Evan snorted and Bane laughed.

Damien spoke with confidence. The women would not care how he and his Brothers handled me. As long as I was kept well and ready for my use, no one would interfere.

The Administrators tried to pull rank, but Damien didn't budge in his position. My family took their orders from Nu-reeh directly, not the Administrators. Nu-reeh said keep me happy and healthy, which is what they were doing. How they chose to do that was no one's business.

I listened to the conversation and heard the steel in Damien's voice. He wasn't going to change his mind. It didn't make any difference how the rest of the world treated slaves. Damien had his own way.

Eventually, the Administrators came to the inevitable conclusion. Damien wasn't changing. They made several more threats, but those sounded hollow. I breathed with relief when they finally Left.

Christof picked up the empty bowl I'd finished before the other men showed up. He quietly complimented me on eating my Lunch and picked up my kneeling place. The men took a tight grouping around me and we walked back toward the Keepers' compound.

Damien quietly told me to follow his footsteps as I had done with Evan.

"Yes, Damien,” I whispered softly following his instructions to the letter.

The men were silent as was I for the remainder of the walk. When we exited the forest several groups of men stood staring at us. I jerked my head down, but not before taking them in.

They had leaves in their hair and their fine shoes were muddy. The Administrators weren't trained to go traipsing around in the forest. Evan must have heard them following us the entire time.

Evan's behavior now made much more sense. We were being watched and he was monitoring the Administrators. I grinned big realizing his show of me feeding him was designed to agitate. He really couldn't resist being difficult.

My Warriors dropped me inside the walled compound. The Keepers approached and politely greeted Damien.

My care was handed off and my family left through the wall.

Smiling fondly I watched my men stride out of the Keepers’. They walked with poise and confidence, not the least bothered by the trouble with the Administrators. They would make their point whether anyone else appreciated it or not.

I was happy and pleased my men had decided to stand up for me in front of others. It really meant something to me. The gesture was huge in my eyes.

The Keeper made a sound to get my attention and I followed him down a large open breezeway toward the ocean. The Keeper told me I could swim. My work from the morning had been saved and I would do more tomorrow.

We entered into a large room bordered by columns. The sand and sea sat just outside the wide columns. Girls Lounged around or danced with one another. Beyond the confines of this space there were others on the beach and in the water.

Fuji and Rose approached as soon as I entered. It seemed all eyes were on us. I did not like the attention one bit. It gave me a bad feeling. I wanted my friends and me away from there.

“I'd like to go to the shore," I said softly to Rose motioning to the beach behind her.

She nodded and grabbed my hand as we went in that direction. We were stopped by a lovely, tall girl and her equally beautiful friends. I thought they might be from Earth, but I wasn't sure.

"So you have the babies," she said looking me up and down.

"I must apologize," I murmured politely. "I am not permitted to speak on it."