Watcher's Web

Watcher's Web Chapter 25

Daya pushed forward, shivering from sweaty bodies pressed against him. The females brushed up to him, stroking him, giving him suggestive smiles. Their body odour hurt his nose.

*

It’s called peppermint, Jessica told him.

And it was the male Pengali who stank, not the females.

She shivered with that statement: Daya’s life belonged to her? She didn’t belong to anyone, didn’t want to own anyone either.

But you already do.

The ghost of Daya’s scent wafted through her memories, making her shiver, making her want to run out and look for him, to complete that part of her that was missing. Something had happened that night. Pheromones, her analytical self said. An involuntary, uncontrolled response; something that made no rational sense. Like falling in love, but worse.

She had started that sexual fight. Daya had been trying to hold back. It wasn’t that he had hurt her; she had hurt him, too.

"Are you all right, Lady?"

Iztho had raised himself onto one elbow; his other hand shielded his eyes against the brightness of the light. He swung his feet over the side and came into the bathroom.

"I feel so hot."

He remained at the door, looking up at the light. "I never believed this when I first heard of it."

Jessica inclined her head, unsure how to respond to the tone of awe in his voice, unsure if she liked it, or if she liked him being here. It might be dangerous. She was dangerous to him.

He smiled and entered the room. "Once everything has settled, your future will be bright. Once we are in Miran … Lady, I can see you doing very well in business. Very well indeed." He closed her in his arms. "I’ll help you through your citizenship exams and then I’ll sponsor you to get your Trading certificate. You can work under the Andrahar licence."

There was a dreamy look in his eyes that brought a twinge of discomfort. Whatever happened to going home?

He cradled her face in his hands and bent forward for a kiss, but Jessica found the prospect of that and maintaining the light at the same time too much. She called the light back before meeting his lips and when she did, she saw a pair of dark eyes.

Do you have to look into every part of my private life?

Daya just blinked. Light flashed over his face. A Pengali female sidled up to him. One of the servants, tail-less, wearing only the shortest of short skirts. She rocked her hips, rubbing the curve of her thigh against his. He shuddered.

Iztho’s hand slid over Jessica’s stomach. "Yes, you are right, you do feel hot. Come under the window."

He led her back into the bedroom. The thin cover whispered over her as she settled back on the pillow, her head on his shoulder.

Soon Iztho was fast asleep, his heavy breathing deep and regular, but Jessica lay staring at the ceiling. Damn, she was still hot and the lingering scent of Daya’s skin would not go away.

Pheromones. A physiological response, like a stallion smelling mares. Not a bloody thing she could do about it. At least she didn’t do the weird lip thing.

No, they only scratched each other to bits when they had sex.

It scared her. The man is a monster. I am a monster.

*

Jessica was back with Daya in the crowded street.

There was a bark of a voice on the other side of the square. The square emptied with amazing speed. Pengali-shaped shadows jumped onto walls, in trees, abandoning the drums.