Page 72 of Pet: Genesis

I blink in confusion. Jude once told me that Remus leaves a place once his business is concluded. This place was no different. He said Remus was one step closer to finding the resistance, and I can’t help but wonder if there is something more to his story. Or of the resistance is even aware of this ability Remus possesses.

Remus silently reaches for the glass sitting atop the table, handing it to me. I look down warily, breathing a sigh of relief when I see it’s just water and not the pink liquid that Remus makes medrink before his feedings. Remus chuckles, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Don’t worry, it’s just water. We are high in the mountains, and I don’t want you getting sick from the altitude,” he says with a genuine smile. I eye him warily, bringing the glass to my lips. I don’t understand his mood lately. Maybe it’s because time passed differently for me while being under the control of an inhibitor, or maybe he’s much more comfortable with me now that he has me in more ways than one. But he seems to be back to his original self when it comes to me—Jude and my betrayal all but forgotten.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Remus’s words pull me out of my thoughts, and I follow his gaze to the scenery beyond. The courtyard has a perfect view of the mountainside that the town is nestled in and the ample foliage beyond. But I don’t respond. I don’t want to. Of course, it’s beautiful. Of course, the Leviathan have utilized our planet much better than we could have dreamed. But I can’t admit that. Not when it’sourhome.

Remus senses my frustrations, laughing at my stubbornness.

“Admitting your planet’s beauty will put you no more on the Leviathan’s side than me admitting I’ve grown fond of you would put me on the human’s side,” he says in amusement. I keep my eyes focused on the glass in my hands.

“How can you say you’ve grown fond of me... when you put me under an inhibitor for a month,” I say softly. Remus leans back in his seat before responding.

“You kissed that boy,” he says matter-of-factly.

“Because I made a decision of my own free will, you took away my freedom?” I ask, looking at him. I see no regret on his face as he studies me. He moves closer to me, gently taking the glass out of my hand before caressing my jaw.

“Freedom is an unattainable feat for your kind... And you will never have it as long as you belong to me,” he says softly. I shudder at his tone just as he places a soft kiss on my cheek.

“But free will is something I’m all too willing to give when I feel it’s been earned,” he adds, pulling away from me. He studies me closely, his gaze roaming over my face, and I know I’m not going to like whatever it is he has to say next.

“I have a task for you.”

“A task?” I repeat in confusion.

He nods, his smile widening. “Yes. A task.”

Jude rounds the corner with a package in his hands. It’s shaped like a small square with plain wrapping around it. He doesn’t speak as he sets it on the table in front of us, leaving me alone with Remus once again.

“As you know, I am here in disguise. However, my disguise is not a high enough rank to be seen visiting a general without raising concerns. As a result, I need you to deliver this to Iriel and come back. That is your task.”

I eye him in confusion.

“Alone?” I ask.

“Yes.”

My mind is screaming at me that something isn’t right. Remus never uses me for these types of tasks. Something bigger is at playhere, and I can’t help but think it has something to do with his disguise.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be much safer here than you would have been traveling in that wasteland you called home,” he says. I ignore his retort, eyeing the package.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Nothing to concern yourself with. Can I trust you to deliver this?” he asks.

I fear the consequences of saying no, so I nod my head.

“Wonderful. Let’s get you prepared.”

Remus is quiet as he fastens the ties on my alien clothing. We’re standing near the doorway of his hideaway as he readies me for my departure. The sun has begun to set over the land, but the air is still comfortingly warm. I note that the clothing he’s dressing me in is nothing like what I usually wear. As I recall our entrance to this place, I’m wearing the same type of clothing that the humans here wear.

So, even humans are enslaved in a hierarchy of sorts.

“If I’m dressed like a slave from here, why would they not be suspicious of me visiting a general?” I ask. Remus smiles over me, his eyes still focused on his task.

“Such a clever pet,” he murmurs.

“Slaves can move freely within our society. Iriel was stationed here to be of service to the people in this vicinity. A slave may enter and address his servants, who will, in turn, let him know the issue. However, a Leviathan would not put themselves in a position of having to address his servants, hence sending one of you,” he says.

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