Somehow, someway we had managed to connect our minds across the species barrier. It was strange and unheard of, but it did attest to the respect the men must feel. It was impossible to bond with someone that you didn't respect. Everyone knew that much was true.

The decision was made and the Administrators weren‘t entirely happy with it, but I was thrilled. Rose and I were free to make our choices and stay where we were. The former slavers respected us and we Loved them.

“And what of Fuji?" Hassar asked in a resigned fashion.

“Will she also be returning to her...family.”

"Hardly," Stayne snorted from along the far side wall. He and his Brothers were here to watch the proceedings, but had not really taken part. "She comes to us and uses us when she has sexual needs, but we have no other attachment. Fuji is entirely a free creature.”

Hassar promised to talk to Fuji. The Administrators didn’t like the way Stayne described his relationship with her. A coupling was something both sides should be agreeable to. Stayne made it sound Like he and his Brothers were at Fuji‘'s disposal.

“Go back to your chores," Gunth ordered to the general crowd once Hassar was done talking.

“Get everything settled before nightfall."

“And sanctions for the unplanned pregnancy?" Kein asked as the men behind us started to disperse.

Gunth's eyebrows shot up and I knew we'd used a word he didn't know.

“The new child," Damien clarified.

“We created a child without the Administrators' consent. In Ciara's native language the word is pregnancy. Our owners never taught us the Paterian word, we have always used the human equivalent. What are our sanctions?"

I shook my head and smiled. My men were always willing to take punishment they felt they deserved. Now was no different.

"Go to the evening meal," Gunth said gruffly. "You already take the jobs I would send you to do if I wished to sanction you. You have taken your punishment already. My only warning is I do not want this...situation to cause distress in the camp."

I shrugged and smiled at my men as I stood. The day had been a strange mix of stressful and exhilarating. In addition, I had missed the midday meal. A nice, quiet evening meal would suit me fine. I was hungry and I didn't feel all that well right now.

"Hannah," Damien called, "will you come sit with us Later in our rooms? Perhaps we could talk?”

My oldest was livid. I wasn't quite sure exactly why. She glared at Damien and huffed off with Ra right behind her. Their talons practically dug into the stone as they stalked away. They had no intention of speaking to any of us right now. It made me sad.

“We will join you, Uncle," Kennedy said, smiling as she strode past. "My Sisters and I wish to feed, but we will return to your rooms later. Many congratulations to all of you on the pregnancy.”

Damien and his Brothers murmured thanks to Kennedy as she passed. We were all curious about her impassioned speech. Whatever she had said must have had some weight to it. We would have to ask her later.

It was habit the way I traveled with my family. Damien at the lead and me following, surrounded by his Brothers. We started to walk that way and Kein realized what it would look Like. Before we had made it out of the Administrators suites I was walking next to Damien as the family followed.

The hallway was crowded with men heading to the evening meal. Unlike usual the bustling hall was quiet, though. The only sound was the tread of boots on stone. It was unnerving.

“So," a strange man announced loudly sidling up next to us, “what now? Is she back to being your bed slave full time? Will you put your slave bands back on her?"