Series: Zandian Brides Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“Sia? What is it?” Daven kneels down, face even with mine. “What is it? Your head injury?”
“I don’t know.” I blink against the intense piercing, spots dancing in front of me. “I can’t…I don’t know. Hurts so bad.” I whimper, but the sound is far away, like a million miles, drifting to me as if a feather in the wind. I slump over.
Then, as quickly as it started, it’s over. My head is clear, and the pain is gone. I tilt my head. Something about sounds, shapes? But that’s gone, and all I see is Daven’s concerned gaze and handsome face. “I’m okay. I think it’s just after-effects of the injuries.” Something vaguely bothers me, as if there’s more to it, but like before, the thought flutters away into vapor.
He looks at my eyes, pauses, nods. “All right. If it happens again, contact me.” He points to my wrist, where a comm unit glows. “Push the button, and you’ll connect to me directly, Sia.”
I nod. “Yes, Master.” I smile faintly because the headache is gone, and he’s right, life here is glorious, and I plan to partake of it as deeply as I can.
And…” he smiles back, letting his eyes travel up and down my body. “No touching what’s mine. Not even one time.”
He waits.
“Oh. Yes, Master.” My face is hot.
“Be good.” And he’s gone.
Sia
After Daven leaves, I roam the small domicile, trying not to feel so trapped. I’m lucky beyond belief to be here, and stars, do I know it. Yet, I’ve already expanded into my new freedom, my greedy soul desiring more, and now I yearn to be outside. To see my slave friends. To do more.
I press a hand to the glass, flattening the fingers out.
Suddenly another image attacks or rather a series or flashes.
“They’re up to something. Intel says they have at least 100 on their planet. Maybe more. In direct opposition to our orders. The effrontery!”
I lurch forward, panting, using both hands now to support myself, both palms sweating on the window as even worse memories flood in.
“She’s in position. Ready for chip insertion. On my count, doctor.”
“Yes, doctor.”
“She’ll feel pain, but the muscle immobilizer will keep her from moving. She has to be awake while it’s done, so we know when it hits the right spot.”
“Remember, Sia, those who talk about Alpha Two can be sent to a full week of shock stick punishment. Do you think you’d be as effective at walking and functioning after that? Perhaps a few shocks just to remind you how it feels.”
Bracing pain across my entire body.
I scream. Then I slump to the floor, sweating and sobbing.
More memories. One Ocretion explaining while he waves at me and Flora and the others: These are just experimental for on-planet work. The transmitter will only work within {certain distance}, and the chips are just the rev 0. These won’t be sent off planet yet.
And: The last batch of Alphas kept dying when we tried to retrieve memories. Good thing we have such a limitless supply to experiment on.” Laughter. Loud, raucous laughter.
That’s what I am: An experimental guinea pig. With some kind of chip inside my skull? Is that what makes my head hurt and my thoughts go missing? Why can’t I remember more about Alpha 2? I’m just a tool, programmed to be afraid of getting help. Fear programmed into my brain.
I should tell Daven. He can tell the doctor, and maybe they can fix me!
I get up slowly then grab a soft cloth from the wash area to wipe the sweat from my face. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself, letting the panic subside. Daven can help.
Then I realize: I can’t tell Daven.
Terrible things could happen to me if I tell. And to my human friends. Disclosing this would mean another kind of betrayal, one against myself and my own fate. And one against my friends. The Zandians would surely isolate us, maybe kill us, send us away if they know we have chips. Right? They’d be foolish not to. On Ocretia, any threat was always exterminated immediately, just to be safe. Surely the Znadians will act the same way.
If my memories are accurate, we’re far out of chip-reading range. I don’t know what else it’s doing inside my head, but even if it’s recording everything I see and hear, it can’t possibly be transmitting to any Ocretions. Zandia is safe even from our spy brains, at least for now. And right now, I want to learn more about myself and Daven before I disclose more. Can I really trust him? Or am I just a tool to him too? A means to an end? Does my life save theirs but only if I kill myself? Do I die no matter what I do? I need time to figure out what my best options are. If only I could talk to Flora. When will Daven allow me contact with Flora? When will he trust me?