Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“That’s something your maid should have informed you of.”
Does he not remember the two women assigned to me? I understand days have passed since that encounter but he doesn’t strike me as someone who forgets easily. Then again, a minor scolding to two low-ranking servants in his home probably doesn’t register to him.
He walks around the room as if to inspect every inch and corner.
“Have you found your room sufficient?” he asks gruffly almost like he’s uncomfortable being here.
Maybe the reason he’s stayed away so long is because he lost interest after seeing the scars on my back. I don’t know why the rejection bothers me but before I can stop myself the words spill out of my mouth. “Do you even care?”
One dark brow lifts. He doesn’t reply right away but his bright blue eyes darken until they’re cerulean.
“Perhaps being given free access to do as you please under the Sector 2 Leader’s protection has made you forget your place. Take heed to watch your tongue, woman.”
Whether he’s trying to threaten me or not, the message is as clear as a sunny sky…behave or there will be consequences. It’s a reminder that I’m here as a tool for him, albeit an imperfect one.
He walks past me and heads to the table where I take my meals and looks down at the breakfast I’d declined to eat earlier. Another meal that had clearly been tampered with. I couldn’t even recognize half the items on the plate.
Even at my lowest moments as a companion, I’d been given something edible to eat.
“What is this?” He demands.
“My breakfast.”
He lifts the plate to his nose and takes a deep sniff. “Did you eat any of this?”
“No…My Lord.”
“Where is your maid?”
“I don’t know…My Lord.”
He taps a silver pin on his collar. “Johra, report to my breeder’s room this instant.”
“Right away, My Lord.” a voice responds.
The Sector Leader crosses to the other side of my room and presses a button on the panel display. The wall splits open and he walks inside.
I didn’t realize that was there. Curious, to see what was behind that wall, I walk over and peak inside. It appears it to be an empty closet.
When he turns and catches me looking, his eyes are no longer blue at all but that amber shade I’ve come to realize appears when something has upset him.
There are rows of empty shelves that I assume shoes are supposed to go. But why is he so upset?
Just as he exits the closet, storming past me, the door to my room opens and Johra steps inside.
Before I know what’s happening, The Sector Leader, lifts the slender superious off his feet, by the neck. “Give me a reason why I shouldn’t rip you apart right now.”
Johra claws at the hand holding him hostage. “Please, My Lord, what offense have I caused?”
“Why is my breeder being fed tainted food and her closet is empty? Did you take my instructions lightly?”
“I…I put the instructions in before we were called away,” Johra wheezed the words out, as he fought to breathe.
I’m not sure what to make of what’s happening. Why is the Sector Leader so upset and what did Johra mean about them being called away?
The Sector Leader releases Johra, who falls to the floor unceremoniously. The smaller man coughs and clutches his neck gasping for air. “My Lord, I’m not sure where the miscommunication lies but I can rectify whatever the issue is. Since we had to be called away so urgently to the 4th region shortly after your arrival, I left the instructions for your breeder’s care with the steward as is protocol.”
The Sector Leader walks over to the table and picks up my untouched food. “And this? Is this an acceptable meal for anyone in this household to consume?”
Johra slowly rises to his feet. His eyes widen when he notices the contents. “I’m not sure how this has happened but again, I will get to the bottom of this matter.”
“I want you to round up the maids who were responsible for bringing this food, the chef who prepared it, and the steward who was to follow through with my instructions. They are to present themselves in my office within the hour.”
“Of course my Lord.”
“In the meantime, have a proper meal sent to this room, right away. And if something like this is sent to my breeder again, I will hold you personally responsible.”
Johra bows his head. “I will oversee it myself.”
“Make sure that you do.”
Johra quickly exits the room leaving me alone with the Sector Leader.
His eyes are still amber and they’re now focused on me. I take an involuntary step back as a sense of unease creeps into my being. The numb I’d held on to for this long has failed me in his presence.
I don’t understand why he’s able to make me feel this way with a glance. Will he direct his anger on me now that we’re alone or does he want something I’m not sure I’m prepared to give?