Digging my nails through the earth, I scraped aside the dirt and flowers to toss into a heap.
If I couldn't help Elgress another way, I could at least try to make her pit.
After birthing, she filled it in and moved to another patch of dirt for next time.
By the time all the available places were used up, the afterbirth would have been absorbed long ago to make the flowers flourish.
It was such a a shame she had to have them here.
Being drawn to a place like this wasn't the most ideal thing. Still, it was better than finding them tracking their way back to the shithole I knew she lived at.
There should have been another way. Maybe a trip to a nicer plot of land or camping out in more open fields where the babies could find themselves in the future with their own children?
They couldn't have families here, and I would be damned if one of them ever walked through those doors to get a job here just to be close to this hole.
Instinct was instinct. I couldn't prevent it.
Scraping and smearing more dirt over my plain shorts, I focused on the pit.
I didn't have a lot of time if Lorrie came looking for me again.
Like I suspected, she had turned up not long after Elgress had left, possibly just to check if she was there again while taking interest in my well-being after our drinks.
Still, she hadn't lost interest in me after deliberately scaring her and eating rats in front of her. It didn't seem like anything deterred her, unfortunately.
She was becoming annoying, but there was nothing I could do to change that.
There was a nice dip in the dirt to indicate where the pit should be.
Smiling down at it, I clapped the dirt off my hands and tried to flick the chunks from under my nails.
Another shower wouldn't hurt. I could scrub up my dwindling supply of rats and fill my stomach before Elgress returned.
I needed to look up how to make bread and butter pudding. It was far more ambitious than I anticipated, but I wasn't about to back down from giving her something she desperately needed to fill the hole in her stomach.
Crawling back along the tunnel, I carefully replaced the back of the cupboard I checked outside of before climbing out.
Walking through the dark room, I slipped back out into the hall.
I froze up when I saw Levi standing by my door. Seeing me over by the cleaning room instead, he smiled sheepishly.
Why was he waiting for me?
Coming over to close the distance, he dropped his voice at my side.
"Can we talk?" he almost whispered "in private?"
What was this about?
"Come on" I pressed a hand into his back to nudge him towards my room I opened up for him to shuffle into.
Locking the door, he looked to it and then to me nervously.
"Habit" I apologized and promptly unlocked it.
He nodded, unsure of where to stand or sit in an area that didn't belong to him.
I went to the bed to sit on it. Patting the place beside him, he slowly sat beside me.
He looked too nervous. His heart was racing and his body burned brighter than his normal cool simmer.
"What's up?"
His eyes flicked up to mine then down to his clasped hands.
Oh. Was this about the gay rumour we started about he and Luke? That worked fast.
Still, I had to keep the surprise off my face. I was just surprised he came to me, of all people.
"I saw you."
I smiled, unsure of what he was saying.
"Saw me what?" I chuckled back.
"In the...office."
His voice got quiet. Instantly, my smile dropped and I hardened at Levi.
"I try not to look, but it's kind of hard when you've got two flames..."
He clasped his hands, cringing under my glare.
"I want to know if you are ok" he peered up at me.
"You're seeing things" I deflected "there's hundreds of lights around here. Any one of them...."
"Tawn" he sighed out "I see just like you. I know it's you. Bruce uses you. We all see it."
Fuck! Why did I think that something as shameful as that would be only mine to witness? Why didn't I think of the most obvious fucking thing watching me when I was too focused on everything else?
I said nothing.
"It's happened a few times" he explained nervously "I just didn't think he'd do anything like....that. So, I thought I'd come to you."
Glaring, I kept my mouth shut.
What could I say? He has seen everything. The way I was bent over the desk. Every greasy thrust Bruce forced into me. The show I put on to tease him into cumming early.
Fuck. Why now?
"Tawn..."
"Why come to me now?" I narrowed my eyes, searching for answers and ways to make him doubt himself "why not earlier?"
"Well..." he looked away, ashamed "I saw how bad it was and the way you tried to get away. I haven't seen all of them, but Silera told me it happens quite often."
That damn fucking snitch.
I glared up at the blaze towards the sky, hoping she could see my anger aimed at her. Other oblivious ones were spotted around her, doing tasks or lounging around.
"She said you are doing it for food."
"What else is she fucking telling you!" I snapped back, feeling myself rise up against Levi as he shrunk down "when I take a shower? When I sleep or eat?"
"Bruce isn't the only one" he winced.
"FUCK!"
Levi jumped, inching back so there was space between us. I was already on my feet, hissing and pacing as I tried to figure out how to save my arse.
"Look, I get it" Levi's eyes darted for the door "she's nice. I'd do it too if I were you."
"Fuck!" I snarled as I kept pacing, knowing exactly what Levi was telling me.
He fucking knew! He knew everything!
He has seen it and said nothing. Nothing!
"Fuck me, Levi!" I groaned out to him, my eyes threatening to tear up "why couldn't you just stay out of it?"
He was pressed to the wall, looking guilty.
"I like you. I want to make sure you are safe."
"Well, I was, until you told me all that!" I threw a hand out towards him before gripping my own forehead again "fuck!"
He knew. He knew everything. All the snakes knew. They saw me being fucked by Bruce and switching the roles with Elgress every month.
Fuck. They knew.
"Is it... bad?" he grimaced back.
"Is it bad?" I chuckled at his stupid question "what do you think?"
Would they talk? Obviously they had been talking amongst each other if Levi knew all of this.
He said nothing. Suddenly, his fingers were of more interest.
"I'm sorry" he mumbled "I was worried about you so I came here."
Worried about me? Or just trying to get more information?
I could hear the pain on his trembling voice. Looking over, he was trying to hide his own tears through a bowed head.
Shit. The poor kid was hurting. I saw it in the way he tucked himself up into that wall to try and hide his hammering heart.
"Look, i'm not ok" I breathed out and came over to sit beside him, resting a hand on his shoe "thank you for checking in on me, but it's all a bit much for someone as young as you are."
"I'm nineteen" he raised his head, scowling over his knees he hugged "I'm not a little kid."
I chuckled again, shaking my head at his defensiveness.
Well, he wasn't going to drop it. I had to make sure he at least was on my side before I let him leave this room.
"Tell me what you know then" I spoke up "I'll listen. I won't get mad."
He didn't look convinced. He side-eyed me, making me smirk at his defensive antics.
"Promise?"
He held up a pinky finger. I took a look at it and let out a little laugh.
"I thought you weren't a kid?"
"Yeah, well, I don't want you to hurt me" he admitted.
I was a little hurt at the confession but could see the reason why he thought that way.
Sticking out my pinky, I twined it around Levi's to squeeze it a little.
"So, I've seen you going to Bruce a few times, but I got told that the times you go to him and the shipments of rats are always around the same time, so we guessed it was about food."
"Right..." I nodded, neither agreeing or disagreeing. Just making a statement so he knew I was listening.
"You are also having sex with Elgress, but nowhere near as often as Bruce. She doesn't have a fire like the others, so we all know she isn't the human she says she is. Silera says that sometimes births fire too out in a spot only you and her go. I haven't seen that, but she says that the boxes you get the rats in are the boxes you use to put them in."
The heat from the rats was always soaked into the cardboard. That, along with the urine and shit smears. Unfortunately, this fortnight's box was too damaged to use. I'd have to hope for a cleaner one next fortnight.
"Right...."
"Elgress takes them away and you start it all again with Bruce and her."
"And that's it?" I asked now, hoping it was.
What else didn't he know about my life I had been trying to keep private? If he knew, the others knew.
He nodded, looking up to me.
"My dad wants me to relearn Heshier, so I don't lose my 'roots'" Levi started, rolling his eyes "he's all about being a man of the house and all the traditions."
I sat there, listening. It was only fair I learned something about him when he already knew everything about me.
"I like a boy" he admitted "and my Dad is a huge homophobe. I don't think he knows I exist. We don't really talk. I've only seen him a few times and I'm too embarrassed to say hi."
I smiled, surprised the fake rumour was true.
"So you and Luke are a thing?"
"Not Luke" he shook his head, glancing "you'll laugh."
Not Luke? Then who?
"Ezra?" I guessed.
"The one I like is not a snake" he mumbled, growing embarrassed "my Dad will hate that too. He wants to keep the bloodlines pure with more scales."
I nodded, even though I didn't suffer from the same problem. I did understand the desperate need to hide something close to your chest so others didn't judge.
"I like Vinnie."
I choked on my own spit, coughing.
"Vinnie?!"
"He's funny" Levi burned brighter "and talented. Plus, he's only four years older than me."
"You like Vinnie?" I asked, making sure I had heard it right "bartender Vinnie? Gay as anything Vinnie? Honey, Baby Doll, Darling Vinnie?"
Levi smiled at my disbelief and nodded.
"I think he's cute."
"He's obnoxious" I stated.
"He's funny" Levi bubbled "and he's a good listener."
"Only if he wants something from you" I replied "he's not a great guy."
Levi glared, hissing at me.
"Why haven't you gone to see him?" I asked now "I never see you down there."
"I don't drink" he stated simply, burning again "I think it would be weird if I went down there and asked for water. He'd laugh at me. Plus, I don't think I could anyway. People are saying I like Luke because I got caught kissing him in the room out back."
What?!
"I wanted to kiss Vinnie" Levi mumbled now "and when I asked Luke if I could with him, I wanted to make sure I was good for Vinnie. I think Luke got a bit into it..."
He wrung his hands in shame, looking to me again to judge my reaction.
Honestly. I was stunned. That and a little surprised at how much my emotions were being taken on a rollercoaster ride in such a small amount of time.
"So, Luke thinks you like him?"
"He was really into it" Levi groaned "and I don't know how to tell him he was practice for someone else."
"I wouldn't word it that way" I said as I moved closer "just tell him you don't see him as a partner."
"We work together" Levi muttered to his legs "we share that room when we aren't on stage. He's everywhere I am. I don't want to ruin our friendship and make it weird."
"I'd do it sooner than later" I insisted, placing a hand on his knee to get him to look at me "if you leave it, it'll only get worse."
He sighed, mumbling agreeance.
"He's going to find out if you start talking to Vinnie. Its best to tell him before you find out like I did that he's been watching you."
Levi lowered his head shamefully again.
"Sorry."
"It's bound to happen" I shrugged it off with a sigh "It's on me."
I should have been more careful. Maybe make my pathetic deals somewhere else or put where it was warmer so it would blind their senses.
"You should be able to tell someone" Levi started "it's not right."
"Technically, it is" I spoke back "I let him do it. Hell, I even tease him a bit most times. I give him permission so I get fed. It's technically all consensual. There's nothing anyone else can do, even if they wanted to."
Levi frowned, biting his lip as he searched for an answer.
"Still, there's got to be..."
"If I want to get fed, that's what I do" I replied a little more firmly now "he's probably got it written in the contract somewhere that he can do it. Just make sure you don't fall down the same hole I did."
Levi forced a little smile as he looked up at me sympathetically.
"You can't just bite his dick off?" he chuckled a little.
"Seriously, I wish" I snorted back "but there'd be nothing there. He's small."
I stuck up my pinky and wiggled it. Levi eyed it, grinning as he tried not to laugh.
"It's ok" I smirked through my own laugh "these things happen."
"It's just..." he tried to find the words.
"Shit?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. It is" I agreed.
"Well, I'm here for you" Levi smiled at me "Luke too. And I'm sure Silera and Ezra will be the same. We'll help you out where we can."
I returned the smile, feeling his kindness warming my cold scales.
"Thanks."
"Any time" he nodded, turning to me now "do you... Need help with Elgress?"
Blowing out a breath, I leant back.
There was no hiding anything from him.
Still, it was nice to actually talk to anyone about everything without having to be so secretive.
He knew, but he didn't judge.
"There's a pit out the back I'm making for her" I jerked my head towards my closet "but I don't want her having them there."
"Makes sense" Levi nodded "I figured it was another room or something by the way you were crawling around."
Smiling, I accepted being caught so easily.
"You can't just take her somewhere else?" he questioned "my mum and dad did that when they had me. Again, 'traditional'."
I heard the sigh and saw his eyes roll again. Still, there was nothing wrong with a tradition like that.
"She's got a bit left to go. Still, I can't take her from the show. Bruce will know something is up. If he sees her giving birth, it's all over."
Levi agreed, scowling.
"She uses them for money. We don't keep them."
"You don't?" he looked stunned "but then, why do it? You don't want a family?"
My gut clenched like I had been punched in it.
"Of course I do, but she doesn't" I mumbled now, feeling ashamed of our different opinions on such a big subject "and I'm not going to force that on her, but some days I do wish I could be out there with her, like my parents are."
Levi listened quietly in interest. He didn't leave my sight once.
"You never mention them. I thought they were dead."
Chuckling, I shook my head at his silly assumption.
"One day, I'll find them again" I told him "one day I'll leave that box and just walk out the doors. Me and Elgress; we'll have our lives sorted."
"One day" Levi sighed with me, smiling at the thought "maybe one day I'll be able to show off a boyfriend proudly to my parents and not have to be scared of liking boys. But, that's one day."
"Mmm" I agreed, nodding.
We sat there in silence, just watching the thudding lights flit past the door and around the building like blood trying to circulate a body.
"One day could be today" I nudged him with my arm.
"I'd like to live to see thirty at least" Levi laughed back "it won't be any time soon."
My heart sank for him. I truly felt sorry for the kid and having to hide who he was.
"Maybe you'll find your kids out there?" he glanced to me.
I shook my head, forcing a little smile.
"I don't think so. It's her decision what she does. I..." I hesitated, swallowing down the anxiety forming in my throat "...honestly, I.... don't think any of them would be alive."
A dealer who worked out of a white van with tinted windows wasn't going to give anything of mine a filled life. Elgress told me how they weighed each one and inspected any abnormalities like they were picking the best from a litter of puppies.
She got paid and I never questioned it. I just pushed it out of my mind until now.
They probably were used for testing or sold off for organs. Either way, I wasn't seeing any of those babies as anything more than a bitter dream.
"Well, I hope you have them one day."
I felt his hand rest on my knee now and looked over to his comforting smile.
"I don't agree with it, but if it helps you, I'll help her."
I saw my eyes start to blur and felt the burn stinging at the corners. Wiping them, I pushed the forming tears away.
"You're a good kid."
"Hey! I'm twenty!" he bit back, smirking "you aren't much older than me, you know!"
It was funny to see him trying to fight something so childish. I just patted him on the back and got to my feet.
"I'm going to grab something to eat. You want one?"
He leant over to see me pointing to the bathroom where the box of rats was. Glancing to me, he quickly declined the offer.
"I'm not that wild" he wrinkled his nose "although, if I told my dad I ate a rat today, I think he'd have a heart attack from joy."
I laughed and left Levi so I could dump the plughole in and turn on the water.
"I'll leave you to it" he decided, getting up now "hey...."
I looked over to him at the door.
"...thanks for the talk."
"Anytime" I grinned back as I fished for a matted rat to hold up "sure you don't want one?"
"Im sure" he giggled back, leaving the room.
Still smiling, I dumped the rat under the water to start scrubbing at its coated fur.
It squealed and thrashed as it clawed and tried to bite me.
A fighter.
Feeling the surge of excitement snap through me, I let it get in a few more bites around the fleshy part of my thumb before it was soaked enough to wrap my fangs around the wretched thing and stab into it's bony body.
It thrashed harder, making me snort at the thought of it thinking it had a chance. Clenching, the blood spurted against my cheeks and bones stabbed straight out of the crumpling body.
Staring at the bedroom door Levi had left through, I smiled at how the kid had held himself up against me, despite coming in so timid and afraid.
He was a fighter too. Maybe, just maybe, I'd have a kid just like him in the future.
Grinning, I sucked up the fleshy tail and crunched on the gristle within.
It was comforting to know he was on my side when there was so much outside these walls trying to end me too.
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmQW8C7DnS
"Tawn!"
Levi waved me over when I finally left my room after washing the dirt and blood from myself.
He ushered me to the little nook where Luke already was, giving me a polite wave.
"Have you seen the newest conspiracy video out?" Levi sat on the ledge and moved over for me so I could slide beside him "you'll love this one."
He pulled out his phone, swiped through his messages, and settled on one from none other than Vinnie.
I have him a look after seeing the thumbnail being one of our posters with everyone's eyes coloured over red and pointed into that of something evil.
He only sent this recently too. He must have been bored while out eating with Elgress.
Still, I was passed the phone so that both boys could lean in close.
"Is this the one that says we are all here to eat the customers?"
Levi nodded, laughing.
"Yo, I got it too!" Luke pulled out his own phone to scroll and show the same thumbnail.
His was sent from someone with a gecko symbol next to their name. It wasn't Levi.
Pressing on it and turning up the volume, I was instantly met with a man walking around the empty car park out the front.
Double-checking, I saw he had been here two weeks ago.
"Tonight, I'm going to show you something that only comes from fairy tales. I'm going to show you proof that Paragon" he tilted up to the sign on the side of the building "is full of animal hybrids that are used to hypnosis you so they can eat you."
"What a load of shit" I scoffed and went to give the phone back so I could leave, but Levi held a finger up as he scrubbed through the video.
"Ok...here! Here!" he pushed it back excitedly "it's us!"
The camera was from the angle of the crowd, up high in the VIP's. With the drinks and food in the bottom of the frame, the guy was trying not to be obvious with his recording.
There was nothing against recording the show, so I didn't see why he was trying to make it out to be some convert operation he got this footage.
The only forbidden thing was flash photography. Not only because it blinded most of us but because it burned the senses of the snakes that already had to deal with the same intimidating wall of fiery heartbeats I only saw every show.
Bruce may not like me, but he didn't want to look like a fool. He only forbid it because it would rattle his prized snake star.
But for the crowds, it was so it simply didn't distract the performers. Just a little lapse of judgement. They had others patrolling to make sure no-one was dumb enough to ignore their only rule.
"It's too realistic to be prosthetics" the guy muttered as he zoomed into Luke and Levi playing away, grinning.
The video cut to a younger Bruce on stage. This has to be right after Avery got his wings cut. He had his hands up, telling the crowd that everything they saw was fake and part of the show. It was all wires and plastic.
It cut to me in my cage. I felt my gut clench being put on the spot, but all he did was zoom in on my flaking scales and mutter about how plastic couldn't do that.
"He's a nutjob" I snorted as he panned around the dancers, focusing on any hybrid ones he found that rushed out so we could disappear for the second part of the act.
Suddenly, he was up at the roof.
He got a snippet of Ezra's head glinting around the lights. It then rushed over to capture two dogs talking to each other.
"If it's all fake, how come they have to wear the masks too? They aren't even being seen up there! And its got to be hot around those lights. It's a health and safety."
"Fuck me" I groaned in annoyance.
"You got to wait for the good part" Luke leant over "he gets up there to test the temperature himself. He finds Silera."
Instantly, I felt my gut drop.
"She pretended to be an animatronic" he giggled "it's kind of funny just seeing her there with her mouth open and him shitting himself. Oh! And then!"
"And then Balae made her gak gak gak noise and he ran out of there!" Levi added excitedly, laughing "he runs like a little bitch! Look!"
The video focused on the pale tops of eggs Silera was wrapped around. Standing behind them in the darkness was Balae, staring right through the camera.
The guy was afraid. Hell, even seeing Balae stare into my soul from the depths of the darkness had me unnerved.
Then, she started making the gunning noise. The guy almost dropped his phone as he ran, screaming about being shot at.
Luke and Levi laughed as the camera shook when the guy ran. He made his way across the platform, down the ladder and to the corner of the next ladder. Here he peeled back a price of the sheet metal to climb out onto the lower roof outside and use the edge of one of the poster boards to help himself slide to the ground and run again, scaling the front gates while Balae gunned nearby to keep him moving.
I looked in the direction the guy had gone, then back to the video of him sitting in some dark room, rambling on about how he barely escaped alive.
"Come on" I muttered to the others "let's go check this place out."
Levi grinned and stopped the video while Luke was instantly up.
I led the way with the two others close beside me. Levi pulled out his phone again, tapping on it excitedly. Luke pulled his out to activate the flashlight as I slipped us down the side of the seating area to follow the hall there.
We passed a door that was a communal meeting room. The more unhinged birds used it often, usually sat around a table to place shady bets with other hybrids and bitch about people they hated. I avoided the place since it felt like i'd be the one getting judged if I made myself known there.
Passing it, we continued onwards. There was another door that usually held more cleaning supplies and chemicals. Moving along, I reached the back corner where a single ladder stretched upwards.
I started to climb. I heard the metal rungs behind me as both boys followed up. Huddled together on the landing, I saw it stretched around the side to another door that lead into a room under the top landing.
"I think that's the rearing room" Luke muttered when he saw me eyeing it "it's got no windows and is perfect for having a family in until they go on their own way. I'm sure one of the dogs was going to use it."
My eyes lingered. Maybe it'd be a good area for Elgress too? Not too far from the show but still dark enough to keep newborns concealed.
I'd keep it in mind.
Leading again, I climbed up.
Instantly I felt the temperature change as I rose. The cooler air grew warmer and wrapped around me like a comforting blanket
Any sapped energy seemed to return when I let the warmth run through my cold body that waited at the landing.
"Aw, yes!" Levi exclaimed as he pulled up "it's better up here!"
Luke remained down on the landing, inspecting the wall beside him.
"Found the gap?" I called.
He shook his head, crouching now to scrape at the edges.
I left him to hunt for that so I could turn and see Silera watching me from her corner.
Her eyes glinted in the dark when she saw us gathered. Her massive body coiled on itself so her head could rest perfectly on top to keep watch.
I saw silvery feathers fluffed out around the top and smiled as Balae lifted her own head to click a greeting to us. The Shoe Bill didn't move.
"Tawn, it's been a while" Silera flickered her tongue to make sure it was me "what brings you up here?"
Her head extended and bent down towards me when I closed distance between us.
Pressing my forehead to hers, she was satisfied the intentions were not malicious. It was a wild greeting even parents used on their children to show they loved them. On friends and strangers, it was to signal kindness.
Levi stared, unsure of what to do.
"Do the same" I nudged him towards her head still bowed down.
He did so, confused on the greeting and the way she tasted the air around him too.
"There's a video" I started "from some guy..."
"DeBunkeringTheTruth" Levi butted in, searching for it "he's a conspiracy theorist and doomsday prepper."
"He's got footage of everyone. There was a part where he came up here and then escaped through a gap in the wall" I explained.
"Yes" Silera nodded "when he didn't greet me, I thought he might have been one of the others until I saw him talking to his phone. I know we aren't supposed to attack the guests, but he found my eggs."
That's what interested me too. It was the first time I had heard or seen Silera brooding. How was she able to keep a whole clutch up here without Bruce knowing about it?
"May I?" I bowed my head again.
She pressed against it and let me walk around to her side where I had to climb up her looped body to be met with Balae's splayed wings across the clutch.
"She keeps them warm" Silera smiled and nuzzled Balae's head that dipped and nuzzled back lovingly "she gives me everything."
Balae moved a little so I could get a glimpse of the white shells underneath. Rotating and fluffing up, she made sure they were adequately covered.
"And with the lights, its perfect" I noted them nearby.
Silera agreed.
"Where do they go once they hatch?"
"The hole the man left in" she replied "but with a human using it, I'm hesitant to let my brood leave that way."
"We've got another one worked on the other side" Balae spoke up now, pointing a hand out "down where Ezra is."
I looked down the walk to see him coiled on the opposite side, his scaled human upper-half resting over his own body. His eyes glinted back, letting me know he was keeping watch.
He wasn't nearly as large as Silera was since she was still the most wild of us all, but he still reached over any of the rest of us, even without legs.
By the colour of his black scales that striped almost blue around the top, and the way they lightened drastically towards the underbelly of his Naga body, I had no doubt he was venomous too.
He had to be the father. There was no way Luke or Levi were attempting fate here. He was also the only other wild Naga. Even Silera wasn't a Naga, but a Collosal. She had no human traits about her.
With so many interested males around, I could see why he was keeping so guarded.
One wrong move and he could charge straight down the walkway and strike.
"He helps me by giving me children and I help him by giving him a strong bloodline" Silera looked to him now, bowing her head.
He bowed back, otherwise unmoving.
I could see him basking in the heat over there. If I didn't have to perform, I would have happily joined him.
The sunshine outside sounded like a wonderful idea right now.
"How much longer?" I turned back to the eggs.
Silera leant close to Balae who rose so she could adjust them and test the temperature.
With her off and standing over them from Silera's body, I saw there were eight in total.
"Three days" she spoke over them, flickering and nudging gently before letting Balae thread through her long legs and splay out again "then we can start again."
I noticed her eyes on me.
"You do have strong genes too" she spoke now, slipping into Heshier.
I glanced to Levi who was still confused. Luke was climbing the ladder, grumbling something about the hole.
"You have Ezra" I replied, refusing to look at him now that I was mentioning him.
I knew he couldn't hear me from here, but it still has me on edge that she was suggesting this.
"What's she saying?" he whispered.
I waved him off, trying to focus on words Levi might not pick up on.
He was still learning, but from the way he vouched for me in Heshier yesterday, he had some understanding of basic sentences.
"We've come to an agreement that Naga's are not survivable. I don't have the body to keep them alive. Only wild ones will leave here. You are from wild blood, you could help me too."
I glanced to the ladder to see Luke lifting his head up. Levi left me to go to him.
"Elgress needs Nagas for her dealer."
"Dealer?" Silera lifted up in disgust "as doomed as they may be, no blood of mine is being handed over to a human. They die by my fang; quickly."
Killing of the weakest. It wasn't unheard of our there; although a little strange amongst more human living arrangements and rules. It gave the strongest ones more chance of survival to continue on the line.
Silera couldn't feed baby Naga as she was. Being half human, they needed their mother's milk and a lot more dedication.
Out there, maybe it would have worked somehow. But, someone would hear the cries of several newborns in here. It wasn't suitable to raise them in the rooftops of a burlesque theatre.
I wasn't about to take them either. It was saying that your blood wasn't good enough to continue if you looked to steal another. Being a baby thief strictly meant death amongst snakes.
I bowed my head to her.
"I didn't mean offense" I muttered to the floorboards "I'm looking for ways to help her. I haven't given her a Naga yet."
"Which is why you are perfect" Silera grew interested again "mate with me and I'll help us both out. You'll have your line and I'll get the strongest ones to hold dear."
Usually the males fought it out for that right. But that was when they had conflicting interests. Silera was the one making the decision. If Ezra disagreed, he'd have to stand against her, and he wouldn't do that. The females choice overruled the males immediately.
"I can't give up on Elgress. She's still got about twenty-five days."
"And I have three" Silera pressed "don't you want something you know isn't going to leave this place and be handed right over to a human to do whatever they want with? Mine will find their way to the fields and mountains where it is safe."
"But they are bound to this place" I grimaced "like mine."
Silera agreed.
"They may find their way back here, but it isn't suitable. They'll make the decision to bond to a better wilderness rather than concrete and glass. They can make their own home out there."
Could they really give up on basic instincts because the birthplace wasn't right? I still felt the pull to mine, but I knew it was safe.
If it wasn't, would they simply not be drawn back?
"Give up on Elgress" Silera leant close now "grow wild and twine with me, Tawn. There's other stars they can use. They will replace Avery; they can replace you."
I grimaced again and dropped my head. The thought of being replaced hadn't crossed my mind. I just thought I'd be performing the same tricks for the rest of my life here while trying to give Elgress her dreams.
I crushed my own for her. But, I couldn't see myself with Silera either.
I dedicated my life to Elgress from the moment we were paired together. She'd be crushed if I cast her aside.
"She's got choices" Silera spoke "out there, in here. Ezra will give her Naga. Luke and Levi are young, but young males make for good maters."
"What did she say about me?" Levi piped up "I heard my name."
I dismissed him again, making him grumble.
"He's enthusiastic" Silera added "he'll be quick..."
Wrapped around Elgress, pumping into her as she shuddered against him...
"I don't want to think of that" I groaned back and held up my hands to stop her "she wouldn't want that."
"If you don't like Levi, maybe Luke?" she smiled "he's raring."
Instead of Levi making Elgress gasp, it was Luke. He tightened around her and fucked her quickly while muffling her pleas for more...
Just like I did....
Snapping with a hissing breath, I billowed up at Silera. Her head rose up from me before she bared her fangs and snarled back.
I heard Ezra moving from the other side of the roof before it thundered under his charging body.
Silera slapped down her tail to make him halt on the other side, ready to strike.
Luke and Levi backed up, confused on the sudden change in attitude between us.
"Ezra is protective" Silera noted with a proud smile "and he'll give her the Naga she needs. She'll be pleased with him."
But, in all ways, Ezra was getting the short end of the stick. He was going to have his Naga children eaten up here and all of them sold off down there.
The only upside was that he contributed to the ones that Silera would let survive.
I felt sorry for the guy. He really was trying as badly as I was.
"You'll trade Elgress for me" Silera spoke, in English this time.
"What the fuck did you tell her?" Levi hissed to me now he understood.
Ezra was stunned and shrunk down.
Used and cast aside, essentially like I was.
I wasn't just going to swap Elgress like that. She meant more to me than anything. She would be so upset if I did this to her.
I remained silent, slowly tucking away my hood as I simmered.
"Just make sure you find something or someone to board up the hole near the ladder" I told Silera curtly as I turned "that's all we came here for."
"I'll see you soon, Tawn" Silera replied with a smile on her voice.
I ignored her and got the other two to go down first so I could come behind them to the landing.
Eyeing the wall, I could see where Luke had peeled it up when he found the hole Silera used.
It definitely was sizable. The cheap wallpaper flapped against the breeze, showing the way clearly.
"She'll find someone for it" I told Luke and Levi as I ignored it too "she's got Balae."
They descended, with me not much further behind.
"Are you going to do it?" Levi asked up to me.
I pretended I didn't hear him, still boiling at the images dancing in my mind.
"Dude, leave it" Luke warned him "that's his mate."
They gathered off to the side at the bottom of the stairs to wait for me. Luke activated the light again to sweep away some of the darkness.
"Not a word to Elgress" I warned them now "I'll sort it out. If you see or hear anything more, text me the links."
I held out my hand for Luke's phone. Handing it over, I quickly added myself as a contact.
"Add me too?" Levi handed his over.
I narrowed my eyes at him but did so, making him smile. Grabbing out my own, I started to add Vinnie's into my list before he saw and grew flustered, snatching it back.
"It's for me" I soothed him "she's out with him and I want her to meet me to talk over everything."
"Don't telling them" he dipped into Heshier.
"Not pronounced that way" I let out a little chuckle as I got the phone back with the rest of the number "I'll help you."
He smiled at my use of the language, understanding the small sentence.
"No messaging me at night" I told him firmly as I slapped the phone back into his hand "no silly memes, no checking in. This is only to keep the Bunker guy off our backs."
"DeBunkingtheTruth" Levi replied, nodding "I'll subscribe so I can keep up to date."
"And I'll let you know if he posts online" Luke added "I'm on a few sites he is."
"Good" I grinned back "keep me in the loop, ok? Watch yourselves too. I need a moment. You two go ahead.
Luke ushered Levi away. I watched the light bob up the hall then turn into the large wave that was around the stage.
Sinking against the wall, I felt everything inside twisting in turmoil.
My legs grew weaker. Sliding to the floor now, I turned to my phone for support.
I just stared at the screen. I couldn't bring myself to swipe up the messages. The background was of us standing together on stage in our costumes, young and smiling brightly. I didn't have the heart to change it. There wasn't anything else to change it with. We hadn't taken a photo together in years.
What if I messaged her and she said yes? What if she thought I was going to betray her and blocked me?
She knew I wanted this. I told her every time we had sex. And every time she brushed off the thought of us being what we used to be. She thought it was a little joke.
I wanted things she didn't. She did it for money, I did it for her.
I couldn't just not tell her. I'd be too torn seeing her so obliviously continuing her life while I gave Silera many new ones.
And what if I had ones like me? What if they were all like me? I wouldn't have anything left. With Elgress, at least I knew every life was accounted for.
Fuck.
I was too selfish and stubborn to even think of Ezra being exactly what she was looking for.
He'd give her what she wanted in one month that what I had been trying to give her for years.
Just thinking of her swarming with the Naga's she yearned for made me realize how worthless I was to her.
Over and over I was disappointing her, but she kept coming back to try one more time.
I was a disappointment.
Swiping up, I hovered over Vinnie's number.
Elgress had her phone at home and he was with her. He'd be better to call so I could talk to her.
My heart clenched when I heard the whirring of the phone as it tried to connect.
It cut out and there was silence on the other side.
"Yello."
What an odd way to greet someone. I scowled at the phone.
"It's Tawn. Where's Elgress?"
"Tawners!" he cried out in surprise, quickly dropping his voice "oh, she's sleeping at the moment."
He was whispering. Was she beside him?
"How'd you get my number? Are you stalking me?"
He was making it all into a joke. Anything I said wasn't serious, as usual.
"Look" I started through clenched teeth "I'm not in the mood. Wake her up. I need to talk to her."
"I....can't do that."
Anger flared up.
"And why not?"
There was a pause and a little groan as he tried to find a way how to tell me.
"I'm kind of....under her?"
His voice peeled up. My fury burst forth.
"What the fuck are you do....?!"
"It's not what you think!" he whispered back, squeaking "chill! chill! She told me about the whole thing. She needed someone to keep her warm. Her words, Tawners, not mine. I'm trapped here until she warms up. She's freezing."
She was too cold. If only she was back here where I could help her. I couldn't hold her like he could, but at least we could find warmth together away from everyone else.
And she told Vinnie, of all people?! What was she thinking? The guy couldn't keep a secret. And she told him everything. Now he knew she was a snake, pregnant with my children.
Fuck me. Could it get any worse?
I grumbled through my frustration. Vinnie decided now was the best time to start eating.
The rustling of paper cut down the phone. His lips smacked as he chewed through something soft.
"So help me, I'll fucking strangle you if you take another bite" I growled.
The rustling stopped and I heard him frantically chewing so he could swallow, apologizing.
"What do you want to tell her so bad?" he questioned, groaning "damn! The drink is down there..."
Was he even listening to me?
"Put. Her. On!" I snapped down the phone.
There was rustling and banging. It stopped as Elgress groggily moaned into the phone.
"It's me" I spoke back "how are you?"
"Ti...ed" she slurred "but...." she yawned "...good. Vinnie's here."
"I know" I grew sour at his name "I have a solution for your Naga problem."
Another pause. More rustling. Somewhere nearby Vinnie cried out at being moved.
Was she sitting up now? Was he away from her?
"What is it?"
She was rubbing her face. I could hear it through the phone.
My poor Elgress. I wanted her to be here, sleeping soundly against me. I'd keep her safer than Vinnie ever would out where she lived.
"Silera suggested...." I took a breath to steady myself "....Ezra. She wants a swap."
"Vinnie, move!" Elgress hissed to him, readjusting herself "she what?"
She hadn't heard me? Was he listening in?
"She suggested we swap. She's ready in three days and wants me instead of him."
"Did you tell her to go fuck herself?" Elgress replied, sounding like she was aiming it elsewhere.
"Well, I wanted to run it by you."
Another pause. I heard Elgress smack her lips.
"You wanted to ask permission?"
Her voice was cold. I shrunk under it digging down my head.
"No! I wanted to let you know about it all. I don't want Ezra coming down and you not knowing why. I care about you."
Another lip smack. She was pissed.
"You know, if you want to fuck the giant snake in the roof, you do you" she growled back "and I'll deal with the other one when he can't get any."
"Elgress" I moaned back "it's not like that. I don't want to give you up."
"So I'm property now?"
Fuck me! Why was she being so pissed at me?
"Of course not! Elgress, I love you. I wouldn't do that to you!"
"Well, maybe you should."
My mouth hung open, ready to fight back, but was too stunned to speak.
"I'm sorry" she breathed back, hissing out a breath "I shouldn't have said that."
"Is that... how you feel?"
My chest felt like it was being sucked into a black hole. I didn't know she was so unhappy with our situation.
She cried to me last time and I just assumed it was something else.
"Are you not happy with me?" I asked.
She remained silent. The lack of answer was killing me more than if she just got it over with.
I could feel the knife in my gut twisting. My eyes glazed over with tears.
"I hate my situation" she bit out "it's going to hurt and I'm dreading it."
"Well, you've got Vinnie there. Use him as a heat pack to keep the babies from wriggling about too much" I chuckled, trying to hide the pain and distract her.
"You're pregnant?!" I heard Vinnie scream out, slapping his hands on his mouth that muffled a drawn out grunt.
"Vinnie said he knew everything" I babbled, panicking now "I thought that meant..."
Elgress sighed, grunting while Vinnie was whispering something to her.
"He didn't know."
"I fucking called it!" he cried out smugly "I knew it! Oh my God, I was right, you bitch!"
Anger reared its head again. Vinnie always cheekily called everyone names, but with myself hurting, I was sensitive to Elgress being called such a thing.
"I was thinking of telling him anyway" she mumbled while he still celebrated in the background "I already told him about the other thing."
"And you trust him?"
He was still carrying on, demanding payment for figuring out 'i had a head.'
Elgress gave a little laugh and sigh.
"He is a good guy under it all."
I smirked, snorting.
"Way, way down."
She chuckled back, sighing as he finally seemed to quieten.
"He's going to stay with me tonight to make sure I don't freeze."
I felt myself smiling, knowing that she was going to be warm and comfortable.
"We are getting ice cream and watching movies!" Vinnie shouted in the background before suddenly being right in my ear "I'll take care of her!"
"Don't forget the ingredients for the bread and butter pudding" I reminded her.
Vinnie moaned at hearing that.
I couldn't hide the laugh at how dramatic he was being.
"What a catch! A good cock and good cook!"
I could feel Elgress burning through the phone. It only made me smile wider picturing her.
"Vinnie! Stop!" she mumbled to him, obviously embarrassed.
"I don't mind" I grinned back "you have fun. I was only checking in and letting you know what's going on."
"Tawn" her voice rose a little before I could end the call.
"Yeah?"
"About earlier..." she mumbled "I'm sorry. It's not you, honestly. If you want to, then I'm not holding you back. It might be good to....you know, see what our other chances might be after this?"
"To get you Naga?" I breathed now.
She made a little noise in agreement.
"Silera did say he would be a better match. I just don't want you to feel like I'm just using you and tossing you to the next guy."
Elgress gave a little snort.
"You should be feeling that about me, not the other way around. I'm the one using you."
"Hey" I smiled back as my gut stopped trying to wring itself "I'm yours any time you need me, you know that."
Another little noise.
"Are you embarrassed?" I pried now, grinning.
"She's bright red like a di..." Vinnie whispered into the phone before he was shoved away, laughing.
"See you when you get back?" I shook my head now, grinning.
Vinnie was trying to say something but it sounded like Elgress had her other hand over his mouth. She grunted while he struggled to pull away.
"I've got to go. Talk to you later."
With a squeal from Vinnie, the phone hung up.
I still had the smile on my face when I stared down at the black screen with our faces on it.
Instantly, a message slid down from the top by an unknown number.
It's Vinnie. Save the number. I got you saved as the snake icon with a cute party hat.
He put in the exact ones he meant. I snorted at how he had come to that sort of conclusion.
Another message.
Opening it, I saw a picture of a snake reared up and wiggling on the spot as the background violently flashed rainbow. It was also wearing a party hat.
It's you.
He threw in a nice red heart after his message.
As wild as Vinnie was, he really did make me genuinely happy from his antics. It made me forget about everything else I should have been stressing about.
Saving his number, I put my own symbols next to it.
Grinning, I pulled back up our conversation.
Should I dip down to his level? Play these childish games?
Fuck it. It was funny.
Got you saved as a beer bottle and someone panting their nails.
I sent across the icons to instantly get another message back.
That's champagne Darling, but nails sounds like a great idea! I'll give Elgress the whole French Tip tonight.
A winky face.
I knew he was joking but a part of me did feel threatened by even suggesting he'd do that to her.
Maybe I was overreacting? As long as she was pregnant, I was going to be checking every shadow and innuendo carefully to make sure there was nothing malicious hiding.
With Ezra now lined up, I was hoping he'd do the same for her and not just be done with her after they mated.
I'd have to lay down some ground rules. He probably had a few for me too.
Pocketing my phone, I turned to climb back up the ladder rather than leave it for later.
I could hear Silera moving before I even reached the top. She smiled and lifted up as I saw how smug she looked.
"I'm only here to lay down some ground rules" I told her, coming close to press foreheads once more.
"Oh, so you accepted my offer?" she grinned.
I saw Balae still on the eggs, trying not to be involved. She played on her own phone, the volume indicating it was one of those obnoxious colour matching games.
"Not here" she said, waving a hand "hiss away."
Hiding a laugh, I decided Heshier was the way to go to save her ears.
"She agreed, but I want to make sure Ezra is kind to her. Not just a typical male."
"Oh, he's quite attentive" she beamed back, signalling him now "he'll always keep a watch over her. She will be carrying his babies, after all. She's precious."
I grimaced at the sound of it. Already I was worried about her under his grasp.
Until she birthed mine, all of the other snakes had to be treated warily. Males usually killed what wasn't theirs so they could have a clean slate with their new mate. Ezra would protect what was his for the next three days and I would do the same for another twenty-five.
It felt greedy having both while he only had to watch from afar. Until she got her money, i'd remind Ezra where his place was.
Luke and Levi wouldn't get involved, but I couldn't rule them out either. They may have lingering eyes.
Ezra pulled up at the end of the walkway, looking between Silera and me.
Balae lowered the volume of their game and promptly turned her back on us.
"Tawn has agreed" Silera leant over to touch her head to Ezra's.
"Well, i don't" he grumbled back, powerless to change anything.
"I wanted to make some rules" I spoke up, instantly offending him.
He rose up, huffing and baring his fangs. I returned the gesture, snapping back.
"So you come in here, steal my mate, and have the gall to demand what you want?" he snapped back, folding his arms "you stars are always throwing your privilege around, aren't you?"
"Now, now, Ezra" Silera nudged his face when he slithered to her side and twined his tail around hers "don't you have anything you are concerned about?"
"You can't bite Elgress" I butted in first before he could speak "she's already shaking because of me. She'll only get worse with you."
Ezra took this personally, hissing.
"Balae stays with Silera" Ezra looked over "without her, the eggs don't stay warm. She is the real mate; you are only spare parts."
Trying to hit me where it hurt. I took the blow but didn't verbalise the deal. It wasn't valid unless we both agreed on each term.
"Elgress needs somewhere away from here to give birth safely. You have to find that for her."
"Deal" Ezra agreed instantly "Silera doesn't leave here. It's safe, warm, and protected where others can't get to her."
That was more than fair.
"Deal" I nodded back.
"You aren't to kill any of my children" he scowled, peeling his lip back "that is up to their mother. You aren't entering this area until the last one leaves."
"And the same goes for you. Elgress still has a lot longer to go. Until she has them, you aren't mating her."
"Deal" Ezra nodded slowly and sternly.
"Deal" I followed suit.
"Silera only leaves the roof to hunt. You need to go with her to keep her safe and help with the kill. She prefers the fields further out of the city."
"They're quite bountiful" she added happily.
"I'm bound to the building" I argued to them both "I can't make that deal."
"The only thing stopping you leaving the gates is you" Ezra bit back "she hunts or you do it for her."
He glared until I submitted with a nod.
I had to find a way out. I wasn't dragging dead animals back in here to rot in the rooftops.
"She hunts" I sighed back "deal."
"Silera needs to brood continuously. You'll answer to whatever she needs from you so the chances are high."
That probably meant multiple matings to make sure she had a large brood. It was all about numbers with wilder creatures. Not every life made it to adulthood.
I wasn't even sure how it would work between us.
Still, I wasn't going to deny it. I'd figure out a way.
"Elgress doesn't want a family. She takes the babies to do what she wants. It has already been decided."
"She's faulty" Ezra sneered back "no, I'm not agreeing to that. I'm not leaving my mate for some broken female."
"Elgress is not broken" I rose up, snapping at Ezra.
He did the same, closing distance between us so he could look down on me. I kept my glare focused on him, flashing my markings to show him I was serious about attacking if he did.
He was already curling his body on the floor around me, ready to snap into action if I moved.
"Why would I doom myself for you or her?" his breath shook before this eyes looked down at my legs "you're both defective. And if I have a defective mate, I should make the decision on my babies."
"She needs them to pay her rent."
He rose further, puffing and snarling, his hand wrapping around my throat to show dominance over me. He didn't squeeze or apply pressure but just let me know I wasn't in a position to bargain. His nails pressed into the front of my throat.
The area around me grew smaller as his body moved in.
"She births them, I make sure they find freedom."
"She needs Naga's" I told him "they're the most valuable."
"This is not a fair deal" he warned me, digging his nails in.
I latched onto his arm and pricked his scales with my own nails, baring my fangs.
"She only needs Naga" I repeated firmly "you can have whatever is left."
Elgress wouldn't like that at all. Every life was money to her. I could be giving away her whole paycheck just so that Ezra had some sort of fair treatment in our agreement.
"She gets the Naga and the weak" he leant close, searching my eyes for any signs of betrayal "I keep the rest from her to release. I will guard them with my life if she tries to interfere."
He'd get violent. Elgress would have no chance against him. And if he struck her...
But, he was acting on desperation. I couldn't make the trade she wanted without giving Ezra something of worth. His bloodline was more valuable than any mate.
"Deal" I finally spoke.
"Deal" he growled back as he released me and relaxed his body on the floor "we'll continue this arrangement until the females agree they want to return to us."
Elgress would see after one session with Ezra that I was far more lenient than he was. After her first birth to him, she'd want nothing to do with him or his aggressive ways.
She'd get her big paycheck and finally be happy. Maybe she'd have enough Naga to never have to give her body up again?
"You can't bite Elgress" I returned to the first clause, determined on sealing it before I left.
"And Balae stays on the eggs" he scowled "I'll agree on the females making the decisions if I know Balae will be safe up here. She's Silera's mate. You can't separate them."
"I'll deal to that, but you didn't say you agreed to not biting Elgress."
Ezra hardened, glancing to Silera.
"If I'm mating her, I'm going to bite her."
I shifted uncomfortably, knowing full-well I did the same thing when my mind was only focused on her. Unlike me, he didn't have fake fangs. His were still flowing with venom.
I had to stand my ground on this. Elgress could lose her job if the shakes became too unbearable. Shed suffer her whole life because of it.
"Find something else to bite or get defanged. I'm not agreeing until you have a solution."
Instantly, the atmosphere changed between us. Defanging was the ultimate humiliation. A defanged snake wasn't even a snake anymore.
No mate would want something that couldn't protect or provide for them. Suggesting such a thing was saying I didn't see Ezra for his worth, and it coming from an actual defanged snake was downright degrading.
"I'll find something else" he muttered bitterly "deal."
"Then we have our rules" I smiled coldly to him "I'll be back after the hatching to start the process."
He scowled and watched me leave. Silera looked pleased with the outcome, returning to her coil while I focused on getting the hell out of there and back to the cool safety of the hole in the cleaning room.
Climbing through and digging my nails into the dirt again, I was determined on deepening the pit and gaining favour from Elgress before I would be forced to deal with her wrath.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
