Devoured

“It was the day you worked late so I got the mail,” Tess said quickly. “Remember? Last Wednesday?”

  “Oh. All right.” He frowned. “Look, from now on I don’t want you messing with the mailbox. Even if I work late, just leave it. I’ll get it myself.”

  “All right.” Tess felt her throat closing as another little piece of her world was chipped away.

  There was so much Pierce didn’t allow her to do. He didn’t like her shopping by herself or running errands. He didn’t want her going back to school even though she had quit in the middle of the nursing program she’d been in back in North Carolina to move to Tampa with him. “Too many horny guys running around a college campus,” he’d said, even though he had sworn she could finish her RN degree once he got settled in his new job. He barely let her work part time at the Happy Rest Nursing Home and he had only approved that place because it was full of old people without any “horny guys” to worry about. Now she couldn’t even get the mail!

  Tess noticed that her husband was still staring at her with narrowed eyes and realized that she’d better start defusing the situation quickly.

  “I saw it online,” she said, letting him know she hadn’t been out shopping by herself. “And I thought you would like it. I…I got it just for you.”

  She hated herself for lying again—for trying to cater to Pierce’s uncertain temper. But if she didn’t she would pay the price. And really, she just wanted to get out of the house for once and go somewhere that wasn’t work.

  “Just for me, hmm?” His look of suspicion softened and he smiled at her, the corners of his green eyes crinkling in the way she had found so attractive when they first met.

  “Just for you.” Tess breathed an inward sigh of relief. Maybe everything would be all right after all. Maybe they could just go out and enjoy a nice dinner together the way they used to when they were still dating.

  “Well, well…it is a sexy little number…” Pierce grabbed her by the waist and kissed her neck.

  Tess stiffened but kept the smile fixed on her face.

  “I’m glad you like it. But we’re going to miss our reservation if we don’t hurry.”

  “Screw the reservation. How can I concentrate on food when I’ve got such a sexy little wife?” Pierce muttered, kissing her again. “Come on, Princess, let’s see what’s under that hot little dress…”

  Tess bit her lip. This could go one of two ways. If she gave Pierce what he wanted they might still make the dinner reservation if he was quick. If she resisted, there would certainly be a huge fight and Pierce might “punish” her. He believed it was a husband’s right to have sex whenever and wherever he wanted it and it was the wife’s duty to provide it. The same way Tess provided his meals exactly on time every day, cleaned the house to his specifications, and did his laundry just the way he liked it. Pierce was king of the castle in every way and he always claimed she was his princess.

  So why did she feel more like his prisoner?

  “Come on, Princess,” he muttered in her ear.

  There was really no choice.

  “I’m so glad you like it,” she said, hoping her smile didn’t look forced. “Come on, let’s go in the bedroom.”

  After ten minutes of staring at the ceiling, he was finally finished. Tess breathed a sigh of relief when he rolled off, satisfied. She had to be careful not to react no matter what he did. If she seemed like she was enjoying it—not that she was—but if she even looked like she was getting pleasure from what he was doing, Pierce got really upset. Apparently, even though a wife was supposed to provide sex on a daily basis, only “sluts” and “whores” actually enjoyed it. In the early days of their marriage that had been hard for her to understand but after being “punished” if she moaned involuntarily or even moved her hips in time with his rhythm, she had learned to put up a wall between herself and any sexual feelings she might have. It was easier that way…safer.

  “Well, that was nice,” she said carefully, sitting up and smoothing her dress, which was somewhat wrinkled from the encounter.

  “Yeah, it was.” Pierce gave her a lazy grin. “Really worked up an appetite, there. How about you go in the kitchen and make me a sandwich, Princess?”

  “A sandwich?” Tess felt her heart sinking. “But…what about our dinner reservation? If we hurry we can still make it.”

  Pierce raised an eyebrow. “You really want to go out tonight, huh?”

  “Well…” Tess twisted her fingers together. She hated begging but there was no other way. “We haven’t been out in a long time,” she pointed out. “And it is our anniversary…”

  “Plus I’m sure you want to show off your body to the guy you bought that dress for,” Pierce said conversationally.

  “What?” A red warning flag suddenly went up for Tess. Trouble coming! But she tried to stay calm and defuse the situation. “I bought it for you,” she said, trying to smile. “Just for you, honey.”

  Pierce sat up suddenly, his big body tense with anger.

  “Did you try it on for him right there in the store?” he demanded. “Did you let him fuck you in it? The way I fucked you in it, Princess?”

  “I would never—”

  Pierce slapped her hard across the face. Her head rocked back with the force of the blow and her ears rang.

  “Oh!” Tess put a hand to her cheek, tears springing to her eyes. Her face felt puffy and swollen. She licked her lips and tasted blood—her bottom lip had split and was already swelling.

  “Now, look what you did.” Pierce shook his head sorrowfully. “Why did you make me punish you on our anniversary, Princess? Now your pretty face is all messed up and we can’t go out.”

  “I…but I…” The tears in Tess’s eyes now were not just pain but rage. It wasn’t just the hurt he’d inflicted—it was the disappointment. She hadn’t been out of the house except to work and for a single weekly trip to the grocery store in months. Pierce had been building their “special anniversary date” up to her for ages—telling her how good the food was at the restaurant he’d picked, promising her the best bottle of wine they had on their list.

  But it wasn’t just the food or wine Tess wanted—she had dared to hope that they might get back to their old relationship—the one they’d had back when they were dating.

  Back to the time when she felt more like a princess than a prisoner.

  “Why do you do this?” she burst out, before she considered how unwise it was. “Why do you act like such a…such a bully?”

  “A bully, hmm?” Pierce’s green eyes were suddenly flat and cold.

  Shark’s eyes, Tess thought. More trouble coming… But still she couldn’t stop herself.

  “You never treated me like this when we were dating,” she went on. “You were sweet and kind…you said…you said you loved me. And I’m such a stupid fool I believed you.”

  “Is that right?” Pierce stood suddenly, towering over her. Tess tried not to cower from his huge form but it was hard not to be frightened.

  “Yes, that…that’s right,” she said, lifting her chin.

  “Well here’s something else you’d better believe, Princess,” he snarled, his eyes narrowed to slits of green rage. “Fucking your little whore gash made me hungry. And if you don’t get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich right fucking now, you’re going to get a lot worse than a slap across the face.”

  Tess jumped up, putting the bed between them.

  “I’m sick of this—you never intended to take me out, did you? You probably didn’t even make a reservation!”

  “You little slut…” Pierce was around the bed in a flash. Though she tried to run, he had her by the throat almost before she could blink. “Don’t antagonize me, Princess,” he ground out, glaring down at her while Tess choked and gasped for air. “You know how upset I get when you antagonize me.”

  “Let…let me go,” Tess wheezed. “I’ll…I’ll…”

  “You’ll do what?” Pierce sneered, finally releasing her. “Call the police?
I am the police, Princess, remember? And don’t forget, even if you do call out some of my brothers in blue, who are they going to believe—a well respected detective who’s been decorated twice for bravery? Or a crazy lady who calls 911 with a bunch of false alarms?”

  “You…you made me…you…” Tess shook her head helplessly. Pierce had tricked her several times into calling 911 for no reason. He’d woken her up in the middle of the night claiming there was a fire or someone breaking in. Tess had made the call but when the authorities came, there was nothing to see. Pierce had told them she had mental problems and was just seeking attention.

  The ruse was Pierce’s way of making sure no one who had any kind of authority would ever believe anything she said and it had worked. Tess knew no one would believe her if she called and said her twice decorated police detective husband was beating her. She was trapped.

  Abruptly her rage turned to despair and Tess crumpled to a heap on the floor. How could he be like this? How could the perfect, loving marriage she’d envisioned have changed into this living hell where any little incident could turn into a twisted war of pain and rage and hurt? How could she live like this?

  How could she escape?

  It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed her mind but this time it lingered, whispering enticingly of freedom. Of a life where she didn’t have to feel like she was walking on eggshells every second of the day. Where she didn’t have to worry about being beaten if she cooked the roast too much…or not enough…or didn’t serve it exactly at 5:45 on the dot.

  As though reading her mind, Pierce leaned down and shoved his face into hers.

  “Don’t even think about it, Princess—you’re mine. And I never let go of what’s mine.” He pulled her to her feet and shook her once, roughly, for emphasis. “Now go make me that sandwich. But first take off that slutty whore dress. I’ll burn it later.”

  Chapter Six

  Tess shook her head, trying to clear the awful memory. Her eyes were wet but she blotted them quickly on the back of her hand. God, Pierce really was a complete and total bastard. Why had it taken her so long to get away from him? Probably because she had stupidly believed him when he’d promised he had changed. But not anymore. Not after he…but she pushed the thought away, unwilling to examine the painful memory of what Pierce had done to finally drive her away for good.

  “I’m free of him now. Free. And I’m never going back.” Tess lifted her chin. “Which is why I’m wearing this.” She twirled in the black lace dress she’d borrowed from the Pairing Puppet. “It’s kinda naughty, don’t you think, Pinky? A lot naughtier than that stupid dress that set Pierce off. Not that it matters—you and the rest of the girls are the only ones to see me. No “horny guys” up here.” Tess laughed. “Well, not for me anyway. You girls all have your fair share of them.”

  Pinky ignored her and went to the refrigerator unit. She took out a protein pack the same way Blondie number five had, and downed it in three swallows. Then she reached for another.

  “That’s right, girlfriend—have to keep up your figure. Although how you manage to stay plus sized on a diet of that pure protein gunk I have no idea.” Tess shuddered. She had tasted some of the liquid goo which was the puppets’ only food once out of curiosity. It was bright blue and completely bland with a thick, greasy consistency that reminded her of motor oil.

  As Pinky finished her breakfast and left the kitchen, another puppet came out of the recharging area. It walked with a lurching gait that made Tess think of the old Frankenstein movies she’d see as a kid. It nearly ran into her on its way to the refrigerator unit.

  “Whoa, Barbie!” Tess stepped hastily out of the way and frowned as the puppet fumbled clumsily for a protein pack. “Hey, are you okay? You’re not looking so good,” she murmured, coming closer to examine the artificial girl.

  Barbie, who had long, golden blonde hair, wide blue eyes, and improbably big breasts, looked exactly like the doll Tess had played with as a child. She was also looking a little worse for wear this morning.

  “What’s going on with you?” Tess said, staring at the puppet. “Had a rough night?”

  Barbie didn’t respond. Instead she grabbed a protein pack and lifted it to her mouth. Tess saw her slender fingers contract but apparently she squeezed the pack much too hard. The thick protein mixture shot out, coating her face with a dripping layer of blue slime.

  “Ugh!” Tess jumped back, trying to get out of the line of fire. “That’s some grip you’ve got there, Barbie. I’d hate to be the Kindred who picks you today.”

  Barbie blinked owlishly, her wide blue eyes staring blankly from the bright blue slime mask she now wore. She disposed of her used protein pack and started to head for the parlor.

  “I don’t think so.” Gently, Tess redirected her, nudging the puppet by her skinny shoulder blades back towards the recharging closet. “Why don’t you spend the day in there?” she murmured as the puppet went back to her spot on the wall. “I’m sure they must send maintenance around sometime. You better just rest until they come. Otherwise I’m afraid somebody’s going to get hurt.”

  The old fashioned wall clock in the parlor chimed and more Pairing Puppets disengaged from their silver three pronged claws and filed out of the recharging room. Tess stepped out of the way and watched as they downed their protein packs and moved into the parlor to await their Kindred clients.

  It was still early in the morning so there was no one to service yet. In fact, it only really got busy in the late afternoon and evening, probably because that was when most of the warriors got off work—whatever it was they did for work here on the Mother Ship.

  Tess made her own breakfast, picking a cube at random to put in the silver microwave looking machine. She had been trying a lot of new foods since she’d been up here. Some of them looked weird and some were disgusting but on the whole, they tasted pretty good. Although she wished she could have an old fashioned plate of pancakes or a cheeseburger occasionally, she generally enjoyed all the new tastes and textures of the alien food.

  When she finished breakfast, she cleaned up carefully and went into the parlor to find a book. Di may have been joking when she suggested that Tess “catch up on her reading” but that was exactly what she was doing.

  She looked for Pride and Prejudice in the bookcase, but it was missing. Doubtless one of the puppets had it, staring sightlessly at the pages, waiting to be called to service.

  Tess sighed. “Okay, who’s got my P&P?” She went around the room, checking book titles until she found the slim, leather bound volume in Pinky’s lap. “Sorry, girlfriend, but Mr. Darcy’s wasted on you. Here—have this one instead. It’s about a guy who locks his crazy wife in the attic—I’ve had enough of that kind of crap to last me a lifetime.” She was about to replace Pride and Prejudice with a copy of Jane Eyre when footsteps sounded on the old fashioned wooden porch outside.

  Oh no! Tess froze, both books clutched in her suddenly nerveless hands. The door to the kitchen—and safety—was way across the room. But she couldn’t be caught in the open—she had to get out of here!

  Dropping the books in Pinky’s lap, she rushed for the swinging door—only to find it blocked.

  Barbie was standing right in the doorway, her face still dripping blue goo. She seemed to be trying to step over the threshold into the parlor but she was stuck for some reason with one foot raised.

  To Tess, the puppet looked like someone about to attempt a martial arts move. The kicking crane or something like that, she thought wildly. Either the circuits in Barbie’s robotic brain were misfiring or her mechanical joints were locked up. Whatever the case, she was filling the doorway with her hourglass figure, not leaving even an inch for Tess to scoot past.

  “Move, Barbie,” she muttered, pushing at the puppet’s perfect torso. But though they were soft flesh on the outside, the Pairing Puppets’ skeletons were solid metal. Barbie didn’t budge so much as an inch. She just kept standing there with her face dripping bl
ue and her foot raised high, like she was about to stomp a roach or start doing the Mexican Hat Dance.

  The footsteps sounded outside again—louder this time as though whoever was out there was getting closer.

  Don’t panic—it’s really early. Maybe whoever’s outside is just passing by. Maybe they won’t even come in, Tess told herself wildly.

  The doorknob began to jiggle.

  Making a quick decision, Tess jumped for the other side of the room again. There was still a seat open beside Pinky. Grabbing a book at random from the Pairing Puppet, she plunked herself down hastily on the couch and opened it.

  Then she stared down, her heart pounding, as the front door opened and a tall Kindred with black hair walked into the parlor.

  * * * * *

  Garron forced himself to enter the house at last. As always, the faint odor of grease and metal met him, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust. He almost turned right back around again. But something stopped him.

  There was something different this time. A new scent he could swear he’d never smelled before. And yet…it seemed somehow familiar. It was sweet and fresh and above all feminine. Delicate and faint, it was almost overpowered by the stench of the Pairing Puppets, yet it drew him like a magnet.

  But where was it coming from?

  He looked up and down the long, narrow room lined with couches. The puppets were all sitting there, staring down at their Earth books, as they always did until someone spoke to them. Only one was standing and it appeared to have something wrong with it. Its face was blue and it seemed frozen in place, with one foot lifted.

  Garron wondered what the problem was, but the fresh, faint scent kept teasing his nose and it clearly wasn’t coming from the malfunctioning puppet. He quickly lost interest in it and went back to scanning the room, looking for the source of the enticing aroma.

  Where is it coming from? Which one is it? Whatever puppet was exuding that delicious scent was the one he wanted. He could feel his blood boiling and already he was hard as a rock under his tight black flight trousers. He didn’t care what she looked like—he had to have her, whoever she was.