Page 3 of Tribute
“Come on.”
Anna glanced around, but there didn’t appear to be any guards. She eyed him cautiously.
“Clothes?”
“Not necessary.” He came closer and she tensed. “Move.”
She stood up, raised her chin, and sauntered toward him. His gaze swept over her breasts and hips and stayed there. She refused to cover herself and went to brush past him.
His hand closed on her upper arm with considerable strength, and she stopped moving. He produced a leather collar and fastened it around her throat.
“This will have to do until we get you something more permanent.”
“I am not a fucking dog.”
“Then don’t snarl like one.” He took a leash from his pocket and snapped it onto the collar. “Let’s go.”
He opened a door, and the bright lights of the medical center faded away. The floor under her bare feet was hard rock, as were the walls and ceiling. The lights were set low, at floor level.
“What is this place?”
He didn’t answer her question, just tugged slightly on the leash—which made her want to growl—and continued to walk down the main passageway, which was wide enough to fit twenty people across.
“You’ll be stationed in basic training while we review whether you can move on to the main program.”
Anna stopped walking. “You said I had one chance, not that you might decide to kick me out before I even get the opportunity to prove myself.”
“You’ll have plenty of chances.”
He pushed open a door, and stood aside letting her precede him. Anna’s steps slowed. There was a row of cages and each one contained a person. None of them showed any interest in her or Commander Akran.
She backed up so fast she collided with his chest. “You’re putting me in a cage?”
“As I said, basic training.” He edged her toward the last in the row and followed her inside, keeping his back to the door. There was nothing in the space except a blanket, a bowl, and a toilet. He unclipped the leash and swung it back and forth in his hand as he watched her prowl the area.
“Rule number one. When I enter this cage, you kneel down and keep your eyes on the floor.”
She kept her back to him and stared at the wall, which was covered in scratched lettering she couldn’t understand.
“Rule two. You don’t speak until I give you permission.” He paused. “Have you got that?”
She slowly turned to face him. “Fuck you.”
He nodded. “I’ll be back tomorrow.” He bent down, picked up the bowl and blanket, and left.
She went over every inch of the space, but there was nothing she could break off to use as a weapon, either to shove in his face or to end her own life. There also wasn’t any water.
She sank down in the corner, her back to the wall, and licked her dry lips. “Damn.”
Rehz hesitated outside Anna Lee’s door. It had been two days now, and she hadn’t obeyed a single rule. He gripped the chilled bottle of water in his hand and went in. She was sitting in the corner, her knees up to her chin and her long, fair hair covering her face.
“Lee.”
She tensed, and he knew that she was looking at him through her hair. He slowly unscrewed the cap of the bottled water and took a swig.
“I’m sure you are thirsty.”
She didn’t curse at him, which was an improvement on the last two days. He suspected it was more to do with her weakness than her willingness to follow his rules.
