The Change: Episode one, page 8
He stared at me with a face instantly clouded by panic. “Free?”
“You’ll hold your own papers. I force no man.”
D
She was letting me go.
I’d heard of it from other Bachelors, but hadn’t believed it. Freedom. Even the word was frightening. What would I do out there? I had to have an owner, a protector. The Network had made that clear, and I wasn’t sure what to say.
She’d gone back to her food, but I stared, full of distress. Candice had done all this to release one of us from captivity, and I’d looked the worst off, so she’d picked me. It explained everything and sent a hollow feeling into my stomach. I didn’t want to be free, I thought with a well-hidden ache. I wanted a loving owner.
My eyes went over her scars and angry wounds, the burns and missing parts of skin. All of that just to free a slave? It was unlikely and I studied her harder. I saw the tension first, the stiff set of her thick shoulders as she waited for my choice. The feeling of loss hit me next. She was already upset at the thought of my being away from her.
Confused, I ran through my stores of Changeling information, but nothing came up about them needing us willing, outside of mating. I was suddenly sure though, and I wondered if she would like it if I begged to stay with her. I was adept at giving a woman what she needed. Wants, however, I had to guess about.
My shoulders went down and I dropped my eyes to the cooled food. I might just be reading those things in desperation to keep from being put out there alone. I wouldn’t survive, and I was wise enough to know it. Drawing in air to keep myself calm, I stole looks at her and tried to figure out how to respond.
C
It was hard for me not to meet his desperate gaze, observing his dismay from under lowered lashes. I couldn’t let him see how much pain it would cause me to let him go.
I waited, watching the gambit of thoughts and emotions on his handsome face. Did Daniel long for real freedom? After all he’d suffered, I’d give it to him and keep burning inside to see him happy. His simple response made the choice for both of us.
“You don’t really want me, right?”
Those pain-laced words blasted through my layers of ice like they didn’t exist.
Shoving the table aside, I had him pinned against the cold wall an instant later, feeling the blood-red of my irises, the need tickling up my thighs, my spine.
He trembled, bracing for my anger, and I leaned close.
“I want you more than my own life, Daniel!” I let him see how much he already meant to me, and my kiss was a hard press to his clenched lips, urgent and intense, as waves of Change rolled.
D
My first thought was only to survive, and I stayed as still as I could, feeling myself shake. My mind went immediately to rule number eight next, but I hesitated to push Candice in any way.
My new master was deadly. I’d seen it in the first introduction, when she’d had no mercy on her fallen attacker, but she wasn’t drawing blood now… though she was affecting it. My body was recognizing the new match… and approving. I hadn’t been bred in almost a year, and I couldn’t stop myself from hardening against her hip. I’d expected a beating, not an embrace, and I was unprepared for my own response. In the past, only the drugs got my cooperation.
Her lips were soft and hard in equal measures, iron hands around my wrists, and then she changed. Her body melted against me, tugging at my pent-up desires… I let myself hesitantly return her kiss.
C
Control. It returned slowly and I softened my touch, eased my grip. Instead of trapping him, I leaned against his hard body like a lover… and felt the truth pressing into my side. He might be leery, but he also wanted me! His lips moved against mine in confirmation, and I groaned at the feel of it. The stubble on his skin was a delicious torment sliding across my cheek, and I drew back carefully, flames crackling through my body.
“Are you registered?” Have you done this before?
The thrill at his hesitant nod came from my need, but the fury at his violation had my grip tightening again and him tensing for a blow that wouldn’t come.
“Shhh….just a taste….” I soothed him as best I could, and when I dipped my head back to his lips, he met me with a shudder of fear and want.
In my delight, I let go of my tight control a bit, running my fingers down his back to wrap him in an embrace that he went to willingly. I could have him, now if I wanted!
The fire grew hotter, testing me, and I gasp as his lips went to my jaw, my neck. His body leaned against mine with baking need, hands now trailing my arms. I’d planned to wait, to give him time to remember me, but my control was flying away in thick chunks. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
I pushed away the caution, sliding my hands down his lean hips...
D
Her nails dug into me through the soft clothes and I tensed, but only felt more shaky desire when she slid her warm hands under my shirt and up the bare skin of my back. It pressed me close and I tried not to rock against her hip, but was suddenly sure I would before long. She was too hot, too ready, to ignore.
She was also dangerous, and I was suddenly bracing to bleed in order to be fully bonded with my new owner. I wouldn’t be out there alone. I’d be at her side after this, where she could make use of my talents when she wanted them. I would be a very grateful mate.
Steeling my nerves, I dropped my hands to her shoulders… and then around her waist…
She drew in a sharp breath, and I tightened the hold, sensing what she needed. Most of my renters had wanted to be in charge the entire time, but a rare few liked a bold partner.
Before I could make the choice, she rubbed against me, and I was dazed with the waves of need already bringing me up through the levels of passion. Without the drugs, I was now ready to finish a complete session, and the feel of it was exciting. I’d never had a woman that my body wanted, and some of my fear slipped under the heat.
C
His breath caught when I rubbed against that iron bar, his grip on me tightening, and then he shocked us both.
Daniel jerked me off my feet and spun us around, so that I was now the one pinned by the wall. His mouth slanted over mine, demanding my surrender, body pressing against me! I shuddered as the heat rose to an almost unbearable, perfect height of pleasure and agony.
His hand slid inside my shirt, the hot skin under his fingers now trembling, and I arched as he squeezed. Yes! Another chunk of control blasted off.
I tried to pull back then, to stop, but the lust was stronger, and so was he. His grip on me tightened further.
“Just a taste… Shhh…”
His throaty copy of my own words cracked the remaining ice, and I writhed in his knowing embrace as his hand shoved inside my pants. Not giving me time to hurt him, he was clearly no virgin to handling the needs of a Changeling.
Lightning flashed as his fingers touched me, my body reaching out, and I sobbed against his mouth. The flames rose as he began to stroke, carrying me into a world where only we existed…
D
I used my most reliable tactics, bringing her up so fast there was no time for her to flip, but the feel of this! I wanted to slow down, to explore her silken and rough skin until I was exploding with it.
I shifted, rocking against her in short, quick jerks that had her groaning in the start of release. My body throbbed at the image of her pleasure, and I felt my own needs rise up to carry me into a haze of shocked lust. I stroked harder, hands and hips in perfect time. I already couldn’t wait to do this again...
My free hand curled behind her neck, glad her red eyes were closed. Her lips parted, face tightening, and I pushed a rough finger into her heat as I spoke.
C
Searing, burning, thrusting ecstasy consumed my body at his mating motion, and I felt the snap coming…
“Thank you… for picking me.”
He pushed deeper, sending me into pleasure that I’d never felt, and the Change was banished to a dim corner as brilliant light exploded. I wanted to do the same for him, but even as I began to shatter, I felt his own release arching against my thigh, drenching… scalding. We groaned and pulsed, holding onto each other for support. Our breathing was harsh in the stillness, two hearts racing together, steaming.
As I drew back, I tried to smile. “I’d start every day as such.” During the Games, I’d had no fear that any weak emotion such as love drove me, only the return of a beloved possession. Oh, how wrong I’d been!
“I’d still give you freedom, Daniel. The close kind.”
He tensed against my cheek, teasing the need into scenting the musky air, and I grimaced as the unsatisfied flames flickered to life. So short a relief!
Daniel moved away from me slowly, and his face was easy enough to read. He was worried he’d gone too far by taking the lead and dealing out pleasure with no permission, that it hadn’t been good enough. And there was confusion. Because he had enjoyed it, too? Registered breeders could be had. Their willingness didn’t matter.
He stood stiffly with his hands at his sides, and I remembered my next question, distracted him with it. “What is it the Network expects you to do?”
I could see he didn’t know.
“They won’t tell me!”
“Who won’t tell you?”
His face became distorted. “I can’t see!”
I longed to be able to provide the answers and ease his pain. Because I couldn’t yet, I distracted him from that, too. “I’d finish eating now.”
I watched him start to head for the kitchen and then stop, face reddening. He turned for the washroom to remove my smells from his hands, and I hid my approval… my unease. When the Network said trained to adapt and please, they weren’t kidding. And the price paid for that obedience was too high.
I thought about how he’d responded so quickly. Did maybe deep down, he recognize me? Was it that self preservation instinct the renters had? I’d seen the Network rooms where the act took place, watched the drugs turn the reluctant bachelors into hard readiness in minutes. They were trained to please us. And, he’d done that well, I thought. The question, was why?
I knew as soon as I questioned what he could gain from it. If we were bonded before leaving, I couldn’t return him for another prize. He was already using the spark to manipulate me. My heart thumped. That was the old Daniel… my Daniel, and I was ever so grateful to see it.
D
I’d just learned something very valuable, and I held it close as I turned on the hot water. My pleasure was not only allowed, she liked it. It would have been hard to mistake. I’d shown her that I knew things she needed. All I had to do was keep her needs taken care of and she would keep me close. In time, maybe I really would have that loving owner.
It wouldn’t be as easy to satisfy her before she flipped next time, though, and the slight fear hit me when I stepped from the room to see her pink gaze. I knew from my training that the temporary methods wore off quickly, and then the female was constantly hungry for it to put out the fire. From now on, I would have to get her near the bed so I could use the cuffs.
Aware of her flickering eyes and my own surprising interest, I carefully tried to distract us both with some of the thousands of questions I had.
C
“How long will we be here?”
I pushed my empty bowl away, shrugging. “Would you stay a while?”
His look was all the answer I needed. He couldn’t wait to go.
“In the morning. Our passage is booked.”
His eyes darkened at that and I understood, but said nothing to comfort him. Transportation of prizes was done like livestock, even down to the crates. It was a Network rule, humiliating, but I wouldn’t break it. The Pruetts were careful to appear loyal.
“How long will it take?”
“Three days.” Seventy two long hours where anything could happen, I thought. “I’ll be on the train with you, one car away.”
Discounting the expensive train ride we were about to take, by foot and horse were still the most common forms of transportation. Even hunting still held more lure than the odd stores that popped up. There had been very little advancement, and I was sure it was due to the lack of ambitious men with strong backs. The only people with access to the small bits of technology left were the Network and their lackeys. Also, their hired labor, I thought with a mental sneer. The Pruetts had been using their Network connection to pad stocks for years.
“What will I do there?”
Daniel’s fears were endless, and some, a surprise. The Network claimed the males had no real desire to be freed, but I hadn’t believed it until now.
“You’ll help my family clear the old roads.” And help me control the Changeling inside.
He seemed satisfied with that, and I wondered how deep into our mix he would fall. Would he be at my side when we went out on a run, or left at our homestead with the other mates? Would seeing his childhood home make him remember me? Us?
Needing space to avoid demanding a repeat performance, I headed for the master bedroom that I hadn’t used yet, still exhausted and extremely sore. “I’ll sleep in here tonight. Do what you like, but don’t leave this apartment without asking.”
Daniel seemed horrified at the thought, and I settled into the large bed, filled with an emotion I almost didn’t recognize. Happiness.
Chapter Eight
Day 6
C
Hours later, I tossed restlessly in the bed alone, the nightmares not ugly, but still disturbing. Outside, a lightning storm had begun.
Bang!
A loud strike rattled the complex. An instant later, Daniel tapped on the door. “Can… Can I come in?”
I sat up with shadowy images of blood still spilling behind my lids. “Yes.”
He had stripped down to just the trousers I’d brought, a size too large, and my eyes went straight to that bare chest. I wanted him, there was no denying it, and it wasn’t all from the Change. His beautiful eyes were huge, full of fear that was almost desperate. He didn’t like to be alone during storms… or maybe at all. I cursed myself for not thinking of it. During his… stay with the Network, he had probably been around other males at all times.
“I’d be where you are.”
Hunger. It took me by surprise so quickly I couldn’t breathe. I forced a curt nod.
The bed dipped under his weight, and I lay down, closing my eyes. A minute later, I was back under the edge of sleep, certain it would be more restful with him closer. I didn’t like having him out of my sight.
D
I waited until she was snoring softly and slowly inched onto my side to stare. Like most Changelings, she didn’t use a blanket. The heat inside was more than enough to keep her warm, and I was able to run my male gaze over her exposed skin. It kept me from waking her with my moans as the storm grew. I hated loud noises, always had.
“Stop...”
Thinking she meant me, I put my head down quickly before realizing she was still asleep.
Fear of her was something I couldn’t help. The lust in those black eyes said she liked blood, spilling it and seeing it, and as the winner, she had complete control. I’d known slaves who were taken from their owners, but that was only when the male had connections to those high-up. I had none. If I made a claim of abuse, it would be ignored, true or not. The Network wanted Candice out of here, even I felt that. They wouldn’t keep her around to investigate the claims of a bachelor. She was dangerous.
Crack!
I jumped at the loud flash of lightning, wondering briefly what it had hit. Not the Games complex, with its rubber-like roof, but close enough for fire to be a concern. I told myself those running this awful place were also aware of the danger, and watching. After the incident last year when half a cell of bachelors had burned to death, there was now 24-hour weather monitoring by the Den Mothers. New Network City had lost a hundred citizens to the blaze, but it was the rare males the public had spoken up for.
Crash!
I jumped again, and then stilled myself, not wanting her to wake. I was attracted to Candice, this evening proved that clearly, but I was still trying to figure out why. None of the others had drawn a spark, let alone an uncontrolled reaction that had me forgetting my place. They’d all been forced to use drugs that removed my control. Even my first had plied me with drinks and artificial help before she was able to make use of her purchase.
With Candice, my body was eager. Was it because she was so much more deadly than the others? Or was it just the promise in her eyes, the one whispering that mating with her would be unlike anything I’d ever known? Maybe it was that she was my owner and not a renter who might be dead after the next battle. It would be okay to get attached to this one, providing I pleased her.
My body tightened at the hot memory of holding her tattooed skin, showing her a bit of what I knew about surviving a Changeling. Though the pleasure was sure to be incredible when she took me, it was the danger that had my heart thumping. I’d seen older, gentle females turn into blood-hungry animals in the view cells. It was nothing to make light of, and I stared at her for a long time, trying to judge.
C
My eyes snapped open in the darkness, instantly alert. The shadow by the door froze. Close by, thunder rumbled.
“As you were.”
Daniel moved quickly to the washroom, but I didn’t close my eyes yet. Light rain was drumming against the complex, acid melt-off that slowly burned its way through just about anything except rubber. Lightning flashed, the vivid blast glaring off even the black-tinted window.
Something outside thumped against the building as the wind gusted, and I watched Daniel scurry back into the room as if he were being chased. It was the storm that had sent him to me, not fear of being alone, I realized.
