Chapter 53
CHAPTER 53
Briar
Gabriel and I slip into the pet observation deck, adrenaline is still coursing through my veins after the obstacle course. Other pets mill around, pets who’ve just competed, or who are preparing for their turn. There’s an undercurrent of tension in every corner of the room.
A woman with a shaved head waves us over. At first, I hesitate, but Gabriel nudges my elbow in encouragement, “I’ve spoken with her before. She’s kind.”
We wind our way through the crowd, collapsing onto a pair of soft cushions.
“You two did well,” the shaved-headed woman says in halting Imperial. “Scored high enough to keep your trainers off your backs for a while, huh?”
“Seems like it,” Gabriel replies, forcing a polite smile. I don’t think he’d ever describe Aefre as being ‘on our backs.’ And it makes me wonder what her pet life must be like.
“Where are your masters from?” I ask not recognizing the markings on her collar.
“Callix Prime . My mistress looks like a lizard woman.”
“Oh,” I say. I have no idea which one she’s talking about. Quite a few of the trainers look like lizards. “Have you been with her long?” I ask, and Gabriel gives me a look. Apparently, I’m making some human pet faux pas, but I don’t care. I’m curious.
“It’s okay, Ember. She’s new and I don’t mind telling her what I can. I’ve been with my mistress for six years now. She’s not good or bad. She is what she is.”
“And do you sleep with her?” I ask, holding nothing back.
“Oh no, definitely not. We have cages that are stacked like coffins in the gymnasium.”
Now I know why Gabriel didn’t want me to ask any questions. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Another pet on the other side of the woman nods in agreement, tugging at the edge of his collar. “It’s humiliating,” he murmurs, glancing around. “They make us do demonstrations. Parades in front of high-ranking officials. We’re fitted with gear that… emphasizes our humanness. And they like body modifications.” He trails off, face burning with shame.
I swallow hard, recalling the bizarre augmentations I’ve heard rumors about. Extra limbs, tails, ridges. My own tail flicks behind me, and I feel a jolt of sympathy. At least my tail could be considered cute. Weird as fuck, but cute. If I ever make it back to Earth, I’m sure I could make a lot of friends in Japan with this tail.
Suddenly, a slight woman with long blonde hair comes over to join our group, but her focus is squarely on Gabriel. “Is it true,” she asks quietly, “that your master has set the date for you and me to breed after the Grand Championships?”
My body goes rigid. I glance at Gabriel, and he looks just as stunned as I feel. “I… haven’t heard anything about that,” he mumbles, color rushing to his cheeks. Even so, the woman’s eyes spark with lust.
“Well,” she says, “if you’re interested in getting a head start, maybe you and I could go over in that corner? I don’t mind if the other pets watch. I’m not shy.” We all look to where she’s gesturing. There’s a little bed in the corner. It’s empty, but no doubt it’s free for pets to use, As long as it’s televised throughout the galaxy and monitored by a trainer , I think.
As the words of her suggestion sink in and Gabriel’s lack of response lingers, a surge of jealousy I’m not prepared for rips through my body. “He’s not interested,” I say for Gabriel.
She arches an eyebrow but shrugs, unfazed. “You must be new . Fresh from Earth. Let me give you a tip, there are no relationships here. You don’t get to call dibs on anyone and no one gets to call dibs on you. We are at our master and mistresses’ mercy and if we happen to like what they decide for us then we should make the most of it. Ember is a champion and good looking. He’s also known for being a good lover, why would I not want to have him as many times as I can? God knows there’s precious else good that comes from being an alien’s pet.” Then she looks at Gabriel, “What do you say Ember? I hear your dick is pierced for her pleasure as well. It makes me wet just thinking about it.” She licks her lips.
I dive for the woman. I’m going to strangle her.
Gabriel pulls me back before I can do any real damage. And then says, “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m ready for anything now, but I look forward to a future meeting with you with our trainers.”
My cheeks burn at the thought of it all, Aefre orchestrating Gabriel’s “breeding,” and the casual way these people discuss his body like it’s just another commodity.
A hush settles over our group, and the shaved-headed woman clears her throat. “You’d be better off trying to find Gael the Returner,” she whispers to us. “Word is he’s here today.”
Gabriel and I exchange a glance. “Where?” I ask.
“No one knows. He’s keeping a low profile. Some say he’s disguised as a trainer; others claim he’s hiding in the ventilation systems. But if he picks you as a candidate for freedom…” she stops speaking and lets her face expression say the rest: You might get out of here alive.
A whisper of hope passes through me, warring with the fear that it’s all a trap or even worse just a rumor. I notice the woman who propositioned Gabriel eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and resentment, like she’s sizing up whether I might overshadow her chances with Gabriel. It’s frightening, how quickly trust dissolves among humans.
Before any of us can speak further, an attendant’s voice crackles over the intercom, calling my name and Gabriel’s in Imperial. Time to return to our quarters, presumably. We stand, and the small group disperses.
As Gabriel and I head for the corridor, I can’t shake a sudden certainty, We can’t let them decide our fate. Aefre, Kaelin, the doctor, Ira, the Empire—they all see us as nothing more than exotic playthings. We have to find Gael, if he’s real, if there’s even a chance at a future together.
Gabriel catches my hand briefly, giving it a small squeeze.
Tomorrow might bring another victory, and I’ll be momentarily satisfied with my accomplishments and feel good hearing Aefre praise me for being a good girl, but one thing’s certain, I can’t live like this for long, with rumors of breeding dates and showpieces overshadowing my humanity.
One way or another, I vow silently as we pass under the watchful eyes of a drone overhead, we’ll find a way out.