Page 31 of Primal Bond
Finn forced his face to stay blank, to project the image of a docile, well-trained slave.
They’d find what they needed. They’d make their move when the time was right.
Then Rivek wouldpay—
Finn's attention snapped back to the present, his nerves jangling with alarm.
A Borraq was approaching their table.
Chapter fourteen
The newcomer was tall, even by Borraq standards, but lanky, with an aura of casual cockiness that set Finn's teeth on edge. Beside him trailed a human, eyes downcast and shoulders slumped in a way that screamed of long-term submission.
"Zanik, I presume?" the Borraq greeted, a toothy grin splitting his face. "I've heard of you by reputation. I didn't know you kept pets, too."
The newcomer’s grin widened, and he took a seat opposite Zanik, gesturing for his own human to sit by his feet. The slave moved without needing to be told, eyes vacant. Finn couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy mixed with disgust.
“I’m Yaren,” the Borraq introduced himself, his tone dripping with delight. “Quite the surprise to see Zanik, the great smuggler lord, indulging in entertainment such as this.”
“It's a recent acquisition,” Zanik replied, his hand moving to rest on Finn’s shoulder. The touch was light, but grounding. “Thought it was time to diversify my assets.”
Yaren chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. “Smart move. Humans are incredibly versatile. You just need to know how to train them properly.” He leaned back, his hand absently stroking his slave’s head. The human didn’t react, face completely blank.
Finn’s stomach churned, but he kept his gaze steady, focusing on Zanik’s calm demeanor. This was part of the plan. They needed information, and Yaren seemed more than eager to play the role of the benevolent teacher — if Zanik played his cards right.
“I must admit,” Zanik said, his voice carefully neutral, “I’m still learning the ropes. Any advice would be appreciated. You look like a man who knows how to properly train a pet.”
Yaren’s eyes gleamed with delight. He clearly loved knowing more than someone as prestigious as Zanik. “Of course, of course. Humans are quite simple once you understand their psychology. Positive reinforcement works wonders, but sometimes a… firmer hand is necessary.”
Nope. Don't need to hear this.Finn tried to tune out the conversation, but it was impossible. Every word Yaren spoke felt like a blade twisting in his gut. He glanced at the other human, but the man didn't even give a sign that he was hearing anything at all. What had this poor soul endured to end up so broken?
“Take my pet here,” Yaren continued, his hand moving to the human’s neck. “Completely obedient, aren’t you?”
The human nodded mechanically, the motion devoid of any real emotion.
Finn’s fists clenched, hidden from view. He focused on Zanik’s hand on his shoulder, the slight pressure a reminder that he wasn’t alone in this hell.
“Interesting,” Zanik said, his tone betraying nothing.
Yaren’s grin turned predatory. “Ah, and once you have them as well-trained as this, that’s where the real fun begins. They can be relied on to do anything, with the right incentives…”
Yaren’s grip tightened on the back of his human's neck. “The real fun,” he said, leaning in with a leer, “is when you offer them a choice. Get them to beg for the lesser of two evils. There's nothing quite like hearing a human slave eager to use their pretty little mouths on you, knowing they’d do anything to avoid something worse.”
Finn’s breath hitched, his body tensing. Memories he’d tried to bury surged to the surface. He was back in that dark, stinking cell, Urlek’s voice echoing in his ears.Beg for it, human. Show me how much you want it…
His mouth had been dry, his throat raw from screaming and crying. He’d forced himself to his knees, looking up at Urlek with eyes that burned from unshed tears — and he'd begged for it.
He’d done it because he knew the alternative. If he didn’t make Urlek use his mouth, he’d be taken in ways that left him in a far worse state. It wasn’t desire that had driven him to beg — it was survival, pure and simple.
But the shame, the utter degradation of hearing those words come out of him, had left scars that were hard to heal.
As Yaren continued, his laughter like nails on a chalkboard, Finn felt the room start to spin. The walls of the club faded, replaced by the suffocating darkness of his cell. The voices around him became distant, a hollow echo, as his mind slipped back to that place of helplessness and violation.
Finn’s breathing grew shallow, his vision tunneling as he stared blankly at the floor. Zanik’s presence beside him was a faint, distant anchor, but it wasn’t enough to pull him back. He could hear Yaren’s laughter, feel the heat of shame and dehumanization seeping into his bones.
I’m just a thing. Used. Thrown away.
Broken.