Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)

And...she’s changed the subject. I let it go for now. “Vipn live in the forests. They’re fast, with razor sharp teeth and saliva that can cause a nasty, hard-to-heal infection. Make a being delirious. Pack animals, protective of their young. But they do prefer to avoid Zandians, so if you don’t surprise them or make them feel you’re attacking their young, you can avoid ugly encounters.”

“Good fighters, you said before?” She raises a brow, smiling again. “Bayla said so, too.”

“Absolutely. They move with a conservation of energy that’s like a dance. So powerful.”

She remembers I called her one. Clearly. She’s checking to make sure she likes the comparison.

“I’m not poisonous, though.” This beautiful human looks at me and narrows her eyes.

I smile. “That remains to be seen.”

She rolls her eyes, but I know she likes my joke, a smile lights up her face.

“We’re here.” I take the craft off auto drive and park it outside the large, silver engineering dome. Glance at Domm.

He raises a brow.

“What is this?” Her whole body is alit with energy.

“A place where some of our best work gets done.” I open the door and take her hand, although she hardly needs it to get down the craft steps that automatically descend.

“And you’re letting me see it?”

“Some of it y

es. Other parts, no. As we discussed.”

“No, never?”

“No for now. The future? Up to you. How you handle this much.” I raise my hands. “You own your destiny, Mirelle.”

She grimaces and looks up at the sky, although—bright as it is with the full burning sun, you can see nothing but glare. if she’s looking for the stars, she’ll have to look harder.

“Domm. Lanz.”

Mykl comes forward, his dagger glinting in the bright sun. “We’re ready for you.” His gaze, as it passes Mirelle, is even. But the way he clenches his jaw betrays his unease. Not everyone is happy with our plan to rehab our little human.

“Mirelle, this is the dome leader, Mykl. You will obey his commands explicitly.”

She affects a bored look. “Got it.”

“He will show you the area you are to work for now. We are going to give you a chance to work in electronic repairs with another human. See how well you do.”

She frowns. “I assure you, I will do fine.” She leans forward, peering past Mykl. “In there?” She shifts from foot to foot. Darting her gaze all around. She’s wide-eyed, her whole body leaning to the dome.

Mykl’s voice is curt. “Yes. I will take you to the station. If you cause any trouble, I won’t allow you back.”

“I see.” She clears her throat.

“It’s set up?” Mykl steps closer to me. “The security protocol on her cuffs?”

“Yes. Mirelle, just to review: If you attempt to enter a forbidden zone, it will alarm and lock you to nearest wall. And your privileges will be revoked. Mykl will take you into custody. The king notified. Clear?”

Subdued, she nods.

A gnawing in my belly tells me this isn’t the right tactic to take with her, but I don’t know how else to give her purpose—let her start to build a life—and still be sure she won’t escape.

I know she hates being under someone’s control, especially ours. And it’s not like I especially like micromanaging any being. But for now, until we trust her, it’s necessary.