Page 34 of Pet: Genesis

Remus notices my concern, and I see a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He steps closer to me, resulting in the servants stepping away as he reaches for me. His eyes shift, focusing on a stray hair falling into my face. He reaches for it, his fingers lightly brushing my flesh, sending a wave of energy through me at his touch. He’s captured my attention, and he finally speaks.

“Didn’t I tell you? A pet knows its place in regard to the being that ensures its survival,” he smiles, stepping back. My anger flares, but only for an instant because he speaks again, letting me understand my place.

“I will return for you, Pet.”

Remus looks up at the servants, giving them a nod before they finally move forward to begin primping me for the night.

The servants are in no hurry as they dress me up. They trim my hair and remove my leg hair with an object that flashes a beam of light. They also place clothing on me that constricts my body in places I didn’t know were possible. I note that as the servants work, they mumble to one another in their native tongue. Even their giggles fill the air as they discuss things they know I don’t understand.

The Levithan language is fluid and relies more on flow than tone. I think back to all the writing that I’ve seen in their language as well. It doesn’t move left to right like English. It stays in one place, building upon the words that have already been set up on the page.

Humanity never knew that aliens existed until that day. And now I have been placed so close to the species that I can see the society that’s been formed.I can see it all without recording, studying, or deciphering it. The mystery of alien life will die with any human who has encountered the Levithan.

And that includes me.

Hours pass until the women finally complete their task, ushering me to the mirror for their final placements. I stare at myselfin the mirror in confusion as a woman who slightly resembles my mother looks back at me. Her eyes are wide and filled with fear, her face filled out, and her cheekbones high. There’s a light blush on her cheeks, and her short hair has been held out of her face by silver pins as it still isn’t long enough for a bun. Her gown is white and hangs on her shoulders, draping her body beautifully with root-like stitching stretching over the dress. I shake my head in disbelief. She looks nothing like me, and yet, she is me.

I look away as the sound of the door opening catches my attention, my mood dampening even further when I see Margot entering the room with a bowl of fruit in her hands. Her eyes are dull as she moves in silence, placing the bowl on the table in front of me. It makes my blood boil to see her like this. Remus brought her with us to toy with me even when he’s not around. He’s constantly doing his best to make me understand how helpless I am.

She silently places the bowl on the table, bowing to the servants before speaking.

“I have been instructed to guide her to her master,” she says softly. My eyes widen when I hear her voice. Her enslaved voice. Her eyes meet mine, and I see no sign of free will. She offers me a soft smile that makes my flesh crawl.

“Shall we?”

I follow Margot through the halls of Remus’s home in the city, my head spinning like a top as I take her in.

“Margot?” I murmur her name, hoping to see hesitation in her step, but I see none.

“Margot, I’m sorry... I’m sorry I couldn’t save you,” I murmur.

She continues her pace, and it makes my heart break even further. The light of the living room shines through the upcoming archway and my stomach knots in anxiety. My fingers twist and knead in front of me as my eyes drift to the chip lodged into Margot’s neck. Remus’s words play in my mind as I take it in.

“The mind is a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. And eventually, the wearer will break out of their... vegetative state.”

“Margot, I promise I’m going to save you.” I slowly reach for the chip lodged into her neck, my fingers itching the closer it gets.

“No matter what it ta—”

The moment my fingers brush the metal lodged into her neck, she whips around, her face twisted in anger as she roughly grabs my arm, twisting it at an uncomfortable angle as she shoves me against the wall. I cry out in pain, my heart wrenching in my chest. When I look into her eyes, I still see nothing, even though her features reveal anger.

“Do. Not. Do. That.”

My eyes widen, my chest heaving in horror as we stare each other down. I shake my head in disbelief.

“Margot,” I whisper her name, hoping to reach some deep part of her, but there is nothing. She grips my arm tighter, forcing me to flinch in pain. She doesn’t let go. Even as footsteps approach over the hall, she keeps her vacant gaze on me, watching me with the intent of holding me still. I see no familiarity in her eyes.

“That’s enough.”

Margot releases me, her hands dropping in front of her as she steps back. I can’t tear my gaze away from her even as Remus approaches me. She slowly steps back the closer he gets, her eyes lowering to the ground as she follows whatever silent command Remus gives. I feel his fingers under my chin as he lifts my gaze to meet his. I don’t know whether to feel anger or fear at the sight of him.

His purple gaze is burning bright as he focuses on mine, his lips pulled into a small smile.

“Pet.”

Chapter Twelve

Iris

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