With some relief she recognised the corridors. The drone was taking her to her wraithy friend. Friend, sure. As friendly as a snarling monster can get.

This time he didn't scare her as she entered the room. He was standing in plain view in front of the window, his back turned to her. The drone left, the door closed once again and she remained standing in the middle of the room, waiting for something to happen. Nothing happened at all, both remained where they were and he didn't even gave the slightest sign that he had acknowledged her appearing.

Oh, come on, do something. I'm feeling like a scared idiot here, she thought impatiently. Finally she walked forward and stopped beside him at the window. She forgot everything that had troubled her and she opened her mouth in awe. A majestic nebula unfolded before her eyes, its glorious brightly-coloured swirls expanding widely in every direction. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen and she wanted to cry. Then she felt his hand on her waist and the magic was gone.

"You have got work to do," her reminded her.

"Work?" She replied and couldn't quite hide the sadness in her voice.

"Undress me," he ordered her. He had said it gently but it was an order nevertheless. Swallowing her tears she opened his heavy leather coat with the same indifference she would have shown to her own clothes. With curt, mechanical movements she took off his bracers – making an effort not to touch his feeding hand – and his coat. When she pulled up his shirt she got a closer look at his tattoos again. The artist inside her couldn't help to admire the intricate patterns, they bore a simple but compelling beauty. Hesitantly she touched his skin and traced the outline of a tatto which covered his chest. She felt observed once again and found that he was looking at her with a strange, distant expression.

Averting her gaze she continued to pull his shirt up, over his head when he returned the favour and began to undress her and pulled her down onto the bed. As she had expected he still handled her roughly and this time she couldn't suppress a whine, she was still sore. He stopped in mid-thrust and she felt him enter her mind. He lingered on her pain shortly then he cut the telepathic link. Shifting his weight onto his left arm he placed his feeding hand on her chest and she twitched nervously.

No, not again. But instead of the tormenting pain she felt soothing energy surge into her body, finding her injuries and healing her. She sighed and relaxed and without a word he removed his hand and continued his pursuit of relief and ecstasy. When he was done and had released her from his weight she got up and gathered her clothes.

"You do not wish to stay?" he asked with a tinge of surprise in his voice.

"I assumed I was free to leave," she answered in resignation. He got up and put a hand on her shoulder. "I could order you to stay," he reminded her, showing his pointed teeth on purpose.

"You didn't order me to stay yesterday," she shrugged.

"You are upset," he observed. "Why is that?" He laid both his hands on either side on her still naked waist. "Did I not treat you better than you deserve? Do I have to remind you of your own status instead?" He squeezed hard so that his claws left marks on her skin.

She couldn't hold back the tears of cold fury now. "You don't have to remind me of my status. Your commander reminded every single worshipper on this ship of the Wraith's superiority today."

He let go of her and stepped back. "He is not my commander, he is scum," he snarled. "I know what you are talking about. He has killed a female worshipper, has he not?"

"She's not dead yet but no Wraith will help her." She buttoned up her shirt angrily and turned her back on him.

"She will be just another worshipper who died fulfilling her duties, she is easily replacable," he hissed.

Already standing at the door she swirled around and glared at him. "She isn't just another worshipper. She has a soul and a name. Her name–" she spat "is Ella. And if she is like me, like every worshipper on this ship, that would make me easily replacable too. See? It doesn't really matter if I leave now."

He charged at her with stunning speed, right hand poised to kill her and stopped a mere fraction of an inch in front of her. She wasn't able to move and she found that she didn't even care anymore, she had chosen her fate.

But he did nothing. Finally he lowered his hand and backed away. "Leave," he growled. As she walked out she heard him calling after her. "What are you called, human?"

Looking back over her shoulder she said calmly "My name is Kala." Then she left.