the clipped sounds of Dominique's heels on the tile.
She opened her mouth to speak but instead slumped in relief. Ignoring me, Jules walked towards the ensuite bathroom. I wordlessly followed behind, not sure what my role with Jules actually was. Was this some sort of payback? Was I really to serve her?
Inside, the tile was marble with hints of rose gold. Three walls were covered with windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The far wall had pink wallpaper and a watercolor painting of a plump, naked woman.
Jules turned the water faucet on, and steamy water poured into the clawfoot tub as I shut the door. The blinds automatically shut, darkening the room, and the sounds of water rushing through the faucet filled the room.
“This is going to be very interesting," she laughed. “Once my brother realizes they have you in the Walker quarters, it’ll cause quite a tizzy.” I allowed my thoughts to drift to my reunion with Cyler. I imagined him carrying me over his shoulder and hauling me into one of the suites on this floor.
"Pay attention," Jules whispered. She stepped into the tub after putting a few drops of lavender oil and bath salts in the water. “It’s different here. We need to tread carefully.” I pulled up a stool and sat down next to the tub. "Ah, this feels fabulous," she moaned while settling.
I stared blankly at her relaxed form with mild jealousy. My Galla dress was covered in dust, and I felt the stress and grime of the day cling to me.
After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "You’ll need to be careful here, Ash. I don’t particularly like you, but I don’t want to see you dead either."
"I have a feeling that’s easier said than done."
"May I be transparent with you?" Jules asked while lathering soap in her palm. The smell of lavender filled the room.
“Aren’t you always?" I replied.
“If I were you, I’d keep my nose down and stay far away from the guys. I don’t mean to be cruel, but they’re pretty strict about intermingling here. Unless you’re a Walker Companion, they don’t take kindly to the Elite and Walkers having relationships.”
If Blan and Webb were examples of Ethros’ view on Walkers, I was in for a very hard time. Walker Companions weren’t common in Galla, but in other places, like Ethros or Saberus, they were almost too common. Companions were people willing to trade their bodies—their souls—in exchange for the vaccine.
"I’ll take that into consideration," I replied in a shaky voice while wondering what exactly they would do to punish me. I already had a fetter, what more was there?
Jules sunk lower into the steaming hot water, and I began lathering her hair with one of the sandalwood scented shampoos set out for her. She sighed as I massaged her scalp, and with a moan, she closed her eyes in pleasure. Despite the kidnapping, she seemed perfectly happy to be in this situation. I washed Mistress Stonewell’s hair so often that this was almost second nature. It’s strange how easily I slipped into old habits and routines.
"I guess it’s pointless, really. Knowing my brothers, they’ll bulldoze through their affections for you without a care for the consequences."
"Why do you care?" I asked while taking a cup of water and running it over her dark strands.
"I’m not an emotionless object, Ash. I’m wearing a fucking fetter just like you, and don’t you forget it."
How could I? My eyes were constantly drawn to the humming rings around our wrists. "The guys won’t let anything happen to us," I resolved in a stern voice.
Jules sunk lower and ran a soapy washcloth over her shoulders. "You’re one of those optimists, aren’t you? You have way too much faith in them. They’ll fuck this up." I flinched at Jules' words but didn't let my expression show how they affected me. Maybe it was my reunion with the Walker status, but I felt insecure now. In Dormas, I saw the possibilities of a future with all of them. Here, it was like they were out of reach. Physically and emotionally.
"We should play this out and see what happens. Regardless, Ethros doesn't believe in liberating Walkers. Once a Walker, always a Walker. You heard Blan, it's their fucking motto. They scan everyone that tries to enter Ethros."
"So what are you saying?" I asked.
"I'm saying that you're screwed. If you think Galla was biased, Ethros is ten times worse. Calling yourself a ‘liberated Walker’ will