Page 14

“You remember that?”

“It is a feeling of the memories.I remember words and numbers.”She paused.“Overlord, why did you summon me?”

“I have been curious about my new comptroller.You have been here for years and have never asked for my input or needed me to make a decision for you.It has been lovely.The gardens across the globe have flourished.So many new fruits have been perfected.”He smiled tightly.

“I am glad I have been able to assist.”

“Why don’t you seek out your own people?”

“I upset them.My implant is no secret, and my emotional range is minimal.I no longer fit into my own society.I work.I watch vids and take myself to dinner.I am content.”

“You also frequent the Pleasure Centre.”

“I thought the records were sealed.”

“They are but not to me.I also used the external cameras and the timing of a certain rush of energy to pinpoint that you were the source.”

“The machine is efficient.Now that I am no longer nervous, the procedure is faster.”

“I am not complaining, but why are you so frequent?”

“I retain my ovaries, and they cycle every twenty-eight days.That is about to slow down.”

“Why?”He looked upset.

“I am aging and approaching the end of my cycles.I am older than most of the folks you bought at the bond auction.They have decades more to seek partners and start families.My body is ready to rest.I will also need to retire at that point as my thought process will be unpredictable as my hormones splutter.”

He frowned and turned to send a message.

She bowed again and started to turn.

He said, “Wait.I am not done with you yet.”

Reem turned back.

“I need you to go to the Pleasure Centre today and again tomorrow.I wish to enjoy the energy surge.”

She cocked her head.“If they allow it, the machine can just continue until I am tired.That would help.”

“You can succumb more than once?”

Reem nodded.“Yes.Nine times in three hours was my personal best, I believe.My body can certainly do more than take the edge off.”

“Don’t you need to be in need?”

“No.The unit can get me there fairly effectively.”She paused.“Should I go now?”

He looked at her and then sat back in a calculated manner.“Yes.However, return here when you have emptied yourself.”

She didn’t correct him.She knew what he meant.“Yes, Overlord.I will return when I have completed the task.Could you warn the Pleasure Centre that I am on the way?”

“Already done.This is a very interesting experiment.”

Reem nodded, bowed, and left.She felt him staring at her until the trees obscured her form.

Down at the Pleasure Centre, she approached the desk, and a frightened attendant gave her the door key and stated, “It has been programmed to look for signs of pain or distress, but other than that, it will continue.You can also call a halt.”

“Thank you.I will manage.”