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Lord Sir is utterly silent.
"I am aware that this causes quite a disruption to your stable," Lord va'Rin continues smoothly. "And since this will bring you some distress, I am prepared to give you a large grant of credits for your contribution to my special program. You will be seen as a thoughtful, kind, and benevolent benefactor." He smiles politely. "Which of course you are."
Lord Sir must sense that he's cornered. He drums his fingers on the table, staring at Lord va'Rin. "You think you're very clever, don't you?"
"On the contrary." Lord va'Rin raises his wine goblet. "I'm merely here to help a friend before he embarrasses himself. Think of the trouble it will cause you to present him. If you make a single credit on him and it gets out later that he's an illegal clone? You'll be banned from having a stable at all, and I know you do so love your stables."
His fingers drum on the table again. "Fine. But I have a specific price in mind."
"I am sure you do," Lord va'Rin acknowledges with a nod of his head. "Your credit clerk can speak with mine and hammer out the details."
"Fine." Lord Sir stabs at his food angrily. "You'll forgive me if I have to leave after dinner. I find that pressing duty calls me away."
"Of course," Lord va'Rin replies. "We will cut our visit short. Completely understandable."
"Darling," Milly says, and touches her husband's arm meaningfully.
"Ah yes," Lord va'Rin says. "Before we depart, I have to ask. My wife has grown very fond of your human and looks to add another to our household. Are you interested in selling her?"
"No," says Lord Sir flatly. "I'm afraid that's not part of the deal. She stays with me."
"But," Milly begins.
Lord Sir sets down his cutlery. "It is out of the question. You will not denude my household of all my slaves simply because you have me at a disadvantage, and I'm insulted you will even try. She was a gift from Lady dra’Niiron. I would never insult her house by giving her precious gift away."
Lord va'Rin touches his wife's sleeve. "Some other time, my heart."
Milly affects a pout. "Very well."
And I feel like I'm dying inside all over again. The feeling passes swiftly, though. It's all right. Even if I can't get free, I don't mind as much if Crulden is safe and happy. I love him, and I want him to have a good life…even if it can't be with me. As long as he's alive and well, that's all that matters.
31
CRULDEN
I don't see Mina again that night. I'm not entirely surprised because Lord Sir is entertaining guests, and he wants Mina with him. My eyes threaten to go red at the thought of him touching her hair, him brushing a hand over her soft skin. Of him pulling her into his bed—
But Mina can take care of herself. She'd gut Lord Sir if he tried anything.
Unless he held her down…or used her collar on her…
I groan, hating the tortured thoughts that race through my head. I spend all night pacing in my cell, worried that my female is being hurt, that I can't get to her to save her.
Just before dawn, the scientist comes and stands in the hall outside of my cell. He clasps his hands behind his back, his tail swaying. There's no fear in his scent this time, only sadness. He watches me for a time, then sighs. "Goodbye, Crulden. We could have been great together."
What is he talking about?
The scent of gas hits me before I realize what's going on. "What are you doing?" I growl, grabbing the blanket from the bed and ripping a strip of it off. I wind it around my mouth, trying to filter the air, even though I know it's no use. "Where's Mina?"
"Be calm," the scientist says, and his voice is low and sad. "Enjoy your new life."
"Mina!" I growl. "Where's MINA?" I slam a fist against the glass partition, over and over again. My hands grow bloody with the force of my hits, and the air grows thick and choking. My limbs get sluggish, even as the cloudy mist infiltrates my senses. It's not enough to send me under, just enough to make me slow.
I fight it, though. I won't let them take me away from Mina. I won't. "MINA!" I howl. "BRING HER BACK. YOU PROMISED."
My heart feels like it's being torn out of my chest. I slam my body against the wall, hating that everything feels heavy now. I can't stop. I have to get to her. Have to save her. She needs me.
A black haze covers my eyes, and I know I've got so much of the drug in my system now that going under is just a matter of time. Still, I fight it, even though I can't see straight, even though it takes all of my strength to pick myself up after I slam into the wall. "Mina," I say over and over again. "Mina."
