Pet - Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Fragile beings. One wrong slice to the neck, one break to a bone, one accident could end their lives so easily. I keep my gaze trained on Iris through the glass. Petra is trying to bring her back to me. She looks dead. Her skin is destroyed, and her body is horribly disfigured from all the breaks. But I know she isn't. I can hear her faint heartbeat even through the glass. It's so weak, and it grows weaker with each passing second.

The beams broke her spine, crushed her ribs, collapsed a lung, broke her bones, and the fact that they were on fire didn't help either. It burned her flesh to the literal bone. The high impact and temperature of the fire added with the length of time it was on top of her, burned her body badly.

In my window of panic, I gave her body too much of my life force, and almost killed her in the process. Our bodies are not compatible. The human body system is so weak, my healing properties could instantaneously kill her if I'm not careful. And that's almost what happened.

I can't seem to understand why the thought of Iris dying bothered me. Normally I would have sensed the damage and known that nothing could be done. And I would have left her to die. But I didn't want to. Those few seconds I watched those beams collapse on top of her... I felt helpless. Even more so when I realized the damage done. It puzzles me why I didn't let her die. She's just a human. A filthy, lowly human being born of the earth. Yet, she's the only human I've ever bothered tolerating for this long.

This is all the rebels' fault. I should have known they would stoop so low. But being around Iris and her false sense of hope that in everyone there is good, I actually believed that they wouldn't attack, based on the fact that I had humans in my possession. Quite honestly, I believed that they were going to try and rescue them. Which is why I didn't kill them all on the spot. By the time I realized their true intentions, I had to protect Iris.

When I find their pathetic hideout, I will kill them all. Regardless of what Iris wants. Petra walks into the room that I am in, and I continue to watch her nurses operate on Iris. I sense the erratic heartbeat of Petra's as she gets closer to me, and I can also smell the fear coming off of her. She's about to tell me something I'm not going to like.

"Um... we've tried everything, and we've been able to put her in a stable condition, but the burns are too deep.. I'm afraid some of her limbs need to be cut off...". I turn to her so fast, a light breeze whips through the room. She lets out a small gasp and steps back.

I'm vibrating in anger. I can feel my consciousness slipping like it did that time Iris kissed that worm. A growl emits from my throat, and it takes everything in me to calm myself. I don't speak to Petra as I move past her, walking into the room in which Iris is in. The nurses immediately scurry away, and I gaze at her body.

The flesh on her body is destroyed. I place my hand over the skin, and as Petra said, it burned to the bone. I've never felt such turmoil before. I place my hand atop her flesh, trying to heal it myself, but the cells are already dead, meaning they aren't going to be receptive to my abilities. I rack my brain for a solution, yet only one comes to mind. One that I didn't want to explore. I snap at the nurses to leave the room, and even Petra. I walk to the glass, pulling the curtains closed, and back to Iris' unconscious body. I remove all of the sheets covering her body, memorizing all the places her skin is burned. Once I begin, it's going to be hard to keep my mind focused. I haven't tasted flesh in a long time.

For us, it's an addiction. A high. A frenzy. Which is why we stick to essence or blood. Because flesh turns us into something that no one can even hope to see and live to tell the tale. But it seems to be the only way that I can save Iris. By removing it, and giving her my essence until she heals. Her body will heal itself. Her skin will grow back on its own as if she were a child still in the womb developing. It will take time, but it will heal. And she'll be as good as new.

I reign in my emotions, use all of my focus, and bite.

Iris

I'm in pain. A lot of pain. Excruciating pain. I slowly begin to feel my body. My arms, my legs, my back, my cheeks. The pain is constant. Stinging. It hurts. I slowly peel my eyes open, and a soft gasp escapes me as I breathe in. I try and swallow, and realize there is a tube in my mouth. I move my gaze around the room and take note that there are no windows.

My arms and legs are encased in a strange slimy material, but it does nothing for the pain I feel. I let out a soft moan, the pain growing and growing. I can't move my body. Tears fall down my face and burn a trail down my temples. It hurts. I'm hurting.

I think back to why I'm in this state in the first place. I remember the fire and bombs and bullets. Someone trying to kill Remus, but not even coming close. And me and Andrew getting caught in the crossfire.

The wall to the room disappears and in walks Remus. He looks angry. Murderously angry, followed by other Leviathan with masks over their faces. Remus is wearing all white, and there isn't a single scratch on him. Which is shocking considering I watched him deflect bombs and bullets. His gaze falls on me, and he immediately barks something at the nurses who all immediately bow and leave the room.

I look at him, and he looks at me, but neither of us speaks. It's not like I can. There is a tube down my throat. I can barely keep my eyes open. Remus walks slowly towards me, never breaking my gaze. He takes a seat next to my bed and reaches out lightly running his finger over the encasing over my arms.

"The rebels did this," he says. He looks at me, anger in his eyes.

"They knew there were humans in my home, yet they fired missiles and all the heavy artillery they could, knowing that you two would not survive. Sacrificing your lives, when they had no idea what could damage me. Is that really the people you want to risk everything for, Iris?" he asks angrily. I break his gaze because there is nothing I can say. So I focus with the little energy that I have on the ceiling.

"You died. Your body was shutting down from the strain of pain and injury. Those beams broke your bones, your spine, crushed your lung, and burned your skin. Had I not given you my life force, you would have died. Even the impact of my life almost killed you. It was too much for your already fragile heart." He latches his finger underneath the thick fabric, over my arms, and peels it backward slightly, checking my skin underneath. But I don't dare look at it.

He's quiet before letting out a sigh.

"Your skin isn't healing as quickly as I would like. These proteins will nurse your cells back to health, and then I can begin the reconstruction process," he ends the sentence as if he's talking to himself more than me. His gaze falls on me. He stands and presses his fingers against my temples, and the last thing I see are those mesmerizing purple irises before a deep sleep overcomes me.

2 Weeks Later

For the first time in 2 weeks, I'm alone. Or as alone as Remus will allow. I look over my shoulder at the slave with an inhibitor around her throat as she watches me with a lifeless expression. We're once again up in the mountains, or as I like to call it, Remus' lair. But finally today he left me alone to roam outside.

When I woke, my body was fully healed and Remus didn't want to explain to me how it happened. Nor would he tell me where my brother is. But he assured me he was alive. And all I can do is take Remus' word for it. If my brother is being held by Remus somewhere, his life depends on my behavior. And getting Remus riled up is never a good idea when someone else's life is on the line.

I take a seat next to the pond that has water from up the mountain running into it. I put my gaze on my arms and legs. They're perfectly fine. Actually, they're more clear than they used to be. Even my scars from living all the years in the wilderness have disappeared. Each time I ask Remus how it's possible, he only gets this distant look and tells me it's not my concern.

I think back to his words in the room about the rebels.

"Are those really the people you want to risk your life for?"

As my life progresses, I can feel myself losing my resolve to even fight with them. I find myself wanting to give up, and just be obedient. I'm only human. And quite honestly, I'm tired. I'm so tired. I'm tired of trying to be that beacon of hope, that Remus lives to destroy each and every chance he gets. I'm only one person. And if an entire group of rebels can't defeat him, what makes me think that I can make a difference? I'm only one woman. With no weapons, and fighting experience that I've only taught myself over the years. Remus is an alien that is virtually indestructible.

Remus has proven time and time again he is always going to be five steps ahead of me. He knows everything, he sees everything, and judging from his demeanor when he spoke of them, he is going to wipe the rebels from existence. If Remus can lift entire towns, and buildings when he's in a good mood, I can't help but shudder at the thought of him being angry. I have all this information that I thought I could pass on to Jude, to help them out, but my brother came into a fight not even knowing what he was up against. Something isn't right with the rebels, and I'm afraid it's going to get them killed.

I place my feet in the clear water. I can see the bottom of the crystal clear pond. It's deep, but not too deep. And compared to the last time I felt it, the water is much warmer. It still has a slight chill to it, but it's tolerable. I can't help the smile that etches itself in my features as I move my feet back and forth. I've never seen something like this before. Not this close, and not this beautiful. All the water from the blight came from the rain. And any bodies of water were murky and filthy, filled with trash and dead animals. Sometimes even people.

I feel a finger on my cheek and immediately jerk away, gasping at the sudden presence. Remus is right behind me, a soft smile on his face. It's kind of scary. I don't know if he's about to drown me just to get his rocks off, or if he's just amused by my reaction. I hate how quiet he is. It's like he just appears.

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

"I feel fine," I say looking back to the water. He does this every day. Asks how I'm feeling and inspects my body for any signs of relapse I suppose. Just like routine, he takes a hold of my hand, and inspects it, running his fingers over the skin. I have to fight a chill that runs up my body.

"You seem fine. Your cells are working at normal capacity," he speaks to himself more than me. As Remus inspects my body, I peek up at him from underneath my lashes. He's so beautiful. I hate to say it about my source of pain and sorrow, but he is. Not an ounce of imperfection is on his face. I don't understand how something like him even exists.

I quickly look away, not wanting to be caught staring, but I'm pretty sure Remus is already aware of my sudden rise in a heartbeat. If he is, he doesn't say anything about it, and for that I am grateful.

"I met with the council today. The only thing keeping this planet from extinction is my sister. But those rebels, they are as good as dead," he says simply. I don't know if he wants a rise out of me today, or if he's just relaying the news to me. But I don't speak. What can I say? He won't change his mind no matter what I say.

"Where is my brother?" I ask quietly. Remus is quiet next to me and suddenly rises. He's standing over me, with a serious expression.

"Your brother was a guinea pig in a much larger game. The rebels placed a tracking device in all of those people, with the knowledge that one of them was going to come back with me. They didn't tell those people anything that you so willingly gave to them, because if the fighters knew what they were about to be up against, there would be no motivation to bother fighting," he says casually. He begins walking away from me, obviously expecting me to follow. I take one last look at the nature surrounding me and stand from my spot to follow Remus inside.

We go through the maze he calls home until we finally reach a room that is underground. Remus places his hand on a panel, and the door opens, leading us to a... dungeon? There are several glass cases with different creatures in it. Some look familiar, and some I've never seen before. Some are humanoid creatures, and some are beast-like animals. But they all cower the moment Remus walks past their cages.

I look around in shock.

"What is this?" I whisper in horror. Remus hears me though.

"It's my collection," he says.

"All the creatures from planets between here and Leviathar. I have yet to return home to put them with the rest, so here they are. They travel with me until I return home." I look at all the fascinating beings as I listen to his explanation. I stop in front of an aquarium-like case, and a woman is in it, staring at me.

She's beautiful. Her eyes are a pale blue, and on her throat are what appear to be gills. Her hair is a pale blonde color. I grew up reading about mermaids. But when I look at her, there is no fish-like tail. Only slender legs. She places her hand against the glass, gazing at me in curiosity, and I'm about to place mine against hers when she suddenly shrinks back from the glass, moving swiftly through the water and out of sight.

"A labryo." I jump when Remus' voice comes from behind me.

"Her planet didn't put up a fight. They were weak. Like the humans. But I do find their anatomy fascinating," he says simply. I turn and look at him in horror, but he's staring at the glass with an emotionless expression.

"How can you so easily take her from her home?" I ask in horror. A light smile cracks his face, then he looks at me.

"Well. It was either that, or I could have left her to die like the rest of her race, leaving no trace of them in existence." I shake my head in confusion. Remus laughs walking away from me.

"Don't worry. I let a few live." I look back to the tank as I walk away, and the woman is back, staring at me in complete confusion, but I don't miss the blatant fear that's plastered all over her face as she looks to Remus.

I eventually turn my gaze away, following closely behind him. We walk deeper into his collection until we finally reach a case, and my heart stops when I see my brother. He has a chain around his neck, his arms are locked down, and he has an inhibitor around his neck. Tears fill my vision, and I turn to Remus who is already watching me, gauging my reaction.

"Take that off of him," I demand. Remus raises a brow at me but makes no move to do so.

"I don't think that you are in any position to make demands to me, Iris," he says. I take a step closer to him.

"Why are you doing this? You said so yourself — your siblings are what's most important to you. Why are you torturing me with mine?" I ask, I'm losing the battle of trying not to cry in front of him.

Remus glares me down, and I expect him to hurt me or something for saying something so bold to him. But he does the exact opposite. He smiles. He seems to be doing that a lot lately, and I still have yet to get used to it.

"You know what amuses me about you, Iris?" he asks. His voice drops dangerously, and he begins taking controlled steps towards me. My gaze travels to my unconscious brother in the glass, then back to Remus. He pushes his body flush against mine, pinning me against the nearest glass.

"Even when you have no chance, no hope, no leverage, nothing, you still demand as if you do." He laughs as he places a light kiss on my neck.

"I was going to let you see him before he's taken away." His lips travel up to my cheek, and I'm shaking in fear from his mood.

"W..wha-"

"Shh," he murmurs.

"I have no use for him, and unless I want to keep it, I don't. Keep in mind that you are the first pet I've had from any planet." His hand travels up my throat, and he runs his thumb along my jaw.

"His new master will be here within a few hours to pick him up."

* * * * *

I'm sitting at the table, and Andrew is sitting right next to me. Remus is across the room, working on something. Probably a weapon to wipe us out. Remus took the inhibitor and chains off of Andrew, and let him eat with me. But the knowledge that my brother is about to be given away to someone really dampens my mood. I can fight all I want, but it will change nothing. Remus will not let me have my way. He's proved that time and time again.

"I'm glad you're ok." I look up and Andrew is smiling at me. I give him a soft smile in return. As I look at my brother, I feel so much sorrow. He's been fighting all these years, risking his life for his planet, yet the rebels didn't even take that into consideration when they fired at us. Nor did they tell them anything about the monster they were up against.

"Andrew, did he hurt you while I was unconscious?" I ask. Andrew looks back to his plate.

"I'm not allowed to say," he says simply.

"Andrew, the rebels didn't tell you anything about Remus before they sent you into a fight with him?" I ask. Andrew looks at me in confusion.

"They didn't tell us he would be there. They told us we were liberating another town. We had no idea he was even in the vicinity," he says. I open my mouth to say more, but he speaks before I do.

"Look. Whatever happens, I'm not going down without a fight. They can try all they want to take our planet, but they won't. We have a secret weapon," he says. I can see the excitement in his eyes.

"A secret weapon?" I ask. He looks over his shoulder just as Remus leaves the room.

"Yes. They've been doing some testing, and we have a way to kill them. For sure this time," he says. I can't believe what I'm hearing. That must be why he's so calm.

"I know that we have so much to catch up on, but I'm not naive, Iris. I know how things work around here. I know I won't be here for much longer. But I want you to have hope. And if I have to break you out of here myself, I will do it," he says. My ears are ringing from all of this new development.

"Andrew.." I trail off not knowing what to say.

"I just want to apologize for not being there when you needed me most. You may not remember this, but me and Dad never got along. Even more so when I joined the military. Because I refused to take over his business. So when I came back home, I just stayed away. Figured it'd be best for everyone," he says. He looks up at me.

"When everything happened, I tried to find you guys, but it was too late. Everything was destroyed and I thought you were all dead," his voice cracks.

"I thought you were dead, Iris. I thought I missed out on ever seeing you again. All because of my selfish attitude," he takes a deep breath.

"When I saw you, I wasn't sure if it was you or not. You look so different now. But when I saw my necklace, I knew it was you," he smiles. I reach up, grasping at the necklace with our family's picture in it.

"I kept that with me while I served. And when I came back, I gave it to you. I had Mom give it to you as a present. I regret that I didn't just give it to you myself." I don't know what to say. I'm at a literal loss for words.

"No matter what, don't lose hope. We've got this. We'll be free of them. You have to survive. You have to live. And I will come for you. I will find a way out of this and come for you I swear. You're all I have now," he says placing his hand on my cheek. I smile at him and move to give him a hug. A sob escapes me, and I realize that I am crying.

"I love you, Andrew," I whisper. He hugs me back.

"I love you more," he murmurs.

I hear footsteps and look up just as Remus walks in. His gaze is level, but I don't miss that glimmer of excitement in his gaze. Something is about to happen.

"Your new master is here," Remus says. Just as he speaks, the sound of heels echoes across the floor. My heart stops. It literally stops, and every ounce of terror I have explodes in my chest.

"No."

Zaya walks around Remus, a smug smile on her face as she looks between us. Her gaze falls on Andrew.

"Remus, you did not mention he was so cute," she says simply. Remus only watches me though. He knows. He knows me. Andrew slowly stands and makes his way towards Zaya, unaware of the person that he's about to belong to.

"No," I say louder. Andrew looks at me in alarm as I grab ahold of his arm.

"Iris, remember what I said," he whispers. I shake my head, not letting go of him. If Zaya was here after my brother, then that means that Jude must be...

"Iris," Remus snaps. But Zaya is already making her way towards us. I tug on Andrew, trying to get him away from her.

"NO! You can't!" I scream. A sinister smile crosses her face as she gets closer to us. I don't know what to do. I'm in a literal panic. Andrew turns to me.

"Iris, you have to-" His words are cut off as Zaya snatches him away from me, and he's sent sprawling across the room from her monstrous strength. I reach out to attack her, when suddenly a hand is latched around my throat, holding me high in the air. Remus is in front of me, gazing up at me.

"P...p..pl.." I can't get any words out. My vision blurs as tears fall down my face. I look over to where Andrew is, but Zaya gets my attention.

"You took my slave's affections. So I'm simply returning the favor. Don't worry. I'll take good care of him," she laughs sinisterly as she turns her back on me, and makes her way towards Andrew.

"No! No!" I'm screaming, clawing at Remus' hand, but he doesn't budge. I watch in horror as they both leave the room, and Remus finally drops me. As soon as I take in a breath, I'm up screaming at him.

"How could you? That's my brother!" I screech. I run up to him, beating my fists against his chest.

"She's going to kill him!" I cry. My legs give out, and my body sinks to the floor as a new wave of helplessness washes over me. She's going to hurt and torture my brother because of Jude and me. She's going to take him from me and say it was an accident.

Remus doesn't speak as I cry. So I let out my cries of agony, trying to figure out how any of this is possible, and why the wrath of these heartless people, was brought upon our planet.