*Puabi* I was bathing Camile when Merna strolled into the bathroom. Undressing herself she entered the water. All eyes were on her, yet the thing that caught my attention was the energy that was drifting off of her. This was the second time that I was near her. After Chaos had handed Merna’s punishment, he then continued to hand out one thousand two hundred and twenty-two’s punishment. No mercy was given as the poor human born received the lashings. With great force, Chaos made sure each strike was loud. Causing all serfs to lower their heads and cry. Only once had I ever received the brutality that Chaos can and will give out. After that, I had learned not to question. Jump when he gives an order. Most of all, never cross his path, avoiding him is the best thing anyone could do. I may have birthed his children, I might have won his favour, though even I would never jump and stop someone from getting a punishment. I smiled as I watched her, ‘brave stupid girl, you will get yourself killed if you are not careful.’ I questioned if she was able to hear my thoughts. Merna’s eyes spotted me, the corners of her lips curved up as she watched me bathe Camile. Bringing my attention back to Camile I finished what I had been doing. I noticed that Camile had not taken her eyes off of Merna. Merna tilted her head to the side, I could tell that she pitied the poor girl, and so did I. Merna’s glare was drawn to my mate. Her breath was noticeably laboured. Her eyes went from human born in appearance to nothingness. Males and females were wandering in and out of the bathing room. I observed as some completed their task while others came into the water. As I saw my daughters Zefer and Alma enter, briefly I glanced at Merna to see her eyes were still lightless holes. Camile shivered causing me to bring her closer to my body. “My lovelies, what brings you here?” I directed my question to my daughters, who stood near Merna. Whatever Zefer had in mind, it was not going to be good. The glare she had given Merna meant no good would come to that child. “Mother …” Zefer stopped once she spotted Camile in my embrace. “What is it doing in your arms?” Zefer saw human borns only as food and nothing more. Parasites had more value to her than human borns. Alma skipped her way over to me, “Mother has a new pet! Oh I bet it tastes divine!” “Mother?” Zefer stomped over to me, her tone was crossed. Camile shook as she pushed herself closer to my body for protection. I kept my sight on Merna as she gathered herself out of the water, not once taking her eyes off of Zefer. ‘do not make an enemy out of my daughter, it will not go well for you little human born.’ ‘Zefer is the one who should be careful, mother will not tolerate disobedience.’ I could hear Merna’s voice in my mind. I tilted my head to the side, and slowly the corners of my mouth turned upwards. ‘Very talented little hybrid you are!’ Pointing at Merna, “Oh look at it … its ass is as red as its hair … I bet it can’t sit!” Alma giggled the whole time as she pointed at Merna. Merna strolled over to the vanity glaring at the mirror. It was obvious that she was glaring at my daughters. With the corners of her mouth upwards, Merna sat down with no issues. Not taking her eyes off of my daughters and me, Merna continued with her task. A serf ran over to Merna with a cloth in hand. Whispering in her ears what was the purpose of the cloth. Merna took the cloth from the serf. The serf touched Merna’s shoulder and then walked away with a grin on her face. It only lasted a second but it was long enough for Zefer and I to spot. Merna’s eyes shifted with a stream of blue and gold light crossing her orbs of light. ‘Mother?’ Zefer blared in my mind. ‘I saw that too, Zefer! Her creator must be as powerful as your father!’ I spoke to my daughter with concern. Zefer huffed, ‘No one of our bloodlines would duplicate with a human born!’ She hissed with discussion. ‘There is one that would?’ I knew of one who would not think twice about doing so. She favoured human borns over our species. My daughter glared at me with a great deal of hatred, ‘no!’ ‘Pirapancam!’ I said her name, ‘the mother of all mothers!’ Our site was locked, ‘whatever you have planned dear daughter, stop while you can. Merna has the mother of all mother's protection and your father's favour. Do not mess with this child!’ Zefer's eyes were wide open. Merna’s eyes followed the serf who had given her the cloth to stop her bleeding. Zefer strolled over to Merna ready to grab her by the hair and riff her head backwards when Zefer stopped in her tracks. I know my children better than they know themselves. I got out of the water and marched over before Zefer could do anything.“She is a spy! You will find a body in the southern border. The serf’s throat will be sliced with the dagger still in her chest. Overkill if you ask me!” Merna had muttered to us. “Who?” Both Zefer and I asked at the same time. “Second last female to leave this bathing room. The one who gave me the cloth.” Merna replied as she stood up from the stool. I looked at the cloth that was still in Merna’s hands, “do you know what to do with that cloth?” Merna smiled, “I now understand the term, shove a sock in it and shut up!” She said as she started to laugh and shoved the cloth up her organs. “Have to say the only thing I'm used to gaining entrance in here is dick, fingers and dildos … never thought about a cloth!” “Father will be here soon, get ready!” Zefer said as she headed toward the door and paused. “I do not remember that harlot … why would father buy a whore when he is getting two ready for sale?” Merna glanced back at Camile, sadness was written on both of the girls' faces. A serf was quick to rush over to Merna, but before she could dress Merna, Merna gathered the garments and dressed herself. A smirk touched my face as I shook my head back and forth. This girl was going to get the serfs in trouble and she did not even know it. ‘Or does she?’ In no time Merna was ready and heading out of the door not even saying a word. Alma skipped her way over to me as the serfs finished dressing Camile and me. “Do you think that once father is done with his pet that he will give it to me?” Alma licked her lips. “I would tread with caution when it comes to Merna. Your father has eyes for this female … I would remember that when you think of Merna.” I warned both of my daughters. They are used to giving out pain. They have never felt the wrath of their father. None of them have ever dared to test the boundaries like many have in the past. *Camile* Puabi’s daughters scared the ever-living shit out of me. The expression that Zefer gave Merna told me that if given the chance she would do unspeakable things to her. I kept my head down as mother and daughters communicated. “But mommy!” Alma whined, “it was so mean and …” “It is up to your father to decide what will happen. It is our duty to follow your fathers command. No one, not you nor I am above the law. Any thoughts that float around in your mind … get rid of them now!” Puabi warned her daughters.“It will mess up, when it does … I will be there! I will ask my father to be its punisher!” Zefer hissed. I did not need to have a gift or power to know that Zefer was out for Merna. I shivered as I glared at my feet. “Oh mummy, your pet is cold, it quivered!” Alma told her mother sweetly. I was contemplating in my mind which sister would be more devious out of the two. With everything that I have learned about the two, I would say Zefer is the aggressor. Alma is more passive-aggressive, which could make her the worst out of the two. Alma may come off as sweet as pie, but I would not turn my back on that one. “Four hundred and seventeen, let us go!” Puabi told me. It stung that I had to respond to a number and not my name. Puabi informed me that as long as we were in view, she would have to refer to me as a number. It was just the way things are here. “My loveless avoid your father's pet!” She kissed the top of each girl's head. It was Alma who embraced her mother, snuggling her head into the crook of Puabi’s neck. “Okay mommy!” Alma said then kissed her mother on the cheek. Puabi watched as her daughters left, and then she gave her attention to me. Touching my arm she guided me out to her room. ‘Training starts tonight! Nod your head if you understand me?’ I nodded my head. Surprised to hear Puabi’s voice in my head. ‘Good! do not speak! Serfs, pleasures, breeders are not allowed to speak out loud unless spoken to.’ I nodded my head again in understanding. ‘Not even to ask a question!’ ‘The Master may give me more time with you. I am trying to prolong your bidding. Your companion will be sold on the third blood moon. If I am good, I might be able to push your bidding to your sixth blood moon.” She smiled at me, ‘If I am even better, I could prolong it for many hundred blood moons. If you show more value here as a pleasure … there is a chance that I can keep you. Would you like that?’ I was not sure what to do. This place was not with Amy, though I was positive that there was no way I would ever see her again. After seeing Paubi’s daughters, I knew that this place was dangerous. Someone who is weak like myself would never survive those like Zefer and Alma. I needed someone with influence to protect me from threats. And then there were those warm feelings of energy that happened every time Puabi touched me or when I touched her. A tear rolled down my face as I nodded my head. ‘I would very much like to be with you!’ I spoke as loud as I could hoping that Puabi could hear me.Puabi turned her head, ‘you are learning very well! This is one of the ways we communicate … being with me is starting to show! Our bond is getting stronger!’ *Pierre* I woke up in Sadragon’s chamber. Lying face down he was placing an ointment on my fresh wounds. I clenched my teeth at the sudden pain. I distracted my mind from the actions that Sadragon was performing. Only I understood what damage was going on with Merna. No one understood the demons that lingered in her closet. I could only express rage. Rage towards Merna for not allowing me to take the beating. Pissed at Sadragon for holding me back. Enraged at the Master for not seeing past Merna’s lie. Most of all pissed off at myself for the whole situation. I knew what talking to Merna would cost and I should have known that she would never allow me to take the rap. When I saw Merna’s body moving forward with such force I lost my mind. “Why?” Sadragon growled at me once he realized I was awake. “Is there not one thing that you would do to protect?” I did not mean to yell at Sadragon but could not contain my temper. “Yes!” Sadragon yelled back at me, “I just do not understand why you would choose her over me?” “I do not understand what you are talking about, what do you mean?” My temper simmered a bit. Even though our bond was growing the more we were together, it was not as strong as Merna and my bond. Trust, loyalty and honesty have always been a big thing for Merna. With those morals, I placed those onto Sadragon. I unloaded everything about Merna and my relationship. “After Merna and I met, we have been inseparable. Therefore one anothers darkest moments, to help the other with the demons in our minds.” “You already told me that, but now I am here. Why did you choose her over me?” Sadragon seemed astounded. “Yes I have you and you have me … who will take care of Merna?” I tried to control my anger. “The Master!” Sadragon snapped. Bah! “He does not have her! Does he know about her darkness? No, he doesn’t, good chances he never will!” I was trying to control my rage, “Merna does not let individuals in … she does not trust that easily … for many reasons only she can tell you!” “What darkness?” Sadragon had a hold of my chin.I thought about whether I should talk about Merna’s darkness. I inhaled, “This sticks between us?” “It depends if the Master is in danger or not!” Sadragon smiled wickedly at me. “When Merna gets lost in her mind, she resorts to pain!” I sat up, “When Merna gets in a mood, like if a human born pisses her off, and she can not calm down, her eyes turn black like demonic black.” “She hates human borns!” Sadragon said with a smile. “Merna hates what they are doing to each other and the environment.” I corrected him. “And the arrogant … belligerent … the list goes on!” I started to chuckle, “I did offer to kill them! She told me that getting my hands dirty and going to jail for that was not worth it.” Sadragon appeared hurt, “Your connection is very strong. I am going to guess that your paths have been connected with more than one lifetime. This type of bond is just as strong as a mate's bond, for now. Though a mate bond is stronger, and it will only get stronger the more we spend time together.” “So now you understand why I was losing my shit?” I asked with the hope that Sadragon would understand. “For the rest of her demons … she will have to tell you … I gave her my word not to say a thing!” “You were just trying to protect your blood bond sister!” Grabbing a hold of the back of my neck, Sadragon connected our lips. Making eye contact, “Are you still jealous?” “Give me time!” Sadragon cupped both sides of my head, joining us together with a passionate kiss. “While you are in training your punishment will be less since you are still learning. Know this once you are branded, our bond will not save you from the Master’s temper.” Sadragon paused for a second. “For jealousy, the Master is a different topic!” Sadragon rubbed his hands on his face, “we dragons are very territorial … our tendency for jealousy is very high, regardless if we understand the situation.” “How long will this last?” I could tell he feared the Master. Sadragon paused while he was thinking, “stay away from Merna. If you see her do not make eye contact. The Master is behaving differently towards Merna.” He made sure I was listening, “I will learn to get over my jealousy, the Master will not! You are a threat to what he owns!” “WHAT?” I was more confused, “trust me if and when Merna trusts someone there is nothing that will stop her loyalty to that person. It does not end, it is for life only death will end the loyalty.” “Funny how you said that!” Sadragon started to laugh, “I have earned my place among the Master’s sons …He is fair but ruthless. The Master demands respect, but when he sees loyalty, individuals go up in ranks. I know hunters that have technically been here longer than I have, and they do not have the Master’s favour. They only get noticed because of their skills.” Sadragon placed me in a comfortable position. I grabbed Sadragon and kissed him, “For the first time in my life, I have emotions. When it comes to Merna there was more of a sense of protection, understanding, loyalty, nothing like this.” I noticed Sadragon’s loincloth twitching, “no more talking!” He grabbed me, bringing me in towards his body. “I am tired of talking.”