Page 73 of Tyrant

It feels sort offoreign to just walk into my own apartment. It feels just as weird to knock too. I open the door and walk in to find Lia with a fork draped in ramen noodles, mouth open, ready to take a bite. And then there’s Naya, hand cupped under her right breast, over her shirt. She’s very much not wearing a bra.

“Well, look who came back home,” Naya says.

“You’re still alive,” Lia says.

I can’t tell if she’s surprised or disappointed. I don’t know what they know about me or what has happened.

Awkwardly, I wave. Then I cringe because I waved.

“It’s been a little hectic for me,” I say.

“You look tired and worn out,” Naya says. “That’s good. You have sex written all over your face.”

“Not to mention your wrists,” Lia says with a sly grin.

I wrestle with the sleeves of my hoodie, even though I have no reason to hide my wrists. I don’t care one bit about any marks on my body. They’re there for a reason. They’re what I want on me. Reminders of Tyrant’s power and passion. And the insane orgasms he’s capable of offering.

“Do you know anything about ceremonies?” I ask.

Lia and Naya quickly look at each other. Then at the same time they put their pointer fingers to their mouths.

Shh.

Got it.

“I just wanted to see you both,” I say. “I miss you. I mean, we hardly know one another. I know that. I just… I just thought I would still be here. I probably can stay here now, right? Nothing else has happened. I’m safe here. I think so.”

“You’re having a one-sided conversation right now, Sera,” Naya says. “You’re scared to death to be away from Tyrant.”

“Well, at least you were claimed,” Lia says. “Some of us will never experience that. No matter how you see it, that’s the truth. Kidnapped from a life you hated, right? Brought here with everything taken care of for you. And now a guy like Tyrant fucking you senseless.”

Lia stands up and storms away from the table. Naya moves toward me, shaking her head. “Don’t mind her. It’s her time of the month. She turns into a raging asshole for a week. Insufferable to live with. Why do you think I’m her roommate? I can handle it. Nothing gets to me. Except that my boob is itchy as fuck right now.”

“I was wondering what you were doing,” I say.

“Want to help me out?” Naya offers.

She starts to lift her shirt and I touch her wrist.

I shake my head. “Sounds fun, but no thanks.”

“I bet if Tyrant ordered you to do it, you would.”

I expect to blush but instead my jaw tightens. It’s clear as day how badly Naya wants to be fucked by Tyrant. Knowing what I know about Naya, she’s done a little of everything, probably twice. She has experience in ways that I don’t.

“Oh, shit, Sera,” she says. “I’ve never seen that look on your face before. Relax, I’m just kidding. I know the rules and how all this stuff works. You look like you want to kill me right now.”

“I think I do,” I say.

Naya inches back a little. “You’re like a different person now.”

I shrug my shoulders.

“This is what happens to everyone here. We are broken down and left for… whatever.”

“What are you left for, Naya? What’s your plan?”

“Wish I knew, Sera. Why do you think I am the way I am? I’m just living in the moment because anything beyond the moment scares me.”

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