Page 51 of Victoria's Discovery

“Bathing preference, Victoria?”

“Oh. Uhh, what are my options?”

“Chemical disinfectant, light bath, dust, or detergent with liquid NuWater rinse,” the computer rattled off, sounding almost… put upon, but that was impossible because computers don’t have feelings. Right?

All those made sense, except…

“Dust? What am I, a chinchilla?” she snickered.

“Dust bath selected.”

“No no no!” Eyes wide, she waved her hands frantically. “Detergent and water!”

“You wish to alter your selection from dust bath to detergent with liquid NuWater rinse?”

Okay, the huffiness was a bit more pronounced that time, but Victoria was still sure it was her imagination. Probably some new complex about being a bother. Yeah. That had to be it.

“Yes! Yes, please,” she sighed, blowing out a relieved breath.

“Confirmed. Step down to the designated bathing area.”

Grabbing the hem of her dress, she started to pull it off but hesitated and glanced back at the door. “Could you lock the door, please?”

“Confirmed.”

At the whirr of what she assumed was the lock engaging, Victoria stripped, grabbed up the hair remover thing and all the various soaps she’d made, and stepped excitedly into the depression in the floor,oohingas glass walls lowered smoothly from the ceiling to enclose her.

“Touch the red light to activate liquid NuWater rinse. Touch the yellow light to activate evaporation.”

At least thirty minutes, a whole hell of a lot of detangler, and a thorough session with the hair remover—which could be set to permanent or temporary epilation—later, Victoria felt like a silky, hairless, clean human again.

“Computer, is there a mirror in here?”

Like magic, the wall in front of her became reflective, revealing her in all her naked nakedness. Except the woman in front of her didn’t look like she remembered. Her hair was still the same curly, red mess, but it was longer now, brushing the tops of her breasts instead of her shoulders. That wasn’t what had her gaping in dismay, though. It was the dark circles under her eyes, the hollowness to her cheeks, and the distressing amount of weight she’d lost.

Victoria was already short at five foot two and had always struggled to obtain anything approaching womanly curves, but she’d at least had some meat on her bones. Now, she just looked like a half-starved ghost with disproportionately wide hips and fake-looking breasts, because her C-cups damn sure didn’t look natural on her current frame.

She looked… frail.

“Jesus,” she whispered. “No wonder they haven’t ditched me.”

She’d thought the guys were just being chivalrous and kind with the protective behavior. And, yeah, okay, she’d secretly hoped them not leaving her side meant they liked her. Maybe not Vi’kail after that look on his face earlier, but possibly the giants.

But, staring at herself, she understood. If she saw that woman walking down the hall, she’d want to protect her, too. She looked sick, her eyes too big for her face and her ribs showing under her skin.

Victoria didn’t think of herself as a vain person, but seeing the toll being abducted had taken on her body was a heavy blow to her confidence, not to mention worrying. Realizing the guys likely felt more pity than friendship for her only added to it until she was feeling pretty damn low.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she turned away, unable to keep looking at the reflection in the mirror.

No wonder Vi’kail looked so uncomfortable at Rellik’s playful insinuation.

She immediately shook her head at the unkind thought and forced herself to straighten her shoulders. “Okay, tiny pity party over. Suck it up, buttercup.”

Find something small to focus on.

“There’s a talking computer,” she murmured, a small smile lifted her lips. “That’s just plain cool. Even if the attitude was a little unnerving,” she added under her breath, eyeing the ceiling suspiciously.

Was that a quiet snort?

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