Chapter 7

The next day, Orin made sure he was at Tasa's door at 0500 exactly. It was just before shift change, and he had about an hour where no one would be looking for him.

Tasa yawned and blinked when she saw him. "Orin?"

Orin chuckled. He was happy to see that her face was looking better. "Good morning, ladies." He swept in, closing the door behind him. "I brought you something." He set the bag he was holding on the bench. Both women hesitated, and he said, "Come on, don't you want to see your surprise?"

Tasa was the first to get to the bag. She dug her hand in and withdrew several fluffy baked goods. She smiled and smelled them. "These smell divine. What are they?"

"Pastries. People sometimes eat these for breakfast. Try one. You, too, Falda."

He grinned like a fool as they sampled the pastries, their smiles big. Tasa looked like she'd joined Sohva––the Larinu deity–– Herself, her eyes closed, and her lips parted slightly. She was beautiful, he realized again, and with that thought came one of protectiveness. He had to get her out of here so she could taste other wonderful treats.

With him at her side.

"These are amazing," Tasa finally said. She dug around in the bag and pulled out another pastry. "This is the last one. You should have it." She offered it to Orin, who just smiled.

"No, it's for you. Every last one," he said. "Split it with Falda. She looks like she's ready to fight you for it."

Falda giggled. "I might." They split it and giggled and closed their eyes and talked about how the pastry tasted, the flavors and texture and smell. It was clear that they rarely had such foods, and that pained him. Once they were out of here, they could have as many pastries as they wanted.

"So…we're going to practice more?" Tasa asked, her eagerness warming his heart.

"Yes. Let's move on to the next part, shall we?"

"Let's do it," Tasa said. She grabbed her mending and a needle and thread. "May I work while you're explaining things? Otherwise, the commander will get suspicious. We have certain quotas to meet."

Orin's mind reeled. "Quotas for mending?"

"There's just so much," Falda put in. She gestured toward the overly full basket at her feet and an identical one at Tasa's. "The fabric is very thin and easily torn."

"Evidently." Orin tried to put that out of his head—if he thought too hard on it, he'd get angry. And Tasa would feel it, and it would be bad. He took a deep breath and let it out. "All right, for the next part, we're going to do feelings."

Tasa gasped. "So soon?"

"Absolutely. I know you can do it."

Tasa's fingers faltered while making a stitch. "I…I was hoping to have more time to get used to the idea."

"Tasa, we have to move onward if you want to escape soon. And my time is limited. So, we need to just…do this. I'm sorry if you don't feel ready or are uncomfortable?—"

"My oath," Tasa said softly.

Orin put his hand on Tasa's shoulder. "Believe me, you are doing nothing wrong. You are defending yourself against those who wish to subjugate and harm you. And deprive you of pastries." He smiled.

Tasa chuckled. "You are so funny, Orin. Really."

Orin put his hands up apologetically. He did not want to move too fast, but glacial speed was not going to work. He needed a balance. "All right, try to make me feel fear." Orin took her hand in his. This time, she did not flinch. "I know you can do this."

"I don't know if I can," Tasa admitted. "I'm not sure I want to."

Orin chuckled. "It's just practice. You won't hurt me or anything. Just think of something that scares you, and when you feel fear rising in yourself, send it over to me. Easy."

"I believe in you, Tasa," Falda said from the bench.

Tasa wasn't sure, but she followed Orin's instructions anyway. She thought of her body being used for breeding, strangers' hands on her, and her heart raced, and her palms became wet with sweat. Her gut twisted. She took all those feelings and gathered them up the way Orin had taught her, then flung them in his direction.

And wanted to cry.

Was this what she had to do to be free? Impose her will on others?

"Dear Sohva, what has caused you such fear?" Orin asked. "It's too strong. Stop it!"

Tasa's heart lurched. "How?"

"Feel happiness or calmness and send it to me," Orin said, his voice trembling. "Now, Tasa!"

She closed her eyes and cast around for a happy memory. And found none…except when she had last seen the Aridian sun. She thought about that, felt herself relax a bit, and sent it to Orin.

"Much, much better," Orin said softly. "Very good, Tasa. I think you'll be just fine."

"But—but I hurt you!" Tasa cried, moving closer to Orin. She wanted to look into his eyes and apologize. His arms came around her and held her close, rocking from side to side, soothing.

"For a few moments, yes, but that's the point of this. To use your ability to defend yourself. It was practice, Tasa. I know you didn't actually want to hurt me."

"He knows and I know," Falda agreed. "Your heart is pure and true."

"She's absolutely right," Orin whispered. His breath was warm on her ear, and she shivered. "Why don't we try that again, but with less intensity?"

As her proficiency grew, so did her confidence.

She started to think that with Orin's help, she might get out of there after all.

And then the men came for her.