n

n

n~ SASHA ~

nThere were no other diners in eyeshot, they'd been given a private dining alcove. But suddenly the sounds of the dining room nearby—the clink of silverware and hum of hushed voices—became very loud to Sasha's ears, because none of the men were speaking.

nNext to her, Nick had gone very still in his seat, but when Sasha turned to meet his eyes, he was scanning the other men. She followed suit and examined each of them in turn.

nFrom what she could see, none of them were obviously impressed by her little show of backbone. But they weren't dismissive of it either.

nSanta Claus was the first to speak.

"So you admit that you are an unlikely leader for people like the Chimera?

"

nSasha nodded.

"Especially in that environment. I resisted the idea at first—I didn't feel equipped. But Zev was very clear that keeping some kind of stability, showing a façade of confidence even if I didn't feel it, was very important. I still have a lot to learn about surviving in Thana. But I have to say, I'm beginning to think holding the reins of power might be more comfortable than I thought.

"

nNick shot her a warning look, but she wasn't lying. She just didn't mean it the way she hoped they'd hear it.

n

"Oh, please,

" Sour Puss muttered.

"You're the least ambitious over-achiever I've ever had the tedium to surveil.

"

nSasha forced a brittle smile.

"I do apologize if your invasion of my privacy was an inconvenient boredom for you,

" she said through her teeth.

"But that wasn't what I meant.

"

nSour Puss's eyes flashed at the anger in her tone. He sat forward, elbows on the table and gestured to her.

"Great, then please explain. If it were up to me we wouldn't even be here. You'd be in the stable and we'd sit back and wait for Zev to show up—because all of us know the only true power you hold is over our boy Zev, and if you're here, he won't be far behind. Both of you fool yourselves into believing you have any influence that we haven't handed to you. So let's be done with the charade shall we? You hold no power—no freedom—that we didn't give you. Do you understand that?

"

n

"Of course,

" Sasha snapped back.

"Nick's been very clear. That's why I'm here.

"

n

"Good. Then we have a list of expectations for you. If you agree to abide by them, and give us assurances of exactly how you will do that, we may choose to let you return to Thana under certain restrictions. But that is by no means a given. You will be watched and evaluated for deceit. You are not negotiating from a position of power here, Sasha.

"

n

"Then it sounds like you should let me know what your expectations are, so I can start making plans about how to fulfill them right away,

" Sasha countered sarcastically.

nNick rolled his eyes and shook his head, but he didn't interrupt.

nSour Puss gave her a lazy smile.

"I see through your bravado.

"

n

"I see through your pretend dis-interest,

" she shot back.

nSour Puss's eyebrows popped up and his smile disappeared.

"Well then,

" he said quietly.

"Let's get to the real reason that we're all here.

"

nSasha's mouth was dry and her stomach quivering, but she faced this man down. She hadn't expected him to be the one who would speak for all the others, but none of them—not even Santa Claus—seemed inclined to interrupt him, so she assumed he was the final decision maker among them, and gave him her attention.

nAs he revealed his list which sounded so broad and predictable on the outside, images popped into her mind time and again of how this had looked for Xar, and where his cooperation had gotten them all.

nSour Puss sat back in his chair and began his list, toneless and firm, without any question that she would agree.

nSasha, as Alpha, would take orders. Whenever, and however they chose to deliver them.

nShe would be told who to trust, and she would trust only those individuals to bring word from this group of men. She nodded, looking down, making a mental note to be certain whoever these men trusted, no one else could. But Sour Puss went on.

nShe would support every decision they made, whether she agreed or not. She would not undermine them with the Chimera.

nShe'd visit this facility as often and for as long as they required. She'd also receive their workers in Thana whenever they chose—and she would ensure that the people followed their orders.

nShe wouldn't only answer any questions these men had at any time, she would offer information she learned that could benefit them, even if they didn't ask.

nAnd she would, at all times, support their endeavors within Thana, and in her own world. She would not share their secrets, or attempt to thwart any of their actions within Thana, or her own world.

n

"…In short,

" Sour Puss said bluntly,

"We own you.

"

nIt was a work of sheer will not to swallow. All five men including Nick, were staring at her, measuring her. Even Santa Claus's eyes were sharp and assessing.

n

"Is that all?

" she said lightly.

n

"If you're going to pretend not to take this seriously, this conversation is over,

" Sour Puss said starkly.

nSasha dropped her head and let her nervousness show through. He was right that they could see through her bluster. She had to keep them believing that she was frightened, but determined. Which was true. But she also needed them to underestimate her.

n

"I believe, as long as you let me keep Zev, and you don't ask me to actually harm anyone else, I can do those things for you,

" she said.

"But I do have some questions, and some expectations of my own.

"

nSour Puss snorted.

"You're not in a position to enforce expectations. Your job here is to listen, and to act—as we tell you to. Then you stay alive. Then you get to live your life. Otherwise, if you can't, we'll just bring you here and add you to the breeding pool.

"

nSasha visibly shuddered at the idea, and her stomach turned over.

nNone of the men reacted.

n

"I have some suggestions that I believe would be mutually beneficial,

" she said faintly.

"If you'd humor me.

"

nSour Puss looked at the others, then nodded to her.

"Go ahead.

" But just as Sasha was about to open her mouth, he added,

"Just don't waste our time.. Or you'll have a chance to ask the other females here what exactly happens when we get impatient.

"

n