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‘If Zane is with one of the extremist groups, then you are in danger. You lived, which means they will likely send someone to…’ My hands hesitate as I search for a softer turn of phrase, but then realize that Deaf value direct communication more than anything. ‘Kill you.’

He swallows heavily. ‘You have a plan. I can tell.’ His fingers begin to shake again, so he lays his hands back down on his chest.

I nod. ‘There is one solution. It is temporary, but I don’t think you will like it.’

Run away, he says in my head.

I nod, but then lift my hands to add, ‘With me, to Erethar. As my official companion.’

On the drive to the Foundry, I explain to Luca what a companion is meant for, and he doesn’t seem as bothered by it as Everest did when he was first presented with the option. Of course, unlike Rathyn, my contract does not include fifteen cum deposits per day.

I added five—otherwise the contract would seem suspicious—but Luca didn’t seem bothered by that either.

‘I won’t actually require you to give me anything,’ I say when he looks up at me.

He’s sitting up in the front seat of my car, reading through the tablet as I hold his door open, ready to help him up to my rooms. We can’t linger in the parking lot. Dante is on his way here to the Foundry to meet up with us, and I want to ensure that Luca is situated and comfortable before Dante sees him.

It’s very likely that Luca’s brother is going to protest violently and loudly against Luca being collared to me. Especially when he learns that Luca’s only option for the moment will be to remain on Erethar, in my quarters where Dante cannot go. But I’m hoping reason will win and he will understand this is the best way to protect his brother.

Luca’s breath is slow and even, and I can see by the way his eyes are still that he’s not reading anymore, but his gaze is fixated on the screen in the spot awaiting his signature. He lifts the stylus, then sets it back down and shifts to face me better.

‘What about what I want?’

I blink at him for a moment. ‘What you want?’

‘From this. It only benefits you. Vyastil,’ he spells the word slowly. Deliberately. He’s making a point, but I don’t fully understand what it is. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve lived amongst humans; they’re still so…alien sometimes.

I kneel down, hoping my larger body is enough to shield our signs from the cameras. ‘What do you want?’

He takes the stylus and taps it on the screen, and my eyes follow to where he’s pointing.

Five cum sessions per day.

‘I want you to actually take them.’

“No,” I say aloud before I can stop myself.

He winces like my word wounded him, and I hate myself for it. But I can’t change my answer. He has no idea why, and I can’t endanger him by explaining my purpose in this life and what I must attempt to do to protect everything I’ve been building to make real change.

The moment someone like Prince Jyrion finds out that Vyastil are capable of making a human their VySytheh…well, the gods only know what will come of that knowledge.

Luca is unmoved. He taps the screen again, and once more I shake my head.

“Yes,” he says aloud.

I want to slap my hand over his mouth because I don’t want anyone overhearing this, but that feels cruel when he gives his spoken voice to so few. I close my eyes in a long, slow blink, then open them again.

He’s ready for me.

‘You want me.’ His signs are sharp, pointed, no room for misinterpretation.

‘Yes.’

‘I want you.’

I bow my head and tap my temple. ‘I know.’

‘You want my cum.’