By morning his feelings about what he’d done hadn’t settled.
An owner should be able to fuck a slave without getting concerned or confused. He sipped his cup of steaming tava and studied Blue where she lay curled in her bedding. The sun was barely rising. She was the most rebellious and annoying slave he’d yet seen. Dancing on the truck half-naked after protesting over her clothes being too revealing? Why he was attracted to keeping her was a puzzle. She needed strict training before she’d be trustworthy.
What owner would want to be chaining her every day? Not him.
Besides, he didn’t know what he’d discover at the Chasm.
The man who dressed in gray arrived and perched on the back of the old truck.
“Thanks for the help with the trade.” He raised the cup. “Like some?”
“Sure.”
As he poured a second cup, Sassik asked what had been bothering him. “I’m Sassik. Are you following me?” He nodded at Blue. “Us.”
“My name’s Zerlin. Following you? In a way. I made a secret vow, and you’re the beneficiary. I’m bound to help you.”
Secret? He raised a brow, sure his skepticism was written on his face.
He tipped out the dregs of java, watched it soak into the ground.
“I appreciate the help but you’re not to follow us anymore. Understood?”
Zerlin sipped from his cup. “Of course. May I ask where you’re going?”
He chuckled. “No. But if I see you I may shoot you.”
“You won’t see me. Your buyer comes.”
The whoremaster, Worat.
Sassik rose. He fished two coins from his pocket, tossed them to Zerlin. “For your help.”
“As I said, I’m bound to. One last thing. Sometimes going slow is the fastest way to get places.”
“Noted.” He waved goodbye. Strange man.
Worat arrived and put out his hand for Sassik to shake.
With Blue securely fastened, he could walk away and examine the new, smaller truck without worrying she’d vanish. They exchanged details then he paid Worat. Caring for Blue meant he needed extra money for provisions. He ended up purchasing equipment from Worat anyway. It was well-made and at cost.
Training the girl to be more amenable was good for her.
Hopefully he’d sell her before the Chasm. He ambled over and lightly kicked the base of her foot where it stuck out through the blanket. He knew she was awake though she’d barely stirred. Had she thought he’d say some secret if she listened in?
“Up. We’re leaving. You can eat as I drive. Pee somewhere outside the campgrounds.” He smiled thinly. She had issues with being seen peeing. One of those weirdnesses he guessed humans came with, ready-made. “When you come back, I’m locking this to you.” He raised the chastity belt he’d bought.
Her eyes nearly popped out. “What the f... What is that, Sassik?”
“It goes on your lower half, stops you touching your pussy. From now on, I’m training you. If I sell you to a man, I don’t want him returning you because you bit him.”
“How’s that stop me biting?”
“It doesn’t.” He opened the passenger door on his new vehicle. Pretty red, most of it. What a lovely target it would make them. “In. It’s a chastity belt. Stops you getting fucked and stops you playing with your female parts. Need to repaint this damn thing brown.”
“Oh.” Her nose wrinkled up but she slid into the smaller truck, watching as he connected her cuff to the dash. “I like red.”
“Also not your choice. I noticed you masturbating last night. Next time, I get to watch.”
“Fuck,” she whispered. “You can’t be serious?”
“I am.” He noticed she didn’t exactly protest, and gave the swear word a pass.
This was training, pure and simple, though there was nothing wrong with enjoying watching her. From the corner of his eye, he saw her do a subtle wriggle.
Had to admit life was more interesting with Blue around.
“Tell me more about life on your world.”
“Are you trying to depress me?”
“I’m just curious. How did you get here?”
She sighed. “Also depressing. I was asleep in bed, heard something, woke, then there was this weird compulsion to look at something I thought was in my room. I got out of bed and walked over. That was it. I was here, blind, naked. I stayed blind for days.” He heard the shake in her voice and her next words were soft. “I want to go home.”
“Of course you do.” Sassik frowned. He couldn’t help her with that. “You need to forget. Only the Mekkers know what they did to get you here.”
“Yeah. I know that. Sucks.”
He reached over and squeezed her thigh. “You’re better with me. The Mekkers are evil.” So were some Scavs.
“Yes.”
The quiet grew.
Blue cleared her throat. “Tell me about your life here. Something less scary than my past.”
“Okay.” He massaged the wheel with his hands. Not scary? “What about the time I...”
As he spoke, she settled into the upholstery and curled against the door. She mustn’t have slept well last night because she fell asleep while he drove. Since the road was almost nonexistent here, watching her was difficult, but he managed, now and then. Next stop, he’d put the belt on.