Page 11 of Mazorium Buys a Human

I kept up my soothing rumble. I must be a better owner than most because my human already saw me as someone who she could cling to! According to the literature, humans were often reluctant to cling or clutch to Talins.

Warmth spread through my chest and made a strange feeling fizzle through my brain. I refused to examine it. Instead, I focused on Mika.

“Nothing like that will ever happen again,” I promised. “You and Nadia are forever safe in my care.”

Chapter 4

Mika

It was unnerving to go from being certain I was going to die, to being coddled and cared for again. I was also astonished Mazorium didn’t even get upset when he found out I’d left the medical bay under my own power. He could’ve gotten angry and hurt me as punishment. I’d seen slaves beaten for much less.

Expecting the worst, I was braced for his anger, but he was nothing but gentle. Then he came to the wrong conclusion about why I’d left the medical bay. I was lucky he assumed I went looking for him, but still, his reaction was not what I expected. When he kept assuring me he’d never let anyone hurt me, the tenuous control I had over my tears broke. I hugged his neck and sobbed into his shoulder.

He never stopped purring or stroking my back.

I’d been so set on escaping, I hadn’t thought enough about the consequences. Not that I could’ve anticipated running into Effik, but even if I hadn’t, what would I have done? I couldn’t get workbecause I was registered as a possession. No one on the station would’ve helped me. A human wasn’t worth getting in trouble for.

Honestly, I was realizing that being bought by Mazorium might be the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Not that I was happy about being a slave, but things could've turned out so much worse.

I needed to face reality. Staying with Mazorium for now was the best plan, at least until Nadia was a little older and stronger. I didn’t want her to grow up in captivity, but if Mazorium hadn’t gotten to us when he did, she wouldn’t have gotten to grow up at all!

“We have some calming drugs,” one of the med techs said to Mazorium. “It might be best if we interrupt this behavior. If she keeps this up, she might make herself sick.”

I hated to admit it, but the med tech had a point. I could already feel a crying-headache forming. Forcing myself to pull in some deep breaths, I let go of Mazorium’s neck and settled back down on his lap.

“I’m fine,” I said. “I don’t need any drugs.”

The position of the Doringo’s head feathers clearly showed she didn’t believe me. I didn’t blame her, my face probably looked splotchy and my eyes red and swollen. I was never a pretty crier.

The Doringo looked to Mazorium. “Sir?”

I wanted to get angry at the med tech for ignoring me and waiting for Mazorium’s decision. But I was too weary to get upset.

“Not at the moment,” Mazorium said. “It’s better to let humans express their emotions.”

“Very well.” The med tech sounded a little chitter of agreement then pointed to the incubator. They must've put Nadia there while I’d been crying. “I’m happy to report that the pup is doingwell. She didn’t suffer any damage and will probably be hungry soon.”

The med tech’s words made me feel a little dizzy with relief. When Effik shoved me into his quarters, I’d landed hard on my knees and almost fell over onto Nadia. I barely had enough time to set her down and face Effik before he was on me. I didn’t have the best recall after he grabbed me and couldn’t be sure if one of us hadn’t stepped on her.

“You’re sure she's totally fine?” I asked.

The med tech chittered in agreement. “Still a little underweight, but that won’t be fixed in a cycle or two.”

“Please put together a health plan to follow for when we leave,” Mazorium requested.

“Of course,” the med tech agreed then looked at me. “I’d like to do another scan of you.”

“Sure,” I said.

“You don’t have to move out of your master’s lap, but you do need to sit forward for a moment.”

Mazorium helped me turn so I was facing the med tech. She was quick to roll a large scanner over. It only took a few seconds for it to work after she had it in place, then she was tucking it back against the wall.

“I’ll check on those results and come back,” she said. One of the other med techs came in with a bunch of milk balls and set them on top of the incubator while another checked the settings. Once they were satisfied, they turned to us.

“We will be back at regular intervals. If she wakes up and cries, please attempt to feed her.”

“Thank you,” I said and they both chittered and left.