Chapter 3

A-me-lia

Amelia couldn't sleep that night even though she was living in luxury compared to where she'd slept before she came under Kaz'iliat's ownership.

She had her own room from the moment she stepped on-board her new master's ship instead of sleeping in a corner of a storeroom like she was used to under her previous owners. The bed was the first she'd ever slept in since becoming a slave that was even vaguely similar to what she had on Earth. It was comfortable and afforded her the opportunity to stretch out her entire body in relaxation. Not that she could relax even though she tried desperately.

What her master had said weighed on her. She wasn't a hunter. Amelia could barely stomach cleaning out and preparing what the yautja would bring to her let alone actually killing anything above the size of a fish. And he wanted her to do that.

Amelia stared at the ceiling with her heart racing. Even when she'd be trying to defend herself on that planet she never thought she'd have to kill anyone. But then Kaz'iliat came to her rescue when she'd almost been... She grimaced as the memory of what had almost happened followed by the brutality that followed assaulted her with its intensity. She'd never seen anyone actually murdered before. She'd seen the leftovers of the yautja's hunts but the actual act...

Her stomach rolled and churned, threatening to make her vomit as her mind then dragged her to the grotesque memory of the skulls she'd cleaned. When would that be her head being put into the vats, she pondered.

The door to her room slid open and disturbed her from the grim thoughts running in circles in her mind.

She sat up, pulling a fur pelt to quickly cover her naked body, as Kaz'iliat strode in purposefully while carrying the little metallic collar she had worn until they'd landed on the planet.

"Fixed it," he practically chirped at her.

"Fixed?"

"Removed the explosive charge. Tracker still working but no longer any fear of it detonating if you go too far away."

Kaz'iliat motioned her to stand. The young woman jumped immediately to her bare feet with the pelt still wrapped firmly around her body. The yautja gently slid it around her neck, careful not to nick her skin as he closed it. Amelia adjusted it so it sat more comfortably on her collar bone before noticing that her master was... petting her? She watched the strange unfamiliar look on Kaz'iliat's face as he'd taken hold of her bare shoulders and was rubbing the palms of his hands over her soft skin in circles.

He stopped when he noticed some bruising he'd missed when he'd healed her earlier that day.

"Hurt?"

She shook her head lightly.

"Then we can fix that tomorrow," he growled.

"Of course, master."

"Will be back at port in six cycles. You start training tomorrow."

Amelia blanched. "What training?"

"To fight. Different weapons and styles. Start small and see how it goes."

He turned to leave, stalling when Amelia carefully – and shakily - asked, "What if I don't want to do this, master?"

She ducked her gaze down to her feet, hearing more than seeing him return to stand before her.

"You must. Must learn to fight and hunt. Must be like one of us. Be as a yautja."

"I don't understand why I have to do this. I'm happy to just be a slave," she sputtered out.

His warm rough hands landed on her neck. Amelia half expected him to grab her more forcefully but was pleasantly surprised as instead he started to massage her neck with those large hands before running them over her skin and down along her arms. She almost melted into a boneless pile when he started purring.

"Stay a slave and you will not live long with the wrong master."

Amelia pulled the pelt up higher, cutting off his hands from her skin. "Would you kill me when I'm no longer useful?"

Kaz'iliat peered at her oddly. "It would be the yautja way."

She was vaguely disappointed as though she expected a different answer. "I'm not as strong as you think I am," she muttered instead.

"No. You are stronger. Sleep. Will start you off like pup tomorrow. Basics first."

Kaz'iliat left her to rest and strode off to his next destination which didn't take long consider his long strides.

He huffed lightly as he took his seat in the pilot's chair and got to work. After setting in the final course and reviewing the ship's calculations before allowing it to take control, Kaz'iliat meandered back to his own room and sank into the circular bed filled with pelts from his hunting exploits.

He pondered over the past few weeks as he stared at the metallic ceiling in the dim light.

Maybe this was a mistake but he had to try. Not that he could ever tell his young slave of his true plans for her. Not even Kao'uk knew even though Kaz'iliat had to beat him soundly in a challenge fight that had nearly gone to the death in order to win the human off him.

The hunt had gone better than he'd thought if he didn't dwell on the last day. He'd gotten some pretty good trophies including the head of a tolic the size of Amelia herself and even another slave to sell at the markets. The male appeared strong and capable of work. Being already castrated would only increase the price Kaz'iliat would get for the man. Arriving when he did to that beach and seeing A-me-lia struggle against two males of her own kind had only reinforced to Kaz'iliat that he needed to make her efficient at fighting and killing.

"A-me-lia..." he said out loud, trying to make it sound as natural as possible. Still had work to do on that. But he'd made a break through with the young woman. She didn't shudder at his touch anymore. He'd even more than once caught her sneaking a peek at him when she believe he wasn't paying attention. Tomorrow would be better. He was certain of it.