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CONGUISE PREPARED A tray of food for Blue. He needed to take care of her soon. He had recipes to test, taste and make perfect, but not tonight. Tonight, he hurt and he wanted company. Tomorrow. He’d slaughter her tomorrow.
His emotions were in turmoil. He was furious with Jethro for letting Trinity escape but the rate at which the boy had healed was amazing. No other creature healed that quickly. If he could isolate those genes, he’d be richer than he’d ever dreamed and with wealth came power. Perhaps he didn’t need a squad of Jethroes. He could buy his soldiers. Once he was in power, things would change. There’d be no more looking the other way on interclass mating. The current government was corrupt and needed to be destroyed—tossed out like dirty, dish water so the sink could be refilled with fresh.
He carried the tray of food downstairs.
“Oh my goodness! What happened to you?” Blue hurried to the front of the cage.
“A misunderstanding.” Her concern touched him. Afar had shown no emotion as the Servant had cleaned his wounds. He nodded at the table and chair. “Please take your seat so I can bring you your dinner.”
She sat, affixing her shackles and tipping back her head. He entered the cage, placing the tray on the table. He held the knife, staring at her throat. He needed to do this. He wasn’t weak like the others, but he was tired. Tomorrow was soon enough. He cut her food and took his seat outside the cage. She began to eat and he began to read to her. Their habit. Their ritual.
After a few hours he closed the book. He stood and started to pick up the tray of empty dishes which he’d gathered earlier and brought outside her enclosure so she could listen to the story while unrestrained.
“Sir?”
“Yes?” He looked up at her.
“I...may I...” She flushed a bit, her eyes on the floor. “I have some salve that my mother sent with me in case I was injured. If you’d like, I can put it on your cuts.”
“That’s very kind but...” No ointment made by Producers could compare with the medicine he’d already applied, but it was nice of her. She had so little and yet she offered freely.
“Of course. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bothered you. I’m sure you have better medicine than my mom’s homemade poultice.”
“Nonsense.” The word slipped from his mouth and now he couldn’t stop. “It’s only that I don’t want to take the little you have.”
“It’s no trouble, sir.” She looked up at him, eyes bright. “You’ve given me so much and haven’t let me pay you back even in the littlest way. I’d be honored to share this with you.” She went over to her pallet on the floor and dug through the few belongings she had. She returned to the front of the cage, carrying a small container. She opened it and the odor of fresh mint filled the air.
“It smells nice,” he said.
“May I?”
He moved closer to the cage. She dipped her fingers in the ointment and dabbed it carefully on the cuts on his face. It was cool and her fingers were warm and soft.
“It does take the sting away.” He wasn’t sure why, but he wanted to please her.
“You can have the rest.” She put the container in his hand and closed his fingers around it. “You move like you have other injuries.”
She was right. His entire body was bruised from the beating Jethro had given him. He wanted to take off his shirt and let her rub the ointment into his skin. It’d been a long time since he’d been touched by a tender, caring hand. His gaze rested on her brown hair. She was young, but she was from a different class. They matured faster than Almightys. Still, it wouldn’t be right. “Thank you. Goodnight.”
She moved to her bed and stared at him, as if wondering why he was still standing outside of her cage.
“Are you happy here?” He wasn’t sure why he asked or why it mattered, but it did.
“Yes,” she said softly, her eyes darting down to her hands which were folded in her lap. She was lying.
“Please, tell me the truth.” He wanted to be able to trust one creature. Just one.
“You’ll think I’m ungrateful for everything you’ve done, but I’m not. Truly.” She glanced up at him.
“I won’t. I promise.” It was important that her stay be pleasant. That was the only reason he wanted to know.
“It’s just that the days are so long. I’m used to working but here I...well, I have nothing to do. I only have your visits to brighten my day.”
“Of course, I should’ve realized.” Producers worked hard from the day they learned to walk. Sitting alone in a cage with nothing to do must be horrible. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, sir.” She smiled at him.
He took the tray and book and went upstairs. He had a small garden in his courtyard. There was no reason she couldn’t work out there. He’d hook up a chain so she couldn’t escape. It’d be nice to have more fresh produce and that was a Producer’s purpose...well, one of their purposes. He placed the dishes in the sink and hesitated. He needed meat. He should take care of her soon and if he did that, there’d be no reason to go to the trouble of setting up the chain and pulley. Of course, then he’d have to continue to do all the gardening himself and he really was quite tired. No, he’d move her to the small room off the courtyard. He’d hook up a chain for her ankle and she could garden all she liked. He could purchase another Producer. His hand trembled. That wouldn’t work. He didn’t have time to get it used to him and he wouldn’t go through another experience like the first time. He could, however, go to the warehouse district, witness the slaughter and then purchase the meat. As long as he saw them kill and package it, he didn’t need to do it himself. It’d cost him more per pound but this one time it’d be worth it. Later, he’d bring another one home for slaughter.