Hidden Rage: Kindred Tales

The Saurians seem to have more advanced technology than the Orniths, she thought, still looking into the sparkling toilet bowl. But their social practices couldn’t be more different. Instead of a matrilineal society, they are clearly a patriarchy. While the Ornith females rule the roost and make the rules on Avria Pentaura, the Saurians have a much different way of life…

Suddenly, she realized what she was doing—she was writing a little academic article in her head, comparing and contrasting the two different species’ cultures. Well, why shouldn’t she? She had already spent six months with the Orniths and now it seemed like she was going to spend at least a month—or however long it took for the Kindred of the Mother Ship to locate and rescue her—here among the Saurians. Why not make the most of a bad situation and gather as much data as she could about the lizard people while she was here? Then she could write an article when she got home about the two different peoples.

I’ll do it, Bobbi decided. But in order to manage it, she was going to have to get out of staying locked up in Dragon’s rooms all day. She needed to get out and interact with Saurian society to see how it really worked and understand the motivations behind the Saurians’ actions.

“Bobbi? Are you all right in there?” Dragon’s voice called from the other side of the door.

Bobbi jumped guiltily.

“Oh, uh, fine! Just fine!” she called back. “Just trying on these clothes!”

She shed the fur blanket and grabbed a piece of clothing at random. It turned out to be a kind of wrap dress in a silvery, dark blue color. It was made of some heavy, silky, cold fabric that would have chilled Bobbi to the bone if she hadn’t had some of the big Kindred’s warming blood, she was certain.

Quickly, she put the dress on and then tugged it closed, hoping she was wearing it correctly. The long sash wrapped around her waist twice, emphasizing her full breasts, which were very visible beneath the silky fabric. Bobbi really wished her nipples wouldn’t poke out so much, but it wasn’t like she could help it. The chilly air didn’t make her shiver or her teeth chatter anymore, but it still affected the more sensitive parts of her anatomy.

Still, what else could she do but go out? She couldn’t stay in the bathroom all day—not if she wanted to convince Dragon to let her out of the room while he was gone.

Making sure her sash was tied correctly, she opened the door and looked up at him.

“Well?” She made it a question and did a little twirl so he could see how the dress looked on her.

“Gods, you look fucking gorgeous.” His deep voice was hoarse as he took her in.

Bobbi blushed. She told herself she was just trying to charm her captor into giving her more freedom, but she couldn’t help the warm rush of pleasure she felt in her midsection when his bronze eyes went half-lidded in admiration as he looked at her.

“It was a good choice—that shade of blue suits your odd coloring,” Res. Tizlah remarked, coming to stand beside her adopted son. She frowned. “But what shall we do about your feet? They are so soft and small—you do not even have proper claws on your toes to protect them!”

“Oh, er…” Bobbi looked down at her small pale feet. She wore a size five shoe normally, but she hadn’t had to wear any at all on Avria Pentaura. There she had been walking on grass almost all the time and it was so warm, there was no need for shoes. But she had the feeling she would certainly need them on Saurous.

“I’m afraid she won’t be able to wear any of my boots,” Dragon rumbled. Stepping behind her, he put a foot beside her own. Comparing the two, Bobbi saw that his foot was twice as big as hers.

“No,” she said dryly, “I’m afraid not. They wouldn’t fit.”

“Wait—I think I have a solution,” Res. Tizlah snapped her scaly fingers. “Just stay right here—I’ll be back,” she said and hurried out of the room.

“Where do you think she’s going?” Bobbi asked.

“Don’t know.” Dragon’s eyes were still fixed on her new dress. “She’s right though—that color looks perfect on you. Makes your eyes look even bluer,” he rumbled.

“Oh, well…thank you.” Bobbi could feel her face getting hot again as a pleased rush of embarrassed pleasure swept over her at the way he was looking at her. God, she really shouldn’t feel this way about her kidnapper. What was wrong with her?

Dragon directed a penetrating look at her face.

“Did I say something to make you feel ashamed or embarrassed?” he asked softly.

“What? Why…why would you say that?” Bobbi demanded.

“Because of this…” Reaching out, he brushed one long finger gently over her hot cheek. “I’ve noticed that when you feel embarrassed or ashamed, your face gets almost as red as your hair,” he remarked. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you—I just wanted to let you know how beautiful you look, little feela.”