She slaps my hand away, frowning up at me.
I hear the scientist suck in a breath, and then the fear-scent comes from the hall. But the little creature—the human—is glaring up at me. I grin. I do not mind her strikes. They are love taps, nothing more. I slide my tail along her leg again, and this time she flicks it away. She frowns up at me. "Eat your food and quit playing your games."
My grin widens. Perhaps it is a game. If so, I enjoy playing with her. "I will share it with you."
The female shakes her head. "It's yours."
"They will bring me more if I ask for it." I lean close. "They want me compliant and agreeable."
"It's drugged," she says, voice flat.
I glance out at the scientist. "Have you drugged me again?" I step between the human and the window, not wanting him to look at her. Now that she is mine, he is not allowed to even look in her direction. "Is this food safe to share?"
"No drugs," the scientist manages. "As long as you behave, I don't see—"
He keeps talking but I ignore him. I grab the tray and turn my back to him, setting it down on the edge of my bed. I look over at the female, wanting to hover protectively in front of her again, but she glances around and then sits down on the floor.
I join her, sitting across from her, and I place the tray between us. I am not hungry—I'm far too fascinated by the nearness of her. But she seems to want me to eat, so I pick up the canister of drink, sniff it, and then offer it to her.
"It's juice," she says softly. "I hear it's really good. They give it to the other fighters."
"Then you should drink it," I encourage. I want her to…look happy. I want her to not stare at me with such wariness. I prefer the spark of indignant outrage to this strange way she is acting. I want her to smile at me.
I wonder what she will smell like when she is happy?
But the female shakes her head. "It's for you. I'm not allowed."
My jaw clenches and I grit my teeth. "I allow it." She's mine now, and it does not matter what “they” think to allow. I hold the container out to her, waiting.
She gives me another wary look, glances out into the hall at the scientist, and when there is no objection, she takes it from me.
Our fingers brush.
Heat floods through my veins. My sac tightens, and my cock stiffens in response to her nearness. Is that what this is, then? Do I want this female for myself? I toy with the idea, watching as she takes a small sip of the juice and then licks her lips. Yes, I decide. I do want her. She is ugly, I think. Her brows are large and dark and dominate her small, pointy face. And yet…she smells so good.
And she is not afraid.
I stare at her pink mouth, considering, and when she holds the canister back out to me, I take it, but I don't taste the drink. Instead, I'm reveling in the scent she's left behind.
Mine. This female is mine.
I give her the juice again, and her lips twitch, though she takes it without protest. "You should eat your noodles before they get cold."
"I want you to share them with me."
She shakes her head this time, glancing up at me. "I know for sure they won't like that. They want you to stay strong. Put on weight. I'm fine. I'll eat with the other slaves later."
I do not correct her. She's not going back to them. She's mine now. She will sleep on my bed, in my cell, and I will take care of her. I study her form as I shove great bites of the noodles into my mouth, eating quickly. I wonder if she has a tail under those clothes. I wonder how she got here. I wonder what she is called.
"What is your name?" I ask as I set down my bowl and swipe at my wet chin.
"Mina," she says softly. "And you're Crulden, right?"
I shrug. They call me that, but it does not feel like mine. Perhaps if I had my memories, it would, but who I am is just as blank now as it was yesterday. If she wishes to call me Crulden, I will answer to it. "Mina the human," I say, tasting her name on my tongue. It tastes better than the food, which doesn't have the acrid aftertaste this day.
"Just Mina," she says, and her pink mouth curves up in an almost-smile. I want more of it.
As soon as our eyes meet, her gaze drops. She looks uncomfortable, and that bothers me. "Why will you not look at me?" I hold the canister of juice out to her again, hoping that our fingers will brush once more. "Do you find me ugly?"