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r hair.
"Caitlin," said in a voice that barely held back the sound
of tears. "What are you going to do with me now that you own me?" she
asked with tears glistening in 's eyes.
Shardin held 's closely, comfortingly, as he replied. "I don't
own you, Caitlin. I just bought you to get you away from that damned
place. I am not your master. I'm only your friend. My name is Zarth
Shardin, and for now, at least, you can call me Zarth."
Caitlin was crying too hard by now to reply with words, but she
slipped both arms around the shoulders of 's benefactor and hugged
him tightly in gratitude. As continued to hold onto him and press
her face against his warm, furry chest, felt him gently ease her
onto his lap and cradle 's like a child. closed 's eyes and
gradually drifted into sleep as let him stroke her, rock her, and
purr softly in 's ear. All the fear and tension slid from 's during
the brief nap, and later when Shardin gently woke her, smiled at
him and kissed him on the cheek.
He bought 's some clothes in the store while the taxi waited,
then rode to the shuttle-landing pads. had quickly recovered from
the shock of this day, and relaxed calmly in Shardin's warm embrace as
they waited for a shuttle.
"Wh
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