Experiment Gone Wrong

Chapter 10: Betrayal of a Brother

Anne POV
I wake up in massive amounts of pain. I groan, trying to sit up.
"No, stay where you are." I freeze, slowly opening my eyes. Kesstar stares down at me, a frown on his face. "You need to be careful." He gently moves my arm back to my side and I notice the neat stitches in my skin.
"I'm sorry." I gaze at my bruised and broken body.
"No need to apologize." His arms gently wrap around my shoulders. "How are you feeling?"
"I hurt... everywhere." I rest my head against his bicep, his skin feeling cold. "And I think I have a fever again."
"Can I help lift it for you? Just enough to make it feel better?" He seems to be asking intently, his eyes somewhat pleading.
"Will it hurt?"
"Only a pinch. Far less than what you feel now." I feel kesstar brush the hair away from my neck, his fangs gently piercing my skin. I feel him inject and pull away, a quick kiss soothing the prick instantly. "How was that."
"Good." I moan softly, the pain fading from my body and bones. "Can I at least sit up?"
He doesn't seem happy about it but he carefully aids me in getting to a reclined sitting position, my back against his stomach. "How's that?"
"Much better... Kesstar?"
"Yes?" His hand lays gently on my uninjured side, the bandage stopping him from connecting with skin.
"Thank you... for not letting me die." It would have been easy. I'm sure he has ulterior motives but I'm thankful to be alive and mostly ok.
He sighs softly, his arms flexing slightly. I'm reminded of how insanely strong he is. "I'm sorry I left you for so long." He kisses my head, his tail circling tighter around us. "I'm sorry this happened to you."
"No... I probably deserved it." I groan, stretching slightly, my back popping and instantly feeling better. "I took the stupid job and stayed longer than I should have." The bruises have gotten darker, they're kind of impressive. Kesstar had given me some before but nothing nearly as violent and brutal. I never realized how much he was holding back.
"Don't say that." His clawed fingers wind themselves into my hair. "You've been punished enough." He massages gently, cradling me in his hold. "Now it's time for healing and growth."
"Will your friend be back?" I ask curiously. I had liked him. He was gentle and kind. He looked at me like I was an equal.
"Today he will do a checkup and from now on if I have to leave he'll remain with you to make sure you're safe and taken care of. You'll be on bedrest for some time."
I look mournfully to the window. I had just gotten back on my feet. I was finally able to walk on my own.
"Hey," he strokes my skin tenderly. "You will be up again before you know it."
"I hope so." I can see a sliver of sunshine peeking through the curtains.
Kesstar follows my gaze, reading it as he does so. In a fluid movement he opens the curtain, filling the room with sunlight and allowing me to see the outside world. This place is so much better than that cave. I smile at the small kindness.
"Thank you." I kiss his arm gently, pulling away quickly as I realize what I've done. His venom must be making me loopy.
He growls softly. It's not threatening, more of a purr. His arms hug me gently, his breath tickling my ear. "You're welcome." The whisper hot on my skin. I feel my face flush. "Are you hungry?"
I shake my head and he frowns slightly.
"You really should eat something." His fingers stroke across my stomach. "Please... don't make me tell you."
"Fine," I sigh. "I'll try but I'm still not feeling great." I sit up a little straighter, trying to make it as gentle as I can on my immensely sore body.
"Good girl." He smiles, his fingers stroking my thigh dangerously close to my womanhood.
I hold my breath, trying not to jolt or shake. He leans over, using his other hand to grab a tray from his desk. He holds it out to me, letting me look over the contents. I timidly tear off a small piece of flatbread before pushing the tray away. He gives me a look but says nothing as he sets the tray to the side. I eye the food already beginning to feel nauseous at the very idea of putting it in my mouth. I hold back a gag.
I try again but his hand catches mine before it makes it to my mouth. "Anne, I'm sorry, I didn't realize how sick you were feeling, I won't force you to eat if it makes you feel worse." He removes the food from my hand, putting it back on the plate.
"Why are you being so kind?" I finally ask, I can't take it anymore.
"Why shouldn't I be after what happened to you?"
"It's just... not like you..." I regret the way I said it, I try to rephrase it. "Not like a predator."
"Mmm... would you like me to act like a predator, eat you alive?" He chuckles, kissing up and down my neck.
"N...no." His fingers inch up my thigh and I squirm against him. He groans softly as I feel my ass grind against him.
"You're so small it would be easy." He's teasing, his lips playing across my skin as he gently increases pressure between my legs.
I moan softly, the heat in my body becoming more comfortable as it's reasons for existing shift. "You wouldn't eat me..."
"Not in the way you're thinking." He smirks, slipping a finger inside me.
"Mmm." Kesstar pushes in, gently exploring my womanhood.
"No matter how good you taste." He nips my neck gently, pressing a long lingering kiss to the place. He's leaving a hickey, I can feel it.
His thumb strokes across my clit. He circles it softly, kissing my lips with a gentle playfulness. I moan into his mouth, his tongue playing across my lips. He's being so gentle it's comforting. I lean into him, actually enjoying his attention for once. His dicks rise up between my legs. With a steady hand kesstar rubs them against me, wetting them against my pussy. I cautiously reach down, taking one in my hand.
It's enormous, I can barely fit my fingers around it. He moans softly as I do so, his entire body shivering with pleasure. I circle my other hand around it as well, listening to him moan. His arms wrap around my waist, clutching me close. He buries his face in my hair, breathing heavily as I begin to jerk him off. His members pulse in my hands, the veins raised and begging to be stroked. I do just that, teasing him and turning him to putty.
My soreness feels nonexistent at the moment as the heat inside builds up. I tilt my hips forward, the head of his penis slipping inside. His fingers tighten on my hips, just stopping short of his claws piercing my skin. With a fluid movement he presses in, easily filling me. I moan softly at the feeling, my hands coming to play with his free member. Kesstar kisses my neck as he thrusts deep inside, my eyes rolling. I dutifully jack him off, rubbing my fingers up and down is impressive manhood. My pussy pulses around him, waiting as he builds up pressure and pace.
"Fuck..." I moan, cumming as he reaches his deepest point.
"Good girl." He groans, pushing me down hard so I'm practically impaled. His hands slowly cover mine that are busy bringing him pleasure. He guides them, quickening the pace. He moves inside me faster as well, the heat once again building.
"You're too damn good." He whispers huskily, his hot breath playing on my already flushed skin. I feel his dick empty itself deep inside me. The second spilling it's seed across my hands and thighs. He breathes heavily, his massive chest rising and falling behind me.
"Mph." I moan as he pulls himself free, some of his cum spilling out of me. Why does it have to be so much?
As usual, he cleans me up, this time very cautious to be gentle with my injured body. As the heat of lust fades away, the soreness and aches return. He kisses my bruises gently, allowing the both of us to catch our breath.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" He combs my hair with his claws.
"No, you were very careful." For once. I lean into his touch, tired once again.
He kisses my breast tenderly, the bruises darker today. Goosebumps rise on my skin. He lays a blanket over us, snuggling me close. We lay there for some time in silence. His fingers tenderly stroking up and down my arm.
"I should have been more careful with you from the start." He finally says. My mind flashes back to the multiple instances of his violent strength and power. I force the thoughts out, they're too much to deal with right now. "You're so small, so breakable, like stained glass."
"I'm stronger than glass." I can't help myself.
He laughes, a deep reverberating laugh. "I guess you are seeing how far you've come... tell me, have you always had to fight this hard?"
"What do you mean?" I ask tiredly, my eyelids feeling heavy.
"In your life before," He gives me a gentle shake, waking me up a bit. "You seem to have experience in the matter." He never really asks about my life before. Other than pumping me for information about the compound. Does he really want to know more about that now?
I can't help but sigh. "As soon as I got the job at the compound... it went downhill fast. Piles of paperwork, weekly reports turned to midday reports and those turned to hourly. And as you know, they can be highly abusive." I reflect back to the first time I failed to get a report in on time and they humiliated me in front of the entire cafeteria. Screaming at me and throwing my fresh coffee in the trash. It only got worse from there.
"And what about before that?" He strokes the side of my face. "What was your life then?"
I look up at him curiously. "Why... why do you want to know?"
"Is it a crime to want to know about one's past." He smiles showing his fangs. He's back to quoting me and it still makes me feel sick.
"No, I guess not. I worked my way through school since it costs so much money that I never had. They weren't fun and a lot of people were horrible." I shrug. "But that's a lot of the human experience." I think back to those times. What I'd give to be back there now, maybe if I made a few different choices I wouldn't be where I am now.
"Hmmm human life sounds like hell." He nods to himself.
"It's not always... I had a home, lots of plants." I smile thinking back. "I was happy with what I had even if I wasn't gilded in gold."
Kesstar playfully tugs on my hair. "And now that it is, do you think you will be happy?"
That's a loaded question if I ever heard one. I don't even know the answer. I consider it. Could I be happy here? I can survive and get by, yes. And at certain times I've almost felt what I'd consider happy. But as my mind considers years... it becomes much more grim. It doesn't scare me, it's more just a cruel fact.
"Do you think I will be?" I ask slowly, trying not to sound rude to avoid any backlash.
"In time." He kisses my head softly.
There's a knock at the door making me flinch. His soothing hand gently lays across my back. He uses his native tongue to communicate with whomever is beyond the door and he seems happy about it. The door opens and Ahsheer slithers inside with a smile.
"It's good to see you awake, Anne." His doctor's bag in tow and scales mostly hidden by long terracotta colored robes. "How are you feeling today?"
"Sore but alright." I reply softly, slowly bringing my arms to cover my chest.
"Would it be alright if I check my stitch work?" His approach slows as he takes in my wariness, Kesstar and him making eye contact.
"If... If Kesstar says it is." I look at him waiting. This earns me a proud smile and a kiss on the cheek.
"It is." He says to Ahsheer.
I gingerly extend my arm to him which he takes in his gentle and relaxed grip. He examines it carefully, letting me know before he moves it, allowing me to feel a little in control. He seems pleased with it and moves to my ankle, cleaning it slightly with a wet cloth but still pleased with how it's doing.
"How is the bruising?" He asks, moving back a bit to give us space. I notice he's looking at kesstar when he asks.
"It's gotten darker but she hasn't complained much about it." He replies for me, gently kissing my neck.
"The salve should help with that." He smiles. "I believe your mate will aid you with that."
"Huh?"
Kesstar shoots him a glare, quickly sitting up to a more imposing height. "That will be all for now Ahsheer, thank you."
Ahsheer slowly bows, backing away. "I will be back this evening to administer more care."
I watch him curiously as he leaves, a tension still hanging in the air. Kesstar sighs long and slow, assuming correctly in me wanting to know exactly what Ahsheer meant. He's frustrated, his jaw clenched. As badly as I want to know, I don't want to make him angrier.
"C...can you put the salve on?" I ask quietly, reaching for the little container on the table.
He snatches it up before I can. "I will." His fingers wrap around my chin, holding my face in place. "And you will hold still."
With steady hands and a gentle touch he carefully rubs the lotion across the dark bruising. Even on my chest it's gentle, however he takes more time focusing on them than the others. I'd be annoyed but I feel instant relief as he applies the cool salve.
"How's that?" He kisses my forehead gently.
"So much better." I smile, stretching out a bit. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, my little one." He puts the container away before looking me over with a smirk.
I remember how I'm wearing nothing and slowly begin to curl in on myself. Trying not to draw attention to the fact I'm hiding my body. He's too smart for that. His tail quickly loops around my ankle, his hand catching my arms, cautiously pinning them behind my head.
"Don't you hide yourself from me." He hisses quietly, pressing his forehead against mine. "I still want to see every piece of you."
I stare up at him, slowly allowing myself to relax once more. He smiles watching my back lower itself, my breasts shaking as I lower my arms to my sides.
"Good girl." He kisses my forehead. "I don't want to regret granting you clothing." His claws gently trail down my side. "Though I admit, there is a fun side to getting to unwrap you." His laugh is not cruel, instead it's playful. Gentle hands stroke my hair, carefully pulling it back. "Speaking of..." He sets a small package wrapped in fabric and tied with string on my lap. "I had this brought for you, to busy your time till you're feeling better."
I carefully untie the string, curious as to what's inside. He seems timid while he watches as if holding his breath to see my reaction. Peeling the fabric away I can't help but light up finding canvas and brushes with small little ceramics of paints.
"I see you're pleased." He smiles but I hear his breath of relief.
"I... this..this is a wonderful gift. Thank you..."
"It's the least I could do." Kesstar loops behind me. "Besides, I'll enjoy watching you while you work as you've watched me." He moves to his desk, settling himself behind it. "If you need anything else, don't hesitate to tell me."
"Thank you." I carefully spread the supplies out around me, finding whoever he commissioned to put them together for me skipped nothing. There's charcoal sticks, paintbrushes of multiple sizes. Several canvases also ranging in different sizes. The paints sit on a stone pallet. I open each one, finding the colors vibrant and ready to be played with. This is the kindest thing he's done for me. I begin to grow uneasy. Does this mean something I'm not understanding? I glance at him.
He's leaned over his desk, referencing several open books as he writes. I don't let my eyes linger too long. Instead I decide to do as I was told and attempt to keep myself entertained.
After a couple hours this way, I grow tired. My hand feels heavy as I try to move it across the canvas. I feel hot and cold at the same time. My charcoal falls to the floor.
"Anne?" Kesstar sits up with a start, his eyes flashing over to me in an instant. I don't know what it is about my appearance that tips him off or if it's my scent or even if he can see my body heat but before I can blink he's at my side. "Tell me how you're feeling."
"Tired." I moan softly, falling against the cushions.
He lays his hand against my forehead. "You're burning up." He's concerned. Cautiously he picks me up, cradling me against his chest. "I'll give you something to help."
I'm so tired of these fevers. So tired of being rendered useless by both him and my own body. My head lulls against him, my hot skin finding his cool to the touch which isn't a good sign. His lips press against my neck and I know what's coming. The bite isn't bad, I'm so used to them by now. The relief afterwards is quick but not as much as I needed.
"How's that?"
"A little better." I close my eyes, feeling the pull of sleep. "Could I just sleep... for a little bit? Please?" I nuzzle my face into him, enjoying the little bit of comfort he gives at the moment.
His arms instinctively wrap tighter around me. "We need to keep you awake when we can, my little one." His hand gently caresses my cheek.
"Please Kesstar?"
He frowns. I've figured out the power his name has and he knows it. "Careful prey, you're approaching argument." He plays with my hair, a distractive ploy and control measure he uses often. "But I suppose if you remain in my arms I can keep an eye on you..." Will he really grant me what I ask? I look up at him pleadingly. He smiles softly back. "Alright fine, rest yourself little one, I'll wake you in a bit."
He resituates himself so he can still work with me safely nestled on his lap, his tail lightly wrapped around me. Though it should be uncomfortable I easily settle into comfort. I've grown so used to him by now, it's strange to not feel him.
I'm woken up to being shaken lightly. My tired eyes not wanting to pry open. But with the light touch of claws I recognize I try and sit up with a start. He catches me before I do, somewhat surprised by my sudden movement.
"Shhh little one, it's only me. Calm yourself."
"I...I'm sorry."
"It's simple instinct. You have nothing to apologize for." He slowly settles me back. "You seem to be feeling a bit better."
"At the moment I am." I stretch as best I can. "Thank you for letting me sleep."
"Of course." He kisses my head. "You needed it from what I can see. Do you feel up to helping me with something?"
"I can try." I watch carefully as he pulls a small book close enough for me to see. My stomach twists as I recognize it.
A little black booklet with a hard cover. It's scuffed with dirt now. It belonged to head guard Tod Peters. He never liked me much. A shiver runs through me as Kesstar once again speaks.
"This... what do the numbers and squares mean?" He points to a calendar in the front of the book. The several squares filled in with notes in different colored inks.
"It's a calendar. Days, months, year... looks like he was busy."
Kesstar falls silent, his hand slowly creeping up my back. "Funny... I never mentioned it belonged to a man... do you recognize it?" I gulp. Do I tell the truth? I glance back at the page but he's already removed the book from my view, pulling it up so only he can see it. "Answer me." The tone is playful but it hardly masks the threat.
"It was the head guards. He'd always have it on him, he'd take it out to write down notes or to remember to report you."
"His name?" I feel his fingers wrap around my hair.
"Tod... Tod Peters..."
The scowl that crosses his face scares me. "How well did you know this... Tod?"
"I... why do you agh!" He tugs sharply on my hair, exposing my throat to him.
"That wasn't the answer to my question."
"Ok... ok... I knew him better than I wanted to. He didn't like me, I...I broke the rules so he was the one that fucked me over and gave me to the board." I remember seeing him hiding in the corner, watching while I was tossed over the edge.
"Hmm..." He releases the pressure on my scalp, allowing my neck to relax again. "Which of your months are we in?" He asks, completely changing the subject once more.
"I, I don't know..." and I really don't. I've lost track of all sense of time. The days have lost their meaning to me. "They gave me to you on August 12th..." It feels so long ago now. "That's the last day I knew for sure."
"Is there a way to find out?" Out of the side of my eye I notice him pulling a tray towards us. Food sitting and waiting to be eaten. He offers me a piece of fruit.
"Do you still have the phones?" I reach out to take it but he pulls it away. I eye him curiously.
"I do..."
"When you turn them on... they usually have the date and time." I say softly, trying again to reach for the fruit. He snatches it away once more, catching my hand and placing it on my lap before pressing the fruit against my lips himself.
"And what if they're no longer turning on?"
"Oh... that is a problem... they could just be dead but I doubt... I doubt you have a charger here." I obediently open my mouth allowing him to slip the food inside and feed me himself. I hope this isn't something new I'll have to deal with.
"A charger?" He looks skeptical.
" There's a long cord that humans plug into their wall that allows their technology to remain full power. But... they may have had a transportable charger with them if they worked for the company." He continues to feed me and I have no choice but to eat it as he does.
"Hmmm... if you saw it would you recognize it?"
"Probably." I don't want to oversell myself in case I happen to fail.
Kesstar nods before looking back to the small booklet and flipping to the back. A neatly folded up paper slides out, falling on the surface of the desk. It takes everything I have to not try and snatch it from him before he's able to pick it up. "What are you?" He says to himself, once again pulling something important out of my view. I notice his eyes widen and a sharp smile crosses his face.
"Oh...ohhh..." He laughs to himself darkly before laying the paper on the table.
"Tell me my little prey, this looks like a map of what you call the compound... yes?"
He's right. It is. Tod should have never been carrying that out on a mission. He would have been fired if found out. But now, seeing that he's probably dead anyway, it really doesn't matter. I stare at the blue paper. Only the main floor is shown. I wonder if any more maps are hidden inside the book.
"Yes... it is." I carefully reach out and he surprisingly allows me. I flip it over, finding the second floor on the opposite side. Tod had made notes and alterations to the original it seems. His want to always improve seeming to have gotten its way into his mapping as well.
"Do you know where in the building these are meant to show?"
I think I've figured it out. I really wish I didn't. He's going to attack the compound. With his guards, an army, I don't know. But knowing him, it will be brutal. I consider lying but he'd find out eventually and the later he figures that out the worse it'll most likely be for me and my apparently very breakable body.
"The main and second higher levels. The level you were kept on is missing here...and the 4th level, same with the 2 basement floors." My shaking finger points to the small labeling on the corners of the page that references their meaning.
"Of course it is." Kesstar groans, more frantically flipping through the booklet trying to find what he may have missed.
I just stare at the map, imagining all the workers on each floor. All the workers Kesstar and his kind will most likely rip to shreds. I gulp. They'll kill them all.
"Is everything alright Anne?" My chin is grabbed and forced up so I'm staring into Kesstars golden eyes.
"I...I..."
"What is it?" His slit pupils narrow even more.
"You can't... no... you, I..." I'm struggling so much. Every way of saying it I consider ends in the same imagined way. Kesstar becoming angry with me and punishing me as he usually does. "Are you... are you really going to do this?"
"Do what?" He sits up a little straighter, his other clawed hand settling on my waist. The claws playfully stroking my skin.
"You're... you're going to attack the compound... aren't you..."
He frowns, sitting up to his full height. All I can do is stare up at him as he holds my small, broken, body in his lap. "I will not lie, I have more plans than just a simple attack, my little one. It will be razed."
"But..."
"Are you really considering arguing with me again?" His hold tightens, claws pressing into the skin, threatening to spill blood.
I sadly shake my head in defeat, looking away from his dangerous gaze. "No..."
"Those humans... they're a disease..." His voice is slow, the words thought out. "They take and create without remorse or thought. They've ravaged the forest, our people, and even you." His tail gently strokes against my ankle that had been broken not that long ago. "A threat like that must be removed for the good of all. They deserve no remorse." The coldness of his voice chills me to the bone. He strokes my face with a gentle hand. "And it seems they will not stop trying to stamp us out."
"The search party they sent?" I stutter.
He nods. "Do you truly believe it was the last one?"
"I don't know... I never knew them to be this aggressive for a lost cause..."
"How is their cause lost? They wanted me to have you... to breed you. I may not have done it there, but... they know I have you, from there it's not too difficult to piece together the details."
I grab my stomach in terror, my heart skipping a beat. "They... they're coming for me... not you..." My head begins to spin.
"They will not have you." He growls, pulling me into him tightly. "And you are far too smart to run now." He nuzzles his face into my neck, his kisses making his bite mark warm and tingly.
I am not. Already I've begun to piece together ideas of how this place works and where I can go. The problem is, it's taking too long. I'll need help if I'm going to ever escape.