Chapter 100 - What are we to do?

I broke into tears when Demos held me in his arms. He pulled me away to look into my face. Then turned to Grant with a puzzled look. He was standing a little further facing away.

-Hey, tell me—

Demos' wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. I was scared to use my voice, certain it would break into chunks of words without coherence. I pushed my glasses up and buried my face into his chest. I couldn't stop the tears. With my ear against his solid chest, I squeezed my eyes shut and listened to his silent heart.

"Jil!" called Grant. The pixie size hologram appeared in its usual place on the bar.

"Yes. Master," she bowed.

"Lockdown and cut all power. We need 10 minutes in complete silence," he ordered. He peeked at the path of soil through the sliding door then back at us. I was sniffing trying to gain control over the tears.

"Sure, Master. I'll be back online in 10 minutes," the lights died followed by the humming of all appliances in the house. The door clicked shut cutting all the noise outside. Grant rushed to meet us. His arms circling us, I sighed feeling whole.

-Tell me? I couldn't contact you and that drives me crazy.

"There was an incident," Grant paused, he was hugging me from behind, his cheek resting against mine. He sighed as he inhaled. "But it the event that bothered me more was the interview with Atlas," he looked at and both my mates nodded at each other.

-I see.

Demos sighed, it was almost a painful m.o.a.n. His shoulder sagged a little as he looked down at me. His eyes we glowing gold dots in the darkness as animals' do. Being in contact with them was like speaking a different kind of language. One with deep feelings and warmth. Full of reassuring caresses. Words couldn't convey this palette of vibrant sensations. We didn't kiss, we didn't need it. Just being close to each other was enough.

"How do we proceed?" asked Demos in a whisper. His voice sent shivers down my spine. Sweet shivers. I closed my eyes and inhaled the light smell vanilla from his shirt, his garment had that warm scent of clothes dried in the sun.

"We have to be very careful with every step we make. Especially with Atlas, I'll go to the next interview, alone. I don't want Liliane to suffer. He did everything to push her buttons," I gasped and gaze at him. Grant was concealed in the gloom. Only the faint outline of his jaw was visible. My heart squeezed inside my chest in a painful knot. I wanted to protest and scream yet I knew he was right. He was protecting me by doing so.

"Trust me, Liliane. I can do this on my own," he rubbed his cheek against mine.

"I-it's not that I don't trust you. I'm worried," worried was too weak of a word to describe the turmoil inside just at the thought of Grant inside that while room full of mirrors. "I won't any contact with you. No way of stopping him if he tried to hurt you. You'll be alone," he sighed against my ear. Both moved closer lips barely brushing. I closed my eyes and let my other senses take over.

"This island is dangerous. What Angus told thus confirm my suspicion. I'll talk to Olga tomorrow when she gets here," said Grant with his lips pressed against my forehead. I had trouble following what he was saying. They were turning me on and my thoughts went in different directions.

-Time is up, Jil s coming back online.

I blinked from the shock of bright lights blinding me from the overhead lamp. Jil appeared and yawned as if just waking up. She smiled at us still holding each other. Jil popped up on Grant's shoulder hugging his face.

-I need love too

We chuckled the demonstration. She left a quick peck on his cheek and disappeared into stardust. She reappeared on my bar hiding her red face. Grant let go of me with a burst of laughter. I guess he was more embarrassed than Jil was. He went to the chicken around and turned his back to us.

"What did you prepared?" Demos grinned at me without letting go. He wiped the remaining tears from my face with his thumb. Then kissed my cheekbone, my wet lashes brushed against his soft lips.

He withdrew as quickly as he leaned forward and left me wanting more. What was it with Demos? We haven't even slept together even once.

"You might regret asking for it," he smirked and joined Grant. What the hell? I did want it. I knew I would never regret being with him. They both work together in the kitchen as I settled at the bar. Demos placed a plate of french fries, the leftover chicken previous night and fresh salad. I stared at it with awe.

"Where did you get real lettuce?" I poked it with my fork to see if it was real. Demos nodded eagerly with a grin from ear to ear.

"I went shopping, today," I frowned at him. He took a deep breath then leaned against the sink. "You said there was a free shuttle to the city center," he turned to Grant and he nodded. "Well, after I did the laundry and the cleaning. I figured out I load of time to kill. I went to stop. Waited for half an hour, when it came, I had the bad surprise from the driver telling me that artificial is not allow. This was a human-only bus," I placed my hand over my mouth to hide the shock. "Wait there's more. since domestic artificial is not common there is no law that applies to our rights. Cyborgs needs to use their own vehicles and artificial working for Alteron has its own means of transportation. Some of those who are not working are not covered," he sighed.

"what did you do?" I stabbed the chicken with my fork. On side of his lip curled up in a smirk.

"I walked," Grant straightened up.

"All the way to the city center? That 9 kilometers away about 5 miles," Demos nodded.

"I went to the mall, saw what we need from the list you gave me. With their different monetary systems, I couldn't buy anything. So, I went to the bank to open an account on Liliane's behalf. Since we've synced, I have the legal right to do so," he closed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"What?" I leaned forward eager to hear the rest.

"Our sync is not legal here, I can't act on your behalf. I can't roam away without supervision and can't do any transition. Meaning I can't buy anything," he pressed his lips together to content his anger. Then went on. "If I'm not an employee, I must be a family member of an employee. Since I'm not human I can't be recognized as such. Imagine my outrage," he exhaled.

"And? Where does that lettuce come from?" I asked with real concern.

"I called Dr. Churchhill and he came," he said with a calm voice that hid a bitter undertone.

"You met Churchhill?" I let my fork dropped on my plate. He lowered his head.

"Yes, he came and helped me with the bank account. I've converted everything that was on my own account and the card Jil gave us, " a screen opened and the information jumped to my own bracelet. It beep and the data hovered above my wrist. I stared at the amount with wide eyes.

"Shit! That's a lot of money..." my voice trailed off.

"What happened after that?" inquired Grant, he was still frowning. Was it about Dr. Churchhill?

"Well, I was a little surprise, he just took a day off to accompany me. We went shopping. I got up some helpful plants that I can grow for fresh food. Then some clothes for Liliane, since she desperately needs them for work. A pair of sandals, baby, no offense but those sleepers are ugly as hell," he pointed to my feet. I let out a nervous laugh. "I've filled the fridge and cupboards, some us soap for washing and a container and other kinds of stuff," he rubbed his hands together. His smile dipped when he noticed I haven't touched my food. "Eat, it will get cold," he added. I turned my attention back to my plate. As I ate both went to the room. Grant went for a shower. And Demos came back after a few minutes when I was about to finish.

"It was delicious," I said then went to the sink to wash the plate. Demos quickly took it from me with a smile. "Thanks," I said sipping my arms around his waist. He gave me a weak smile over his shoulder. "I'm sorry you have to go through all this today. I didn't know artificial had another treatment here," he nodded and dried his hand with a tiny towel hanging from a hook over the sink. I stared at it.

"Those are new," I pointed out. There were the spoons Grant got from Olga also hanging above the sink.

"Cool right? I got a power drill too. It will come handy around the house. I have able to make a better job with the washing lines. I've also installed a shelf in the bathroom so we can arrange your toiletry and the shower gel," he turned around and leaned against the sink. I placed myself against his h.i.p.s. He bit his lower lip with a faint smile.

"Do you know how s.e.xy it makes a man when he knows how to manage a house?" his smile widened.

"Really?"