Close Remembrance

Chapter 1-3

Saret watched Mia leave, his hands nearly shaking with the urge to reach out and touch her.

Having her so close after her long absence had been torturous. The faint sweetness of her scent permeated the lab, and he hadn’t been able to stop himself from coming closer, from breathing it in. If she hadn’t left then, he would’ve done something stupid—like bring her toward him for a taste. And he wouldn’t have been able to stop with just a taste.

When he tried to analyze his own mind—like every mind expert should—he could come up with a dozen reasons for why he’d become so obsessed with her. First and foremost, she belonged to Korum. Even when they’d been children, Saret had always wanted Korum’s toys. His enemy had been inventive even then, altering the designs for popular games and creating something that was better than what anyone else had. Saret had hated Korum for it then, and he hated him now. Of course, he had never let it show. Korum’s enemies never fared well. It was far better to be his friend—or, at least, to act like one.

And Mia was the ultimate toy. So small, so delicate, so perfectly human. For the first time, Saret understood why her species kept pets. Having a cute creature to call your own, to stroke and touch at your whim—there was something incredibly appealing in that. Especially when that creature loved you, depended on you... She would make a very good pet, Saret thought wryly, with that thick mass of hair that looked so soft and touchable.

He was surprised Korum let her spend so much time away from him. Saret had tested him in the beginning, insisting that Mia put in a full day, just to see if that would convince Korum of the ridiculousness of having a human in a Krinar work environment. His nemesis was the last person he would’ve expected to treat a human girl as an equal. Sure, she was smart—for a human, at least—but she was also young and malleable. It wouldn’t take much effort to mold her into whatever he wanted her to be. Whatever she thought she wanted now—none of that really mattered. If she had been his charl, he could’ve easily convinced her to be happy with her role in his life, in his bed. There were so many amusements for a human girl to enjoy: all kinds of virtual and real-life spa treatments, pretty clothes, interesting recordings, fun books... And instead, Korum had her working nonstop. No wonder she still objected to being a charl. Her cheren simply didn’t know how to treat her properly.

Sighing, Saret went back into his office. All the mind analysis in the world didn’t change the fact that he wanted her. And soon he would be able to have her. He just needed to be patient for a while longer.

Turning his attention back to his task, Saret brought up a three-dimensional map of Shanghai.

China was next on his list.