Chapter 33

Terah watched Konner walk away, he looked back at her three times. She couldn’t be sure, but he seemed like he didn’t want to leave her.

“Terah.”

She turned back to Olanna and Nolyn.

“He just worries,” Olanna said with an understanding smile.

“I think worrying is his unofficial position around here.” Nolyn grinned.

“I don’t understand.” Terah put her hand over her stomach; the tight feelings were back.

“Not only does he oversee everything with the businesses, but he’s put it on himself to search for more of us,” Olanna said as she started walking. She paused, and Terah realized she wanted her to follow. “But he worries about all of us here too, keeping us safe, healthy, our happiness...”

Nolyn nodded. “They say money can’t buy happiness, but he spends whatever it takes to make sure we have what we need.”

“He is a good man.” Terah looked from one to the other. “His team saves everyone.”

“That’s part of the problem,” Olanna said softly.

“That is a problem?” She was having trouble focusing on what they were saying, she was too hot again. She stopped and touched her brow.

“Come on, the pond will help.” Olanna touched her arm and motioned to the path again.

“The tub did not help.” Terah wasn’t sure what was happening to her. “I have never felt like this before.”

“Shaelan says it’s probably because your health was so poor when you were there.” Olanna looked at Nolyn quickly,

“So, it is good I feel this? My health is good now?”

“It is a good sign.” Nolyn’s smile was warm and friendly. “And it only sucks for a few days.”

“That feels endless,” Olanna added.

“When this happens, I can have babies?” Terah looked over her shoulder, wondering if Konner was all right. He looked very tired and those lines on his forehead were very deep today. She smirked, thinking of their talk about his tiny lines.

“Yes, but I wouldn’t advise trying for babies for a while.” Olanna gave her a quick look. “It’s very hard at first, our bodies adapting to pregnancy.”

There was something in her tone that made Terah want to comfort her. “You have lost children?”

Olanna nodded, “Raelyn and I both have.” She motioned up and down her body, “things have to be optimal inside and out to keep the baby.”

“What makes them optimal?” She said the word slowly, wishing for her tablet to explain what the word meant.

“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Nolyn admitted, “Shaelan says she’s on it and I believe she’ll get to the bottom of the problem.”

Terah nodded and walked along behind them. She needed to do whatever they told her she had to so her body was good enough to have babies. She put her hand over her stomach and wondered what it would feel like to have life inside her.

“Rule number one,” Nolyn said in a firm tone. “No one goes in the pond with you.” She looked over her shoulder to make sure Terah was listening. “They can come and talk to you, and visit, but only you are to go in the pond.”

“Yes. Okay. I swim alone.” Terah decided that wasn’t a bad rule, she was at least allowed to be in the water. Anything that allowed her to be in freshwater was something she could live with.

“And...” Olanna paused for a moment. “Sometimes it’s best if you stay in the pond when they’re visiting.” She made a strange face. “Emotions can be harder to control right now and we wouldn’t want you to...”

“Grab anyone and shake some sense into them.” Nolyn shrugged, a trace of a smirk on her face.

“That—” Olanna gave her a wide-eyed look “—and you will just feel better in it.”

“This pond is special?” Terah was sweating now and wanted nothing more than to strip off her clothes and walk naked the rest of the way.

“We have placed certain plants in the water and along with it.” She nodded. “It’s high in minerals and other properties that are helpful.”

“Okay, good.” Terah stopped and put her hands on her knees. She blew out a breath. “This is a very hot walk.”

“Oh, you poor thing.” Olanna came over to her. “First, let’s lose the jacket. You definitely don’t need it right now.”

“Shoes off.” Nolyn knelt beside her. “I can’t stand anything on my feet during it."

They started helping her strip the confining items from her body.

Nolyn stood up and looked behind them. “No one will bother us for a bit, you can take off the shirt too.”

As soon as the air hit her skin, she breathed a sigh of relief. “That is better. Thank you.”

“We know what it’s like.” Olanna took her shirt and hugged it to her body with Terah’s jacket.

“Yeah, it’s like you’re standing in a pit of lava.” Nolyn’s tone made Terah look at her.

“You do not want your body to be ready for babies?” She nodded that she felt well enough to walk again.

“I do.” She shrugged. “I just think it’s extremely unfair that the guys go through nothing but the fun part in having one.”

“The fun part.” Terah nodded, even though she wasn’t sure what that part was. “I don’t think I have felt the fun part.” She kept her feet moving, wanting more than anything to be at this pond that would make her feel better. “I tried to have babies three times and it didn’t work.”

Nolyn caught up to her. “Wait, they tried to breed you?”

Terah kept her eyes on the ground in front of her, the hot feeling was coming back. “Yes. It’s what they are doing.” She blew out a breath; her stomach was not happy with this heat. “Konner talked on his phone when we were in the vehicle before they chased us.” She would never forget how scared she was when she heard the metal crunching when they hit the other one. “He said that they want to make more of us to sell.”

Olanna gasped and hugged Terah’s clothes tighter. “I didn’t know.”

“All of the clans or just ours?” Nolyn was right beside her now, bending her head low to look right at her face.

“Yes. There are papers they found that tell them that.”

“Holy shit,” Nolyn whispered. “It makes sense now.” Terah lifted her chin to look at Olanna, who looked very frightened. “Why he’s so motivated to go back out with the team so often.”

“His team have found many.” Terah wanted to make them feel better now. “At the campground with Rayne, there are many that are free, like I am.”

Nolyn stopped and put both of her hands on her head, she stood that way, looking into the trees. Terah turned to see what she was looking at but could not find anything there. “I had no idea it was that bad.” She dropped her hands and looked at Olanna. “He needs to level with us adults and let us know what’s really going on outside of our—" she waved her hand to the trees “—safe haven.”

Olanna moved her head quickly to agree with her, “Yes, he does, but right now, let’s get Terah settled at the pond.”

Nolyn jolted and turned to look at her. “I am so glad you survived and are here now.”

The smile on her face was so real that Terah felt it inside her. “I am too.” She smiled at her. “I like it here. I like swimming in the lake and not in a glass tank.”

Olanna gasped loudly again. “Come on, let’s get you in that pond.”

Terah looked in the direction she moved her hand to see a large pond. Beside it was a small house that she thought looked cute sitting beside the pond. It was like her own private pond to swim in and a little home. She’d never really known what having a home was like.

“Go on, strip down and jump in. We’ll put your things in the cabin.” Nolyn held out her hand and it took a moment for Terah to realize she wanted the pants that she wore.

Taking them off quickly, she smiled at Nolyn and then turned and ran to the pond. Using her strength, she pushed off from the bank and dove into it. Immediate relief hit her as the water moved over her. She didn’t know what plants they used or what minerals were, but she hoped they had plenty of them.

Breaking the surface, she looked over to see the women standing beside the little house smiling at her.

“Is that better?” Olanna asked her.

Terah trod the water and moved toward the little dock beside them. “Yes. Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Inside there is a jug to mix the Biotrien in, drink plenty of it.” Olanna grimaced. “The hunger is never-ending, and it helps.”

“Biotrien?” Terah put one hand on the dock, so she could pay attention to what they were telling her.

“The green stuff we drink.” Nolyn smiled.

“Oh, yes, I will.”

“There are fish,” Olanna motioned to the pond. “And we’ll bring fresh stock a few times a day. You are going to be hungry like you never have been before.”

“Makes sense though.” Nolyn glanced at her. “Your body wanting to stock up for impending conception.”

“I know. I always feel like I’ve gained twenty pounds before the cycle is over.” Olanna laughed. “Then I sleep for two days afterward from gorging.”

Terah didn’t know what that was, but after the night of no rest she’d had, she looked forward to it.

Nolyn sat on the dock and looked down at her. “You really are gorgeous in the water. I know I don’t shine the way you do.”

Terah looked at her arm; it shone now that it was wet, the many colors reflecting in the light. “It wasn’t like this in the tank.”

“Good.” Olanna was on her knees now, next to Nolyn. “They didn’t deserve to see how you really are.”

Terah looked up at her, “I still can’t believe I’m free.” She looked at the pond over her shoulder. “My mother told me what it was like to swim free, but I didn’t think I ever would.”

Olanna put her hand over hers. “You are, and you can be sure that if there are more of ours being held, Konner will find them.”

“Yes.” Terah smiled. “And if there are boys, then I can check them off the list too.”

“The list?” Nolyn smirked at her.

“Yes, to see if they are my mate.” Terah pushed away from the dock and used her legs to keep her head above the water, so she could talk to them. She enjoyed talking to others that were like her.

“Oh.” Nolyn gave Olanna a quick look. “That’s why you’ve been swimming with everyone when Konner forbade it?”

Terah really wished for her tablet, so she could ask it was that word meant. “Yes.”

“You swam with Reeves?”

She studied her eyes when she said his name and wondered why there was worry in them. “Yes. He is not.”

“Okay then.” Nolyn turned to Olanna again before looking back to her. “Do you want us to stay and keep you company?”

Terah liked they were here, but knew they had other things they should be doing. “I am fine. I know you need to teach the children.” She smiled at Olanna. “And look after your greenhouse.”

Olanna stood up. “Okay, we’ll pop by later. Is there anything you want us to bring?”

Terah nodded. “Can you bring my tablet?” She glanced to the house. “When I am not in the water, I want to ask it words, so I understand.”

“Of course.” Olanna looked at Nolyn and nodded. “We’ll bring it when we stock more fish.”

Terah grinned. The idea of more fish was very welcome. She spun in the water and looked back in the direction they had come. “I hope Raelyn’s babies wait until I can leave the pond.”

Nolyn laughed. “I just hope they wait until Shaelan figures things out.”

“Yes.” Terah wasn’t sure what Shaelan was figuring out, but she was happy she was here.

“Something tells me she’ll be visiting you too.” Olanna nodded. “Shaelan, she’s testing out blood in all circumstances, and your cycle would be good data for her.”

Terah moved her arms and kept her body turning slowly, the water moving over her was soothing. “I would like to help her with her data.” She didn’t quite know what it was but knew that what Shaelan was figuring out had to do with babies.

“I’ll let her know.” Olanna smiled at her. “Enjoy your quiet time.”

“I’ll be back when the kids take a break this afternoon.”

“Yes. Thank you.” Terah watched them turn back to the path and then dove down to the bottom of the water. When she reached the floor of the pond, she stretched out her whole body and floated there, looking up at the surface. She could see the light above the water and thought it was the most peaceful thing she had ever seen. The movement distracted her, and she jerked her head to see a few fish swimming fast away from her.

Smiling, she righted her body again and started after them.