Page 3 of Tender Captivity
“You don’t need to speak or do anything right now,” the stranger said as he knelt in front of her, uncaring about gettinghis pants dirty. “You’re safe now. No one’s ever going to hurt you again.”
She risked a glance up to find the Talin watching her with unwavering eyes. His purr increased in volume a little. “That’s good,” he encouraged. “You can look at me all you like. Can you tell me your name?”
“Jinna.” The word was barely a whisper, and her voice sounded hoarse and unnatural to her own ears. When was the last time she’d spoken? Weeks?
“Hello, Jinna,” the stranger said and placed an open palm on his chest. “I’m Commandant Holian, but you can simply call me Holian.”
“What is going on out here?”
Jinna flinched and looked past Holian to see Marlinian, the owner of the property, striding toward them. She’d met him when they’d first arrived. It had only taken one conversation between Marlinian and Nelaran to know her owner was often here visiting the man’s son so he could try to get closer to the powerful family.
Holian stood quickly and put himself between Marlinian and her. “I walked out into the garden to find this male striking a defenseless pet.”
Marlinian sounded a rattle of surprise. “That can’t be true, Commandant Holian. You must be mistaken. This is Nelaran of Clan Loklon.”
“So I’ve been told,” Holian replied. The dryness of his response almost made Jinna smile.
Marlinian looked down at where Nelaran was only now starting to rise to his feet. “Explain to Commandant Holian what you were doing,” Marlinian ordered. “I’d like to resolve this without undue emotions or conflict.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong,” Nelaran protested. Now that he was on his feet, he was quick to stand next to Marlinian, as if the older male would protect him from Holian.
How do you like it?Jinna thought with satisfaction.To worry someone will strike you down?
Holian might be shorter than the other two Talins, but that didn’t detract from his powerful aura.
“What could this little human female have possibly done to earn the strike I caught you about to deliver?” Holian asked coldly.
Nelaran sounded a nervous rattle. “She was being willful. Father says you have to be strict with humans or they become unmanageable.”
Both Holian and Marlinian stared at Nelaran silently for a moment, making the young man rattle out a nervous sound. “I was only doing as I was taught.”
“It looks like I’ll be reporting your whole family to the Committee for Pet Welfare,” Holian announced.
Marlinian was quick to protest. “I don’t think that’s entirely necessary. I’m sure Young Nelaran was simply overzealous. A few educational vids should be enough to set him and his family straight. I’ll even oversee the viewing and answer any questions they might have on the appropriate treatment of pets. Especially the elder females that are so much more delicate.”
Jinna hated that. When did forty-three qualify her as an “elder female”? It wasn’t like she was in her eighties and hobbling around with a cane. In fact, Nelaran had whined that he wanted a younger human when his father had first gifted Jinna to him.
It was insult added to injury to be enslaved and then deemed old.
“You can do that if you like, but it won’t stop me from reporting them and taking this human with me,” Holian pronounced. It was hard, but she managed to stifle her gasp. Hewas really going to take her with him? Was this going to mean a better life for her or worse?
“You can’t simply abscond with Lolian family property,” Marlinian objected. “It wouldn’t—”
Holian pinned Marlinian with his eyes, making the other Talin’s protests quiet. When Holian moved his gaze to Nelaran, the younger man flinched slightly.
Holian’s voice was quiet but commanding when he spoke. “You are free to contact the Clan Authorities Council, but I’m taking this human with me. I suggest neither of you attempt to stop me.”
With that, Holian swung around to her. With easy strength, he lifted her out of the dirt and cradled her in his arms. He started purring again as he held her securely against his chest. For the first time in months, she felt safe. Relaxing into his embrace, she let her head rest on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
“No more pain or fear,” Holian promised as he strode away. “Your home will be with me, and you’ll be safe.”
Chapter 3
Only because of long practice did Holian keep his inner turmoil from coming out in the sound of an enraged war rattle. As much as he wished to go back and beat on Nelaran more, he couldn’t let the little human remain in discomfort even a moment longer.
He would never be able to forget the image of Jinna cowering as Nelaran made ready to strike her. He would do everything in his power to make both Nelaran’s family and clan pay for Jinna’s treatment. But that was something he’d see to later. Right now she needed to be cared for.
It didn’t take long to carry her to his ground transport. After ordering the vehicle back to his compound, he pulled his Ident Cube off his belt to contact a trusted healer. She promised to be at his home within the next few marks. That would give him time to talk to Jinna and prepare her for the healer’s visit.
