Page 2 of Tender Captivity (Human Pets of Talin)

If someone had told Jinna that getting drunk at a space station dive bar would end with her wearing a collar and being led around by a leash, she would’ve laughed in their face.

But here she was, huddled under a bench as two Talins went at each other, roaring and rattling like titans in an Old Earth vid.

She should be trying to untangle the leash attached to her collar from where it got twisted around her ankle so she could get further away from the violence, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the warring giants.

Nelaran, her owner, was bigger than the Talin who tackled him. But this unknown Talin was obviously skilled, and Nelaran wasn’t able to dominate him quickly. Unlike all the well-paid tutors that Nelaran’s father hired to train him, this stranger wasn’t going to let Nelaran win.

She could hear the effect it was having on him.

She’d only been owned by Nelaran for a few months, but that was long enough to be familiar with the sounds he made as he lost control of his temper.

As his smaller opponent kept evading his blows and delivering powerful ones of his own, Nelaran was getting more impatient and his movements were becoming less controlled.

The fight shifted closer to her spot, reminding her it wasn’t the best place to take shelter. The bench probably wouldn’t withstand both these males landing on it.

With shaking hands, she unwound the long leash from her ankle and curled it up into one hand. She’d love to take it off. Hell, she’d love to take off the collar too, but both were locked into place.

Besides, she’d already been warned repeatedly that running away would be harshly punished.

There was no such thing as a free human in Talin-controlled space, whether they resided on a Talin colony, a space station, or the homeworld of Talarian.

She was told she was going to be owned by someone, so she should work on being a good pet and pleasing Nelaran.

The problem was, she wasn’t a mind reader. She never seemed to be where Nelaran wanted her. If she was at his side, she was too clingy. If she kept her distance, she was being willful and aloof. If she sat in his presence or remained standing while he sat, she was being disobedient.

Her entire body ached from a morning spent standing in one spot next to Nelaran’s chair while he visited with his friend.

She knew better than to move or make a sound, but as the hours passed, it had gotten harder and harder to remain motionless.

She was thirsty and hungry because Nelaran forgot to feed her that morning, and it looked like he was going to eat and drink the day away with his friend while neglecting her needs.

“Your pet looks a little faint,” Nelaran’s friend noted with a concerned rumble. “We could put her in the enclosure with my elder female. She’s a kind one, and I’m sure she’d enjoy the company.”

Nelaran didn’t sound a displeased rattle, but she knew he wanted to. “I’m afraid she’s wild caught. I’m her first master and have only had her about forty rotations. I wouldn’t trust her among other humans yet.”

The friend sounded a surprised rattle. “Wild caught? That’s surprising, considering how well-behaved she is.”

The rumble of satisfaction from Nelaran was loud. “I’ve worked hard on training her.”

“You’re being very good for your master,” the friend told her with a soft, amiable rumble. She nodded and kept her eyes downcast.

Unhappy about having the attention on her instead of himself, Nelaran pushed her a little so she was standing behind him instead of at his side. Because these Talins were so much bigger than her five-foot, five-inch height, she was almost completely hidden by him.

The moment he pushed her behind him, she knew Nelaran was upset.

He didn’t like anyone else to take attention away from him, even for a brief time.

When the visit was over, she wasn’t surprised when Nelaran didn’t leave through the front gate.

He took the long route, giving the impression he was going to exit through the garden.

The moment they were deep in the garden with some privacy, he rounded on her, fist raised, sounding an angry rattle.

She hadn’t been prepared for it, but she should have been. This Talin had poor control over his temper, and his emotions were capricious. One minute he’d pet her head and hand her some candy, and the next moment he was hitting and reprimanding her.

The other thing she hadn’t expected was for another Talin to come to her rescue.

Crawling out from under the bench, she climbed up on a nearby planter. Now a stone bench and the end of the planter were between her and the fighters. If she had to get further away, she’d need to crawl through some thick, thorny plants.

But no sooner had she gotten to a safer spot, than the fight was over.

Nelaran was groaning, rumbling out the Talin equivalent of crying. She felt silent glee at the sight. It was nice to see her tormentor in a position of pain and powerlessness for once.

“Do not get back up,” the stranger ordered him.

“How dare you!” Although Nelaran tried to sound enraged and powerful, his words were wheezy. “I’m Nelaran of Clan Loklon! My family is Lolian, the head family of the clan.”

The stranger leaned over Nelaran, his words quiet and deadly as he spoke. “I wouldn’t care if you were the Prime Son of our beloved monarch. If I ever catch you abusing a human again, I won’t stop until you cease breathing.”

The stranger’s threat made Nelaran pull into a tight ball, his anger and outrage replaced by fear. “Go away,” he whispered. “Go away, and I won’t speak of this to anyone.”

Straightening up, the stranger started looking around. Their gazes met and she found herself unable to look away. “I’m leaving, but I’m taking the human with me. I will also be reporting you to the Committee for Pet Welfare, Nelaran of Clan Loklon.”

Nelaran made a soft, distressed rumble as the stranger strode to her. Her heart started pounding hard as he drew close. Belatedly she remembered to drop her gaze to the dirt she was kneeling on.

“Easy, little one,” the stranger said and started purring. She’d heard other Talins do that with their human pets. Between that soothing rumble and his gentle voice, her heart calmed a little.

“You don’t need to speak or do anything right now,” the stranger said as he knelt in front of her, uncaring about getting his pants dirty. “You’re safe now. No one’s ever going to hurt you again.”

She risked a glance up to find the Talin watching her with unwavering eyes. His purr increased in volume a little. “That’s good,” he encouraged. “You can look at me all you like. Can you tell me your name?”

“Jinna.” The word was barely a whisper, and her voice sounded hoarse and unnatural to her own ears. When was the last time she’d spoken? Weeks?

“Hello, Jinna,” the stranger said and placed an open palm on his chest. “I’m Commandant Holian, but you can simply call me Holian.”

“What is going on out here?”

Jinna flinched and looked past Holian to see Marlinian, the owner of the property, striding toward them.

She’d met him when they’d first arrived.

It had only taken one conversation between Marlinian and Nelaran to know her owner was often here visiting the man’s son so he could try to get closer to the powerful family.

Holian stood quickly and put himself between Marlinian and her. “I walked out into the garden to find this male striking a defenseless pet.”

Marlinian sounded a rattle of surprise. “That can’t be true, Commandant Holian. You must be mistaken. This is Nelaran of Clan Loklon.”

“So I’ve been told,” Holian replied. The dryness of his response almost made Jinna smile.

Marlinian looked down at where Nelaran was only now starting to rise to his feet. “Explain to Commandant Holian what you were doing,” Marlinian ordered. “I’d like to resolve this without undue emotions or conflict.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong,” Nelaran protested. Now that he was on his feet, he was quick to stand next to Marlinian, as if the older male would protect him from Holian.

How do you like it? Jinna thought with satisfaction. To worry someone will strike you down?

Holian might be shorter than the other two Talins, but that didn’t detract from his powerful aura.

“What could this little human female have possibly done to earn the strike I caught you about to deliver?” Holian asked coldly.

Nelaran sounded a nervous rattle. “She was being willful. Father says you have to be strict with humans or they become unmanageable.”

Both Holian and Marlinian stared at Nelaran silently for a moment, making the young man rattle out a nervous sound. “I was only doing as I was taught.”

“It looks like I’ll be reporting your whole family to the Committee for Pet Welfare,” Holian announced.

Marlinian was quick to protest. “I don’t think that’s entirely necessary.

I’m sure Young Nelaran was simply overzealous.

A few educational vids should be enough to set him and his family straight.

I’ll even oversee the viewing and answer any questions they might have on the appropriate treatment of pets.

Especially the elder females that are so much more delicate. ”

Jinna hated that. When did forty-three qualify her as an “elder female”? It wasn’t like she was in her eighties and hobbling around with a cane. In fact, Nelaran had whined that he wanted a younger human when his father had first gifted Jinna to him.

It was insult added to injury to be enslaved and then deemed old.

“You can do that if you like, but it won’t stop me from reporting them and taking this human with me,” Holian pronounced. It was hard, but she managed to stifle her gasp. He was really going to take her with him? Was this going to mean a better life for her or worse?

“You can’t simply abscond with Lolian family property,” Marlinian objected. “It wouldn’t—”

Holian pinned Marlinian with his eyes, making the other Talin’s protests quiet. When Holian moved his gaze to Nelaran, the younger man flinched slightly.

Holian’s voice was quiet but commanding when he spoke. “You are free to contact the Clan Authorities Council, but I’m taking this human with me. I suggest neither of you attempt to stop me.”

With that, Holian swung around to her. With easy strength, he lifted her out of the dirt and cradled her in his arms. He started purring again as he held her securely against his chest. For the first time in months, she felt safe.

Relaxing into his embrace, she let her head rest on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

“No more pain or fear,” Holian promised as he strode away. “Your home will be with me, and you’ll be safe.”