Tears of the Neko by Taylor Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

back, and he hissed
at the scent of Roman's return. Two rags and a small bucket of
water were dropped next to him.
    "Clean up," Roman demanded, clearly intending
to wait for him to obey. With agonized movements, Kayden slowly
obeyed, washing away the evidence of the man's abuse. Kayden was
glad that the pants were dark and would hide any bleeding that
continued.
    "Get some sleep," Roman sneered when he was
done. And Kayden slumped to the floor when he heard the door lock,
exhausted and in shock from the sharp pain spiking up his spine.
The tears flowed silently until he finally let himself fall
asleep.
     

Chapter 4

    Kayden was glad when they left him alone the
next morning. Ysmenia checked in on him briefly to give him a bowl
of food and more water, but from what he could tell everyone seemed
to be frantically rushing around outside his little room. He could
hear the shouts of the loud chef as he barked orders to other
servants, as well as footsteps racing around to complete tasks.
    He was attempting to doze in the corner,
careful of the pain radiating up his spine, when the door opened
and he was instantly alert, sniffing the air. His shoulders relaxed
slightly when he didn't scent tobacco. It was the woman, Ysmenia
again.
    "Hey little one," she said. "I just thought
I'd check on you. Do you want another bath today?"
    Kayden started to nod, but didn't really want
her to see the blood. He couldn't tell how much he'd bled after the
man had left him, it didn't feel like much, but he could smell it
still. They would know, he was sure of it. He ducked his head,
turning away in shame and embarrassment. Somehow they would
eventually find out anyway...
    "Hmm," she smiled slightly at his shyness,
"Maybe now that you know how to work the baths, you can take one by
yourself."
    His eyes darted up to her gratefully,
pleading for the privacy, and he saw her nodding.
    "Yeah, okay, but no darting off," she scolded
as she grabbed the leash that she had set on one of the shelves
yesterday.
    Kayden rose stiffly as there was a tug on his
collar. The pants clung to him and he hoped that the black fabric
didn't betray his shame. To him, the cloying smell of his blood
overwhelmed him, but the humans didn't seem to notice, especially
with all the cooking spices wafting around the kitchen.
    The older woman led him to the bathing room,
which was empty again. She set out another pair of worn black
pants, an oversized shirt, and a rough brown towel.
    She dropped the plug in the drain hole and
pulled the rope to start the water running. Kayden hovered next to
her, hoping that she would leave before expecting him to
undress.
    "Okay," she said, unclipping the leash. "I'm
going to wait for you right outside the door." She shook her finger
at him. "No running off," she admonished again.
    Kayden ducked his head and nodded quickly.
His eyes watched her as she disappeared just out of sight, and he
sighed in relief. Moving quickly, but stiffly, he stripped off his
shirt and pants, grimacing at the soreness. He immediately stepped
into the water, submerging his lower body in the running water.
    It immediately became tinged with pink.
    A quick glance back at the door told him that
the woman still couldn't see him, and he sighed as the water washed
away his shame. Grabbing the soap he scrubbed his body almost
forcefully, removing the evidence of his humiliation.
    He frowned at the pink water, the coppery
scent still wafted around him. With another surreptitious glance at
the door, he toed the drain plug free, allowing the contaminated
water to drain out.
    "Yas!!"
    He jumped at the shout from the kitchen
area.
    There was a heavy sigh from the door. "Yes,
Garin?" the woman called back.
    "Did you finish whipping the cream?! I need
it now!"
    "I thought you wanted to wait--"
    "Now!" the gruff chef sounded very
frazzled.
    There was a rustling at the doorway. "Hey,
Ellis!" he heard her voice call, and he expected her to rush in and
yank him from the bath. He quickly