She stands up and puts her hand on my shoulder. “I know this is a lot to take in. You sure your proper, regimented self can handle this” —she does a general sweep of her hand over my body— “upheaval?”
I level her with my resting bitch face and she straightens, raising both hands.
“Okay then. Hurry, time’s wasting.”
NINE
JACKAL
During mating with a honey bee, the drone’s genitals explode and his penis snaps right off.
After Phoenix’s appearance in what Mrs. Mavey intended to be the sexual party of the season, I go completely limp. As in flaccid, useless, soft. Selfish pulls me into the bathroom and shoves a little blue pill at me.
“Hell, no,” I say, backing away from her. “I don’t need...that…”
“It appears you do.” She looks down at my dick and it shrivels into itself.
“Don’t look at it. It doesn’t like you,” I say. I wave it around a little and nothing happens.
“Take it, Jackal.” She produces a bottle of water from a satchel and holds it toward me.
“I am young and virile,” I insist, taking it from her. I hold the pill up to the light, examining it suspiciously.
“Everyone gets old,” she says. “Your buddy Folsom was on a bottle a week.” She raises her eyebrows, rattling the bottle for effect.
I point at her. “Don't say his name.”
Selfish shrugs. “You’ve been paid a lot of money to be here. There are fertile wombs that need your juice. Hurry the fuck up.”
I glare at her as I swallow the pill. I love fucking. This is all Phoenix’s fault. I’ve only known her a few weeks and I already have a case of limp dick. She is going to ruin my reputation.
I fall into bed groaning. Everything hurts. Not only had the little blue pill given me an erection, it gave me one that lasted for four hours. A man shouldn’t be made to do the things I did. What I can’t forget is the scene Phoenix caused when she marched into the library, the top of her dress slipping down until those perfect nipples were exposed. I throw an arm over my eyes and groan. Women. I have unlimited women, and the only one I can't stop thinking about is Phoenix. Selfish takes that moment to barge into my room.
“Get out,” I order.
“You have to have your shot.” She approaches the bed like a determined mother. I don’t move as she swipes my upper arm with something cold, then I feel the cool prick of the needle jab my skin.
“Done,” she says. “Now you won’t be a walking disease.”
I rub the spot, frowning. More than one price to pay for party sex. Maybe I am getting too old for this.
“Selfish,” I call. She’s halfway out the door, but she peeks her head back around.
“Is there any update on Marcus?”
I watch as she purses her lips together, trying to decide how much she wants to tell me.
“They’ve not been able to find the cause of the problem. He’s just stopped being a viable sperm candidate.”
“What’s going to happen to him?”
“I don’t suspect anything. He won’t be punished, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Will they let him...go?”
Is it just the lighting or did her face visibly pale?
“Get some rest,” she says finally. “You have an early day tomorrow.” She closes the door before I can get the next question out of my mouth.