Chapter 10: Marinah

The room would be nothing special under most circumstances. I've slept on a cot in a room with three other women for years, so this one is most definitely an upgrade. The bathroom is only half the size of the one I just left and it's amazing. The running hot water makes it more so.

King spent a lot of time telling me he'd kill me. I saw the look in his eyes and completely understand that he would enjoy doing it. Maybe I've just been under too much stress since coming on this assignment, because I'm no longer afraid. After a night's rest I'm betting my nervous nature will return.

There's also a sense here that the bad monsters can't get me. Back at my Federation quarters we lived in daily fear. Either the monsters would invade and kill us, or we would lose our job and be sent to the front lines to die. The feeling of dread was never far away. Here it's different. King and his men offer protection even if they don't want to. I lay back on the bed enjoying that my legs can spread out and not hang over the sides. For a tall girl, those damn cots I left behind were murder on my back. I spread my arms out, glad video devices are a thing of the past. I would look like a tall freak idiot to them. A smile slowly spreads across my lips until I'm laughing like a maniacal nitwit.

I survived that damn hot room and the chances are good that I'll survive the night. I pull the pillow closer and roll over so it's hugging my body. I'm doing something good and useful, and I fall asleep on that thought.

***

For five days, I cool my heels. If my guards didn't take me around the endless corridors for exercise and to an outside patio, I'd be even more stir crazy than I already am. My continued requests to the guards to speak with King are ignored.

I finally manage to sleep well on the fifth night after I list all the ways of killing King. Early morning light filters through the window's curtains and it wakes me. A knock on the door makes me roll over and pull up the cover so only my neck and face show. "Come in," I say in the strongest voice I can muster. I feel like a scared mouse hiding under the covers, but I don't care. When the door opens, I see it's not my guard from last night, it's the driver who put me in the hot room and left me to die.

He doesn't look ashamed or fearful in any way, which doesn't surprise me. I don't think the Shadow Warriors show fear or feel anything for that matter. "King says you need to come to breakfast now," he practically shouts without looking at me and then shuts the door behind him. I guess when King says jump, you jump. I refuse to do that, though, which is probably stupid of me. I'm taking a shower and brushing my teeth before I travel to the monster's den and that's that.

The toothpaste tastes wonderful, especially after living with Federation toothpaste rations that rivaled sawdust. I take my time this morning and throw on my provided clothing that consists of soft jeans and a T-shirt. They even left socks and running shoes. Not that I would be running. If I made the attempt, my arms would tangle with my legs and I'd have an up close and personal talk with the floor this morning. As I put on my second shoe, the door flies open without a polite knock.

Ah, oh.

The firm press of the driver's lips and hard eyes let me know he isn't happy.

"I'm in enough trouble because of you," he grumbles as he stalks closer.

He doesn't give me time to respond before I'm upside down over his shoulder. If you've never tried this mode of transportation, take a pass. It might sound romantic but seriously it's uncomfortable. "Hey," I yell and pound his back as he carries me from the room. My door guards follow us, showing grim faces with absolutely no intention of helping me. I give up fighting and just hang limp until the floor's scenery changes from Spanish tile to the soft teal carpet signaling we're in King's room.

After being not so gently placed on my feet, I do the last thing I should and take a swing at the man who carried me. What surprises me is my fist actually connects with the side of his jaw. Not that he shows pain or surprise, my puny fist probably felt like a gnat landed on him. He turns and leaves the room while I soothe my sore hand and watch him retreat. Anger boils inside me and I turn to give King a piece of my mind. The spread of food before him leaves me sputtering.

The trays brought to my room for breakfast have had only oatmeal and fresh fruit. Not that I would complain about that. I was a vegetarian for so long and this type of food is actually something I've missed, and it tasted better than anything I've had in years.

Fluffy eggs that look like the real thing, toast, orange juice, and bacon fill my eyes and a split second later my nostrils. I breathe deeply and my anger fades only to be replaced by an unladylike stomach growl. I slide my fingers to my belly and King's eyes follow.

"I ate last night and shouldn't be this hungry, but you have bacon. Is it from an actual pig?" Bacon was the first carnivorous meat I had ever tasted and that was only twice. My mouth waters.

King kicks out a chair with his foot and nods. I was being commanded by the king, so I sit my butt down in front of the empty plate and grab a piece of bacon without asking permission. "Oh, my God," I say while chewing. "It's real bacon."

"I'll talk to Boot about carrying you. Unless you asked him to?"

Yes, I hear the unhappy grumble in his voice and no I don't care because I'm too busy grabbing another piece of the most amazing food on the planet. "So you have pigs?" His eyes sizzle much like the meat in my mouth must have when it cooked. "If the subject of pigs is taboo, I'll pretend I'm eating fake meat and..." I cross my heart with a bacon-greased finger. "Cross my heart and hope to die, I won't mention it to the Federation if I can have some eggs and toast to go with it."

"Do you always think of food?"

"Did you when you worked for our government?"

I swear his lips curve just a touch before he answers, "Yes."

I scoop eggs with the provided spoon and dollop them on my plate before grabbing two pieces of toast. I can't help grinning from ear to ear. "Well there's your answer. When the food you have tastes like dirt and leather, stuff like this makes it hard not to think about...well, food," I say with a shrug and half-eaten eggs in my mouth. So much for the sexy clothes the Federation sent me in to entice King. Right now, my manners are out the window. Good thing he has no more interest in me than I have in him. Despite his wall to wall muscles, I'm not attracted to him and he's made it clear he feels the same way.

Liar, liar. I refuse to think about my scattered dreams with King's muscled and naked body looming over me. They were confusing and didn't help my sleeping problem.

If he's willing to kill me, we obviously don't need to have sex to negotiate a deal. The fact that I'd consider sex with this goon is what surprises me, but every nerve in my body is drawn to him. I just need to keep that small bit of information under wraps.

"Are you okay or do I need to use the Heimlich maneuver?"

I guess a touch of lust showed in my expression and it looked painful. "No choking, I promise," I say and cover my mouth and then drop my hand because I'm already shoving more food between my jaws.