"NO," Damien roared watching my eyes, "that is unacceptable," he fumed. I had been staring at the weapon openly and they'd caught me. Damien stood up looking ready to pummel something. He told Evan he wanted those men here tonight to fix the cabinet. This situation was currently unsustainable.

I shut my eyes and tears fell again. They were Locking the cabinet with the weapons. Any opportunity I had to end this was being stripped from me.

“Enough with this line of thought," better from you. You must trust us."

Christof scolded.

“I expected

The men from the village came quickly at Evan's request. None of them must have had human ancestry. They didn't even notice the bound and gagged slave that sat in Christof's lap. Instead, they installed what was most Likely the only lock in the entire compound without question.

“Push here and here," I heard the Locksmiths say, open, just Like the cuffs."

It will pop right

"The...slave cannot open it?" Damien asked bluntly.

“No, sir, the fingers the slaves have are too weak to work the mechanism. It is exactly the same as we put on their cuff and collars."

Evan paid them and they left, happily talking about what they wanted to buy.

The apartment was quiet after they were gone. I Looked up to find everyone staring at me. No one looked happy.

Frankly, I wasn't happy either. My jaw ached, I was thirsty, and I had to pee. I looked longingly at a jug on the table and then back at Christof.

Damien crouched before me and held my chin with his fingers.

“You cannot bite yourself," he said solemnly.

“Nu-reeh will have us remove your teeth if you use them against your own flesh. Understand this well, Sister. Don't make us do this to you."

I sucked in air and shook my head. Having seen one of my uncles lose all his teeth to poor hygiene I knew how funny that Looked.

"I can give you nutrients by chewing for you and Letting you swallow,” Bane said quietly.

“It would be unpleasant and you will not like it, don't give Nu-reeh a reason to do that to you."

I shook my head back and forth. My eyes were huge and I tried to use them to beg. I'd go crazy if they took my teeth.

“If we feel it is necessary, you will wear the gag most of the day," Damien said.

“That will cause you a great deal of discomfort, but we must protect you."