Pact

by Viola Grace

  “Now, pick up the rocks and follow whatever your reflexes want to do.”

  “What do you think is going to happen?”

  “I think you are going to shatter those stones.” He smiled.

  She reached down and picked up two similarly shaped stones.

  The moment she settled them in her palms, her hands contracted and the rocks shattered.

  “What the hell?”

  Hrakin checked her hands and then nodded. “Do it again.”

  She crushed another two stones and another and another. A growing pile of gravel was accumulating around her feet.

  When she held the stones and her body didn’t urge her to crush them, she sighed with relief. “I think I am done.”

  He checked her hands again and unwrapped them. They were red and a little sensitive but not damaged.

  Her time in the tank had renewed her skin so all of her callouses and scars were a thing of the past. Her hands were soft for the first time she could remember, and this was precisely the time she didn’t want them to be.

  “So, that is what the strangler thing is about, huh?”

  He nodded. “Abnormal strength exhibited in the extremities. There have even been some records of a warrior using his feet for that purpose.”

  Mila look down and wiggled her toes. She could pick up pens with them, so perhaps she could do a little more. She would need to take her lower clothing off to try it, and adrenalin would be required.

  “So, getting my heartrate up kicks in the urge to use my hands. I nearly climbed up one of those walls. It was a very near thing.” She shivered.

  “If you had made a move for it, I would have pulled you off. We will get to rock climbing eventually, but for now, crushing rock with your hands is a good exercise when you get the mood. I will make sure to keep the rock pile out here as long as you promise to wrap your hands each time.”

  Mila smiled up at his concerned face. “I promise.”

  It was another impulse that made her jump at him so that he caught her against him. She kissed him, and it was even more fun than the other way round.

  One of Hrakin’s hands was on her back, and the other one cupped her ass. She wrapped her legs around his waist and carefully held onto his shoulders, not wanting to damage him.

  When she had his full cooperation, she pulled back with a smile. “Well, that was a productive first day.”

  He shifted his hands, and they were both holding her up via her buttocks. “That was quite the jump. So, what would you like to do next?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I would like to do some reading and possibly get a tour of the kitchen and the foods that I ate. I am used to providing meals for myself, and if I can’t buy my food, at least I can learn to prepare it.”

  “I don’t know if we can manage that in our current positions.”

  “Then, perhaps you should put me down.”

  He sighed. “You have named the one thing that I don’t want to do.”

  “Well, as you outrank me, you can decide what happens next. As long as it involves a data pad, I am all yours.” She gave him a quick peck.

  “What was that for?” He arched his brows.

  “A down payment on gratitude if you can get me something to read.”

  He shifted her so that he was carrying her across his body, and he walked into the house. Hrakin carried her into his study and set her down in a rather comfortable—if huge—chair. He produced a data pad with a flourish.

  “Here you are.”

  She grinned and lunged for it.

  He pulled it out of her reach and pressed a hand to her shoulder. “Ah-ah. Where is my reward?”

  She slid her hand up his arm to touch his shoulder. “Come close and I will give it to you.”

  He leaned in, and she grabbed his neckline and pulled him to her, yanking him off his feet. He slammed against her, flattening her to the chair.

  She giggled and plucked the data pad from his hand. “Thank you.” She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

  “You are sneaky and very creative.” He leaned back and took part of his weight off her.

  “Thank you, again.” She stroked his cheek. The ability to touch another living being was new to her. When she worked, light contact got her better tips, but there was no chance to stroke a handsome face or run her fingers through someone’s hair. Surrounded by people and completely alone. There was no wonder that a lot of waitresses were bitter. Frustration added up quickly.

  She eyed him as he straightened and made the call in to the council. Something was telling her that frustration was no longer going to be an issue.

  Chapter Six

  Hrakin had helped her more than she imagined. He had pinpointed a vegetable that was a known allergen to certain lines. That vegetable was a cross between okra and a parsnip. It was a common ingredient and what was most likely causing her food issues.

  Mila sat curled up with the data pad and read up on recipes that did not use that particular vegetable. It was a limited assortment, but it would be more than enough for her needs.

  The meats available were a lot more palatable when she didn’t look up the animals they came from.

  Additives and sauces were a matter of mixing dry ingredients and water. Everything was designed for off-world travel.

  It was a fun day spent studying what she could and couldn’t eat. She was able to identify the dangerous concoctions by sight and name after a few hours.

  When she felt her hands tingling, she got to her feet and went outside to the rock pile. It took a few attempts to wrap her hands properly, but she was ready to crush rocks deliberately for a few rounds.

  She focused on the pressure she was exerting and waited for the crack as the rocks disintegrated. The second time, she was able to exert far more pressure in a slow and measured manner. It felt good to be able to control how hard she pressed when she made a fist.

  Her forearms tightened without effort, and her hands followed suit. Watching the actions and the effect that her new strength gave her an understanding of the changes.

  When the light dimmed to the point where she couldn’t see her hands anymore, she sighed and went inside.

  “Your clothing is set to arrive any moment, as well as the equipment I ordered. It is a good thing you came in as it is going to be dropped from a high altitude.”

  She perked up. “Really?”

  Mila hated to think it, but she was really sure that she wanted a new outfit. Perhaps something that would match her new situation would be in there.

  Hrakin took her by the shoulders and aimed her toward the wide yard near the gardens. “It will land there.”

  Mila was a little surprised when a box with small jets attached landed in the spot he had shown her. It was a surprisingly big box, but she had been anticipating a huge thud when it landed, not a gentle hiss.

  Hrakin took her hand and brought her outside to open the parcel.

  She yawned and covered her mouth.

  “Am I boring you?” He chuckled.

  “No. Sorry. I just started getting sleepy. I must have tired myself out today.”

  “Good. The more you can get into a routine of working out and resting when tired, as well as regular meals, the faster you will be up for whatever else we can come up with.”

  He pulled her to the box and opened it. It folded open along the top and the side facing them. They had full access to the contents.

  Neatly folded clothing, a few small chests and some links of chain were all tucked into the box.

  “Hold your arms out.” Hrakin lifted out the folded clothing and turned to her.

  She stuck her arms out, and he piled the clothing in the waiting embrace. Then, he added three of the boxes, draped the chains over his shoulder and scooped up everything that remained.

  “Back to the bedroom so we can examine the supplies.”

  Mila wondered at the location but followed him. The clothing that she had was similar in shape to what she had on, but the c
oloration was black and silver to match what Hrakin had on.

  “Very pretty. I look forward to putting that on tomorrow.”

  He smiled. “If you feel up to it, tomorrow we will do some rock climbing. I got you these.”

  The box in his hands opened, and a pair of lace-up boots was lying in the carved wood. The soles were soft but had thick grips.

  “For climbing?”

  “Yes. They will protect your shins while we are creeping over the rocks. We will begin on an angled slope and work our way up to the sheer slope.”

  She grinned and nodded to the other boxes. “What is in those?”

  “Gloves for climbing and working on the rocks. The last box is a set of wide cuffs to pin your hands over your head in bed.”

  Her shocked gaze fixed on his face. “What?”

  “Well, your strength kicks in during moments of adrenalin, and there is nothing like a good session in bed to get the body ready for anything. We don’t want you crushing anything.”

  “Show me.”

  He raised his brows. “The cuffs or do you want to roll around with me?”

  She sighed. “Show me the cuffs, and I will decide.”

  He chuckled but opened the dark, inlaid box.

  The cuffs were leather and what appeared to be suede. She took them out of the box and examined them, trying the left one on for comfort. They were four inches wide, padded and her skin welcomed whatever was lining them.

  Hrakin took the second cuff and put it on her right arm.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Well, you need to try them both on to know how they would feel.” His innocent explanation was belied by the look in his eyes. He was enjoying himself as he snugged the cuff until it felt like part of her arm.

  She tightened the left cuff until it matched.

  He slipped the chain off his shoulder. “Do you mind if I try this on for length? I may need to shorten it.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  Hrakin sighed as if he was suffering. “Well, if we don’t measure it now and we need it later, it might not be enough to keep you from crushing me. It is only for my safety.”

  “Oh, you are very good. Fine. Let’s get this over with. Where do you want me?”

  He smirked. “Perhaps you had better remove you clothing to test the full range of your movements.”

  To her amazement, she realized that this giant, muscled man had just gotten a new toy to play with, and she was it.

  She opened the side closure of her top and pried it off, dropping it to the floor. Working with the cuffs on was difficult, but she managed to get her leggings off.

  When she was naked, she kicked her clothing aside and scooted onto the bed, lying on her back with her arms over her head. “Here or in the centre?”

  Hrakin was frozen at the image she presented, chains dangling from his hands.

  Smiling, she sat up. “Oh dear, Elder. Are you having some kind of seizure? I mean someone in your aged and condition must have all kinds of frailties.”

  That lit a fire in him. He had the chain snapped to one cuff, threaded through a groove in the headboard and out the other side.

  “To properly try this, I need to see if you can reach me.”

  To her surprise, he pressed her back into the sheets and he moved over her, fully clothed, settling between her legs and pressing his groin against hers.

  The air left her lungs in a rush. She reached up for him, and her fingers grazed his shoulders. He lowered himself into her embrace and kissed her.

  There was a rattle, and her hands were eased away from him until they were over her head.

  She flexed her fingers as the tingle that she now recognized started again.

  Hrakin lifted up again. “I think we need to test that chain.”

  Mila didn’t know what would happen next, but she started catching on when he kissed her until her toes curled. Their tongues duelled, and when she was twisting against him, he broke the kiss.

  “Hey, where are you going?” She winced. It was definitely a whine. She never whined.

  He grinned. “I am not going far. I am just getting familiar with you.”

  She had no idea what that was going to entail, but he used his lips to caress her neck and work his way across every inch of skin he could reach.

  Her hands tingled wildly as he started licking his way from her collarbone to her breasts.

  She clenched her hands and pulled on the chain. They creaked but held fast.

  When he moved to a nipple and drew it into his mouth, she tried to grab the chain itself, but the angle of the cuffs kept them behind her, and Hrakin held her at the tension point so there was no slack. It was as if this was a carefully thought-out manoeuver.

  Her mind became blank as he tortured her with pleasure. Her hands ached to hold him, but with the wild tingling, she knew it would be a dangerous endeavour.

  When he left her breasts and continued downward, she knew he was about to get very familiar.

  Her voice was husky as she whispered, “You don’t have to...”

  “I beg to differ. I do have to. This is more fun than I have had in a decade.”

  Without further ado, he shifted until he was lying on his belly, and he held her thighs apart as he delved between them, parting her folds with his tongue and lapping at her.

  If he weren’t holding her down, she would have flown through the roof.

  When he flicked his tongue against her clit, she let out a shriek that echoed in the room. It was surprise that soon turned into churning enjoyment as he continued to taste and tease her until her body jerked and twitched in her personal rhythm.

  She let her breath out in a groaning rush as her channel clenched and tears flowed from her eyes, running down the sides of her head to pool in her hair.

  Hrakin pressed soft kisses to her inner thighs and stroked her belly with his fingertips. He lifted his head and slowly crawled up and over her again.

  He kissed her, and she tasted her tang on his lips. Hrakin leaned back, and he smiled with smouldering eyes. “Good. The cuffs work and are properly set.”

  Her voice was still husky. “Oh. Good. I was worried.”

  He laughed darkly. “I would love to verify that the cuffs are solid by trying that again.”

  “They are solid. My arms might go numb, but they are solid.”

  He sighed and unclipped the chain. It slithered loose and she brought her hands down.

  He moved to one side and eased her to her stomach. Without a word, he started a slow massage of her shoulders that made her groan into the pillows.

  She had to admit, if the massages were a regular part of being tied up, she could get into bondage.

  He worked his way down her back, thighs and calves.

  “This is actually part of the Familiar duties that even the bot bodies do. I must say, it is more fun that I can touch you skin to skin.”

  “Less talking, more rubbing.”

  He flipped her over again and moved his hands over her from neck to toes.

  It was much more fun to have him massage her breasts and belly, but it was far less relaxing.

  Her body was humming with arousal. Her hands were clenched to keep them from doing anything harmful.

  She flexed her hands carefully and worked to unbuckle her left cuff. It fought her.

  Hrakin chuckled. “I will do it.”

  He flicked at the cuffs, and they fell away from her skin, leaving cool air to rush at her.

  “Now, you take a bath, and when you are relaxed, you will be able to sleep.”

  Her body was still humming, so sleep sounded good. She wasn’t particularly dirty, but a bath was very tempting.

  “Okay. Bath it is.”

  She sat up, and he helped her leave the bed and stand on her own two feet.

  To her surprise, he escorted her to the bathroom and filled the large, wide tub.

  She had wondered why the bath was so large, but when Hrakin started removing his
clothing, she put two and two together. He was taking his job as her Familiar seriously. It seemed that alone time was going to be scarce.

  Mila really wanted to work up outrage, but remembering the backrub, part of her was cheering and clapping wildly. It was a very influential part.

  Chapter Seven

  The hot water was lightly scented, and leaning against Hrakin’s naked form was soothing in itself.

  She had enjoyed watching him strip. It was nice to see proof of his age finally. It was just a little upsetting to see the proof in the form of battle scars.

  The Lrrko were the best assassins in the known universe, and while it was not really an occupation that Mila approved of, she understood that with the genetic traits that they had created, they weren’t suited for much else. Assassins tended not to be well liked, and the scars he wore showed many attempts had been made to avenge his targets. The funny thing was that she had no doubt he had always done the job he was paid for.

  Aside from the scars, the wide planes of his chest showed a fitness that showed excellent genetics in action. His upper arms were larger than her thighs; the grooves in his abdomen showed her a musculature that was close to human but definitely more impressive. Every inch of him was hard, and that included the nine inches of his erection.

  Keeping herself from gripping him was a herculean task, but settling in the water took care of that for her.

  The water rose sharply when he got in and settled behind her. It was weird to be hauled into his embrace, but after a bit of reflexive stiffness, she relaxed against him, her head on his shoulder.

  “Why did you agree to this?” She stroked the arms that held her loosely in the water.

  “I am guessing you are not referring to the bath.”

  “No. It seems that life as a Familiar demands a lot from you.”

  He shrugged, and the water sloshed. “It is no worse than dealing with the warriors and specialists all day. Trade agreements and such are also part of the daily grind. This is actually quite enjoyable.”

  “But why? I am sure there were other candidates.”

  “None that had already contributed genetic samples and had locked down their systems. It is a serious matter to cut off one’s genes, but my position as an Elder has already put my genes into the bank.”