"Masters?" I asked cautiously looking around in the dim Light.

“We are not that," Damien said sadly, "never that again. We love you Sister. This is for your protection, please understand."

“May I explain that I do not wish to die, Masters?" I said ignoring his comment and wiggling around like a worm.

“I foolishly thought of my human friend when I saw Master Evan's blade. She was cut in the lower stomach and lost the organ to bear a child. It was a stupid thought and I apologize-"

“Hush, Ciara," Damien commanded, “stop calling us that name and go to sleep. We will relent when we no longer fear for your safety. Your words to us are meaningless and I will not listen to them again. Tomorrow you will talk with your friend, that will help."

Damn their perception, there was no way out of this. They'd Leave me ‘safe’ until I somehow proved myself. Frankly, I had no idea how to do that. I couldn't move and I couldn't speak. I settled down and stared at Bane beside me, he started to snore lightly in a matter of moments.

Hopefully, sleep would take me soon, too.

I should have anticipated the nightmares. Stressed in mind and bound in body, rest did not come easily. I woke once screaming as Bane soothed me and once with Kein. The dreams didn't stop until they put the cream on my head.

The next day I woke to whispers, female whispers. Dragging open my eyes, Fuji squealed with delight and the men in the apartment fussed at her.

"We have Keepers today for just us," Rose said leaning over me and smiling wanly.

The men lifted me to stand, which I did on shaky legs. My lower half must have been unbound by Damien and his Brothers at some point. My arms were left tied.

I was walked to the bathroom and freshened. They brushed my hair and cleaned my teeth. Feeling slightly zombie like, I just did as they asked.

In the kitchen the Keepers sat me on my chair and fed me. They didn't request I kneel and they didn't seem bothered that I sat or that I was dressed. Looking quickly at their arms, I noted not one of them had human ancestry. Damien and his Brothers had thought this out. These men were the perfect Keepers.

After my late breakfast, Fuji, Rose, and I moved back to the bedroom and sat on the bed. I was tethered to the center by a cord on my neck, but my arms were unbound. Our little pad was handed to us and we were instructed to do what needed to be done.

I really needed to talk to Rose and I even had permission, but we had a job now. When Fuji took the pad, I was thrilled. Her owners had instructed her to participate. She was going to draw pictures to go with the story. The men had told her that would be good.

For a moment we sat silently as Fuji diligently worked. Rose finally broke the silence.

"You must really have screwed up," she said quietly in English.

A sharp retort stopped the conversation. A Keeper appeared in the door and spoke to us. We were ordered to speak in the Language our owners gave us. The language Rose had used was not acceptable.

After an apology from Rose the men said they were Keepers for the Administrators. The secrets of this world were known to them. I was a breeder and the other slaves were for my health. We should talk freely.

“Yes, sir," I said gratefully and he turned away.

I watched them wander back to the table before I spoke again. My voice broke as I spoke to Rose, "I don't know how to fix it. They are so upset with me.”

Rose's beautiful eyes met mine and she nodded, encouraging me to continue. Fuji was engrossed in what she was doing on the pad. It seemed like it was just Rose and me in the room. One Keeper kept an eye on us through the open door, but he didn't seem to be listening closely. It felt private.