Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Very good, Mistress,” Robbi said in his high, mechanical voice. “And what would you like to eat?”
Serenai raised her eyebrows at her new bodyslave.
“What sounds good to you? Robbi can make almost anything. Do you like meat or vegetables or…?”
Brax smiled at her, his pale eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that somehow made him even more attractive.
“You know it’s not usual for a Yonnite Mistress to let her bodyslave choose what they’re having for Last Meal, right?”
“Oh, I don’t care about that right now!” Serenai said impatiently. “I’m not going to treat you like dirt just because I bought you. And I only bought you because I’m in fear for my life—not because I wanted a big, strong bodyslave for status, like the other Mistresses,” she added.
Brax became immediately serious.
“In fear for your life? Who’s threatening you?”
His pale eyes were suddenly scary and his big hands curled into fists. For a moment, he had that single-minded death-glare she’d seen on his face when he was fighting in the arena of the Blood Circuit! Just seeing it made Serenai shiver, even though she recognized that it wasn’t directed against her.
“It’s this thing…this monster,” she began, hoping she wouldn’t sound crazy. “It has these red, glowing eyes. I’ve seen it in my bedroom three times in the past three nights. The first two times I thought it was a nightmare but last night I was sure I was awake. And it keeps getting closer and closer to me!”
She could feel her panic rising as she spoke. After all, it was getting dark outside the curving windows of the living area and soon night would be on them. What if the thing came back to hurt her? What if—
“Easy, little one,” Brax murmured. He put out a hand as though he wanted to soothe her but didn’t quite dare to touch her.
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been scared to death.” Serenai shook her head. “At least it disappears when I turn on the lights. But I can’t sleep with the lights on forever, you know?”
“Of course not.” Brax nodded. He turned to the robo-butler, who had been standing quietly all this time, waiting to be addressed again. “Robbi, make us a light supper,” he directed. “We’ll want to be alert tonight.”
“As you wish.” Robbi made a bobbing little nod and then waddled off to the food prep area of the house.
It seemed they were going to be on alert tonight—which made Serenai feel a little bit better about the situation. She just hoped her new bodyguard could see the thing with the red eyes—otherwise she was going to have to worry that she might be going crazy.
7
BRAX
They had a light meal—mostly salad with some grilled protein strips—and then Brax got down to business.
“All right, now show me where you saw this creature,” he told Serenai.
“Oh, in the main bedchamber—the one I inherited from my mother. Come on—I’ll show you.”
She led him into an opulent sleeping area filled with ornately carved furniture and Brax made a careful inspection. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, though—just a lot of expensive furnishings and an enormous, walk-in closet filled with opulent Yonnie Six Mistress outfits.
“It only seems to come out at night…in the dark.” Serenai looked troubled.
“Then I’ll stay with you tonight—with your permission of course, Mistress,” Brax said formally.
“Oh, um…” She nibbled her lower lip and he could see her wondering if it was safe to have him in the room with her at night.
“It’s all right, little Mistress,” he said soothingly. “I didn’t mean I’d sleep in your bed—that wouldn’t be proper. “I’ll stand guard for you at the foot of the bed and wait to see if anything comes out.”
“Oh, of course—thank you, Brax.” Relief flooded her face…and maybe a tinge of regret? But regret for what—that he wouldn’t be in her bed? Brax wondered if she felt as drawn to him as he did to her but of course, he didn’t say anything.
“Of course, Mistress,” he answered formally.
“Er…maybe we should get ready for bed, then?” Serenai asked. “Um, if you’d like to bathe or take a shower, I think there are some clothes that might fit you in the bodyslave’s cupboard at the end of my mother’s closet.”
“Will you be all right if I leave you alone to go shower?” Brax asked her.
She nodded.
“Yes, as long as the lights are still on, I’m not worried.”
He nodded back and was about to leave when she put one small hand on his hand. The soft touch seemed to send fire all the way up his arm but he did his best to keep his face neutral as he looked back at her.
“Yes, Mistress?”
Serenai was looking up at him with her whole heart in her dark, lovely eyes.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?” Brax was honestly mystified.