Truth frowned. “That would be a problem. Every life is precious to the Kindred—especially female life. You would not be allowed to kill and eat several virgins on your first turning as is the normal way among the Rai’ku.”
“Nor should I be,” Garron said. “The entire process is sickening—I have always thought so. But you and I both know the dr’gin is a mindless beast when it first emerges and the older it grows, the hungrier it gets. If mine should come out now after all this time, it would be ravenous. I might…” He shook his head.
“You might cause all kinds of destruction,” Truth finished for him.
Garron snorted. “That’s a nice way of saying I’d kill and eat every unmated female in my path, Brother.” He ran a hand through his hair. “My name day is coming up very soon—what am I to do?”
“I don’t know.” Truth frowned. “I don’t—”
“Why not use one of the Pairing Puppets?” The new voice came from Far, who had come back into the food prep area.
“Far! This is a private matter.” Truth frowned. “Although actually, that is not a bad idea…”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry for invading your privacy—just had to make sure my sauce wasn’t sticking.” The light twin gestured to a pot he had set up on an Earth style cooking top which was very different from the Kindred Wave appliance most used aboard the Mother Ship. Perhaps Becca had requested it specially.
Garron waited uncomfortably for the light twin to finish tending his cooking. At last, when he showed no signs of leaving, he could stand it no more.
“What is a Pairing Puppet?” he demanded.
Far looked at him, clearing surprised.
“You don’t know? But you live in the Unmated Males area.”
“I haven’t been there that long,” Garron defended. “I am still finding my way around the Mother Ship.”
“Well in your tours, I am certain you must have noticed the small pink building near the back of the Unmated Males area?” Truth raised an eyebrow at him. “The one with females coming and going out of it occasionally.”
“Oh, I did notice that place. I thought it was some kind of exclusive club,” Garron said.
Far snorted. “It is. The club for males in need of release.”
Garron frowned.
“What are you saying? That it is a house of ill repute? I thought the Kindred didn’t hold with such things.”
“They don’t. But the females that stay in the Pairing House aren’t technically females,” Truth said.
“What he means is that they aren’t really alive,” Far explained. “They’re robots.”
“Robots? As in machines?” Garron was disgusted. “I have no wish to have relations with a machine.”
“They’re more like…like what the humans call cyborgs in their fictional science tales,” Truth said. “They have soft, supple skin and real flesh but it is grown over a metal skeleton. They can understand simple commands and carry on extremely limited conversations but mostly they are made for…”
“For relieving the needs of unmated males,” Far said. “For those who have yet to align with a female mind on Earth.”
“I see…” Garron frowned. “And they are…accommodating to any Kindred male?”
“That is their sole purpose. Without them, the Unmated Males area would be a much more tense and unhappy place,” Far said.
“But the important thing for you is that they are artificial,” Truth said. “They don’t think, they feel no pain. And they do not judge. You could explore your new…Kindred urges…” He cleared his throat. “And if your dr’gin did manifest itself, you wouldn’t have to worry about hurting a real female.”
Garron shook his head.
“I don’t know, brother. As badly as my desires ride me, I have no wish to copulate with some soulless, mechanical puppet. It just seems…wrong.”
“Well, as I see it, that is your only option,” Truth said matter-of-factly. “Unless you wish to take your chances back on pax among the Rai’ku.”
“Out of the question. T’lar told me never to even make orbit around the planet again.”
“T’lar is an overbearing fool,” Truth said shortly. “You shouldn’t let me keep you from going home if you want to.”
“No.” Garron looked away. “Now that Nella is gone I cannot imagine mating with another. I have no wish to go back to Pax.”
“Then you should really consider the Pairing Puppets,” Far said gently. “If you have needs that are too dangerous to relieve with a real female and you cannot bring yourself to form a relationship with a real female, then a false one is your best choice.”
“I…will think on it.” Garron sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to push back the headache that was threatening. Gods, if only he could control these urges better! If only he could push them down, push them back inside where they belonged…
The way you’ve been pushing them down for years? The way you buried them each time the virgins were called for you because you feared to hurt Nella? whispered a little voice in the back of his head. The way you—
“…stay and eat with us when Rebecca returns?”
Garron looked up, realizing that his brother was asking him a question.
“I’m sorry—what?”
“I said the food is almost ready. It’s an Earth specialty Far and I learned to cook just for Rebecca.”
“You’re welcome to stay if you want,” Far added. “You’re always welcome here, Garron—you know that.”
“Thank you.” Garron smiled at his brother’s mate or tried to anyway—the desires inside him were growing worse again which made it hard to think. “But I think there is something I must do. Not go to the Pairing House, though,” he added quickly. “Something…else.”
“Of course.” Truth nodded gravely. “Be well, Brother. And please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything that Far and Rebecca and I can provide.”
“Thank you,” Garron said again and bowed. Truth returned the gesture as did Far, though less expertly. “I take my leave of you,” he said and headed for the door as fast as he could.
He needed to be alone for awhile and think.
Chapter Three
“So this is the perfect place you have for me?” Tess looked up at the little pink house with its spotless white trim skeptically. “What is it, anyway—some kind of boarding house for unmarried girls?”
Di snorted. “In the middle of the Unmated Males area? Hardly.”
“Well then, what is it?” Tess insisted.
“Just come inside and I’ll tell you. Hurry up!” Di hissed. “I think I see some Kindred on their way.”
The two women ducked into the little house with Tess still protesting under her breath, and found themselves in a very neat, old-timey looking parlor. There were floral print couches lining the walls as well as some large, comfortable looking chairs. Vases of fresh flowers were scattered throughout the room on little tables and there was even a bookcase on one end which held an assortment of real old fashioned paper books.
“Wow…” Tess, who was a complete bibliophile, wandered over to caress the spines of the displayed books. “Look at this—they have all the classics. Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, Wide Sargasso Sea—”
Before she could go on, a girl came into the room. She had long, blonde hair and wide blue eyes and she was wearing a very pretty light blue dress which fit her slender figure to a T.
Tess tried desperately to think of an excuse—any excuse—as to why they were trespassing on what appeared to be private property.
“Oh, hi! Uh, we wandered in her by mistake and then I saw you had real old fashioned books and we just…”
But the girl didn’t pay any attention to her. Instead, she went and took a book from the shelf, seemingly at random, and went to sit on one of the many couches. Then she opened the book—again, completely at random—and stared down at the page. But Tess could tell she wasn’t reading because her eyes didn’t move.
She just sat there, staring vacantly at the open book and not saying a thing.
Sidling up to Di, Tess nudged her friend with an elbow.
“What the hell is wrong with her?” she muttered.
“Nothing’s wrong with her,” Di said in a normal tone of voice.
“Shhhh!” Tess hissed. “She’s going to know we’re talking about her!”
Di laughed. “You don’t have to whisper. She wouldn’t notice if you broke a vase over her head.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Since Di wasn’t whispering, Tess spoke normally too although it felt really wrong to be saying things about the blonde girl right in front of her.
“I’m saying she’s not real. She’s a Pairing Puppet for God’s sake.”
“A what? What the hell is a Pairing Puppet?”
Just then the door knob rattled.
“Quick!” Di grabbed her and dragged her into the back room the girl had come from, making sure to shut the swinging door behind them.
“What—?”
“Shhh!” Di gestured to the crack between the door and the wall. “Just watch—you’ll see.”
Making sure to stay hidden, they peeked through the crack and watched.
The front door opened and large Kindred warrior entered the parlor. From his golden eyes Tess could tell he was a Beast Kindred. He walked in and came to stop in front of the girl on the couch.
The girl looked up, acknowledging him at once.
“Good day, warrior.” Her voice was slightly stilted—almost mechanical. “How may I serve you?”
The Kindred nodded respectfully at her.
“Forgive the intrusion but I need a release.”
“There is no intrusion. You are most welcome here.” The girl smiled at him but again, there was something strange—almost artificial in her expression, Tess thought.
“Thank you,” the Kindred said.
“Would you like to come to my room or do you require me to come with you to your own place of residence for a longer, more thorough release?” the girl asked.
The Kindred cleared his throat. “Your room will be fine.”
“Excellent.” The girl rose suddenly, all in one motion. “If you will follow me, I will be most happy to accommodate you, warrior.”
At first Tess was afraid she was going to take the Kindred into the back room but to her relief, she led him across the parlor to a staircase instead. They climbed the stairs and were soon out of sight. As soon as they were, she turned to Di.
“Okay, what the hell was that all about? Was he talking about what I think he was talking about? Is that girl some kind of…some kind of prostitute?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Di said calmly. “But I told you, she’s not a girl—she’s a Pairing Puppet.”
“Which means…?” Tess made a gesture for her to go on.
“Which means a robot for all intents and purposes. She’s not the only one either—they have a whole bunch of them. They stay here in this house and service all the unmated warriors.”
“They what?” Tess made a face. “That’s disgusting.”
“No, that’s practical,” Di countered. “You’ve seen how big and muscular these guys are—you could cut the testosterone with a freaking knife. If they didn’t have some kind of outlet…” She shook her head. “It would probably get really ugly around here.”
“But…but they’re screwing these things? These robots?”
“Pairing puppets.” Di shrugged. “And yeah, they are. Unless you think that big guy just went up to her room to play a nice game of Monopoly.”
“Very funny,” Tess muttered. “But I still don’t understand why you brought me here.”
“To hide out, of course.”
“What?” Tess nearly shouted.
“Shhh! That Kindred upstairs is horny, not deaf!”
“Look, Di I can’t possibly stay here. I mean, aside the fact that I don’t look anything like some guy’s robot fantasy dream girl—”
“Don’t sell yourself short, hon—you have a gorgeous face and a really cute figure. And your hair is to die for.”
“What you think is cute and what most guys think is cute is two different things,” Tess pointed out.
“Well the Kindred guys might surprise you—they have quite a few full figured Pairing Puppets here.”
“They do?” Tess asked, surprised.
“Uh-huh. They’re especially popular with the Twin Kindred. Although a lot of the other guys like them too. In fact, they’re some of the most requested ones.”
“That’s really—wait a minute, we’re getting off track here.” Tess shook her head. “What I’m saying is that there’s no way I’m going to…to stay here and ‘service’ Kindred guys all day and night. Not even to get away from Pierce.”
“Service them? Oh, honey, no—of course not!” Di looked suitably horrified. “Don’t be silly—I wouldn’t expect you to do that. I said you could hide here—not work here.” She laughed. “If you can call that work. Well, I guess you can…”
“Are you sure this is a good place, though?” Tess looked around doubtfully. They seemed to be standing in some kind of kitchen area. At least, there were countertops and counters and a sink and a big silver machine mounted on the wall that looked kind of like a microwave. There was also a large wooden table with chairs that looked like they had been built for people slightly larger than human. It made Tess think of the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. “Who’s been sitting in my chair?” growled Papa bear…
“This is the perfect place.” Di pressed her arm. “Look, just think about it. There’s a well stocked kitchen here—see?” She opened one of the cabinets revealing rows and rows of tiny white cubes.
“Uh…they eat sugar cubes?” Tess looked at them doubtfully.
“No, silly—these are Kindred meal ration cubes.” Di frowned. “I think that’s what they’re called. Anyway, you just take one and put it into this thingy here…” She opened the silver microwave looking thing and placed a random cube inside. “Press the button and in a minute or two…ta-da! A fresh, delicious meal.” She put the cube back in the cupboard. “I’m not going to do it for real but you get the idea.”
“Seriously? They eat real food? But I thought they were robots.”
“The Paring Puppets have real flesh over their robotic bodies,” Di said. “But I think they mostly live on some kind of protein paste. The food is for the warriors. I guess sometimes they, uh, work up an appetite, if you know what I mean.” She winked.
“Very funny,” Tess said dryly. “So there’s plenty of food but where do I sleep? And more importantly, how do I keep from being noticed?”
“Just keep out of sight. It should be easy enough—aside from the kitchen there are tons of bedrooms upstairs with big, comfortable beds. And in a pinch, you could hide in the maintenance and recharging room.” Di gestured to a small, dark hallway at the other end of the kitchen. “Come see.” She led the way and Tess put her head through the doorway.
“What is this?” she muttered when a long, shadowy room met her eyes. Then she saw a pair of eyes gleaming at her from the darkness. “Ahh!” She jerked back, her heart pounding. “There’s something in there!”
“Probably just a malfunctioning puppet waiting for repairs.” Di looked in and nodded. “Yup—that’s it. Oh, and look—it’s one of the plus sized ones, like I told you. Come look.”
Reluctantly, Tess allowed herself to be led into the dark, narrow room. There were giant silver claws placed at intervals along both walls. Most of them were empty but one was clamped down over the top of a girl’s head.
No, not a girl—a Pairing Puppet, Tess reminded herself.
The girl was simply standing there, staring straight ahead, with the three pronged claw attached to the top of her head. She was, as Di had said, quite full figured with large breasts and hips and big thighs too, which could be seen through the simple white dress she wore.
“Wow,” Tess mu
rmured, staring at the puppet. “You weren’t kidding.”
“Of course not—the Kindred like women with some meat on their bones.” Di grinned. “So see—if push came to shove and you were accidentally seen, you’d blend right in.”
“Thanks a lot,” Tess muttered. “I still can’t believe you brought me to a robot brothel to lie low.”
“It’s a great hiding place,” Di protested. “And don’t think I didn’t check it out thoroughly before I brought you up here. I stayed here one night myself, just to make sure everything was okay.”
“And?” Tess raised an eyebrow.
“And it’s perfect, like I said. The perfect camouflage. Plenty to eat, a nice place to sleep—they changed the sheets after every, ah, encounter by the way, so you don’t have to worry about it not being clean. All you have to do is go hide in the kitchen if a warrior comes in looking for comfort. And if they come in the kitchen—which, by the way, doesn’t happen very often that I could see—just duck into the recharging room. It’s easy.”
“Wow…” Tess looked at her admiringly. “You’ve really got this all planned out.”
“I knew eventually you’d need a place to run to, to get away from Pierce,” Di said seriously. “Men like him are hard to throw off the scent. But this should do the trick.”
“I agree.” Tess nodded slowly. “It’s a little—well, a lot weird—but it might just work.”
“It has to.” Di looked suddenly serious. “You can’t go back to him, Tess, and you can’t let him find you. He’ll kill you this time. After what he did to poor Gus…”
“I’m not going back.” Tess lifted her chin. “And like you said, this is the perfect camouflage—he’s never going to find me.” She sighed. “I just wish I hadn’t had to lie to my job about where I was going. I hope Mrs. Henshaw will be okay without me there to find her false teeth. She gets so upset when she loses them.”
“You’re an angel, hon. I know the folks at Happy Rest are going to miss you. But Pierce knows you work there,” Di pointed out. “It would be the easiest thing in the world for him to wait out in the parking lot one night when you’re working a late shift and then—”