The Primal Hunter

“The only thing you have done I dislike is acting like a robot,” Jake shut her down as he motioned for her to get moving. She looked like she wanted to say something more, but Jake’s insistence made her stay silent. He saw her skittering hands as they moved, even if she tried to hide her apparent nervousness.

Thoughts of just abandoning this serious talk went through his mind several times, but ultimately he knew he couldn’t back down. He would have to sit down and discuss with her at one point or another.

Entering the living room, Jake made Meira sit on the couch as he sat across from her. His mask was already made invisible, and he looked at her as she just stared at the floor. Jake knew he had indeed made the mood accidentally mirror that of a firing or scolding, but in his defense, he wasn’t exactly comfortable doing this either.

“When I said you have to attempt to join the Order or find an alternative before C-grade, what did you think I meant?” Jake asked her first thing.

After a brief pause, Meira responded in a quiet tone: “Change my current status as a slave and become free...”

“So, at least we both understood that the same,” Jake nodded, happy at least that got through. “Now, why do you think I want this to happen and even set a deadline?”

“Lord Thayne has no need or desire to have any slaves,” Meira answered, still meek. “And… I became one unintentionally… so… naturally, Lord Thayne wants to correct this error, but in a way he finds acceptable.”

“Right so far. I don’t want any slaves, not you, not anyone,” Jake did clarify. Seeing Meira look hurt that he stated his dissatisfaction with having her be a slave felt so bloody weird to Jake, but he soldiered through. “But where I think we have a breakdown of communication is what do you think this change of status means for you. What do you think will happen?”

Meira, for the first time, looked up at him.

“I… if Lord Thayne possibly… if… I don’t know,” she finally confessed, tears almost in her eyes.

“Me neither,” Jake shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. “Which begs the question. What do you want to happen? The fact that you stop being a slave is non-negotiable, but no one says that has to be a bad thing.”

Meira just made a weird face as she seemed to try and understand what Jake was getting at. Like he was fishing for an answer. Sadly for her, Jake truly did just want her to make the choice of what she wanted to do herself.

“I won’t get mad no matter what you say you want to happen. What you want me to do with your future? Where do you want to see yourself in ten, a hundred, or a thousand years? Again, you can speak freely. Any desire is valid. I swear that I will consider what you want no matter what.”

Jake really wanted her to feel like she could just say what she wanted. He has spoken as sincerely as he could, even going as far as swearing he would consider her words – something Villy had actually warned about doing, as oaths could hold real power, especially with Jake now being C-grade.

He hoped her words had worked as he saw her look up with determination in her eyes.

“I… anything?” she asked for clarification. “So… if I wanted to stay here with Lord Thayne even after joining the Order, would it be okay?”

“Yes,” Jake said, happy he had gotten through to her and allowed her to speak freely. “As I said, I will respect your opinion.”

“So, will Lord Thayne allow me to keep working for him?” she once more wanted him to clarify.

“I told you, yes,” Jake smiled, looking straight at Meira. “I do consider you one of the people I care about, and I will be more than happy to keep you here, but not due to some contract but your own free will. We met by circumstance, yes, but I am not one to just toss those close to me away.”

Meira looked at him for a bit with teary eyes before wiping them. She seemed deep in thought as she clenched her hands and stared at the floor, seemingly unable to meet Jake’s gaze.

“Can… could I maybe…” she turned beet-red as she stared intently at the floor, trying to gather her courage. “Would Lord Thayne also consider taking me as a…”

Jake got a bad feeling. “A… what?”

“If possible… when I am C-grade… would Lord Thayne also make me his mistress like the others?“ she said with much determination as she looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

That is when Jake realized he had perhaps allowed her to speak a bit too freely.