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"What is it?" he asks. "What do they want?"
I put my hands on my hips and shrug, casual. "A medical check-up. The slaves have them regularly, and I guess they're also going to take this time to grill me about our fun in the shower, because you know we can't have secrets."
He studies my expression. "Are you…all right?"
I know what he's asking. Am I upset that they're demanding this? That we're going to have to talk about it? That I'm going to have to admit to our owners that we've played right into their hands? I'm really not, but Crulden's mood is more important than mine. If I say I'm upset, he's going to lose his shit and hurt someone. Not me, but someone else…and they'll take it out on him, or on me.
So I just take his hand and squeeze it. "I'm fine. I can handle it. Will you be okay if I'm gone for a little?" I gesture over at the resting gladiator. "Maybe don't chew his face off until I return?"
Crulden lets out a breathless laugh, and it's the first one I've heard from him. I…like it. "No chewing until you return," he promises. "Just sparring."
"Great. You go back to work. I'll tell you everything when we get back." I smile up at him, and because he still looks a little troubled, I crook a finger. "Bend down."
He does, his face sweaty, his mouth slightly open like always, a questioning look on his face.
I move forward and press a small kiss to his cheek. "Go have fun."
I love the flummoxed look on his face as he touches his cheek. Maybe I shouldn't have done that in public, but everyone thinks we're screwing anyhow.
Might as well let them think I'm happy about it.
I saunter off, and the trainer starts the fight again once I'm out of the ring. I hear the sound of staves smacking, and a "Crulden, concentrate!" bellowed from the trainer. It's followed by an absolutely brutal smack that makes me wince. "Not me," the trainer spits. "Him!"
I bite back a smile.
That inward smile fades the moment I head back up the path to where Lord Sir and the scientist are waiting, accompanied by guards. They both look impatient as we walk back toward Lord Sir's private apartments in the compound. I remain silent as we walk, even though we turn and head toward Lord Sir's private offices instead of the scientist's med-labs. Okay, not a check-up, then. That was a lie. I wonder what I'm truly being brought in for, and my heart hammers in my chest. I force myself to calm down, because Crulden won't like my fear-scent.
It's not a big deal, I tell myself. They can't get rid of me. Not if they want his cooperation. And they want that more than anything. I've never seen two bastards as smug as Lord Sir and the scientist now that Crulden is being their pet gladiator.
We enter Lord Sir's office from the main door, and it's a little odd to me to not come in through the slaves’ entrance. Lord Sir moves to sit behind his big fancy desk, and the scientist takes a seat across from him. There's another empty chair next to the scientist, but somehow I doubt they want me to sit down with them. I remain standing, just in case. I figure if I'm wrong, they'll correct me.
As they settle themselves into their seats, I notice out of the corner of my eye that the a'ani guards file quietly out of the room and shut the door behind us. I know they won't go far, but they've been told not to listen in. Not a great sign. I clasp my hands in front of me and wait patiently, just like a good little slave. They don't need to know the truth.
"You've done a good job of getting close to Crulden," the scientist says, studying me. "Is he happy with you?"
How best to answer that? The obvious answer is “Of course” because no slave with half a brain would say she's failing at her job. So there must be more to it than I'm reading. "I wouldn't say Crulden is a happy sort, period. But he seems more settled with me around. I'm learning what sorts of things trigger his bad moods and taking steps to avoid them."
Lord Sir's eyes widen a touch and he leans in, smiling. "I'm pleased you've taken such an interest in Crulden. Truly, if we all work together, we'll make him a success. I know it."
I love the corporate team-building garbage he's spouting. Some things never change, no matter the planet. He's making it sound like this was all my idea, like they didn't throw me in just to appease Crulden in the midst of one of his temper tantrums. That it's turned out better than they hoped is all my doing, not theirs. But I know how to play this game. I smile politely. "Teamwork and all that."
