Free Skylar's Guardians by Breanna Hayse Page B

with you?”
    “I’m not an animal.”
    “No. You have even less of a chance to survive. If you had a choice about joining us, what would it be?”
    “I don’t know. You guys are right about me not having anything here to hold on to. But at the same time, once you take me away, I will never have the chance to just come back. It’s so permanent.”
    “What if we promise to take you back here should you be unhappy with us?”
    “How do I know you are telling me the truth? How do I know you really come from a perfectly behaved world and not from a planet that breeds humans as pets?”
    “You don’t know,” Tralec answered thoughtfully. “You only know what we claim is our way of life, and that includes truthfulness in all matters. You do understand that it would be irresponsible of us to abandon you to this world. There is something that triggers our need to protect you, and neither of us is able to resist that need.”
    “Why me? Of all the billions of people on Earth, why did you pick me? I’m nothing. A waste of human flesh,” Skylar said, reaching for his hand.
    Tralec engulfed her tiny palm in his and studied her fingers. “There is nothing wasted with you, Skylar. I wish I could explain why we must care for you. Perhaps it is because you are the first human we have ever had contact with, and you were injured. We saved your life and held you to our bodies. Our people are very social. So much that to be alone means we die. When we share a heartbeat with someone compatible, the rhythms match one another. Your heartbeat blends perfectly with ours.”
    “Are you telling me that you need another person to keep your heart working? Like a living pacemaker?”
    “I am not familiar with that term.”
    “It’s a medical device that is inserted into a heart to regulate its rhythm. Some people need them to live.”
    “That sounds similar, only ours is chemical.”
    “The pheromones? You both smell so good to me.” Skylar’s interest was piqued.
    “Exactly. You are an intelligent little human. Don’t you want to learn more? To explore a world that no one else knows?”
    “The only reason I finished high school was because I promised my grandfather that I would. I’m not smart enough…”
    “Skylar,” Tralec lifted her hand to his lips, “you are capable of doing anything you desire. You must allow Troy and me the opportunity to show you that life with us will be a good one.”
    “You want to treat me like a child. You threaten to… to spank me!”
    “Yes, and it is what you have desired since the day you purchased your first manual. You just have not accepted that need yet. We will give you what you desire, baby.”
    Skylar shivered as his lips grazed the back of her hand. He clearly knew the power he held over her and was not afraid to use it. She found herself hoping that he would.

Chapter Five
     
     
    Skylar gulped as she watched the room darken with the setting of the sun. The men were sitting at the table developing a ‘cheat sheet’ derived from the manuals they were reading and actively discussing different ways to address various scenarios. Tralec glanced up at the skylight, noticing the time.
    “Solaris has set, Skylar. Have you made a decision?”
    “Please, Tralec, just let it be,” she pleaded as he approached her with Troy on his heels.
    “You are not to call me that any longer. Since you have not made the choice for yourself, I have made it for you. We will do the detoxification. Without sedation.”
    “No!”
    “Yes. Troy, take her out of the cubicle and hold her in place over your lap. I will need access to her expulsion port.”
    “Leave my ass alone. I mean it! No!!” Skylar began to kick and slap as Troy picked her up.
    “Your lack of cooperation is going to earn you a spanking. Are you really trying to bite me?” Troy asked as Skylar sunk her teeth into his arm. She blinked dumbly, releasing him quickly as he failed to even react. It was like biting into a solid brick!