Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,155

bring Maverick lunch. Do whatever you need to. Reassure yourself and get your head back on straight. Maybe try to figure out what’s going on? Do something useful. Cyler told me to keep you here, but I need answers, and you need someone to calm you down."

I nodded in understanding, eager to leave the stuffy room and explore.

Downstairs, I informed Dominique that Jules wanted me to bring Maverick lunch. I kept my eyes and ears open for the guys, but they were nowhere to be found. The chef prepared a basket, and Dominique fashioned me with a watch which displayed directions to the lab. She kept her eye on my fetter, as if reassuring herself that I couldn't escape.

"Do be careful," she mumbled while the cook wasn't looking. I nodded and turned to leave when she grasped my inner elbow and pulled me back. "You're so beautiful," she said in a faraway voice. I stiffened as her eyes looked adoringly at my face. "It’s a shame what we must become to survive, isn't it?”

She dropped my arm and reached into her pocket, pulling out a crimson red tube of lipstick. With eyes steadily on me, she slowly applied the makeup, not a touch of the red paint missing its mark.

"I'm not sure how you do things in Dormas, but here, a Walker Companion is signified by red lipstick." She then held the lipstick out to me, as if asking if I wanted to wear it. I shook my head no. "Suit yourself. Cavil prefers that I only wear it in the safety of his home. Can't let the world know of our dirty little secret. Besides, outside these walls, men don't respect a woman in red." She popped her lips and slipped the tube in her pocket once again .

I took in a deep breath. I wanted to argue. I wasn't like her. I was loved. Adored. Treasured.

Dominique grabbed my chin and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. I froze in her hold, too scared to move, to breathe. She pulled back with a satisfied grin.

"There. Now you're outfitted properly. We must let everyone see what happens to pretty girls."

It seemed like no matter how many times I wiped my lips with the back of my hand, I could still feel the paint of Dominique's lipstick on me. I maintained a hurried pace towards the lab and didn't make eye contact with anyone. I didn't see any other Walkers, but I did see soldiers patrolling the streets, each of them with Heat strapped with strips of leather to their thighs. They stared menacingly at pedestrians.

"Well if it isn't my little Walker!" a familiar voice yelled. My spine went rigid as the sound of pounding boots approached me. Webb was chewing on a toothpick and grinning as he fell into step beside me. He still had that calculating gaze, but in the light of day, I didn't feel as intimidated.

I looked back to the ground and kept walking.

"Do you know how to greet a superior, Walker? Or do I need to teach you?" I stopped walking, and after glancing at my watch to see how far away I was from the lab, I turned to face Webb. I bowed.

Two more blocks. If I had to run, I could make it two blocks.

"Perfect. That's more like it. Now. Get on your knees, Walker." My eyes flashed to him defiantly. He was toying with me. "Now. I'd hate to tell Cavil he employs a disobedient Walker."

"I don't belong to Cavil," I barked through gritted teeth. Webb grabbed the material of my dress at my chest, yanking me closer. The toothpick in his mouth poked my upper lip as I squirmed to break free .

"Are you breathing this mighty fine Ethros air, Walker?" he asked. Men who were walking around stopped to stare. Some with looks of amusement.

"Yes."

"Then you belong to Cavil." Webb loomed over me, his hot breath dancing across my cheeks like fire. I shut my eyes, preparing for whatever pain he brought, but it never came.

"Drop. Her. Right. Now," a familiar voice said. I exhaled in relief as Webb tilted his head towards the intruder. Jacob.

"How I handle this is my business. Our law states that disobedient Walkers can be punished by the offended party," Webb said before dropping me with a thud. My knees hit the brick-paved ground, and I groaned out in pain. Jacob marched up to us and helped me up before placing me behind him.

My eyes