Page 78 of Truthful Deceptions

Cleo shot me an intrigued look. “Purr? Like Old Earth cats?”

“Yes, it's kinda wonderful,” I said. “They are amazing cuddlers. They think humans like to sleep in big fluffy nests. Honestly, after having a nest, I can't go back to a regular bed. You're gonna love it.”

“Nests?” she repeated with a laugh. “That's cute. Tell me more.”

I talked about all the security we'd needed on Ortheema Station and all the gifts they'd literally tossed at me. It was clear by the end of my story that she had doubts.

“No one likes humans,” she argued. “At best we're tolerated.”

“I've heard there are some thriving human communities in the Ilgorian Federation,” I said.

“But we don't have any firsthand evidence,” she said. “The idea that the Ugarians let us live among them might be a myth.”

“I know,” I said. “But I'm firsthand evidence that Talins like us.”

“As pets,” she pointed out.

“Sure, as pets, but highly valued pets,” I said. “Even if some Talin owners don't realize their humans are smart, they still want to shower them with gifts. I had dinner with a bunch of important Talins in their government. All six of them were enthralled by a simple game of rolling a ball back and forth with me.”

“That's weird," she said. “When you first said pet I thought it was some kind of weird sex-slave thing, but they really think of us as pets?”

“They aren't encouraged to have sex with each other,” I said. “I can guarantee that having sex with us wouldn’t even cross most of their minds.”

“But you've had sex with them?” she pressed.

“One of them,” I corrected. “Tolly. His full name is Tolreum, but I call him Tolly. They all have long names. Lexarit, Mieshorum, and Narmuna are the other members of the crew and equal owners of the ship and business. Mieshorum is back on Ortheema Station taking care of Sloane. We'll be going back there next.”

“Sloane sounds like a human name,” Cleo said.

“About that,” I said with a shake of my head. “I might have tried to run away on a Marper station, got sold to a Vicpor, met a human woman named Sloane, then was rescued by Tolly and the guys.”

Cleo burst out laughing, then groaned. “Damn it, Opal, don't make me laugh like that. My bladder is the size of a pea, and I just peed myself a little.”

“Sorry about that,” I said with a grin.

“Now explain that whole story with a lot more detail,” she demanded.

“Opal!”

We both turned to see Irga hurrying down a perpendicular hall toward us.

“Irga! it's good to see you,” I said.

“I heard the news that your captors came back and you escaped them,” he said “I'm so proud of you. They returned here to kidnap Cleo next, didn't they? Don't worry, they'll be punished. You're both safe.”

Cleo started laughing as I cursed under my breath. Damn it, this was all my fault.

“Come on,” I said, tugging on our joined arms. “Change of plans. We're heading to the brig.”

Chapter 24

Tolreum

“We should’ve planned for this,” Narmuna said. He was sitting on the only bench in the cell with Lexarit sitting next to him. They were both surprisingly calm, but I couldn't stop pacing.

“This is all a misunderstanding,” Lexarit said. “When Opal finds out we're here, she'll explain to the authorities and we'll be set free.”

I turned to face them, sounding an angry rattle. “Except we stole her! Even if she has forgiven us, it was still a crime. This could ruin us!”