Phoebe approached the wall and pointed at the big, dark, flat device that hung on it. “What is this?”
“It's a television,” he answered. “It's a telecommunication device used to entertain with sounds and moving images in mostly two or three dimensions. The first televisions had black and white images, but as time moved forward, color took over, and today, you can watch a television program with holographic images that makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of the show.”
Phoebe's chin dropped, her eyes went big, and she stared at him as if she couldn't believe what he had just said.
“How can you know all that?” she asked.
“My cybernetic implants give me the ability to connect myself to any technical device that isn't password protected. By doing so, I can study it from the inside out and learn everything there is to know about it.”
Phoebe blinked. She looked stunned. “I didn't know that. They never mentioned that during my studies.”
He sat up. “What did you learn?”
“Well, mostly the basics and they wanted to find out if I was fit to ... own a cyborg.” She shook her head. “I don't like that saying, but that is what they called it. The tests are harsh, especially the mental ones. They need to be sure that the people who are given a cyborg are healthy and strong, and that they won't regret creating one.”
He nodded with understanding. “We die without the bond.”
“Yes, most of you do.”
“Those who survive go crazy.”
“Yes, that is what they taught me.”
That was also what his programming told him.
Phoebe looked at the television again. “But how did you learn all the historical information about it? I doubt you read it in the circuits.”
He grinned. “No, the Internet told me.”
She looked stunned again. “You can use the computer when it's not turned on?”
“Yes. I can learn that way too, but I haven't touched it much. The Internet is a messed up place with a lot of confusing information. It overwhelmed me. So I decided to stay away from it for now.”
“That was a wise decision.” She looked around the room. “I guess asking you what everything is, is kind of pointless then, isn't it?”
“No, it's not. I know what most of the things are, but it doesn't mean that I understand everything.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “So ... do you want to watch something? Maybe there is an interesting program running right now.”
He shook his head and grinned. “It's not necessary. I prefer talking to you. We haven't done much of that yet.”
He pulled the cover away from his body and stood up. His erection was still there, refusing to calm down. Her gaze lingered down his body and locked onto his shaft before she looked away and her cheeks turned pink. It made him feel pride. He hoped that he would always have this effect on her.
“I see you need me again,” she said.
“Yes, but it can wait.”
She licked her lips. “Are you sure?”
The want and the need in her eyes made him doubt his decision. Damn, he still wasn't good at controlling his desire. He wanted her again even if he had just had her.
She walked toward him, but instead of stopping in front of him, she went around him and stopped behind his back. She placed her hands on his back and caressed him. He closed his eyes. Her touch was gentle and soothing. It felt like heaven. Her hands moved around on his body, making him enjoy every second of it. He so needed this, all the time. It didn't matter how much they cuddled, kissed, or made love. He didn't stay satisfied for long.
Shade tensed when she came closer and placed her cheek against his back while her hand traveled forward toward his shaft. He moaned when she grabbed it firmly. Slowly, she moved her hand up and down on him, paying plenty of attention to his tip, making him shiver all over.
“So what do you want to talk about?” she asked.
“Talk?” He could barely focus on anything else but her sweet fingers around his manhood.
He heard her giggle behind him. “Yes. You said you wanted to talk.”
He groaned. “Make me come first, then we will talk.”
She rubbed him faster. “But what if I want to talk now?”
His muscles tensed and he felt her other hand land on his behind. She pinched him. It made him gasp and the need to come grew. She was teasing him, and for a second, he feared she would stop touching him. He was unable to answer her the closer he came, but he understood that she wasn't expecting an answer. The tension in his body grew, and when he could no longer hold back, he felt the amazing feeling grab him. He felt it gather in his shaft while her grip became firmer and she worked him with determination. He came with a loud roar as she emptied him of everything he had. Perspiration broke out on his body. His knees became weak, barely holding him up as he felt his heart pound inside his chest.
A short silence followed before she let go of him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her approach the bed and reach for the towel that lay beside it. She dried her hands and approached him, handing him the towel. His mind was still foggy from the exquisite heights that she had taken him to. His knees wanted to give in beneath him, but somehow, he managed to remain on his feet. He dried himself and sat down on the bed while exhaling.
“Feeling better?” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered. He found it fascinating that, in one second, she could be this shy and cute girl, and in the next second, this seductress that made his world spin. He liked it a lot.
“Good. Now, we can talk.”
He remained sitting while pulling himself together. His legs were shaky, but eventually, he was able to stand again. He put on his underwear and his pants.
“Anything special that you wish to talk about?” she asked.
He approached the window and looked out. Where ever he looked, he saw tall buildings with glass-like exteriors. He saw space ships, space cars, and space buses flying around or driving on the roads bellow. People walked around, heading in different directions. There was a park not far away from the building they were in. The sun shone high in the sky and it was a beautiful day, but for him, it looked chaotic. So many things at the same time went on. In a few days, he would not have any problems handling it, but right now, when his mind still wasn't working properly, it overwhelmed him.
Phoebe stood beside him and looked out. “What are you thinking?”
“That I don't want to go there.”
“Why not?”
He bit together his lips. “Too much.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “You don't have to watch it if you don't want to. Everything is still new to you, but when the time comes for us to leave, you will be ready.”
He nodded. “Yes.” He went silent for a while. “Is it like this everywhere?”
“No. We are in the middle of a big city, and here, you can't expect anything else. Where I live, things are calmer.”
“Good. I prefer that.”
He saw her smile. “I know.”
He smiled back. “Tell me more about where you live.”
“It's a small town called Glaswell not far away from here. Around three thousand people live there. There are no tall buildings there, just big villas and plenty of green fields and parks. We have a shopping mall along with other things we need, and everything is behind high walls that keep intruders out. Other cyborgs live there as well. You will be able to meet them and they will help you to adapt.”
“I'd prefer you do that.”
She gave him an understanding smile. “And I will, but I don't want you to be alone while I work. I'm sure they will want to be friends with you.”
“Work.” He wrinkled his forehead without ever taking his gaze away from the lively city outside of the window. “Will I work?”
“If you want to.”
“What do the other cyborgs do?”
“Anything they want. Wind, for instance, paints. He makes amazing paintings togethe
r with his bound one Diane, but she is sick. She is dying.”
He turned his serious gaze to her. “What is wrong with her?”
“All I know is that she has a heart disease. She doesn't want to talk about it. She is trying to be happy. She doesn't want to worry Wind.”
“What will happen to Wind if she dies?”
“I don't know what Diane is planning, but the only thing that can save Wind is another woman for him to bind himself to.”
Silence lingered between them. He watched her while she looked down and clasped her hands together. She was sad. He saw worry in her eyes. She seemed to care deeply for Wind and Diane. He had no files about them. Phoebe had never mentioned them to Doctor Jade Silva, but it didn't matter. He knew he would get the chance to meet them once he signed out from MedAct, but he had no feelings about it. He had a hard time picturing what it all meant. All that he did know was that he would protect Phoebe from anyone who tried to get close to her.
Anyone.
Chapter 7
Phoebe raised her head and looked Shade in the eyes. There was a seriousness there that hadn't been there before. It was almost on the verge of possessiveness and anger. She swallowed and realized her mistake. Maybe she shouldn't have told him about Wind and Diane. He was still a newborn cyborg and even if he learned fast, he still had a lot to understand. To know that Wind would soon lose his bound one was the last thing a newborn cyborg needed to hear.
He took a step closer to her. His powerful gaze made her feel tiny and vulnerable compared to him with his tall, muscular but oh so appealing physic.
“Know this,” he said with a deep voice. “You are mine to protect and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from anyone or anything that tries to hurt you.”
Phoebe clenched her jaw. She wanted to tell him that he couldn't protect her from death. It would happen one day and he would then be left on his own because cyborgs lived longer than humans, a lot longer. That was if he survived her death. Sometimes, she wondered if the scientists had thought things through when they had given the cyborgs a longer lifespan.
There was a knock on the door. Phoebe startled when she heard the unexpected sound. She turned away from Shade and headed for the front door, but before she had taken two steps, a hand grasped her arm. She turned around and saw Shade behind her. He looked even more serious than a minute ago.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Someone knocked. I have to open the door.”
His gaze lingered to the door when a second knock came. He let go of her and approached it with determined steps. Surprise filled Phoebe as he jerked the door open and blocked the entrance with his massive frame. She hadn't expected him to do that. Doctor Jade Silva, who stood on the other side of the door, seemed as surprised as herself. She stared at Shade with huge eyes, but after a while, she gave him a smile and relaxed.
“Hello, Shade,” she said. “It's nice to meet you. Do you know who I am?”
“You are Doctor Jade Silva,” he said with an almost threatening voice.
“Yes, I am. May I come in?”
“No.”
“It's been two days. The worst should be over for you and your mind should be working, but I need to check that. I need to see that everything is fine with you.”
“I feel fine. Now leave.”
Doctor Jade Silva didn't seem worried by Shade's threatening tone. “You know I can't do that. I'm here to check how Phoebe is doing as well. You need to let me in.”
His voice darkened. “Do you really believe I would hurt Phoebe? She has been with me for two whole days and she is still breathing.”
“You are entering the second phase now, and you are going to need help.”
Phoebe clenched her knuckles. She knew what the second phase was. It was where things could go really wrong, and without help, Shade wouldn't make it through the day. His mind evolved fast and the basic things were now in place, like talking, eating, and understanding his body. But the second phase had everything to do with her. He was bound to her and his mind had to learn to accept everything around her. Like other men for instance.
“Fine,” Shade said, “but they are not coming in.”
Phoebe wondered who he meant. She hadn't seen anyone else. Shade's large frame hid most of her view. She leaned to the right and noticed two male cyborgs standing near the doctor in the hallway.
Jade nodded and instead of making room for her, Shade backed up. Surprise hit Phoebe once again when Shade stopped in front of her, grabbed her arm, and pulled her behind him. Jade left the door open. The two cyborgs stopped in the door frame, making Shade tense. Phoebe couldn't help but wonder what his face looked like right now, but all she saw was his broad back. His grip on her arm was firm, but he wasn't hurting her. The two cyborgs were just as big as Shade. Both had short, blond hair and they were dressed in black military clothing. They had guns and batons by their hips. They gave out a “don't-mess-with-me” vibe, and even if she understood that they were here for Jade's safety, Phoebe wanted them gone. They scared her because she knew they would use their weapons on Shade if they found it necessary.
“Don't worry, Phoebe,” Jade said. “This is normal behavior. He doesn't understand how to handle the situation with the other cyborgs and me being near both of you. He has never met another human or other cyborgs before and his first instinct is to defend you. Rain and Dare won't hurt him.”
Phoebe nodded to herself, trusting Jade's words. “Are they your cyborgs?”
“No, I don't have a cyborg. They belong to other scientists who work at MedAct.”
“Oh.”
Phoebe felt Shade's hand muscles flex. “Don't talk to her,” he warned.
“I mean no harm, Shade. Now let me take a look at you and let Phoebe go. I promise I won't touch her.”
“Never.”
Shade sounded pissed. He worried her, but not for her own sake, for Jade's sake. Jade seemed calm, though. Maybe she was used to this.
“I know what you are feeling right now, Shade,” Jade went on. “You feel like you want to run away with Phoebe in your arms. Your need to make sure she is safe is greater than your need to live. It makes you look at me with blind rage, but I'm not the enemy and you know that. Search your senses. Deep down, you know this.”
Shade remained still. Phoebe barely dared to move. She was still unable to see his face, but his tense posture, his firm grip on her arm and clenched knuckles told her he was ready to attack. He would do anything to save her. That was why the cyborgs were here. She looked at them again, but none of them looked at her. Their focus was on Shade.
“If they aren't yours, then how come they are defending you as if they were bound to you?” Phoebe asked Jade.
“They are trained soldiers and it's in their programming to defend anyone that the women they are bound to tell them to defend.”
Without warning, Shade lunged at Jade. He grabbed her by the throat and pressed her against the wall. She groaned from the impact, but Shade's grip on her only tightened. Her feet dangled above the floor and she held her hands against Shade's strong hands, trying to make him let go, but he was too strong for her. Her breathing was strained and her face turned red as she was unable to fill her lungs with air.
“I said don't talk to her!” Shade roared.
Rain and Dare reacted immediately. They stormed into the room, grabbed Shade, and forced him away from Jade. Fear filled Phoebe as she watched them press Shade to the floor. Both of them were built like bodybuilders and it was obvious they were stronger than Shade, but they were also older and trained. Shade, on the other hand, had just woken up. Pain filled her as she watched him trying to get free. He roared and the deadly gaze in his shining eyes filled her own eyes with tears. Cold chills traveled down her spine as her blood pressure rose. They weren't hurting him, they were just holding him down, but the sight almost killed her on the inside. She feared for his life. She knew every cyborg went through this but if he didn't get a grip o
n his possessiveness over her, he would never be allowed to leave MedAct. He would be considered a failure and dangerous. Dangerous cyborgs were not allowed to walk around on the streets. They had to be able to handle other people and other cyborgs being near the person they were bound to. Shade wasn't doing a very good job so far.
“Is this normal too?” Phoebe asked while Shade roared again. He pulled all he had but the two cyborgs still managed to hold him down.
“Yes,” Jade said and massaged her neck. “Most cyborgs react this way the first time. Don't worry. He will be given all the time in the world to adapt. If a month isn't enough, you two will have to stay longer. It's as simple as that. We do everything in our power to make sure all cyborgs adapt.”
“What will happen if he fails to adapt?”
“We never terminate a cyborg if that is what you are wondering. If one is unable to adapt, we have a way to make sure he or she will get a good life anyway, but it almost never happens and the cyborgs have been around for over fifty years, as you know. They just need time.”
Phoebe sighed and tried to pull herself together. She couldn't let her fears take her over. Her gaze turned to Shade, who still struggled on the floor, but not as intensely as before.
“I see we will not get anywhere with this today. I will come back tomorrow and try again. Maybe it will be easier for him then,” Jade said and went to the door. “Rain, Dare. You can let him go.”
The cyborgs obeyed and stood up. Without another word, they all left the room and closed the door behind them.
Silence surrounded her and Shade. She dried her eyes as he stood up. He didn't move from his spot as he watched her. She didn't move either. It felt like minutes passed by before he finally approached her. He did it slowly as if he was afraid he would scare her. Then, without a warning, Shade fell to his knees in front her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Phoebe winced with surprise.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I failed you,” he said. “I'm so sorry.”
Her Cyborg (Bound by Her Book 1) Page 4
