by Lisa Lace
“Yes, Commander.” Snia quickly curtsied before hurrying off.
Bethany reached out, snagging Klowix’s hand. “Stay with me.”
Klowix’s expression softened. “I will return once I have resolved the reason for the threat to your life. Rest easy, now.”
He kissed her on the cheek and left. Bethany was stunned. What had just happened? She’d taken him by the hand and asked him to stay. She felt alone and abandoned with him suddenly gone. She barely knew him – how had such strange and confusing feelings wormed their way into her without her realizing?
Snia came back in and sat down beside her.
“Where’s Klowix?”
Snia sounded tentative. “Gone to kill Untri, I think. Don’t worry, he won’t really kill him. At least, I think he won’t.”
“I feel strange.” Bethany watched as the doctor made some notes on the T-screen
“You’re lucky to be alive.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Klowix…”
“Oh, of course, you wouldn’t know. That’s the sharing – it brings two people closer. I imagine Klowix is feeling more drawn to you as well at the moment.”
“It makes us closer?” Panic started to swell inside her. She was already in enough trouble as it was, she didn’t need feelings for Klowix injected into the situation. How was she going to keep distant from him now? She supposed she should have thought of all this before the sharing, but she’d wanted him so badly, she’d lost sight of her better judgement.
Snia reassured her. “Hey, relax. Klowix will throw a fit if he sees you upset. The doctor was serious, you need to take it easy for a while.”
Bethany nodded, trying to get her breathing under control. The sharing was done, and there wasn’t anything she could do about that now. Snia began humming a soothing tune, and before she knew it, Bethany was drifting off to sleep.
She woke up to the sound of shouting.
“You had strict orders! What were you thinking? Did you even think? Explain yourself!”
She heard a vaguely familiar voice stammering in the face of Klowix’s rage. “Her – her parents didn’t want it! It was – against their religion. I swear, I told them, but they were insistent. The girl knew nothing of it, I should have warned her of the possibility.”
“AND YOU DIDN’T THINK TO MENTION ANY OF THIS BEFORE NOW?”
Snia giggled. “Klowix is going to take Untri’s head off.”
Bethany opened her eyes and looked away, uncomfortable. It had just occurred to her that she should probably tell Klowix about Untri. The man was making illegal deals behind his back to earn extra gold. No doubt the test would also have cost him gold, which he pocketed when skipping that step.
She couldn’t tell him, though. Her parents’ lives depended on it.
Snia got up and quietly closed the door, muffling the sound of the shouts somewhat. Bethany closed her eyes, trying to think of what to do. She needed to stay away from Klowix. When he came back, she’d just have to act cold, that was all. She could do that.
She thought she’d fallen asleep again, because when she opened her eyes, the light was coming through the window from a different angle. Klowix was sitting next to her, watching her sleep. As soon as she woke, he met her gaze with an intensity that took her breath away.
His gaze remained steady. “I did not know. I promise you, I had no idea. If I’d known you had not been tested, I never would have…”
“It’s ok. I believe you. It’s not your fault.”
“Untri was my agent, acting on my behalf. I am responsible for his actions towards you.”
“What did you do with him?”
A ghost of a smile crossed Klowix’s face. “He’s still alive, if that’s what you’re asking. Not that he deserves it. Whether anyone in the galaxy will dare to hire him now remains to be seen.”
Bethany privately thought that Untri would be just fine, what with all the money he’d stolen from Klowix, but she didn’t say anything.
Klowix continued and pulled her out of her own thoughts. “The doctor has given strict instructions that you are to rest. He said the bad reaction to the sharing is only an initial reaction; now that your body has survived it, you will be able to try again with no ill effects, should you want to. You have my word on that. Of course, after your experience, it would be understandable if you never wanted to do it again.”
Bethany wanted to take his hand and tell him that she did want to do it again, that she wanted to be close to him like that again.
She wanted him to stay at her bedside until she was well, then take her in his arms and kiss her, but she couldn’t – not if she wanted to get home. Besides, those weren’t her thoughts anyway. It was the side effects of the sharing talking.
“I think I need to be alone for a while,” she forced herself to say.
A flash of hurt crossed Klowix’s face, but it was gone quickly. “Of course. I will have one of the girls come in and sit with you. The doctor says you need to be monitored, just in case.”
Bethany nodded and turned onto her side. She’d pretend to be asleep so that she didn’t need to talk to whomever came to watch her. She didn’t want to talk; she wanted to wallow in her misery in peace.
Bethany subtly chose the place at the table farthest from Klowix, pretending not to see him looking at her. She was getting good at eating Evion food now; she didn’t drop anything this time.
“How was your day, Commander?”
He replied warmly to Ruth. Bethany tried not to listen. Ever since the doctor had given her the go-ahead to be up and about again, Klowix had been showing the utmost respect for her wish to have some time alone. When he wanted something from one of the others, he simply ordered it, but he left her to do what she pleased.
Bethany was miserable. She could see how he wanted to be close to her, the same way she wanted to be close to him. She forced herself not to respond to his signals, and he took the hint and stayed away.
After dinner, Klowix followed Ruth to her room. They shared everything, and Bethany knew that he hadn’t so much as kissed any of the others yet, but it still made her jealous.
She could just hear them talking through the closed door. She wanted to throw something. Culip wanted to do some more shopping, and Bethany reasoned it couldn’t hurt to try to take her mind off things, so she acquiesced to another session of acquiring the many things her new friends thought she needed.
It wasn’t all bad; curled up on the bed together in front of the T-screen, Bethany couldn’t help but get drawn into it. She hadn’t been a fan of such excessive shopping at first, but Culip was converting her.
“So Bethany, when do you think you’ll be feeling better?”
She looked at Trili, who had a concerned expression. “I’m feeling fine. The doctor cleared me; I’m fully recovered.”
“Clearly not. You’re still avoiding Klowix. What’s going on?”
Bethany sighed. She should have expected this sooner or later. They didn’t know that she wasn’t here by choice; they’d be wondering why she was squandering her chances with Klowix. Every time she lied to them, she felt worse. In this case, she settled for the truth, or at least part of it.
“I don’t like the way the sharing made me feel. I mean, not while it was happening, that was amazing. I mean afterward. If I’m going to feel closer to Klowix, I want it to be because of me, not because of some strange Evion ritual.”
Lizzy nodded. “I guess that makes sense. None of us is really qualified to judge; we’ve never partaken in the sharing. Have you talked to Klowix about it?”
“No, I just need some space.”
Beoli spoke up. “He’s giving you that. He must really like you. If it was anyone else ignoring him, he’d just dismiss them.”
Bethany looked up. “Does that happen often? People being dismissed?”
Trili shifted in her seat. “Not that often. He likes to get to know us thoroughly so that he can be sure we’re not his secrena before dismissin
g us. I’ve been here the longest, about eight months. You’re the newest, and Beoli was about two months before you.”
“I’m still in contact with Alexa,” Lizzy put in. “She was dismissed maybe four months ago, right? Anyway, she’s booked onto one of those explorer ship tours. She messages me whenever she has signal.”
“I think I may join her, when the time comes.” Trili brushed the hair from her face. “I’ve had the time of my life here, but I think if Klowix was going to choose me as his secrena, he would have done it by now.”
Anna shook her head. “He likes you, just not like that. I think he sees you as someone who could become a friend, in time.”
“I hope so. He’s a good man. Maybe we’ll stay in contact once I’ve left.”
Bethany tried not to let her relief show on her face. Klowix had been spending more hours with Trili than anyone else. She knew he hadn’t done anything other than talk to her, but she’d worried that once he gave up waiting for her, he’d turn to Trili’s charms. The fact that Klowix saw her as a friend soothed the hot lump of jealousy in Bethany’s throat – not that she had anything to feel jealous about. She was the one avoiding him, after all.
“What’s an explorer ship tour?” Bethany needed something to take her mind off thoughts of Klowix.
“Oh yes, you wouldn’t know about that – I doubt they come to the backlands on earth. It’s like a gigantic tour of the galaxy. People go to see the sights, to experience everything the universe has to offer. The testimonials are amazing, so many people have found their passion and happiness from something they did on a tour.”
“It’s really expensive, though, most people can’t afford it. We can, of course, once we’re done here.”
“Is he going to be able to find more women, without Untri?” Bethany was beginning to wonder if the arrival of someone new would take Klowix’s attention away from her.
Snia absent-mindedly played with Bethany’s hair. “He’ll find someone else, but I don’t think he’s worried about that right now.”
“Why not?”
“After you arrived, he told Untri not to bring anyone else for now. We think he’s waiting to see how things develop with you. He’s never gone so far with anyone else.”
Bethany looked away. She needed to find a way to make Klowix move on, to find someone else to focus on. It didn’t help that some part of her didn’t want him to.
Beoli was looking shrewdly at her. “You know, if you think you made a mistake coming here, you can tell him that.”
Bethany’s head snapped up. “I can?”
“Of course. Grela did that. She stayed for a few weeks, but decided she wanted to go home.”
“Doesn’t that… doesn’t that violate the agreement?” Bethany suddenly felt daring.
Trili shook her head. “I still don’t think you understand the concept of a secrena. It’s hard for humans, who haven’t grown up knowing what it means. The fact that she wanted to leave meant that she wasn’t his secrena. She did what he intended her to do – met him and spent some time with him. He knew it wasn’t her when she wanted to leave, and so did she. He wished her well.”
Culip didn’t look up. “Any of us could leave at any time. Personally, I stay because I’m still not sure whether Klowix is the one, but that’s just me.”
Anna chimed in now. “I don’t think he’s my secrena. I like it here, though. I’ll have to leave eventually, but for now, I’m happy here.”
“I don’t think he’ll be dismissing you any time soon. I suspect he may ask you to join his staff to give him massages full-time.” Beoli smiled at her.
Lizzy agreed. “You do give great massages.”
Bethany was struck dumb. She could leave? At any time?
What was she waiting for, then? She should go – now – and tell Klowix that she wanted to go home. Her parents would be worried sick about her. She wouldn’t have to tell him that she’d been taken by slavers, and her family would remain safe.
She could go home.
Chapter Six
Bethany froze as Klowix looked at her. She should say it now, right now. Tell him that she wanted to go home. He would let her, she knew. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
“Good morning.” Klowix stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Good morning, Commander.”
Trili looked concerned. “Are you ok? You look very pale.”
Bethany gathered herself quickly. “No, I’m fine.” She realized she’d miss Trili and the others when she said goodbye to them, which wouldn’t happen until she talked to Klowix. It was Saturday, so he wasn’t going in to work. They had plenty of time to talk. She’d just have to ask him for a word, that’s all.
He beat her to it. “Bethany? Would you mind if I talked to you after we’ve eaten?”
“Of course not.” She swallowed her reni wrong and nearly. Did he know? Could he somehow tell she was leaving him?
Her food felt like mush in her mouth and she grabbed a glass of water to get it down. She didn’t eat anything else, but anxiously waited for Klowix to finish. When he did, he stood and gestured for her to follow him. He led her to his own bedroom this time. If anything, it was grander than hers, which was saying something – she and the others slept like queens.
“Sit down.” Klowix directed her to a long couch against the window and sat down on the other end. Bethany chewed her nails, waiting. What did he want to talk about?
Klowix finally spoke. “You have been distant.”
Bethany opened her mouth to say she didn’t know what, but before she could utter a word, Klowix’s hand was on her shoulder again. She gasped in shock, then in pleasure, as he began drawing her essence out of her. Bethany moaned and fell back against the couch.
It went on longer this time. In fact, Bethany began to feel weak, weaker by the moment. It felt like Klowix was drawing the life out of her – which, of course, he was.
Finally, he removed his hand. Bethany slumped back, still dizzy with pleasure, but unable to force her muscles to move.
Klowix called out to Trili. He didn’t wait for her to come, but strode off. Trili found Bethany draped over the couch, focusing on breathing. She didn’t seem fazed.
“Snia, Ruth, get in here.”
Together, they carried Bethany to her bed.
“Are you hurt?” Trili sat down on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t think so. No, not hurt. It was… amazing, but… I don’t know.”
“He went on too long, that’s all.”
“What?”
“Klowix ordered me to do some research on the sharing so that I’d be of use to you. The sharing can be a powerful ritual, but if he drains too much of your essence, it could weaken or even kill you.”
Bethany gulped. “Does that happen often?”
“Not often, no. But with men like Klowix – I don’t think he exactly likes being told to slow down.”
Bethany knew that she should go right now and find Klowix and tell him she wanted to go home. This was insane, he could kill her. She had to tell him.
She didn’t want to, though. She reflected on Klowix’s firm grip on her shoulder, his strong muscles flexing as he drew her essence out. The danger almost added to the pleasure of it. She wanted it again, even if it did risk killing her. She must be going crazy.
“It’s OK, as long as you survive, we can share some of our essence with you and return you to full strength.” Trili looked worried, despite her reassurances. “Just lie still.”
It wasn’t like she could move anyway.
Trili put a hand on the back of her neck, while Ruth and Snia did the same to Trili. Bethany couldn’t tell what they were doing, but she felt the strength begin to return to her limbs. A few minutes later, she sat up and took a deep breath, feeling restored, if still a bit shaken.
Trili spoke up suddenly. “Oh, I also looked into what you were saying last night. The sharing doesn’t create feelings, it only builds on what’s already there
.”
Bethany didn’t know if this made her feel better or worse.
Klowix reappeared with both of his hands held out as though holding something, but Bethany could see nothing. Beoli jumped up, practically quivering with excitement.
“Have the girls told you about yiniu?”
“No, what’s that?”
“You’ll see. Come on.”
Yiniu turned out to be a game – possibly one of the most ridiculous games Bethany had ever experienced. She’d thought humans could be ridiculous, but she realized that they had no monopoly on the matter.
They divided into teams. Bethany was with Snia, Beoli and Lizzy, while Culip, Anna, Ruth and Trili made up the other team.
One person on each team was given a ball to balance on her head. The rest of the team could help her keep the ball balanced, but only using their heads. A reasonable amount of unintended headbutting ensued. The opposing team was charged with making the other team’s ball fall to the ground, but they could only use their feet.
Also, the ball was invisible. It made a blaring sound when it hit the ground, but otherwise, unless you were touching it, you’d never know it was there.
Beoli balanced the ball for her team, and Culip did it for hers. Culip was excellent, but Beoli came close to matching her. The two of them ran around, shouting instructions and bumping their heads against their team’s in response to minor movements of the invisible ball that only they could feel.
Bethany wasn’t the only one to collapse with laughter every few minutes. Culip had great success helping Ruth lift Anna up to kick the ball off Beoli’s head, but Beoli soon had this strategy beaten by having Bethany, the tallest, leap in front of her whenever they tried it. Bethany got kicked in the head a few times, but she couldn’t remember ever having more fun.
Snia was terrible and mostly stayed in the back, but under Beoli’s direction, Lizzy, the smallest, sat on Trili’s shoulders and flailed her legs at Culip; she managed to win them a few rounds this way. Klowix watched them, looking inscrutable, but Bethany was sure she saw a smile flicker across his face once or twice.