Chapter 22

Katla

“Humans are different from us. They call us ‘collectivists’ meaning we are each individuals that work together for the good of the pack. Humans are ‘individualists,’ or they think and act independently and value personal freedom, wealth, life satisfaction, and non-conformity over community. In the human mentality, if someone doesn’t have enough, they haven’t worked hard enough and deserve whatever they have, whether it is wealth or poverty, good or bad.”

“That sounds miserable and lonely,” I felt sad for the humans. I wondered what Aurelia thought, I missed her being a constant presence and realized I had taken her companionship for granted.

The dark, broken, graffitied buildings gave way to much larger ones as we crossed a series of roads. I pressed my nose to the window, looking up into the sky. Light danced off towers made of glass and steel, reflecting and magnifying all of the activity.

Even though it was late, humans were moving about, scurrying, some talking to a companion, most alone. It dawned on me how truly alone they were. Even if they were near another member of their pack, they couldn’t reach out through a mind link. How could they even function?

Buildings whirled past, and I felt like a new pup in an unknown world. It was all so overstimulating, then we circled a building, and the car angled down, down, down, deep into the earth. Damien sensed my unease, “It’s ok Katla, we’re in a parking garage under a building.” It was like all of this was normal to him.

The cars came to a stop, and the driver came around to open the door. “Miss,” he took my hand, “welcome to Silver Tower.” Damien came out behind me.

“Mr. Silverburn,” a young man with sandy brown hair and green eyes greeted Damien. “Welcome back.” He looked at me, and I noticed his immediate arousal. So did Damien, I gathered by the way he slid his hand around my waist and pulled me close.

“Ah, Peter,” Damien said, “I would like you to meet Miss Katla Iceclaw, my fiance.”

“Oh, Miss Iceclaw, welcome!” He looked at Damien, “Clarissa didn’t tell us to expect your…fiance.”

“It has been a very unexpected day, Peter, but I trust that my suite is ready.”

“Yes, sir, Clarissa has seen to the preparations for your arrival. Will Miss Iceclaw be requiring anything?”

Damien looked me up and down. Yes, she will need dresses, heels, workout clothes, jeans, sweaters, sneakers, jewelry… Katla, can you think of anything?”

Taking everything in, I mused, “A toothbrush?”

Damien chuckled, “Yes, and a toothbrush. And anything else you feel she needs. I trust your judgement, Peter.”

“Very well, Sir. We set the meeting with Mr. Evergreen at 10 am. He said he would prefer to meet virtually instead of coming to Silver Tower if you would be open to it.”

“Yes, a virtual meeting is fine, I will take it from the penthouse instead of my office.” All of the new words swirled around in my head and I made a mental note to ask about them. I would be taking Damien up on his ‘answering all of my questions in time’ beginning tonight.

“Miss Iceclaw, it is an absolute pleasure to meet you. I hope you’re comfortable here at Silver Tower when you are in town. The elevator is right this way.” There was another word - elevator - like I was just expected to know what it was.

“Thank you, Peter. I think Miss Iceclaw is a little overwhelmed, and I will take it from here.”

“Goodnight, Sir,” he beamed at me, and then Damien put slid his hand on the small of my back, leading me through a glass door, down a hallway, and to two silver doors embossed with the same “S” from the card I opened earlier this evening that slid open to reveal a tiny room.

Rows of buttons lined the wall next to the door. He placed his thumb on a pad next to the buttons and the PH button illuminated. The doors slid closed, and I panicked as the floor began to move.