Page 74 of Galaxy Circus Act One

Before I can take another step, however, the blasted man appears in front of me and grabs me with both hands, causing me to flinch.

“Lila, you’re so angry. I have an idea. Would it be okay for me to feed on your anger? Then there would be no need for me to use my harem,” he suggests, raising an eyebrow, and I grab the lifeline he just threw me.

I give him a short nod and brace myself, but it just feels like my anger is draining to the place on my arms where his hands touch my skin. Then, with a tingle, it starts to flow into his hands. Xavier closes his eyes and moans, throwing his head back as I start to feel less and less mad. His skin begins to glow like he’s suddenly bioluminescent, and his hair starts to float around his head.

My eyes widen in amazement as the fury leaves me completely, leaving me only with a sense of hurt. That’s when hetakes his hands off of me, even though his eyes are still closed and he has a look of bliss on his face.

“Holy fuck. I never knew it would feel like that,” he whispers cryptically as his eyes open slowly and the glowing floating thing stops. He’s staring at me like I’m the second coming of the messiah.

“I’m sorry thinking about me feeding on my harem made you angry,” he says in a quiet voice, tipping his head to the side. “Would it be better if I asked someone else to help me until you are ready?”

“But who? Who would you feed from who isn’t going to make me turn into a hulk with jealousy, and why did that happen?” My rambling is starting to get the better of me, because I understand none of this.

His eyes shutter and he turns from me. Like that’s not fucking suspicious. “I could feed off Caspian or Link if they were amenable. Would that be preferable to you, since you wear both their marks as well?”

Okay, he’s not going to tell me why, so I will come back to that. I think about his suggestion and how I would feel about him feeding off my mate and potential lover, and the only feeling that inspires is more fuck me vibes. “Yes, I think that would be acceptable.” It’s all I can do to stop myself from squirming at the sexually explicit direction my mind is heading. I shake my head, trying to compose myself again, and focus on the subject at hand. “But I didn’t think you could feed from Pleasure Bots.”

He chuckles. “Link isn’t a Pleasure Bot. Cyborgs have feelings and emotions as well. They are not all nanotechnology, they have an organic makeup. Pleasure Bots are all nanotechnology, which is just a sophisticated robot that has no feelings and emotions, though they can be programmed to react a certain way.”

“Would it be sexual?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.

“It would depend on them. It doesn’t have to be, as you just experienced, it’s just the most fun way to feed.”

“Is it sexual with your harem? You have sex with all of them?” I think back to what I saw when I first came into his quarters.

“Yes it is, and yes I do.”

I feel that rage and seething jealousy welling up inside me once more. Fuck, I want to slap myself in the face. Why am I like this? Taking a deep breath, I hold out my hand, and he takes it, absorbing the emotions with another moan. His pupils expand like he’s getting high, and he smiles goofily. If I didn’t know better, I’d think my jealousy was making him happy.

“You are a sensory buffet, Liliana,” he coos, and I yank my hand away from him, my anger changing to fear.

“How did you know that was my name?” I ask, and his goofy smile changes to a frown again.

“I’m sorry, I saw it in your memories. Does it upset you? You knew I was going to shuffle through them to see if I could figure out what was going on with your powers.”

My fear dies away, and I feel a little sheepish. “Yeah, okay, I’m sorry. Today’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I’m a little more sensitive than I normally am,” I apologize, and I can see the sympathy in his eyes.

“And I’m not helping, am I? Come on, Lila, go find out your information so that when I see you next time, you’ve wrapped your head around it and you can give me an answer. I will refrain from feeding from my harem until you do. I do have another option that will hopefully indulge me until you make up your mind, one that has no significant connection to me or you. Will that make you happier?”

“Do I know this person? Will they be gloating about it to me?”

Xavier shakes his head. “No, I don’t think you do, but even if you do, they won’t gloat or throw it in your face.”

“Then yes, that is acceptable. I will ask Caspian and Link too, but I should have my answer for you this evening.”

His face lights up. “Would I be able to see you this evening then?”

“I’m having drinks at the club with Link tonight, but you can join us if you want.”

He shakes his head, but his smile doesn’t drop. “No, that’s alright. I wouldn’t want to steal your attention away from the sexy cyborg. He deserves your full attention if this is a first date. I will find you tomorrow and organize my own date.”

He escorts me to his door, and I give him a kiss on the cheek.

“It was a pleasure to see you, Lila. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” he tells me. “I will message your grandpas and tell them what I found. I also need to message my parents to ask them about something before I can try to fix what I think is blocking your powers.”

“You actually found something?” I ask in surprise.

“Yes I did, and I think it will explain a lot for you, but I do have some questions of my own, so I will get them answered so that everything I tell you will be fact and not guesswork.”