-Zed-

A moment later, when I reached Tobias’ door he had slammed shut only a few seconds ago, I stopped and knocked.

“Tobias Locke?”

“What?”

“May I enter?” I asked politely.

A sigh could be heard at the other side of the door, and then a snappy, “Fine.”

“Thank you.” I opened the door and entered the chambers.

I put on a kind smile when I saw Tobias sitting on his couch. “I wanted to talk to you, to remind you I’m not here to be an annoyance to you, even if it may appear that way. I’m here to protect you from those who would hurt you if given the chance.”

“My father has lost his mind! I don’t need a babysitter! I can defend myself against my father’s imaginary enemy and poachers! And for your information, I waited for that dick for more than a week,” Tobias nearly yelled, scowling at me. “You could’ve waited for an hour before shooting him!”

He fell silent for a moment, and wrinkled his nose before he added, “Well, I guess ten minutes would’ve been enough…”

“I thought an hour was rather ambitious for a young, hormonal werewolf,” I replied. “If you have such urges, we can hire a background checked escort. But from my prime directive, I cannot allow strangers to stay with you for a duration of ten minutes.”

“A background checked escort?” he repeated, staring at me with wide, furious eyes. “I don’t pay to get laid! Don’t you know who I am?”

“Tobias Locke,” I replied in all earnestness to the question. “Son of Mr. Locke, and a mermaid and naga crossbreed.”

“I’ll crossbreed you into extinction if you ever call me that again,” he hissed angrily and stood up.

I blinked at the sudden hostility. “I’m sterile.”

Toby inhaled sharply, looking like he was about to explode, but then he let that air out and squinted his eyes at me. “Me too,” he said calmly. He tossed his hair over his shoulder. “Whether or not you want to annoy me, it doesn’t change the fact that you’re here to basically ruin my life.”

“I am sorry about that,” I apologized. “But I have my orders. Is there anything I can do for you, that would not involve you going outside or receiving guests, but would make you feel better?”

“I suppose you don’t have a dick I could use?” he asked.

It was clear that it wasn’t a serious question. But serious question or not, I was programmed to reply as if it had been a serious inquiry for information. “I do. I am equipped with all the parts and functions a biological human male has,” I replied. “And data on how to use them.”

His eyes immediately darted at my crotch, his gaze lingering there for a moment. Then he looked up again, clicking his tongue. “I don’t fuck robots either,” he said, but with less hostility in his voice, and more interest in his eyes.

“Very well. But an hour would not be ambitious for me,” I replied, nodding at Tobias Locke. “Despite your grievances, I hope you understand the importance of staying in your chambers now.”

He stared at me in complete silence for a moment. Then, he shook himself a little and resumed his normal behavior. “Am I even allowed to go swim outside, or do I need a babysitter for that, too?” he asked sharply.

“You can swim, as long as outside is still on the mansion’s premises,” I said. “If you wish for me to stay with you and babysit you, I am available unless Mr. Locke needs my presence.”

“Really?” he snorted, but then raised his hands. “Fine, do whatever you want.”

He went to grab a towel from the bathroom and tossed it over his shoulder before he marched to the door.

“I’m pleased we’re getting along better now,” I called after Tobias, though I did not follow him to the pool.

He would be safe swimming, and I needed to focus my attention on the security leaks.

There were many holes in the security of the mansion, but Mr. Gnash remained very non-receptive to hearing them. He kept walking away from me like he didn’t hear me speaking whenever I addressed him.

“Mr. Gnash!” I called after the man, following him down the hallway. He responded by upping his pace.

“Mr. Gnash! We must discuss the security of the mansion,” I continued. “Mr. Gnash, there are many leaks we must fix as soon as possible.”

“The system is just fine!” he yelled at me without stopping. “Leave me alone, bucket!”

“Please, if you would just sign the form that you agree to my changes, I will bother you no more,” I tried, speeding up to a jog to catch up with the naga man.

Mr. Gnash suddenly stopped, turned around and pushed me hard on the chest, but without making an impact. His anger was clearly increased by the fact that he couldn’t move me.

“Listen, you recycling bin! There is nothing wrong with the security! Who are you to tell me how to do my job? You’re nothing but a pile of plastic!”

“I am an android, with the latest technology and knowledge on security breaches installed,” I replied. “I am not here to make your life difficult or steal your work. I’m here to help you.”

“No one here needs your help! You are a fucking prototype and the only thing you need to do is to not fuck up so we can start selling more tin cans to rich, braindead people!”

“There are several security leaks in the backyard alone. I can fix them if you sign–”

A fist crashed into my jaw mid-sentence.