Submissive by Anya Howard Page A

think we are good enough.” She sighed and added, “She said we are lazy, selfish. Can you believe that? Told me I have forgotten what I’m here for—as if anyone could forever care about those nasty prisoners. Then she got all worked up one day because Gina hit a girl, a Disciple. But the girl deserved it. She wouldn’t hand something over that Gina asked for. Those Disciples are not supposed to hoard, you know.”
    â€œWell, what did the girl hoard? A guy?”
    â€œNo. Some stupid trinket box she had asked the Ur’theriems to bring from her home on Earth. Claimed she’d had it since she was a little girl. But she has no need of such things. Gina liked it, and asked for it when the girl was under her keep. The girl refused and Gina slapped her. But the selfish sub deserved it!”
    Bruce shook his head, appalled. “No. I would say, how dare Gina. She is supposed to be a disciplinarian, not an extortionist.”
    Rose looked shocked. “That is very unfair to say, Bruce.”
    Bruce rubbed her thigh. “Get up.” She did so, but with the most devastated of looks. As he stood up, she sighed irritably.
    â€œWell, can’t you speak up for us? Madam’s made arrangements to have the Ur’theriems take us back to our respective times in two days.”
    He threw Rose an exasperated glance as she went on, “Not even for me? Why should I go back, and to where they found me—to when they found me?”
    Bruce shrugged, tired of the conversation. “You need to ask yourself if there’s some truth in what Madam says. Why does she claim you’re selfish? Fix whatever problems that made her come to that conclusion, and maybe she’ll change her mind.”
    Rose crossed her arms in a sulky way. “She says a lot. Mainly, I think, she knows I hate those Disciples, have for a long time. Clingy, needy females, you know. I prefer the company of strong women and mindless males.” She said the last with a crooked smile, but Bruce knew she was not altogether joking.
    â€œAnd you’re not needy with Gina? And she doesn’t cling to everything she can grasp?”
    She regarded him quietly. “That’s a stupid thing to say.”
    â€œMindless male, you remember.”
    Rose threw her hands down. “Oh, come on! You’ve had some fun with us, haven’t you? You don’t really want to see us sent away, do you?”
    He rubbed his hands through his short, dark hair. “Hey. You prefer to associate with what you call strong women? Then be one. You don’t need a man’s aid, then, if you are. And Gina, too. Why do you have to use me like this? Because you really do think of me as weak? Guess a strong man would just turn you over his knee and teach you to get your act together.”
    Rose shivered then, in anger so potent her face turned livid. “Oh, shut up!”
    She looked across the room then and her eyes softened a little. Turning, Bruce saw Gina standing in the doorway to the bedroom. She was already dressed and holding Rose’s clothing.
    â€œWe were wrong, Rose. Bruce has been around these other men too long. He’s starting to think all women should be subservient, half-naked Disciples.”
    She walked in and handed Rose her garments. As Rose dressed, Bruce took his last pack of cigs from the coffee table and packed it across his palm. He noticed Gina must have found his comb, for her hair was brushed out, glossy dark locks tumbling down over her shoulder blades. Her lively complexion had paled, though, and her eyes sparkled with cold indignity.
    â€œYou would believe all these fabrications on Madam’s part, Bruce?”
    â€œFabrications? I hardly think Madam would lie.”
    â€œSo, you believe them. And yet, you had sex with us.”
    â€œWhy not? Evidently, I mean nothing to either of you but what I can offer. A tumble in the sheets, a little departure from routine, gifts, and