Page 84 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
I stare at him, completely lost. What is going on? Does he really think we’re being watched? It sounds like Noviosk has surveillance all over his complex. But why is Pherebos telling me this now?
“You see,” he says in a firm voice, loud enough for anyone listening, “you can’t escape me. So stop struggling.”
Naturally, I do the opposite. I kick, I push, I shout in protest.
“It’s perfect,” he murmurs, barely audible. “I swear, I didn’t do any of the things they said. My Faksaya… trust me, my love.”
His voice is so soft, so different from the one he uses when he’s performing for the bugs. I freeze, torn between instinct and reason. I want to believe him. I really do. But my mind keeps flashing back to every time I’ve been betrayed. Every man who’s ever claimed to care about me has ended up using me.
And how can I trust him now, when Noviosk confirmed every one of his supposed crimes?
Pherebos keeps on torturing me with his kisses and caresses. He's got one hand free now and is doing all these things to me that he knows I like.
I can't resist him, and I'm horrified by the situation, but I can't help but start sobbing softly.
‘’Don't hold back your sobs. I want them to believe it!’’ he says in my ear.
I'm naturally drawn to Pherebos when he lies on top of me, pretending to be in love. I have no idea where our observers are, but only he and I know what's really going on. Or, rather, what isn't happening.
Pherebos didn't make me feel this embarrassed. He's happy to play along for Noviosk and his crew.
What if he was telling the truth? What if it's all a horrible misunderstanding? I don't have any answers, but the apologetic look on his face as he keeps up this unhealthy charade promises to provide me with some ASAP.
Quickly, he lets out a fake grunt and stops moving.
Then he pretends to zip up his pants, just seconds before someone opens the door.
‘’Hey, why don't you just knock and wait for me to let you know it's OK to come in?’’ he asks.
He stands up and drapes the tunic over me, hiding my body from the two guards who are openly ogling me. The tears on my face don't seem to bother them.
‘’Here’s your bag. We checked everything inside. No weapons, but some weird stuff,’’ the guard says, holding something up. ‘’Like this!’’
‘’That?’’ Pherebos replies. ‘’It’s a water purifier. I’m keeping it—it wasn’t part of my deal with Noviosk.’’
‘’And this?’’ the guard asks, pulling out a small cylindrical tube, about the size of a finger.
‘’A mini light beam. Always handy. And that big pencil you’re holding? I’m sure even you know what a pencil is.’’
“Ugh, it stinks!” the second guard says, sniffing a small sealed flask. “What is this?”
“A perfume. For your sister, maybe?” Pherebos shoots back.
“You messing with me?”
“No. But maybe I should be.”
The first guard bristles, clearly offended by Pherebos’s attitude.
“Let it go,” his partner mutters. “He’s Noviosk’s guest.” He places the bag and its contents on the bed. “It’s all yours,” he adds to Pherebos. “Need anything else?”
“Yes. I want that restraining collar removed. She’s not your slave anymore—she’s mine.”
“Her seller, Bully, already left Vagantu with some of his friends. If he didn’t give the order before leaving, he probably forgot. We’ll take it off tomorrow. No rush.”
Pherebos looks visibly annoyed. He opens his mouth to argue, then thinks better of it and stays silent.
The guard hesitates. “Anything else?” he asks as he starts to leave.
