The Klockwerk Kraken by Aidee Ladnier

Author:Aidee Ladnier [Ladnier, Aidee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay Romance, Science Fiction
Publisher: MLR Press LLC
Published: 2015-12-11T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jimenez pushed against the shoulder blocks before he opened his eyes. He curled his fingers and toes, but his arm and leg joints remained locked. He yearned to crawl away. Whenever his master bound him up, it took weeks to recover. He strained, trying to lift his torso away from the bindings.

A lance of pain pierced his stomach, stealing his breath.

“Hey, you’re awake.”

At Teo’s voice, Jimenez’s eyes shot open. Teo loomed over him, his forehead creased, his tentacles peeping over his shoulder to wave. The ceiling behind him reflected bright white. The walls shone white, as well as the linens on the…hospital bed?

With a rush Jimenez remembered breaking into the Kraken last night, the standoff with Teo…and then nothing.

“I’m sorry I broke into your bar.” His voice sounded harsh and raspy. He tried to clear it but he couldn’t get the leverage to cough while flat on his back.

Teo grabbed a water bulb and placed it to his lips. Jimenez sucked a few drops out to wet his dusty throat. Teo settled beside him on the bed, resting a warm hand on Jimenez’s immobilized arm.

“Well, you could have knocked.”

Jimenez tried to move again. Sweat gathered on his brow and then trickled down his temple. “Why am I blocked up?”

Did they have him under arrest? That didn’t seem right. Teo wouldn’t be standing there if he’d been taken into custody. A guard would.

Teo’s face sobered. “You’re in recovery. The surgical team has you paralyzed until the nanites finish the repairs on your insides.”

Jimenez glanced at the sheet over his swollen stomach and then at Teo with fear. “They’re not messing with the ports in my brainstem, are they?”

“I told the doctors you’re a pilot, and they noted the ports.”

Relief settled over Jimenez like a wave of warm water. They hadn’t denied him that yet. He could still leave, still run if he had to, find some space to breathe.

“But…” Teo’s tentacles surfed around him, fidgeting. Jimenez felt his stomach knot when he realized Teo wouldn’t look at him.

“One of them suffered damage.” Teo finally turned, his eyes serious. “They said you’ll be grounded and will need nanite treatments for a while.”

“How long is a while?” Jimenez’s throat spasmed, the panic rising in his voice. If he couldn’t fly they’d permadock his ship.

“You’re summoned for questioning after the fire. I didn’t tell them anything, but the docs, they noticed your scars, too.”

Jimenez grimaced, swallowing down the sick fear that roiled in his stomach. Twenty-six revs a slave, and every one etched into his skin. “It’s public record. They’ll find my background info the minute they punch up the Freedom’s Wing.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

Teo’s question surprised Jimenez. The answers crowded in his mouth.

Because I didn’t expect to like you.

Because I didn’t expect to sleep with you.

Because I didn’t expect to stay the whole night.

Because I didn’t expect…

“You didn’t need to know.”

“Like hell.” Teo lurched from the side of the bed and paced to the window, tentacles writhing like snakes. “I’ve seen slaves.

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