Page 15 of Temple

Chapter Four

Four weeks later, shesat up, smiled, and went to the com system. Her time was up. She got dressed in her normal Temple clothing, ate breakfast, and got into the elevator. She saluted the room where Zell had used her body sixteen times over the last month, and she headed down.

She had learned about Zellic transport and arranged a ride to the spaceport. There was a vessel heading toward Temple space, and she could swing over to a station and get a transport to the Temple from there.

Arriving at the spaceport, she kept her hood up and walked to the scheduling agent. “Hello, I am due on a shuttle to the station. Mistress Sage Umbek.”

“Of course, Mistress. Your shuttle is boarding at the third gate.”

“Thank you.” She got the confirmation on her com and headed to the gate in question.

An incoming group, including a Hmrain and his consort, were coming toward her. She smiled at seeing another human this far out and walked through the gateway to the shuttle. The female at the gate smiled and led her into the shuttle.

A few minutes later, they were on their way to the station, and she could breathe again. She hadn’t imagined how hard having a lover who didn’t care about her would be. Zell was deft and precise at getting the response from her, but when he had what he needed, he was done. He didn’t cum. Not ever. She had given him what he needed to rise, and now she was over it. It was a miserable and lonely experience. She hated it.

The contract was over, and she was going to the closest thing to a home with a lot of credits in her account.

From the shuttle, she went to the station and contacted the Temple. They made the arrangements in under an hour, and all Sage had to do was entertain herself for seven hours before the next ship on her way home departed.

She went to the com centre and sat in a cubicle. “Hey, Matron.”

The matron smiled softly at her. “Things didn’t go well?”

“I fulfilled the contract, but there was nothing else. No warmth, no companionship, no conversation, just coupling, and he left when he got his meal for the night. Then, a few days with no contact, and he would return for a top-up.”

“Did it hurt you?”

“No. My physiology and nature kept things slick.”

“Did he notice your heat?”

“He mentioned it both times.”

“And nothing?”

“Nothing.”

“Damn. I guess you weren’t a match after all. Don’t worry. We will find one who matches your profile.”

“Can I have a few weeks off when I arrive? I would like to spend time in the gardens.”

“Of course. You don’t look well.”

“Just a little... untethered? I was in a tower. Nothing growing, nothing green. No one to talk to until he returned. It was depressing, and I think I am going to have to fight my way out of that.”

Matron nodded. “I understand. A warm bath and the gardens will be waiting for you when you get home.”

“Thank you.” Tears started to course down her cheeks.

“Oh, honey. I wish I could hug you, but it will have to wait until you get back here. Your novices are all over the place. I think they can use your skills again.”

“I will do what I can.” Sage wiped her cheeks.

“I know. You will be on your way home soon. The captain has orders to let me know when you are safely onboard.”

“Of course he does.”

---