Page 19 of Heart’s Prisoner

"Let's play again but I would like to raise the stakes," Lana said. "If I win I get to ask you a question–-any question I like. I promise it won't pertain to the whereabouts of your people or anything too revealing about yourself."

Xerus tilted his head down and flared his nostrils. He thought about it, then locked his eyes with hers. "And if I win?"

Lana smiled. "You can ask me anything you like as long as it doesn't endanger myself or those around me or, " Lana said, "you can request something from me."

Xerus seemed to perk up at that. "Request something?"

Lana nodded.

"Like what?"

"Like...a favor."

Xerus snorted. "And how exactly are you supposed to perform favors for me from beyond my holdings?"

"Well..." Lana said. "Firstly, I hope that someday you will be free."

Xerus' expression looked a little stunned, as if to say 'You honestly want that? Are you so sure?'

"And secondly," Lana continued. "I can perform favors even with you here. I know we already talked about changing your...diet. But maybe there's something else you want? At least something I can give you to make your time here better. Or it can be something I can do for you when you're free."

Xerus gave her a doubtful look. "There's nothing you could give me that I want except to be free. And, anyway, how could I trust you to keep your word?"

Lana thought it over. "Well, humans usually shake on it as a promise. But since we can't shake hands...perhaps something your people do to tie a deal?"

Xerus scratched his jaw, thinking. "Come to the glass." He gestured.

Lana hesitated, then rose from her chair. She walked cautiously up to the glass, standing before him. Xerus lifted one hand and placed it on the glass and motioned for her to do the same. Lana did as told, placing her hand in position with his.

"Repeat after me," Xerus said. "ByRikashaandVeradisI take this vow and if I should break it may they who I chose to serve take from me what is owed. By blood or by life as is theexariof this vow. By their strength let it be so."

Lana paused, looking at him wearily. Then slowly repeated the words. The vow sounded much more serious then what she was offering, but she made do. Hoping she didn't just agree to some lifetime vow of servitude, she released her hand from the glass and cleared her throat, turning back to her seat.

"Ready to play then?" she asked.

Xerus dipped his head and she noticed his mouth widen a little.

The first serious game they played, Lana won, but only barely.

"So I get to ask my question," she said, straightening in her seat, trying not to smile. Xerus' tail swayed lazily behind. "Fine," he said.

Lana looked down at her lap thinking for a long moment, then her gaze drew back to him. "What position do you hold amongst your kind?"

Xerus clacked his nails against the ground. "Position?" he said.

"Like...what do you do for your people? Are you a hunter? A gatherer? Or do you specialize in something? A farmer? An Engineer?"

Xerus let out a low breath, closing his eyes then opening them again slowly. "My position is...complicated."

Lana arched a brow. "How so?"

"Because it is ever-changing."

"Oh..." Lana frowned. "Well, what is it currently?"

"A Destroyer."

Lana's frowned deepened and pursed her lips. "I take it then that your job goes with the namesake?"

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