Chapter 22

It wasn't apparent I had been holding my breath until I let it out. Master Evan had come in and sprawled out beside me. He looked up into my face and noticed the tears. Before I could do anything else he had scooped me up and was walking toward Master Damien. I saw the rest of my owners coming toward us.

"Is it ill, Evan?" Master Damien asked under his breath looking down at me.

Before I could answer Master Evan quietly told him I had been making tears again. I was surprised they remembered the word.

"I'm sorry, Master Damien," I whispered to him, "another man touched me and it scared me. I don't like it when other men touch me. Please, make him stop, Masters."

Looking at the tent, Master Damien sighed and spoke. "That other man will be one of your Keepers when we are called out. We will return the favor by keeping their slave when they are unavailable. He will not harm you and he is permitted to touch you...when he keeps you."

"Now he just seems to