Free Skylar's Guardians by Breanna Hayse

am mainly concerned with your organs being exposed to the chemical and its absorption into your bloodstream.”
    “Huh?”
    “There is a term… Let me look… oh yes! It is similar to what the manuals describe as an enema.”
    “No fucking way, dude!”
    “I don’t understand your reaction. Mind your language…”
    “Those things are nasty and… Ugh. No!” Skylar vehemently protested.
    “Skylar,” Tralec said patiently. “I can offer you a choice. I can flush this detoxifying chemical through your body and clear you of the remnants of anything that is interfering with you being able to function fully. It will also speed your recovery. Your other option is injecting you with the sedative, wait until you fall asleep, and do the same thing.”
    “You are not touching me with that nasty needle again,” Skylar yelled.
    “Shhh, use your inside voice, please,” Tralec winced. “Did I use that expression correctly?”
    “Yeah,” Skylar moped, wishing that she had never downloaded her favorite books that were now becoming the source of her discomfort. If Tralec did not have them to refer to, then she would be calling the shots and directing him more in her favor.
    “Until we can find a syringe that permits the injection that is more human appropriate, I have little choice. What do you wish to do?” Tralec asked patiently.
    “Neither.”
    “Your only other option is to suffer with the pain. Think about it and advise me of your decision when I return.”
    Skylar flipped over on the air shelf and buried her face in her arms. The initial injection of Cyphlon had cleared her of the pain associated with the newly regenerated broken arm and progressed with healing damaged internal organs and her concussion. Tralec repeatedly told her that the superficial injuries to her muscles and contusion would take a little longer to resolve. She longed for sleep, but the pain inhibited her from resting for more than an hour or two at a time. The idea of using the sleeping gas was heavenly, but she suspected that Tralec was right in that she needed to be cleansed of the toxins that she had obtained out of stupidity. There was no mistaking the expression of disapproval when she admitted her old habit to him. Her heart stirred. She did not want him to disapprove of her! But why?
    Pheromones. It had to be those damn alien pheromones! But how could they make her desire more than his body and want his acceptance and approval as well? This entire miraculous experience was quite the dream come true, but she wanted the miracle to occur according to her terms. Not theirs. She was so confused.
    “Tralec?” she called softly. He did not answer. Skylar frowned, knowing that his hearing was ultra-sensitive and that he was just outside the partition. “Daddy?” she tried.
    “Yes, honey?” Tralec responded immediately.
    Skylar sighed. He was determined to teach her to refer to him with the affectionate term of endearment. “Can I have some hot tea?”
    “You may have some warm milk. The manuals say that is better for you.”
    “I don’t like milk.”
    “That does not concern me. I will be back in a moment. Troy? Did you complete entering the items into the system?” Skylar listened to the two conversing in the other room.
    “Yes. How is our girl?” Troy asked.
    “She is very, very stubborn. She refuses to allow me to detoxify her system. She stated she had recently indulged in non-medical drug use for recreation,” Tralec said, preparing a container of milk after referring to the manual on the procedure. “Do you think we should get her a bottle for her liquids? The manual…”
    “Wait a moment. Since when do you permit her to have a choice?” Troy interrupted.
    Tralec shrugged. “She is sentient. She deserves the chance to learn to make good decisions.”
    “The manuals indicate that these littles, as they are referred, are not often given choices. I do not understand why you are being so permissive,” Troy