The Ailouran on Earth Ch. 03

Sharp pain burned through my chest. I ran, not looking back, afraid Macan would be there if I did. Leaves and branches smacked against me as I hurtled through the forest, jagged stones poking my bare feet.

The trees were a growing blur in my vision, the sudden surge of confidence long gone by now. There was no direction, no path. But all I could focus on was taking the next step. Here, then there. Faster and faster--

My knees gave out abruptly, and I crashed into the ground. Panic. All I felt was panic. I took a wheezing breath, oxygen swirling into my abused lungs. I coughed repeatedly, gasping in between, clutching at the grass under my hands.

The cool contrast of wet soil against my dry lips reminded me cruelly of water. I let my head rest against the ground for a moment. My mouth tasted of blood and my arms shook with effort.

But I knew better than to stop. I stumbled onto my wobbly legs and staggered onward. Where... where could I go? I leaned against a tree for a second, feeling lightheaded. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision, my eyes fluttering weakly.

I let myself fall to the ground in a heap and rested my head against the bark of the tree. My throat felt as rough as sandpaper and my heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out.

Distraction... I need a distraction.

I looked down at Macan's formerly white shirt. It was streaked with dirt with pieces of mud stuck to the fabric. My arms and legs were just as filthy, hands and feet muddy. I plucked twigs out of my hair and wiped my hands against the grass to clean them.

A few minutes passed before I could breathe properly again. I got up and tried to walk at a steadier pace. My heart jumped when I spotted something that resembled a road in the far distance. Limbs shaking from excitement, I rushed towards it. Maybe there would be a car passing by.

The road stretched further and further along and there was still no one in sight. But as long as I had a path, it would be okay. It had to lead somewhere, or to someone at least.

Like an answer to my desperate prayer, a small cottage came into view. Relief swelled inside me with the hope that this ordeal was almost over. It was far away, and judging by how dark it already was, I had to hurry to make it.

But no matter how many steps I took, the house remained the size of my thumb. Just as I was about to lose hope, something glistened on my right behind a row of trees.

Sweet sugar.

Rails. Freaking rails.

I ran towards them. The metal scraped against my feet as I climbed over the bushes. It could be a tramway, or a train. Just a bit further down was a station. I turned straight towards it and ran again.

As I reached it, I was met with a strange sight. The station was covered with the unkempt green of overgrown nature. I looked around more carefully and noticed the heavy rust on the rails. My stomach sank. A train had probably not passed through in a decade or more. I took a deep breath.

It's okay, I'm closer to home than I was an hour ago.

The sign hanging from a pole creaked eerily in the wind, the high-pitched, strident note giving me goosebumps. On the plate was a word next to some unrecognisable script: 'Manu'.

I guess he wasn't lying about that part.

Hoping the display case next to the rusty bench might reveal a clue as to where I was, I headed over and peered through the glass, blocking the dwindling sunlight by placing my hands between my forehead and the structure.

There was a poster visible inside, close enough to read, but I could not recognise the script. It was not Latin, Arabic, Greek, Russian, or any of the Asian scripts I knew.

What country am I in?

I dropped onto the bench with a sigh, the old metal creaking beneath me. My reflection stared back at me in the glass wall on the other side. I looked like a mess. And I was going to be a bigger mess if I did not find help soon.

How long could a person survive out in the woods with nothing but a shirt and a hair tie? I gulped. Three days... You can only survive for three days without water. What if the cottage was abandoned? What if...?

Would they even find my corpse?

If they did, at least they would know that I had fought back. That I had escaped my captor. They'd call me brave, but I was far from it. I was terrified, and simply got lucky escaping a crazed man--an alien--who had the ears of a tiger and tried to--

Oh god, I sound insane.

My hand closed over my mouth. I was losing my mind. And no one was going to find me. I burst into tears. Loud, gasping sobs spilled out as I finally had time to sit with my despair.

When I could no longer breathe through my nose and managed to stop crying, I wiped the tears away. My nose was blocked and I needed a tissue. I contemplated tearing a bit of the fabric off the shirt, but it barely stretched no matter how much strength I used.

He made it look so easy.

I jolted upright at the sound of a branch breaking, the hairs on the back of my neck bristling. My heart drummed in my ears as I waited, frozen, listening carefully.

Another crunch nearby and I ran, adrenaline returning to me as I flew back into the deep forest. My heart thumped as I kept running, not knowing where to go.

Sunlight started to disappear, creating beautiful colours in the sky above the trees. I ran until it was too dark to see much of anything.

My legs halted at a glimpse of a small volcano made of sand through that darkness. My instincts told me to go there. Just a few more steps and I was there, panting and gasping for air. I managed to hold on to a bush before my legs gave out, my sight darkening as I fell to the ground.

***

Cold sweat ran down my back as I ran to the window in the biblio to check if the bars had been tampered with. They were still intact and as programmed.

How the fuck did she go through them?

I stormed back to my office, pushed aside the couch, and took out the gun stored in the safe beneath the floor. There was no time to think. Manu was sparsely populated, but it was dangerous where people lived off-grid. I had to find the Ond Molai before she got too far or hurt someone.

I quickly checked the cameras for the direction she had chosen and then ran into the forest. She could not have gone far.

But hours later, she was still nowhere to be found and I was running in circles. I stopped to catch my breath, covered in sweat, cursing at myself.

I should have bought her some fucking clothes!

Wearing my shirt, her scent was dim and hard to find. She had gotten her memories back, of course she had. And she had played me for a fool. I felt stupid for having doubted the healent, even for a second. I had severely underestimated her, but I would fix this. I had to.

The sun was going down and it would be too dark to see anything soon, so I raced back to the house to get the nightseers. My options were grim at best and catastrophic at worst. Reporting her would lead to both of our deaths if they caught her. And accepting her escape would mean she could return to her master and kill again.

Neither is an option.

Once back at the house, I headed straight to my office to look through the security feed and pressed play.

She looked sure of herself as she jumped from the window and pushed it back into place. I played it several times more, looking for clues. I still couldn't believe how her hand went right through the bars.

But that's impossible. She's an Ailouran, no doubt about it. There should be no way for her to get through the bars.

It could have been a system glitch. Maybe she had remembered some trickery she had used in the past to bypass a similar system. Or she could've not adjusted to the atmosphere yet, meaning not enough of her DNA had returned to classify her as Ailouran.

All were huge stretches, but the system had never been tested with someone who had stayed on Earth for so long. Whatever it was, I didn't have time to dwell on it right now.

I rushed to pack some equipment and ordered a few items before rewatching the video. I combed through it frame by frame, and when I reached the moment where she had first stuck her hand through, I zoomed in on her face.

She looked shocked at first. Her head whipped back, a slight panic in her expression. But then that sly little smile. Fuck. It was definitely her. She had done it. She had found a way to escape just as she had found a way to survive on Earth. All I could hope for was to find her before my mistake cost someone's life.

~~~

The smell of fresh greenery surrounded me as I slowly opened my eyes. Something was covering my face. My throat was painfully dry and my muscles achy. I sat up to discover a strange sight. The ground I rested on was sandy and my body was under layers of enormous leaves. All around me were tall bushes and trees.

Something small moved in the corner of my eye. My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a startled scream. A creature walked towards me, almost identical to an ant but as big as a hamster.

The shock of it left me breathless, and I did my best to stay calm in order to not scare it.

The orange ant carried a cone-shaped leaf above its head. As it got close, I could see its face was not as horrifying as an ant's on Earth, with dark and curious eyes. Its body was rounded and lightly furred. Quite adorable actually.

It stopped close and waited patiently, as if expecting me to take the leaf. I couldn't process what I was seeing for a brief moment. There was water in it.

"Thank you..." I said, lost and confused but still thirsty enough to accept this strange offering.

The ant chirped and wiggled its antennae before walking off through the bushes. It was a wonder how the little fellow was able to carry the relatively heavy weight. I took a sip, savouring it in my mouth before swallowing, the water soothing my dry throat.

Looking up into the sky, I noticed the unique trees that surrounded me, kinds I had never seen before. The branches curled into perfect spirals, whirling around in a hypnotically circular way, maybe five or six times over themselves.

The leaves were the size of my torso, green with specks of different colours. Purple, orange, pink, and even blue. The same ones that covered me in my sleep. They looked absolutely magical.

Macan was right. This is definitely not Earth. Threa must be real.

I jumped when the bushes rustled, but was immediately comforted by the sight of the ant. The creature had brought a friend with it this time. My mouth fell open once again.

Is that... a hummingbird moth the size of a parrot?

Yes. Yes, it was.

The moth hovered in place as if it were simply floating, its wings just a blur of orange as they beat vigorously. Its body was plump and furred instead of feathered.

The head was blunt with large dark eyes and two prominent antennae. A long beak-like tube spiralled into itself, just like the branches on the trees.

The sight was so ridiculously unreal that I had no choice but to simply accept it. This was Threa, and I was in Manu, in the kingdom of freaking Xoolaha.

I leaned in close to the ground on my elbows and stomach to greet the little, well... humongous insects. They were adorable. I set my thoughts aside, wanting to focus only on this magical moment of discovery.

They must be the animals of Threa.

"Hello, are you my new friends?" I asked with an extra sweet voice so they understood I meant no harm. "I'll call you Anthony. Is that okay with you, Anthony?"

The ant chirped and wiggled its antennae. I took it as a yes and directed my attention to the floating hummingbird moth. "And you must be... Humphrey. A pleasure to meet you. And wow, aren't you just stunning creatures?"

Anthony started chirping and Humphrey followed along, humming a sweet song. They stopped soon after and stared at me. The duo waited patiently, as if for something specific. They were trying to communicate.

"Do you want food?" I asked.

Humphrey floated to my shoulder before climbing up my hair with its feet as I giggled with delight. The moth's beak then unfurled into a straight line and searched for something on the top of my head. Anthony looked on with curiosity.

Somehow, I understood they wanted to know what 'species' I was. But of course, I had no crown ears to show.

It really must be weird to them.

"Ai-lou-ran," I said slowly.

Coming from my own mouth, it felt weird. Humphrey fluttered off my head and floated down next to Anthony. Both their heads tilted, not understanding me. I snorted at the adorable sight.

Well then.

"Meow?" I tried, feeling ridiculous.

No luck. Anthony twitched its antennae, still waiting for me to explain myself.

"I don't blame you, little one," I sighed. "I don't know what I am either."

Anthony and Humphrey tried once again, chirping and singing, and then it clicked--I had to purr.

But how? How do I purr?

Macan had made me purr. It had felt incredible when his fingers caressed my spine. So deeply calming and pleasurable, but not in a sexual way. I sat up, trying to replicate it on my own back, but failed to reach the right spot. I had to find another method to relax.

I need happy thoughts.

Closing my eyes, I began massaging my temples, focussing on slowing my breathing. The comfort of my home back on Earth was the first thing to come to mind. I sighed longingly at the thought of my warm blanket and even my prickly old bed.

The porch was my favourite spot to read, a nibble of chocolate with a sip of tea on the side, the sun kissing my face from time to time.

On days I wasn't baking for clients, I would experiment with new desserts in my small kitchen, and the exquisite smell coming from the oven would fill the whole house. The solitude and simplicity of my daily life was something I had come to appreciate. And I missed it all so much.

Slowly but surely, I felt a rumbling hum starting in my body, too light to notice at first. It came from deep within me, rising until I felt it all over. And soon enough, I realised I was purring.

"Oh my god, I did it! I'm purring!"

The animals sang along, and for some reason, it seemed like they understood me. My spine straightened a little with pride for having done it.

Anthony turned around and disappeared into the bushes while Humphrey settled on my lap. The insect looked even more mesmerising now that it sat still.

Its wings were a bright orange, faded to amber near the base and edged with dark brown towards the tips. Carefully, I petted Humphrey's back, and its eyes closed. The lovely moth began humming a tune that sounded like a sigh.

"I know, amazing on your back, right?" I murmured, thinking of Macan. "You want to know how he didn't find me? It'll be our secret. I ran forward until I was far enough into the forest and then turned left. I know he had cameras, I'm not that stupid."

The longer I tried to distract myself, the more hopeless I felt. But I promised myself I would survive this.

The bush moved soon, and back came little Anthony, carrying a strawberry the size of a cantaloupe above its body with its 'buff', lanky arms. I accepted the gift with a smile before affectionately petting Anthony's head.

The enormous fruit was nothing short of marvellous. Its colour was a much deeper and darker red than on Earth. Taking out two big chunks with my nails, I put them in front of my new friends before digging in.

Having not eaten anything since yesterday's brunch, my stomach was gnawing at me. I devoured it in no time, paying no mind as its juices dripped onto my lap in ruby trails. Then I wiped my mouth and hands on the shirt for good measure.

It's long past clean anyway.

Filled with gratitude towards the creatures, I took out the elastic in my hair and ripped the strip of ribbon off, my tresses falling free around me. Anthony was too small, so I gifted the ribbon to Humphrey, tying it in a bow around its neck.

"There. It's loose enough that you can shake it off if you decide you don't want it."

Anthony, rightfully so, received a kiss on its head, and my hair tie, which fit the ant like a loose necklace. The small creature could also take it off easily. I continued petting them both, lost in appreciation of the truly magical sight.

I wondered about the many other insects that could exist as pets here and what they might look like. Winged creatures could be similar to birds like Humprey. A worm could easily count as a snake. And what would--

"Well, what do we have here?"

I jumped up to my feet.

A strange man stood before me, looking over the high bushes. I took a step back in shock. He had to be at least three heads taller than me. The animals quickly disappeared and my stomach sank at the thought that they had a good reason to.

Suddenly, the bush in front of me was yanked out of the ground and thrown aside. I stood frozen as a large, heavyset man stepped in front of me, not knowing what to do until he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. A third man appeared on my right as they formed a circle around me.

My eyes flicked to their ears, and I understood what Macan had told me about identity.

The tall man had a long face, a flat nose and two tiny stumps on the top of his head along with pointy ears. I wouldn't have figured it out if it weren't for his unnervingly long neck. I assumed his species was a giraffe, for lack of a better way to put it.

The heavyset man's ears were flat and closer to the sides of his head. He had the biggest, droopiest nose I had ever seen and small tusk-like teeth coming out of his mouth. His species was an elephant without a doubt.

I glanced at the third man, but could not make out what he was. He looked human and had no crown ears. I guessed his species could be a monkey.

"You look like a hot mess, darling," Giraffe spoke up. "Who did you piss off?"

"Are you lost?" Elephant came closer. "What's a little thing like you doing out here all on your own?"

I opened my mouth but I couldn't think of an answer. An evil grin spread on Giraffe's face and my heart continued to beat in my throat.

"Get her."

"S-stop!" I finally managed to stutter, putting my palms up. "Get away from me. I... I'm not alone!"

"Stupid girl," Monkey drawled with a sleazy grin. "You should have known better than to wander into the forest alone."

Suddenly, I was pushed to the ground, a splitting pain making me shriek as my knee cut open on a large rock. A stream of blood rushed out while I hissed at the sharp twinge of pain, the whole area raw.

"Looks like we found us a little treat, boys," Giraffe said. "Hold her up."

Elephant pulled me up by the arms, turned me around, and pinned my back against his stomach.

"No! Let me go!" I screamed.

Elephant leaned over me, unbothered by my frantic efforts to get loose. He was big, his hands covering most of my upper arms.

"What is she?" he asked. "She doesn't have any crown ears."

"I said, let me go!" He didn't even budge as I struggled against him.

"She ain't a Honid, I can tell you that," Monkey said. "Just look at her."

Giraffe snorted. "Oh, I am."

"Please! I won't tell anyone. Just--"

Elephant tightened his grip on my upper arms and twisted them behind my back.

"Ow!" I yelped. "You're hurting me!"

Giraffe squatted until he was eye level with me, his elbows resting on his knees. He trailed a hand over my face with a smug laugh. "I'm gonna hurt you so good, you'll be begging me for more."

I spat in his face, the disgusting man he was. The grin slid off his face to be replaced by a scowl, and my head whipped to the side. Before I knew it, a horrible pain radiated through my arms, drowning out the sizzle on my cheek.

I howled in agony, pulses of sharp pain shooting through my muscles as Elephant squeezed my arms. I was only faintly aware of laughter erupting around me through my screams. Bile rose in my throat.

And just before Elephant released me, a hand wrapped around my neck, keeping me upright as my legs uselessly trembled beneath me. With the last breath I managed to pull in, I was lifted into the air by the throat, Giraffe squeezing intently. I clawed at his hand, gasping for air.

I can't breathe. I can't breathe. Can't...

My eyes fluttered, my vision going blurry, and then dark, my chest burning.

The world around me started to fade, and just when my muscles went slack, the hand let go and I fell to the ground. Pain, hot and blistering, seared my lungs as I coughed, trying to breathe.

A hand yanked me up by the hair, turned me around, and pushed my head against Elephant's body. I wheezed. My knees buckled as I sagged against his front, muffled sounds coming in and out of focus.

The lanky frame came closer, propping me up and pinning me between the two men. "Fucking whore!" Giraffe spat in my ear. "You're going to regret that."

I groaned in fear. "Macan!" I screamed as loud as I could.

Elephant quickly covered my mouth, laughter erupting around me again. Panic raced through me. I screamed into his hand, my voice hoarse and my throat on fire.

They're going to--

A whimper squeezed out of me as a hand ran up my thigh, the men quieting all of a sudden. Then in a silent agreement, they shared a nod.

***

The sun shone through the branches at last. I had been searching for Kedi through the night and well into the morning. I cursed over and over, uneasiness coiling in my stomach. The Ond Molai had escaped, and I was slowly losing all hope of finding her in time. I kicked a tree, clenching my fists.

Aon curse her if she dares to hurt anyone.

Sweat dripped down my forehead as I leaned my back against the rough bark. I would not let that happen. I had to find her.

I was about to take a sip of water when a howl broke out from afar, sending a chill down my spine. The bottle fell from my hands. By Aon, that sounded painful. Without a second thought, I took off, running towards where the screams were coming from.

But they soon ceased and I was left guessing which direction I needed to go. A buzzing sound stopped me in my tracks. A Mellisuga zoomed towards me, singing frantically.

My eyes caught on the fabric around its neck when it stopped in front of my face. Kedi's ribbon. All the warmth drained from my body.

Fuck, was that her screaming?

"Where is she?" I demanded, and tried to replicate a purr. "Ghrr!"

The Mellisuga turned and flew away. Leading me to her, I hoped. I followed, running like I never had before.

"Macan!" I heard Kedi scream before her desperate cry was muffled.

I'm coming, little cat. Hold on.

I saw the three men from afar through the trees. Kedi was pinned and bent over between two of them. Her head was pushed against a heavyset man, one of his hands blocking her screams, the other holding her wrists behind her back. The tall man was holding her ass against him, his pants unbuttoned and his hand at his crotch.

"Back off!" I shouted as I reached them.

The men turned to me, a tall Affida and a large Sireni, a Honid off to the side watching them. And trapped between the two men holding her, a cowering Kedi. She was shaking, covered in mud, her face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks.

Their grip loosened and she straightened ever so slightly. My heart sank when I noticed the red splatters on the lower part of her shirt.

Blood was dripping down her leg from underneath the hem.

What the fuck did they do to her?

"We found her first, mate," the Honid laughed. "You can have sloppy seconds."

Kedi glanced up, those opal eyes weeping at me.

"Is this your boyfriend?" the Affida hissed as he pulled her by the arm, making her wince.

"Do that again," I roared, the sound rumbling in my chest, "and I swear by Aon you'll beg me for death when I'm through with you."

He froze, unsure what to do. And given how merciful I was feeling towards his grabby little fingers wrapped around her arm, it was a smart move when he let go of her. My head tilted towards the large Sireni still holding her, but the Honid dared to come closer.

"Hube--" they tried to warn him.

He flipped open a folding blade. "Piss off, mate. You think you can handle the three of us?"

I grinned sadistically. If he only knew.

Before he could hesitate, I lunged forward, jabbed my fingers into his throat, and slammed my knee into his groin. He crumpled to the ground with a choked groan. Grabbing him by the collar, I drove a fist into the bridge of his nose as he held his groin, once, twice, three times, my fist coming away bloodied.

I turned to the other two, my chest rising and falling rapidly, muscles geared up with excitement.

"Jeez, man, okay," the Sireni said hurriedly. "We were just having some fun."

"Fun is just about to start," I growled, my eyes landing on his hand still on Kedi. "Who would like to go second?"

He instantly released her and the two backed off.

Kedi stumbled towards me in a rush and clutched tightly to me, burying her face in my chest. She was shaking uncontrollably.

The ones with half a brain cell hastily pulled the idiot up off the ground, knowing better than to fight a Keioba, and hurried away. As their murmuring and rustling footsteps faded deeper into the forest, Kedi finally breathed out.

She took quick, sharp breaths, clinging to each of them as if she were worried they would be taken away from her. A broken cry escaped her.

"Shhh." I squeezed her closer, strangely compelled to caress her back. "I know, I know."

Her trembling body against my palm was a relief I could not name as she burst into tears, sobbing into my shirt. We stood there until the tremors slowed.

Bending down, I picked her up in my arms to carry her back to the house. Instead of resisting, she clung harder to me. Her head rested against my chest while she crumpled my shirt in her small fist, sniffling every so often.

Definitely not the Ond Molai yet.

She was still trembling, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. My jaw stiffened as I noticed the deep cut on her knee. It took all my willpower to keep myself from going back there, finding the fuckers, and shooting them one by one.

The silence broke as Kedi began purring, the gentle hum tempting my fury to ebb.

"Learned how to purr without me, huh?"

She closed her eyes and faintly shrugged.

***

Macan's scent flooded my nerves. Lavender, cloves and warmth itself. I clutched as tightly as possible to him, as if he might be a hallucination that would disappear as soon as I let go. As ridiculous as I felt, I could not stop purring even as I was shaking.

"Th-thank you," I whispered hoarsely.

I was still reeling with adrenaline, yet his presence gave me some semblance of reassurance. His chest was firm and comforting, his arms protective. Dwelling in his amber scent, I somehow drifted at the edge of sleep despite the tension wound tight inside me.

I opened my eyes a while later when the sun kissed my face. I was still in his arms, my head against his broad chest, and had stopped shaking. We were in the garden, the forest behind us.

"I can walk now..." I offered softly, knowing it was not true.

Macan ignored me and strode to the house, a harsh look on his face. My heart beat faster. He was angry at me. I knew I was in trouble, but also knew he wouldn't hurt me like those other men had.

Curling back into his chest, I tried to enjoy the last bit of his scent while I could.

***

Once inside, I carried Kedi to the couch.

She tried to get up. "It'll get dirty."

"Sit!" I snapped.

Who the hell cares about the couch right now?

The red stain on her shirt looked like a mixture of blood and muddy water. I sat down heavily, fearing the worst had happened to her. Lifting the hem, I spread her legs and ran my hand over the inside of her thigh. It was clean.

"Oh... uhm, it's just strawberry juice," she explained, her voice hoarse and small.

She avoided my eyes, still not resisting. I pulled the shirt back down and put her bad knee over my leg to examine it. The wound looked even deeper than it had at first glance, but it had at least stopped bleeding.

I could leave it like this. But she would definitely get an infection.

I could not afford to let her die from such a stupid reason. There was still much I had planned for her. She had to at least be alive.

I grabbed the healkit and mixed a bowl of yoghurt with concentrated healent before handing it to her. She began to eat without questioning, glancing at my face and checking my expression. I put her leg back on my lap and returned my attention to her wound.

She yelped as I roughly picked out a small stone. A tear dripped down her cheek, her leg starting to tremble. She tensed up when I placed my hand under her knee to hold it closer.

Her breath quickened and she turned her head away, waiting. She was obviously afraid I would do it again, but didn't even have the courage to ask me to be gentle. Something burned in my stomach, seeing her like this.

She is not as innocent as she seems, Macan. Get it together.

I took the spray from the table and held it close. "It's going to sting."

She scrunched her eyes shut and nodded. The antiseptic burned the open wound and she hissed, digging her fingers into the couch, shivering weakly. I could not stop myself from gently blowing on her knee, her leg occasionally twitching.

The spray dried by the time she finished her food. She was too drowsy from the healent to react as I picked her up and carried her upstairs to my bedroom.

I sat her at the end of the bed and she mindlessly lifted her arms as I pulled off her shirt. Her body was covered in little cuts and scrapes, with two prominent bruises starting on her upper arms, and one around her neck.

I fetched a salve and some bandages. She needed a shower, but that had to wait until after the healent did its work. I wiped away the dirt from her wounds with a wet towel, applying the ointment wherever I could find a cut. Then returned my attention to her knee.

The skin around it was already starting to turn blue. After carefully cleaning the stream of dried blood, I scooped up a large dollop of salve and applied it to the wound, mindful not to touch it directly.

Kedi whined quietly as I finally wrapped her knee in a bandage. Looking up at her from my position on the floor, I understood how she could have made so many people fall victim to her.

With her head tipped back, and the sunlight catching the dampness on the lines of her stomach left by the wet cloth, she was practically radiant. Her pull was impossible to ignore, even while her lure was muted by blood, dirt... and those men who dared to touch her.

I can still find the fuckers and--

She yelped as I fastened the bandage a little tighter than needed. My jaw tightened. I was not about to say sorry.

Getting back on my feet, I lifted her up so she could test the knee. She could stand at least.

She held on to my arms and looked up, her face blank with exhaustion. "Bed... please..."

I agreed. She needed sleep, and so did I.

Handling her carefully, I placed her in bed and climbed in after her, draping the warm blanket over us. I pulled her against my chest, feeling the need to hold her. She snuggled closer. I sighed in relief at having her back before drifting off to sleep.

***

I groaned.

Pain. Deep, throbbing pain pulsed through me, slowly dragging me from sleep. My brows furrowed when I tried to shift, my muscles aching.

Sweet sugar, that hurts.

Opening my eyes was like trying to lift two fifteen-kilo flour sacks. Macan wasn't there when I managed to. And I wasn't in a cell anymore either.

This room was bigger. The walls were again a warm beige, the interior tastefully decorated with cosy brown and black art pieces and rich green plants.

The canopy bed was huge and fitted with luxurious cream-coloured sheets. On my left was a large barred window with the same glow as before. Judging by the light, it was close to evening.

I was vaguely aware that I should still be reeling with what had happened yesterday, but my nervous system was strangely calm.

I took a deep breath and sank further into the sheets. The bed smelled faintly like Macan. He had slept next to me after tending to my wounds, that much I remembered. And my arms. They were so badly bruised the skin almost looked black.

On the bedside table was a glass of water and two pills. My muscles protested as I carefully sat up, trying not to aggravate the dull ache in my arms.

I leaned in to drink from the straw. Small sips because my throat was absolutely killing me too. I finished the glass with some effort. The pills, however, I left untouched.

I don't want to be drugged again.

My knee felt considerably better. Raising my good leg, I peeked under the blanket. I was naked, of course, but the bandage had been removed.

Surprisingly, the wound was almost completely closed, now just a nasty bruise. The scratches around my body were also gone. I remembered Macan had put some kind of paste on them.

It must be special since they healed so quickly.

Footsteps echoed from behind the door. I scrambled to cover myself as much as possible, wincing at my arms. Macan came in with a bowl on a tray, and set it next to me on an overbed table before rolling it in front of me.

It was chicken soup. Steam danced in orectic swirls and I leaned in to take a big whiff, my eyes closing. It smelled so good I could cry. My stomach growled, agreeing with me.

I opened my eyes to Macan staring, an unreadable expression on his face. Gratitude rose in my chest but the words caught in my throat.

It was strange seeing him in a new light, given he was my saviour as much as my captor. I wanted to explain myself, explain what had happened.

"I--"

"Eat first and then talk."

"Okay."

I eagerly reached for the spoon and shrieked in pain. My arms throbbed. I took a steadying breath and leaned back, abandoning the food.

Macan sighed. With some reluctance, he took the spoon, dipped it in the soup, and blew on it before offering it to me. I accepted it gladly. The rich broth soothed me down to my bones and tasted incredible.

He fed it to me slowly, at my pace, giving me pieces of bread in between and occasionally wiping my mouth. I could not help but feel thankful. I glanced at the tips of his ears sticking out from his hair as I ate, the sight still unfamiliar.

I wonder when mine will come in.

When I finished the meal, he poured me another glass of water.

"Take the pills."

I did so without argument.

***

Turning off the tub's faucet, I checked the water's temperature. It was quite hot, as the healent I had added needed the heat to work.

Kedi's upper arms were a deep purple, and though I was not a tender, I was certain she had a hematoma by how severe the bruises looked.

If I did not take care of it, there was a high chance the pooling blood could build too much pressure and cut off her circulation, which could lead to tissue death, and eventually sepsis.

Even if I took my chances, her arms would eventually hinder me. I had to heal her so she could at least function.

I don't want to keep feeding and bathing her. I have better things to do.

And that was exactly why I had also given her a relaxant in her sleep. I did not have time to deal with any trauma along with the mystery of her unrecovered memories and how she had escaped. Nor did I have the energy to deal with her antics.

I went to get her, still not giving her a chance to walk, and carried her to the shower first to wash off the remaining dirt. She covered her breasts and mound as I lowered her to stand in the shower. I took a step back and she looked away.

Her body was painfully discoloured. Seeing my prize marked by someone other than me put a sour taste in my mouth. Her arms were bruised horribly, the wound on her knee now a deep blue circle. I saw the fingerprints etched on her throat and cursed under my breath.

How could they do this to her?

I knew she was the Ond Molai, but they didn't! They had done this to a clearly lost and terrified young woman. Her shaking frame and pleading eyes flashed before me again. She was so fucking fragile. Helpless and surrounded by savages. Because of me.

My fury grew the more I looked at her. I didn't know if it was directed at them for hurting her, at Kedi for being so weak, or at myself for letting it happen.

I did know one thing I was furious about. Her escape.

I stripped naked, my movements jerky, and stepped inside the shower, closing the glass door behind me. Standing so close, I realised again just how tiny she was. Her head came up to my chest, barely reaching my shoulders. Her body was almost half my size. I scoffed.

As if I need another reason to not be harsh with her.

I turned on the showerhead to wet her hair before grabbing a bottle of foamer. The dishevelled curls stretched out into waves under the water as I started at the roots. Kedi stood still with her eyes closed, but winced when I applied some pressure. I tried to be gentler, and her shoulders relaxed.

Don't get used to it, princess.

The fluffy cloud of foamer had turned grey by the time I rinsed it out and did a second round. It was still terribly tangled. Squeezing out a big dollop of softener, I applied it to her hair, gently brushing my fingers though the knots to loosen them. Now clean and wet, her hair came down to her hips like silk drapes along her voluptuous body.

Fucking beautiful.

Setting the showerhead aside, I took the washpad and rubbed a bar of soap against it, eyeing her. She was covered in dirt. I grabbed the hand covering her mound, but she didn't budge. I gave it a little tug, careful not to hurt her, and she yielded, closing her legs tightly.

Making sure to be gentle over the bruise, I washed her arm and then let her take it back, exchanging it with the other as she covered her breasts again. The more skin that emerged from under the dirt, the stronger her scent became. I washed her collarbone next.

"Put your arms down."

Kedi shook her head, staring at the floor.

"Put them down or I'll fucking make you."

Clasping her hands in fists, she slowly lowered her arms. I began washing her breasts. Her nipples swelled dusky pink as I rubbed the perfect nubs clean, perhaps taking longer than I needed to. It was dead quiet between us save for the chattering of her teeth.

I pulled her forward so her body pressed against me, and gently draped her arms around my waist.

"Don't fall."

Hooking a hand under her knee, I lifted the leg to clean it. She held on tight, nipples hard against my abdomen. I could feel her relax into the heat of my body.

I repeated the process with her other leg. Then leaned over her to wash her back in thorough circles, until I came to her round ass, scrubbing off the dirt there too.

She tensed suddenly and awkwardly let go, moving back a step. She must have noticed how hard I was getting from the way she was pressing against me. Not my fault, honestly.

Once I was satisfied she was clean, I gathered her hair in my fist, making a low ponytail, and pulled down to extend her neck, forcing her to look up at me. She looked deep into my eyes, her chocolate opals casting a spell on me.

I rubbed her throat, careful with the washpad around the bruise that encircled her slender neck. There was something about her. Something so perfect in the tenderness, the innocence of what was once an evil soul.

She panted lightly, her face wet and glistening, her cheeks flushed. Soapy water ran down her breasts and trickled from her stiff nipples, tempting me to suck on them.

I leaned in despite myself, pulling her up by her hair until she was on her tiptoes. She smelled exquisite. I took a deep breath to live in her scent for a brief moment.

Her lips parted, beckoning me closer. Pink, plush, inviting...

Hahh... sweet little temptress...

I could not suppress the low growl that emerged as her lips brushed against mine. The washpad fell from my hand.

I had missed my toy, her scent, her warmth, and everything else. Our bodies melted together as I found her tongue, obliterating every sense but her taste. Cinnamon and vanilla, dripping in honey.

She felt so good under my hands, so soft, like she was crafted for me. I ran my free hand over her slippery body, savouring the feel of her heat against me, and reached down to that softness, gliding over her rose petals.

She gasped in my mouth, the sound vibrating through me. I kissed her harder. Hot. Sweet. Urgent. My chest felt raw and my cock too heavy.

I broke the kiss, leaving us both breathless. "Do they know? Did you tell them who you are?"

"No," she panted softly, her eyes chained to mine.

I stroked her slit, feeling her shiver, my anger rising. "Did it hurt a lot? Did you cry for me?"

"Mh... y-yes."

She pulsed on my fingers, hot breaths escaping her mouth in little sighs. I spread her lips, finding her wet, rubbing her there, losing myself to the feeling. My heart pounded in my ears.

"Did they... did they touch you like this?"

I will rip their fucking heads off if--

"No."

I cracked my neck, my shoulders stiff. "Show me how they touched you."

"Macan, please..."

"I said show me."

Her hand closed around my wrist, pulling it from her dripping sex. I followed easily, careful not to put strain on her arms, letting my hand go where she led. With a hesitant shift, she planted my palm on her left breast.

I was going to kill the fuckers. "That's it? They didn't touch you anywhere else?"

Her chin wobbled. "Yes... I promise."

I released my breath and let go of her, trying to calm down.

What am I getting so worked up for?

I quickly rinsed her off before leading her to the bathtub. My arousal was even more apparent, and she looked away, fists tense, as though she were trying hard to not cover herself.

I carefully helped her into the sizable tub, letting her hold on to me before following her in. Sitting her sideways on my lap, I began massaging her tense arms, rubbing slow circles on her purpled skin. She started loosening up as the healent did its work, her tiny hand on my chest, her head leaning into it.

***

Despite the fear I still felt towards Macan, his chest was comforting. It was strange, but I did not hate his hands stroking every part of my aching body. Though, his erection was still in sight.

I blushed, trying to keep my eyes busy elsewhere. His naked torso and the muscles of his arms occupied my mind instead. It was embarrassing to admit, but I could not deny how attractive he was.

He massaged my bruises patiently under the water, being so careful with my arms and knee. My spine prickled when he occasionally lifted my chin to caress my neck, gentle fingers tracing the sore skin.

With Macan's attentiveness, the bruises slowly faded before my eyes, as did the pain.

His hands were still roaming over me, but I had neither the strength nor the desire to stop him. Yet the logical part of my brain was silently screaming, and with a good reason.

The duality of his cruelty and his tenderness was confusing, if not dangerous and unpredictable. I had to be on my best behaviour from now on. He would make me pay for escaping eventually.

I had to come up with a way to make him forgive me, but I was so tired. My eyes were heavy and my thoughts slow.

Would he even understand my plight?

***

The stiffness in Kedi's body finally abated as her injuries healed. I gently squeezed her arms to make sure no tenderness remained. And to my satisfaction, she made no complaint.

Then I remembered she had winced when I washed her hair. Maybe her head hurt too.

I looked down at her, frowning.

Hahh... why not?

I scooped up some water and poured it over her head, then shifted her to face me with her legs folded over my thighs. Kedi's eyes fluttered shut with an appreciative moan when I started massaging her scalp to activate the healent.

Her hands planted on my chest as I repeated this several times with the steamy water, her head tilting slightly. It didn't take long before she was purring again.

Her eyes opened tiredly, slowly blinking at me. A hint of a smile, so pretty. Lost in her delight, I could do nothing but watch her as she leaned in. Her hips lifted. And then she kissed me. A nice soft nibble on my lower lip.

I froze.

Is she trying to seduce me?

I pushed her away, my mind clearing. "No. You do not get to do that."

Her shoulders drew inwards. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice small. "I just wanted to please you."

"Why?"

"You're angry with me..."

I shoved her off me and stepped out of the tub, afraid I might do something to hurt her, my anger suddenly reignited. Using her lure on me so blatantly and then acting innocent. How could I fall for it?

"I--"

"Don't you fucking dare!" I roared.

I was done listening to her nonsense. Fuck her and her fake apologies. I quickly dried myself off and put my pants back on.

When I turned, Kedi's knees were curled up against her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. A few tears fell down her cheeks.

Oh, the nerve of this girl.

"Look at you, you're pathetic!" The words tasted wrong in my mouth. "Is crying all you're capable of?"

Kedi wiped her eyes, but her cunning tears kept coming.

"Please don't be angry," she said meekly, her bottom lip curling into a pout.

"Stop pretending! Or are you really stupid enough to think your innocent act is going to work on me?"

I was furious, but I didn't know why.

Is it because she ran away? Because she tried to seduce me? Or because she is the Ond Molai?

"What did I ever do to you?" she asked sorrowfully. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

"You really want to know? Alright. I'll show you what you really deserve." I yanked her out of the tub and dragged her to the bed.

"I'm sorry!" she cried.

"Not yet you're not."

I bent her over my knee and pushed her head down by her hair as she fought against me. Her ass was pushed up, still wet from the water.

I raised my hand high and brought it down in a hard slap.

"Ahh!" she yelped. And then went completely still, breathing harshly.

I rubbed her round cheek. "Will you try to escape again?"

"Don't--"

I smacked her again, the sound ringing out along with her hiss.

"No, I won't, I promise!" she corrected herself.

I took a good look at her reddening ass and hit her again, watching it jiggle as she winced. Then did it once more, harder.

"Mmhh!" Kedi let out, her lips pressed together.

I kept spanking her, loving the way she cried and jerked each time. Sobs and slaps synchronised, drowning out the panting in between. I didn't stop until my own palm started stinging.

She moaned pitifully as I soothed the skin. My chest rose rapidly, my cock still aching.

I raised my hand. "Three more, count with me."

"Stop... please."

"One." I hit her red cheek, soft and hot against my palm.

"One!" she yelped.

I rubbed where I hit her, a moment's mercy. Her legs trembled as I lifted my hand again. "Two."

She held her breath, waiting for the blow. My hand came down onto her skin.

"Ahh..." she moaned in pain. "T-two... hahhh..."

I swallowed thickly, the sounds she made nearly driving me insane. I rubbed the sting away, before lifting my hand a final time. "Three."

I made the last blow sharp and hard.

"Three!" she screamed.

Her skin was painfully red, covered with my handprints. She hissed as I started massaging her plump ass.

"I know, little cat," I murmured. "I know you try to be good. But you've been so bad. I can't forgive you for that."

Kedi sniffled quietly. I turned her face towards me by the hair. She was crying. Face red and eyelashes wet. But the physical pain of her punishment was nothing compared to the grieving hearts she had caused.

I wanted her helpless. As helpless as she had made her victims feel. To take control of her body as she did to others, because by Aon was I losing mine too. There was no denying her true nature. She had even tried to seduce me.

"You kissed me because you wanted me to make you feel good again, is that so?"

Kedi shook her head, her widening eyes glistening with tears.

I pushed her head down and spat on my fingers. "Then fight it!" I ordered, spreading my spit along her sex. "Don't you dare come."

***

Blood rushed to my head as Macan began rubbing between my legs, his movements demanding and merciless. My ass was burning and my heart was thrumming in my ears. I shivered as pleasurable tingles invaded my body, already threatening to sabotage the mission I had just been given.

His fingers taunted me, alternating between harsh strokes and tugs as I shook from head to toe. Like being yanked into pleasure.

I tried to detach myself from the feeling by focussing on my aching ass instead, afraid of what he might do to me if I came, but the pain only heightened the pleasure.

My mouth fell open as he hit a sensitive spot, a thrill going through me. So good. No... I whimpered as he did it again, clenching hard to stop the sensation from deepening.

"Good girl," Macan purred.

I moaned in response, trying my best to stay quiet, but my best wasn't good enough.

"Please," I begged, struggling to fight the pleasure he was forcing on me.

His thumb came to my centre. "If you come before I say you can, you're going to regret it," he warned darkly.

Fear swallowed me whole as he lazily circled my opening, dragging out the moment. I scrambled forward, trying to escape the intrusion. No, he couldn't--

A cry escaped me as the thick digit finally pushed in.

***

I grinned, Kedi's attempt to wiggle free only serving to entertain me. Forcing her open with my thumb, I bent it in her channel while the rest of my fingers played with her clit.

With every stroke I made, every cry I drew from her, I claimed my power over her body, the markings on her skin now made by me and me alone.

She is my prisoner. Mine to hurt, mine to play with. Mine.

I spanked her hard and she moaned. Her hips started to roll, riding the sharp pain. My cock throbbed painfully in my pants as slick pooled in my palm.

Droplets of water rolled off the small of her back, still wet from the bath. She let out a shuddering breath, and then ever so slightly, she pushed back against me.

She's fucking loving this.

I hit her round ass again and her pussy fluttered around my hand. I unzipped my pants with a growl and wrapped my hand around my erection, the scent of her wet sex unbearably sweet.

Pleasure curled around my spine as I stroked my stiff length, my head tilting back. I needed some fucking release. The last couple of days had been torture with thoughts of Kedi's cunt wrapped around me.

Her mewling cries rang out as I rolled her clit in between my fingers.

"You know what this is called?" I rasped.

"Nngh! N-no."

I gazed upon her sex, seeing it glisten all over, her poor little clit swollen against the pads of my fingers.

"It's your clit. Say it."

"My hahh... m-my clit."

Fuck, I was hard. "You feel how sensitive it is?" I asked thickly, my breaths coming out in bursts. "I'm going to belt your clit if you escape again."

A fearful gasp came from her.

"That's right." I stopped stroking myself to spank her ass, and spoke with every blow. "Will you-- fucking-- run away-- from me-- again?"

She pulsed on my fingers in rhythm with each hit, crying out a needy "No!"

"You like that idea, huh? Your clit all red and stinging. Trying not to come while I punish it and your sorry ass."

***

Tears ran down my face as I barely held myself together. I was shaking all over, taut with pleasure. Macan leaned into a sensitive spot below my ear, sounding raw and husky.

"You're drenching my hand, little cat." His voice bristled the hair behind my ears, sending a strong jolt down my spine. "Can you feel how close you are? Your pussy is fluttering on my hand every time I smack you."

He gave me another spank to prove his point, his fingers unrelenting. Hot shame washed over me. I whined, unable to do anything but take it. Pleasure dragged me to that forbidden place, but the pain was like gasoline on a fire.

The same sharp, white-hot sensation rushed to my centre, my moans mingling with his hot breath below my ear. I cried out as he hit me again, pulsing on him.

"Please, please... ahh..." I was not going to be able to hold it off. "Please!"

"Please, what?" he murmured. "You want to come?"

"I-- I can't--" I stiffened, feeling it approach, ready to drown in the waves of ecstasy about to crash over me. "P-plea--"

"Come for me, Kedi," he finally allowed.

I came with a warbling cry, my body locking up as Macan ground against my clit. Too good. Too intense. I grasped at him, delirious with agonising pleasure as the powerful sensation spread through my core like a wildfire.

***

Kedi kept coming, my ears ringing with her helpless mewls and my hand drenched in her pleasure. I did not stop, exhausting every last tiny jerk and moan from her. I'd never seen a woman come so long before.

She winced as she finally came down, trying to squirm away from my hand.

I pulled her back into place. "Who said I'm done with you?"

She whined, shivering on my lap while I continued playing with her oversensitive parts. Her eyes closed and her nails dug into my leg. Little grunts as she fought the jerking of her body, trying to stay still.

"That's right. You'll be a good little pet for me, won't you now?"

She made a pitiful sound. I pressed my thumb more firmly on the roof of her sex, rubbing the spot that made her come undone. She tensed then, her face changing into a grimace, nose scrunched and eyebrows drawn.

"N-no--" A shudder of her hips.

"There you go, keep coming for me."

She wailed, crying out miserably as another orgasm tore through her spent body. Another thrust, another wracking tremble. Muscles taut with pleasure, babbling pleas as I drew it out. With one last ragged breath, I finally stopped.

I pushed her off my lap, and she dropped to the floor.

"I hope it was worth trying to trick me. Aon guide you if you don't tell me what you were scheming--"

She mumbled something unintelligible.

"Speak up!" I barked, making her flinch.

"I... I trusted you," she whispered, her shoulders shaking.

"What?"

"You were so... so different from before. So gentle and caring." Her breath hitched. "I was grateful to you for saving me. But you were still angry. And then you wanted something else... in the shower."

The realisation hit me like a brick. The kiss in the shower...

"Wasn't it what you wanted?" Her voice quivered. "You touch me and kiss me, and you don't want me to fight you but you also don't want me to give in to you? What am I supposed to do? What do you want from me?"

I lifted her to her feet. She stared at me, wet eyelashes outlining her red-rimmed eyes.

I didn't know what to say. She hadn't acted out of malice. It was me who gave her the wrong idea.

I reached out and she flinched away from me. My hand hung in the air. She was right to be confused. The healent had made her weak and addled. I caught a tear as it fell from her cheek, my hand lingering on the blotchy skin.

"Please," she murmured as I wiped at another one. "Tell me what I did. I don't know what it is but I'll fix it. I'm sorry, I truly am so, so sorry."

Fucking hell.

She was waiting for an answer, breathing heavily, shivering like a wet cat. Her eyes dropped down to my pants and she took a step back, her pitiful expression swiftly turning to disgust. She covered herself, and I stood up to get a towel, zipping up my pants.

Her voice trembled behind me. "You're no better than those men."

I turned around and returned to the bed, wrapping the towel around her shivering body. She clung to it, angry eyes glaring at me before she walked into the bathroom.

Another realisation struck me. I wasn't just angry at her for escaping. I was afraid.

I don't want her to change into her past self.

This was beyond making me feel guilty for punishing her. The temptress already had her claws embedded in me without even knowing. I had to establish some understanding, and some distance.

I tossed her a shirt when she came back into the room and then opened the closet. Pushing the hangers aside, I revealed two sets of clothes.

"Tomorrow you'll wear one of these," I said stiffly, pointing to them. "Your nightset hasn't arrived yet."

"Can I have underwear?" she asked quietly.

"You don't need it."

She turned her back and hesitantly dropped the towel to put on the shirt. My handprints were fresh bruises on her red ass. I'd been a brute towards her. But it had to be that way.

Her curls sprung back to life as they dried, the ringlets at her lower waist dancing around her as she moved.

When she turned, my eyes swept over her face. "Follow me."

I headed downstairs, her feet reluctant behind me. Leading her to the dining table, I gestured for her to sit down. She did so gingerly and waited for me to start.

"You, Kedi, are an exile of the kingdom of Xoolaha," I began, "one of only seven people ever to be exiled from Threa."

"Exile? I know nothing about this place. I've never been here to begin with."

"Exiles are given an advanced toxin that strips them of their memories and replaces them with artificial ones before being sent to Earth. The healent I gave you," I said, pointing at her neck, "was supposed to restore your real memories."

"Sorry, the what?"

"'Healent'. You call it medicine. I suspect your system can't process it yet because your Threan DNA hasn't fully rejuvenated. It needs more time after being away from the Threan atmosphere for so long."

"What about my past, my memories? Of growing up, and my life?"

"They're fake. You have no friends, no family. The memories you possess were put in your head so you would think you had a different past. It ensures that you do not cause any disruption and no humans are put in danger."

"Danger?" she repeated sceptically. "Let's say what you're saying about memories is true. What could I have done to deserve being exiled?"

I sat up straight. Now was the important part.

"You're a vicious killer, Kedi. The Ond Molai. You took countless innocent lives and tore families apart."

I waited for her reaction, for any kind of awareness, but her expression remained blank.

"Why... why would I do that?" The question she asked was not one of reckoning but to challenge my claim.

"You worked for an unknown master, and you killed indiscriminately. People of all ages. Singles, couples, spouses, parents... and always their children. You were extra creative with mates. Limbs torn, bodies caked in blood, forced to listen to each other's heartbeats fading away in their last moments."

Keid's face paled but she remained mostly detached. "What's that, a mate?" she asked, hugging her stomach. "Is it like a partner?"

"It's much more than that. Mates share more than a life. They're meant for each other in ways other people aren't. Even the thought of losing your mweya can destroy a person."

She nodded, having nothing else to say to my claims and the retelling of her sins.

"Oh, there's more," I continued. "The royal family were your last victims. Since your exile, the murders and disappearances in Xoolaha have been drastically reduced, but have not stopped completely. Whoever you were working for is still out there. They remain unknown as you never revealed your master's identity. But I'm going to get it out of you once you regain your memories, even if I have to take drastic measures."

Kedi's eyes widened. "So that's why you--"

"That's why I kidnapped you," I finished for her. "To make you suffer for all you have done. You see, exiles are sent to Earth for its toxic atmosphere. It eats away at your DNA, resulting in a slow, miserable death. It should have killed you by now, but you've somehow survived."

I thought back to a year ago. "At first, it was a rumour. Someone claimed to have spotted you alive and well on Earth. No one took it seriously. But people started to get restless as word spread, and reported it to the king. Our king is an honest man. He promised his people justice and hired me to find you. But I've decided you deserve more than just rotting in a cell."

Her face twisted and finally she countered, "You're wrong! It can't be me!"

"You are a Threan exile living on Earth who doesn't remember her past or know what she is, one of seven, and the only Ailouran. You and your deeds are well known and described in countless books. There are old pictures of you and an arrest warrant as well. It's you."

She shook her head. "Old pictures? When did this happen?"

"A few decades ago."

"What?" she responded incredulously. "How old do you think I am?"

"Again, the atmosphere on Earth is toxic to Threan biology. It begins to damage your DNA after two years of continued exposure. But it also stops the ageing process. You, Kedi, were exiled twenty-five years ago. You were supposed to die in the first ten."

"Someone would have noticed if I hadn't aged for twenty-five years," she challenged.

"You lived in a cottage surrounded by nothing for miles around. You do not have 'someone', only memories of them. Which is true of all exiles who are sent away to die alone. But you've managed to survive and make a good life for yourself."

She started to get restless. "And... and besides the pictures, how do you know it was me?"

I gave her a saccharine smile. "You confessed to it in front of the whole court."

"I did?"

Her shoulders fell a little as I nodded.

She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with her fingers. "I'd like to see the pictures. And the books. The books you say describe me and what... what I've done."

"Why?"

"I don't believe you," she admitted. That much was obvious.

Maybe reading about it will bring her memories back quicker.

"I'll give them to you tomorrow," I decided.

It was too late in the evening, and she needed more sleep to fully recover. I could probably use it too, since I had searched for her through the entire night and then barely slept next to her this morning.

Reaching into my pocket, I walked over behind her. I held up the velvety black choker before her eyes. "This is your collar. I made it specially for you after your little stunt. We don't want that to happen a second time, do we?"

Kedi did not respond besides a single nod. Holding her shoulders firmly, I leaned in behind her ear, a hint of warning in my touch. "Although I can already imagine what I would do to your sweet little cunt after I caught you again. Hold your hair up."

She shakily complied. I buckled the choker around her neck, and the fabric merged into itself, leaving no seams. It was something I had made while she was asleep, since the security system had proven to be useless.

"Now, let's see about these bars."

I marched her to the cell in the confinement room. When she touched the bars, her hands went right through them once again. No alarms beeped either.

I frowned. "Did you know this would happen?"

"I'm not sure how to answer that," she said quietly. "I thought they were solid and then they weren't. I don't know what's supposed to happen."

"Back upstairs," I said tightly.

Back in my room, I pressed the button next to the bed to make the robotic system change the sheets to clean ones. Now that I knew she could escape through the bars, I was not going to take any more chances. I opened one of the drawers and grabbed the new rope I had ordered yesterday.

"I'm going to tie you to the bed from now on, and you will sleep next to me."

She reluctantly stuck out her hands and watched me tie the smooth fabric around her wrists.

This should keep her from chafing.

After changing into my nightset, I made her lie down and tied the rope to the bedframe. I slipped into bed next to her and wrapped an arm around her to ensure I would wake if she tried to escape again.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day.