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  Tain explained slowly and clearly what Ennie had to do in order to make the stew for Tandro and the cereal for herself, then she went back to the blanket and lay down again. She'd built up the fire before making her getaway, knowing damned well that if she stayed to supervise, the girl would try again and again to get her to take over. If the one on the spot was someone other than Ennie, Tain's answer probably would have been different. But Ennie hadn't even tried to apologize for getting them taken captive, so the girl was definitely on her own.

  Neither the stew nor the cereal ended up as badly burned as Tain expected them to be, which proved that Ennie was capable of learning when her ass was on the line, so to speak. The girl hobbled over to give Tandro his bowl of stew where he sat with Killen, then she returned to the fire to kneel and eat her own meal. The last of the firelight let Tain see the girl's grimace at the first taste of the tasteless cereal, but apparently Ennie was hungry enough that she couldn't afford to refuse what she had. Instead of refusing she emptied the bowl fast, then was given orders to wash the bowl along with the pots that had been used.

  "And you'd be wise to do a better job with the washing than you did with the cooking," Tandro added mildly around a mouthful of stew. "I'm going to check on how clean everything is, and if the pots and bowls aren't clean enough you'll find out almost at once."

  Ennie swallowed hard before turning to the bucket she'd been told to wash the dishes in, but she hadn't soaked the pots the way Tain had. Both the burned-on remnants of the stew and the cereal had to be scrubbed off, and all she had to do the scrubbing with were her fingernails. It took quite some time before Ennie was done, and that was when she learned she wasn't quite as done as she'd thought. Tandro called her over to take his bowl, and when the girl discovered that the last traces of the food had dried on the bowl she looked like she was about to cry.

  But with or without tears, the last of the washing was finally done. Tandro ordered her to kneel by the pots and bowls until he was ready to look at them, and then the native went back to his soft conversation with Killen. The two men pretended to see nothing of the way Ennie squirmed where she knelt, so Tain did the same. If it had been anyone but Ennie who was being made to suffer even longer…

  The girl had taken to whimpering under her breath before Tandro finally got to his feet and stretched, then sauntered over to where Ennie still knelt. The man made a production of inspecting each pot and bowl, but finally he couldn't stretch out the time any longer. He ordered the squirming girl to follow him, and then he headed for one of the tents. Ennie winced as she scrambled to her feet, but that didn't stop her from moving in as fast a hobble as she could. Tandro had caressed one of Ennie's rock-hard nipples before walking away, and for a moment the girl had seemed close to passing out.

  "I don't know about you, but I found that very interesting," Killen's voice came suddenly but softly as he joined Tain on the blanket. "I expected Tandro to be really hard on the girl, but instead he's doing worse."

  "What do you mean by worse?" Tain couldn't help asking in the same soft way as she quickly got a good grip on herself. Having Killen ten feet or more away was nothing like having him right behind her… "That paddling wasn't easy for her, but he could have been a lot harder."

  "Making her choose to obey him is a good deal worse than even a hard beating would have been," Killen answered without moving any closer. "The girl will end up conditioned to do exactly as she's told, you wait and see if she isn't."

  "Ennie may very well end up conditioned, but I don't think the job will be as easy to accomplish as you and your friend seem to think," Tain responded after a brief hesitation. "Her entire life until now has conditioned her to expect to get her way in everything, and I seriously doubt if she'll give up that stance without a fight. And what happens if she figures out that you work for the same people I do? That will explode this whole game sky high."

  "I don't want that happening, but it could," Killen acknowledged. "Right now the girl is too distracted with everything happening to realize how unlikely it is that she was brought straight to where you are, but once she calms down some the thought will probably occur to her. You're not to tell her that the two of you have been rescued no matter what she says or does."

  "I never intended to tell her," Tain said, speaking the truth even though she felt an odd reluctance to stay with the decision. "Ennie can't be counted on to remember what she should and shouldn't say or do, but what if she can't handle accepting what she'll think will be her new place for the rest of her life? If she freaks out we may have to tell her."

  "I'll take care of what she's told, assuming I decide she needs to be told anything," Killen said at once, his tone sober. "You're just another slave, so it isn't your place to make decisions and act on them. Do you understand me?"

  "Certainly," Tain said with a nod, glad the man sat behind her rather than in a place where he might have been able to see her face. She'd had to clamp down hard on the urge to use words of one syllable to remind him that she had more field experience than he did, but her suspicious mind saved her just in time. The way he kept rubbing her nose in the fact of his being in charge meant he was definitely up to something, and losing her temper would be a lame way of finding out what that something was.

  "I'm glad you do understand, because what I said is an order," Killen responded, obviously still pushing. "If this thing blows up in my face it will be because of something I did, not because of someone else's mistake. And now I think it's time we got ready for bed. We want to get an early start tomorrow."

  "I'm already ready," Tain answered, but before she could get to her feet she was stopped in an unexpected way. Killen's arms came to circle her, and then she was pulled back and across his folded legs.

  "No, I'm afraid you aren't quite ready," Killen disagreed as she gasped in surprise. "Just lie still and don't try to stop in any way what's going to be done. It won't take long, and then we can go to our tent."

  Tain parted her lips to demand to know what he was talking about, but the answer came to her before she made the mistake of responding in anger. Knowing, really knowing what was going to happen made her want to scream and fight to avoid Killen's intention, but she wouldn't have followed through even without being under orders not to resist. If he wanted her angry, that was the last thing she could afford to -

  "Good girl," Killen said, ignoring the gasp that had been forced out of her when he put a new insertion into her bottom. "Now we're ready, so let's go to bed."

  Tain moved as slowly as possible when she stood up, but that didn't help much. The insertion began to work on her at once, a reaction that came as no surprise. Killen put the fire out before coming to lead the way to the second tent, his hand on her wrist making her walk faster than was in the least comfortable. But all Tain could do was snarl on the inside and promise herself that one day she would find the perfect way to get even with Mr. Jake Killen!

  Chapter Four

  Tain woke up to find Killen's hands and lips on her again, just the way they'd been last night when the two of them had entered the tent. Killen had also brought along the blanket they'd used outside, and he'd lit a candle before ordering Tain to arrange all the blankets into beds for them. Tain had fought not to show how furious she was as she saw to the chore, and somehow she had managed to keep her feelings to herself.

  And once they lay in the blankets with the candle blown out, the time had been both easier and harder for Tain. Easier was not having to worry about what expression showed on her face; harder was having Killen take her in his arms. In spite of the way the insertion was making her feel, if she'd had the choice she would have stayed as far away from Killen as she could get. The fact that she was horribly eager to have Killen's full attention told her that she would be much better off suffering from being ignored.

  But ignoring her wasn't what Killen did to wake her. His lips and tongue thoroughly tasted each of her nipples in turn while his hands moved everywhere, and by the time he enter
ed her it was only the stubbornness of desperation that kept Tain from laughing in delight. He still felt gigantically larger than any other man she'd ever had sex with, and the sensations he made her feel were still almost overwhelming. Tain let her mind dissolve into that world of incredible sensation, a world she lived in forever until it finally exploded into nothingness. After that she lay unmoving and unthinking until she felt a hand touch her intimately again.

  "No, don't worry, I'm not coming back for seconds or thirds," Killen said softly when Tain moaned, half in protest. "I'm just using that cream again, which I'm sure you need. As soon as I'm through we'll get going."

  Tain had no choice but to accept what he did to her, but she wasn't fooled. If Killen had really been that worried about her he would have used the cream the night before, not now when they would soon be on their way. His touch was trying to ignite what was left of that insertion, and even after all the sex they'd had he wasn't far from succeeding. But he'd made it perfectly clear that she wouldn't be eased any time soon, which meant he was back to trying to manipulate her into anger.

  When Killen finished with the cream, Tain sat up carefully while pushing at the question of why the man would want her to lose her temper. All convenient excuses aside, it just didn't make any sense for him to want that - unless he had something other than attracting her in mind. Could it be he'd decided to give up on the idea of attracting her when she didn't respond the way he'd been expecting her to? Could he now be doing nothing but trying to get even?

  That idea distracted Tain enough that she was on her feet before she realized she'd had only a little trouble getting up. The fact that she'd refused to work with Killen before this, that she had a bigger reputation in the department than he did, that she was now required to obey him in almost everything… He could very well have decided to get even by breaking her.

  Killen had already left the tent, so Tain spent a few minutes folding the blankets to give herself the extra time to think. Only a really petty man would take advantage of the situation in quite that way, planning to break a woman he privately thought he couldn't match. It would be disappointing to find out Killen was that kind, but if that turned out to be the truth at least her life would be made a touch easier.

  Tain smiled without much humor at the idea of considering an attempt to break her as being easier. But in a definite way the time would be easier since she'd already gone through the experience more than once. Quite a few men considered a woman in her position a threat, and some of them had tried to prove themselves superior by making her look like less. None of them had succeeded, but then again none of them had tried their tricks during a job.

  But where the try happens can't be allowed to matter, Tain thought as she looked around to see that nothing but the blankets had been brought into the tent. If Killen has decided to play games there's nothing I can do but join in. I never expected him to turn out to be one of that kind, but…

  Pushing the returned disappointment away, Tain turned and left the tent. Lots of things in life turned out to be a disappointment, and there was no sense in complaining. Not only would no one be around to listen, you just ended up looking like a fool. Or looking put-upon, just the way Ennie now looked…

  The sun had only just come up on what would be another really hot day, but Ennie already had a meal prepared. The girl looked downright harried as well as put-upon where she stood by the fire, struggling not to burn what she was preparing. Walking was definitely uncomfortable for Tain, but Ennie looked even more uncomfortable just standing in one place. Or mostly standing in one place. Every now and then the girl shifted from the frying eggs to the pot of what must have been that cereal.

  "All right, slave, the eggs are done," Tandro said as Tain moved closer to the center of the camp. "Put the eggs in bowls for my brother and myself, and then you can serve the other slave and yourself."

  "It isn't fair that I have to eat that horrible cereal while you get to eat real food," Ennie complained even as she took the frying pan away from the fire. "If you think the cereal is all that great, why don't you eat it?"

  "Slave food is for slaves, and I'm no slave," Tandro answered in the same calm and even way he always seemed to speak, a very faint smile curving his lips. "But since you think so little of what was given you, instead of eating it you'll spill your portion on the ground after you serve the other slave. No, don't argue, just obey me."

  From Ennie's expression, Tain was fairly sure that the girl had been about to protest rather than argue, but she wasn't allowed the protest either. From where Tain stood it looked like Ennie couldn't decide between resentment and tears, but she was the one who had spoken without thinking first. At the very least the girl should have been suspicious about being allowed to say anything she pleased, but apparently Ennie wasn't bright enough to notice things like that.

  The men were given their eggs first, and then Tain was given a bowl of the cereal. The three of them watched in silence while Ennie spilled out the rest of the cereal, tears appearing in the girl's eyes while she did it. Ennie had started out being a bit on the plump side, but it looked like the girl would be slimming down sooner rather than later.

  Ennie washed the frying pan and pot while everyone else ate their food, Tain being careful of her expression during the time. Killen was watching Tain out of the corner of his eye, possibly waiting for her to grimace at having to eat the tasteless cereal. The stuff really was horrible, especially with the smell of fried eggs to show there was tastier food available, but Tain knew she would need her strength. The cereal was better than nothing, a fact that Ennie would come to understand extremely well.

  While Ennie was busy washing the bowls and spoons Tain and the men had used, Killen called Tain over to where he now stood.

  "We'll be leaving in just a little while, so it's time to get you fixed up," Killen said jovially to a Tain who was only just able to keep herself from narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "Hold your arms out."

  That was when Killen let Tain see the red bands he held, bands that would proclaim her a slave to everyone and anyone who saw her. Tain thought she was controlling her expression really well, but Killen smiled faintly as he stepped closer.

  "I know you hate the idea of wearing these, but since you won't be heading out on your own, having them on shouldn't matter." His voice was very soft as he put the first band around her left arm, setting the small hooks so that the band would stay where it was put. "And, of course, you're forbidden to take these off again without my permission. If for some reason they get to be uncomfortable you're to tell me, and I'll be the one to adjust them."

  There was really nothing to say to that, so Tain simply stood there while Killen put on the second band. The cloth bands didn't hurt her arms and they weren't even too tight, but those facts didn't stop Tain from hating the things. And being unwilling to show just how much she hated the bands made the whole episode even worse.

  "There, now you're properly marked," Killen said as he stepped back to admire his efforts. "And you really ought to be grateful that most men still use these bands instead of the tattooing that's starting to become popular. I've heard that tattooing can't be removed completely no matter how hard you try. And now for your clothes."

  Clothes? Tain thought as Killen walked over to his horse and began to rummage in one of his saddlebags. She'd reached the point of being positive she'd be left naked, something else a lot of the men on this world did with their slaves. Tain had never had much in the way of body modesty, but suddenly an unexpected relief came to flood her mind. Clothing wasn't needed here to protect someone from the elements, but to stand in the way between her and the man who had made himself her owner…

  "And here we are," Killen said, coming back with what looked like a very small amount of cloth. "The skirt hooks closed on the left, and the vest just has to be slipped on. You can start with the skirt."

  Tain took the cloth Killen handed her, finding out at once that he'd exaggerated. Two short, narrow
panels were linked by a section of very thin chain, another length of thin chain like the first obviously there to close the "skirt." This article of supposed clothing would only cover Tain from the top of her stomach to a point just below the tops of her thighs, the short, narrow panels doing more to tease than to hide. Looking at the thing, Tain knew she would be better off staying naked.

  "Put the skirt on, Kitten," Killen repeated softly as he watched her closely. "We're heading toward a town, and the townspeople get upset if slaves are brought in stark naked."

  Tain couldn't have kept herself from glaring at Killen if her life had depended on it, a soft growl escaping from her throat. The man was pretending to be completely neutral and businesslike about what he was asking, but the gleam in his light gray eyes said he intended enjoying the outcome. After a while looking at a naked body stops being arousing, but when that body is teasingly draped in tiny bits of cloth the view quickly improves…

  "Put the clothing on, slave," Killen said when it became perfectly obvious that Tain meant to stand and hold the thing until she fell over dead from thirst, hunger, and exhaustion. "Later, when I have the time to punish you for your disobedience, don't try to claim you didn't ask for the punishment."

  In the face of that direct an order, Tain had no choice but to comply. But as she hooked the second chain closed and then adjusted the panels to lie where they belonged, she silently cursed Killen right along with herself. If he hadn't pushed so hard, she wouldn't have responded the way she had. And if she'd had the brains to hold her temper…

  The vest, blue to match the panels of the so-called skirt, slipped on without needing to be hooked anywhere. The front of the vest covered her breasts well enough, but anyone looking at her would know that if she moved wrong she would no longer be covered. And, of course, there was the point that Killen didn't hesitate to point out…