get you nowhere. It’ll just get you killed."
There was no malice in her voice, and I suspected almost a hint of pity in her tone. I couldn’t do this. I tasted freedom in Dormas and was unwilling to give it up so easily. Maybe Cyler could negotiate?
"I see those wheels turning, but trust me. Your best bet is to pretend to be nothing more than a passed around plaything. Either ignore them or tell Dominique you’re a Companion."
"But I-I’m not!" I replied in a snappy tone. Although I respected the many men and women that had Companion jobs, I knew I could never pull it off. At least, not with my lack of experience. Companions were submissive yet confident. Sexy. Sensual. While I was trained to manage a kitchen, they were trained to manage their Holder’s pleasure. I began to hyperventilate when I realized what that meant. I was not a Companion. I was just a naive, sheltered Walker.
“We should have never agreed to work with Cavil,” I choked out.
With her big toe, Jules shut off the faucet just before the hot water overflowed. "We didn't have a choice, you idiot. Cavil's army surrounded us. I didn't agree to an alliance. I bought us some time and got my brothers out of Lackley's lab. Tallis and I both knew it would come to this," she whispered before coughing.
Jules closed her eyes, and I ran my fingers through her hair as she relaxed. I froze while, once again, realizing how easily I slipped back into the Walker lifestyle. There were many nights I did this exact same thing for Linda Stonewell. Funny how easily we revert back to what we know.
Jules was right. No matter what, I couldn't win. Just when I thought I got rid of my shackles and planted roots in Dormas, my old namesake clawed back to claim me.
Chapter Four
Dominique found a small bed for me in the Walker quarters behind Commodore Cavil's mansion. It was a small building, similar to the dorms in Dormas, and everyone had their own room. I observed my surroundings and tried to take in as much as I could, but it was dark. The path between the Walker quarters and Cavil’s home was illuminated only by the bright, full moon. There was a small part of me that wanted to approach the situation on autopilot. It would have been easy to slip into my Walker mindset and mindlessly accept my new role. But my life in Dormas was too good to give up that easily.
While showing me to my room, Dominique explained the rules of the home. "You will report to the kitchens at six sharp. You are to abide by curfew and report directly to me. I am your superior." Dominique paused, smoothing out her dress and frowning at me before continuing. "I hope you realize just how lucky you are to have this job. We have a backlog of applicants wanting to serve Cavil."
“Yes, I understand.”
"I assume telling you not to run away is pointless." Her eyes zeroed in on the fetter on my wrist .
"When will the Dormas leaders arrive?" I asked bravely.
"By morning, I assume." Dominique eyed me curiously, but I kept my face blank of emotion. "Cavil mentioned that you were of interest to them. It's probably the only reason you've been gifted with these accommodations." Dominique paused at a wooden door. She grabbed my wrist with the fetter attached to it, and held it up to the scanner, causing the door to unlock with a loud click. "Are you their Companion? If so, I’ll need to make arrangements for a spare bedroom to be set up for your use. Cavil prefers that all Companions play in his ivory room," she explained as I struggled to catch my breath. The anxiety was too much. I wanted guidance.
We walked into the small room, and I was reminded of my closet at the Stonewell home. Thoughts of Josiah filled me. I worried about his well being. Last I saw of him, he was shaking and fighting off whatever poison Emperor Lackley injected him with.
"I’m...." I drifted off, unsure of what to say. “I’m not…”
Dominique seemed oblivious to my discomfort as she looked around the room. "Here. Why don’t you let me help you,” she began while spinning around to face me. She cocked her head to the side and smiled. “You’re a Walker. A nobody. Maybe someone once loved you, but you won’t find that here. The sooner you