleep before their arrival. If you'll just excuse my Walker and me, she'll help me prepare for bed."
"That won't be necessary. I have a Walker already selected to serve you. She’s one of the best. I'll have her draw a bath," Dominique replied with a tight smile that showed faint frown lines around the edges of her mouth. The forced friendliness made her appear older.
"I hope you'll understand my reservations. I've been forced to visit a strange place with strange people. Allow me the comfort of my own Walker. She knows my preferences," Jules replied. Once again, she played the role of my Holder a little too easily.
"Of course, Mistress. I was instructed to ensure that you're comfortable. I'll prepare a bed for her in our Walker quarters out back."
"Perfect. Now, if you'll excuse us." Jules didn't wait for an answer as she shut the heavy wooden door to her suite. We both stood there silently for a moment until we could no longer hear the clipped sounds of Dominique's heels on the tile.
She opened her mouth to speak but instead slumped in relief. Ignoring me, Jules walked towards the ensuite bathroom. I wordlessly followed behind, not sure what my role with Jules actually was. Was this some sort of payback? Was I really to serve her?
Inside, the tile was marble with hints of rose gold. Three walls were covered with windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The far wall had pink wallpaper and a watercolor painting of a plump, naked woman.
Jules turned the water faucet on, and steamy water poured into the clawfoot tub as I shut the door. The blinds automatically shut, darkening the room, and the sounds of water rushing through the faucet filled the room.
“This is going to be very interesting," she laughed. “Once my brother realizes they have you in the Walker quarters, it’ll cause quite a tizzy.” I allowed my thoughts to drift to my reunion with Cyler. I imagined him carrying me over his shoulder and hauling me into one of the suites on this floor.
"Pay attention," Jules whispered. She stepped into the tub after putting a few drops of lavender oil and bath salts in the water. “It’s different here. We need to tread carefully.” I pulled up a stool and sat down next to the tub. "Ah, this feels fabulous," she moaned while settling.
I stared blankly at her relaxed form with mild jealousy. My Galla dress was covered in dust, and I felt the stress and grime of the day cling to me.
After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "You’ll need to be careful here, Ash. I don’t particularly like you, but I don’t want to see you dead either."
"I have a feeling that’s easier said than done."
"May I be transparent with you?" Jules asked while lathering soap in her palm. The smell of lavender filled the room.
“Aren’t you always?" I replied.
“If I were you, I’d keep my nose down and stay far away from the guys. I don’t mean to be cruel, but they’re pretty strict about intermingling here. Unless you’re a Walker Companion, they don’t take kindly to the Elite and Walkers having relationships.”
If Blan and Webb were examples of Ethros’ view on Walkers, I was in for a very hard time. Walker Companions weren’t common in Galla, but in other places, like Ethros or Saberus, they were almost too common. Companions were people willing to trade their bodies—their souls—in exchange for the vaccine.
"I’ll take that into consideration," I replied in a shaky voice while wondering what exactly they would do to punish me. I already had a fetter, what more was there?
Jules sunk lower into the steaming hot water, and I began lathering her hair with one of the sandalwood scented shampoos set out for her. She sighed as I massaged her scalp, and with a moan, she closed her eyes in pleasure. Despite the kidnapping, she seemed perfectly happy to be in this situation. I washed Mistress Stonewell’s hair so often that this was almost second nature. It’s strange how easily I slipped into old habits and routines.
"I guess it’s pointless, really. Knowing my brothers, they’ll bulldoze through their affections for you without a care for the consequences."
"Why do you care?" I asked while taking a cup of water and running it over her dark strands.
"I’m not an emotionless object, Ash. I’m wearing a fucking fetter just like you, and don’t you forget it."
How could I? My eyes were constantly drawn to the humming rings around our wrists. "The guys won’t let anything happen to us," I resolved in a stern voice.
Jules sunk lower and ran a soapy washcloth over her shoulders. "You’re one of those optimists, aren’t you? You have way too much faith in them. They’ll fuck this up." I flinched at Jules' words but didn't let my expression show how they affected me. Maybe it was my reunion with the Walker status, but I felt insecure now. In Dormas, I saw the possibilities of a future with all of them. Here, it was like they were out of reach. Physically and emotionally.
"We should play this out and see what happens. Regardless, Ethros doesn't believe in liberating Walkers. Once a Walker, always a Walker. You heard Blan, it's their fucking motto. They scan everyone that tries to enter Ethros."
"So what are you saying?" I asked.
"I'm saying that you're screwed. If you think Galla was biased, Ethros is ten times worse. Calling yourself a ‘liberated Walker’ will get you nowhere. It’ll just get you killed."
There was no malice in her voice, and I suspected almost a hint of pity in her tone. I couldn’t do this. I tasted freedom in Dormas and was unwilling to give it up so easily. Maybe Cyler could negotiate?
"I see those wheels turning, but trust me. Your best bet is to pretend to be nothing more than a passed around plaything. Either ignore them or tell Dominique you’re a Companion."
"But I-I’m not!" I replied in a snappy tone. Although I respected the many men and women that had Companion jobs, I knew I could never pull it off. At least, not with my lack of experience. Companions were submissive yet confident. Sexy. Sensual. While I was trained to manage a kitchen, they were trained to manage their Holder’s pleasure. I began to hyperventilate when I realized what that meant. I was not a Companion. I was just a naive, sheltered Walker.
“We should have never agreed to work with Cavil,” I choked out.
With her big toe, Jules shut off the faucet just before the hot water overflowed. "We didn't have a choice, you idiot. Cavil's army surrounded us. I didn't agree to an alliance. I bought us some time and got my brothers out of Lackley's lab. Tallis and I both knew it would come to this," she whispered before coughing.
Jules closed her eyes, and I ran my fingers through her hair as she relaxed. I froz
e while, once again, realizing how easily I slipped back into the Walker lifestyle. There were many nights I did this exact same thing for Linda Stonewell. Funny how easily we revert back to what we know.
Jules was right. No matter what, I couldn't win. Just when I thought I got rid of my shackles and planted roots in Dormas, my old namesake clawed back to claim me.
Chapter Four
Dominique found a small bed for me in the Walker quarters behind Commodore Cavil's mansion. It was a small building, similar to the dorms in Dormas, and everyone had their own room. I observed my surroundings and tried to take in as much as I could, but it was dark. The path between the Walker quarters and Cavil’s home was illuminated only by the bright, full moon. There was a small part of me that wanted to approach the situation on autopilot. It would have been easy to slip into my Walker mindset and mindlessly accept my new role. But my life in Dormas was too good to give up that easily.
While showing me to my room, Dominique explained the rules of the home. "You will report to the kitchens at six sharp. You are to abide by curfew and report directly to me. I am your superior." Dominique paused, smoothing out her dress and frowning at me before continuing. "I hope you realize just how lucky you are to have this job. We have a backlog of applicants wanting to serve Cavil."
“Yes, I understand.”
"I assume telling you not to run away is pointless." Her eyes zeroed in on the fetter on my wrist.
"When will the Dormas leaders arrive?" I asked bravely.
"By morning, I assume." Dominique eyed me curiously, but I kept my face blank of emotion. "Cavil mentioned that you were of interest to them. It's probably the only reason you've been gifted with these accommodations." Dominique paused at a wooden door. She grabbed my wrist with the fetter attached to it, and held it up to the scanner, causing the door to unlock with a loud click. "Are you their Companion? If so, I’ll need to make arrangements for a spare bedroom to be set up for your use. Cavil prefers that all Companions play in his ivory room," she explained as I struggled to catch my breath. The anxiety was too much. I wanted guidance.