Clockwork Butterfly, A (3 page)

Chapter 4

The biometric identification process was a rather disappointing fingerprint taking. Lena placed her middle finger in the scanner and waited for the door to open automatically. Another disappointment when the Archmatria leaned past her and clicked the handle, pushing the door open with her hip. Not exactly state of the art, but Lena supposed most of the electricity would be being eaten up keeping the freezing rooms operational.

She took in the room as she crossed the threshold and stepped into the reception area. It was pristine and clinical, as she would have expected before the experience with the clapped out security, so it came as a little surprise. Crisp, efficient looking women buzzed about importantly with canisters and charts, chattering seriously and darting into various rooms.

“Lena Lee,” said the Archmatria as they approached the sleek desk in the middle of the octagonal room. A still hush spread through the workers at the sound of her name and Lena looked at her feet. “Carry on,” commanded the Archmatria and waved her hand dismissively. “Hmm, news travels fast,” she muttered.

The receptionist eyed Lena and picked up a chart. “This way,” she said, her features set like plaster.

“I will leave you now, Lena.” The Archmatria patted her on the back and this tiny display of care brought a lump to Lena’s throat.

“I’m not ready, ma’am. I don’t feel ready.” She bit her lip and stared up at the Archmatria. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I haven’t been trained.” Lena was panicking, training was supposed to take a year, yet here she was after only four weeks about to collect from an actual male.

“I know, dear, but with someone like you…” The Archmatria cupped her chin and made Lena sob once more. She continued, “Time is of the essence, do you understand? You’ll be fine.” She pulled her robes from Lena’s grip and strode sharply away.

“Come, I’ll take you to the preparation area,” the receptionist said.

Lena meekly followed her through one of the doors. Again, she had to press her finger into the scanner and waited as the other woman opened the door. Another startling white room with only a chair awaited her.

The receptionist reached to the hook behind the door and handed a sheer kimono to Lena. “Put this on and leave your things on the seat. Marguerite will show you to your male.”

Lena waited until she was completely alone before she slowly removed her manor uniform. The kimono was plain, but beautiful, and she slid the silk luxuriously up her arms, sweeping it closed across her naked torso. It was so light and fine that she could have been wearing nothing at all. The door opened to reveal a dark, trim woman, who Lena assumed was the Marguerite that the receptionist had spoken of earlier.

“I’m sure you must be feeling daunted, but we have a very special subject for you. He is new to collecting too, and the analysis of his semen shows that he will be a perfect chemical match to your own secretions.”

Lena flushed, embarrassed for him at being talked about in such a way, and for herself. She had been chosen for nothing more than her chemical makeup. She was not a person, merely a machine with one perfect component.

“Now, I just have to check to make sure everything is ready.” Without asking, Marguerite untied Lena’s obi and briskly opened the robe. With a pen in her mouth, she proceeded to reach around Lena’s body, poking and prodding while making “uh huh” noises of approval in her throat.

Lena squirmed as, for the briefest of seconds, a hand slipped between her legs and a finger separated her lips.

“Mmm, are you usually this dry or can we expect more moisture?”

Lena pressed her thighs together, twisting her hips away from the intruder. “I beg your pardon?” Lena was utterly humiliated. What was this woman thinking? “This is my first time, I don’t know.”

“Oh.” It was Marguerite’s turn to look embarrassed as it dawned on her exactly who Lena was. “I’m sorry, you must be Lena. I wasn’t expecting you for another hour. It’s just that most of our new starts are trained in the art of constant arousal. You must always be ready for a collection, day or night.”

“I wasn’t told that,” said Lena, suddenly aware of just how little she had been told.

“Never mind.” Marguerite’s voice softened. “Your subject has very little experience also. I’m sure it will be fine. Human nature has a way of working these things out very quickly.”

“So why do the others need a year of training?”

“Well…” Marguerite placed her hands on Lena’s shoulders and went on, “This is a highly coveted position. Any woman who graduates to become a collector will be a revered member of our society until the day she dies, superseded only by the birthers. We have to be sure of a woman’s absolute commitment and suitability for the role.”

“But I’m not committed or suitable at all. I don’t even know if I want to be here.”

Lena was surprised when Marguerite smiled.

“I’m afraid fate has chosen you, Lena. We’ve been trying a very long time, decades in fact, to synthesize the pheromone that occurs naturally within your sex. The future of our species, in fact all species, may reside here and now in this moment…in you.”

Lena held her breath, expecting laughter to burst from Marguerite’s mouth, but slowly exhaled when none came. Checks completed, Marguerite wrapped the kimono back in place and retied the obi.

“You’ll be fine. After all, you’re only doing what came naturally to us for many thousands of years before the toxins.”

She led Lena to a smaller door behind a screen and simply pushed it open, then pressed her palm into the small of Lena’s back. The women stood at one end of a long corridor with about thirty doors running the length of it.

“It’s very simple,” she explained to the now shaking Lena. “You have been assigned 1A. Nobody can gain access to this room except you, the caregiver, and medics. Oh, and the grand Archmatria, but she never comes down these days, too many disappointments.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, you know, no male zygotes. Not for a long time anyway.” She winked and Lena suddenly felt the weight of expectation bear down on her.

There was a small portal around chest height in the wall next to the door.

“This is where the pharmics gather the emission beakers. When you’ve finished collecting, you place the beaker in the receptacle inside the room and it will be taken down to the lab for analysis.”

“Oh.” Lena felt utterly dehumanized.
Emission beaker?

“Well, I think it’s time.” Marguerite lifted Lena’s hand and pressed her finger into the scanner.

The door opened automatically this time and Marguerite pushed her through. The room was not what she expected at all. It was colorful and packed with soft furnishings. There were Indian rugs on the floor, the likes she’d only seen in books, and decadent skin lamps with stunning ink designs gave the room a mellow sensual hue. Everything was red and lush in velvets and satins and silks. Curtains that draped to the floor showed a view of the sparse hills beyond. They were on the north side of the manor. There were no gardens on this side; students were forbidden on the north side. Lena could only presume it was to shield the males from too many women romping around, getting them worked up, and failing to go through the proper collection procedure.

Her eyes had to adjust to the warm dim lighting after the stark overheads in the corridor.

“Hello?” she called out in a trembling voice, not really knowing what to expect. All the time spent with Mae had meant Lena had denied herself the lessons that would have taught her what a male looked like, sounded like, and even smelled like. Though, through the stillness of the room, Lena could sense a presence very different to any she’d felt before. She inhaled and could almost taste in the air the thick musky odor that made the hairs on her neck stand on end. The aroma was tantalizing and electrifying, Lena’s body began to respond in an almost feral way. Her nipples strained against the silk of the kimono and a twinge of arousal surged in her abdomen.
They were right, my body does know this.

The room was clean, but untidy. It had the air of an attempt having been made to straighten it up, but then abandoned. Lena was touched in an odd way. She thought back to friends giggling behind their palms, describing men they’d met or read about, and Lena imagined big, clumsy hands trying to make the room ready for her, giving up when the covers remained rumpled, no matter what he did.

She scanned every point again and again, still unable to see anyone.

“Hello?” she tried again and took a step out of the shadows and into the exposed part of the room. A screen with a thick tapestry concealed one corner and Lena started to make her way over. Then she hesitated. She heard something. Breathing.
He’s as nervous as I am.
Stopping at the squishy, sofa, she lowered herself into it. “I’m just going to sit here,” she said, not wanting to scare him or herself.

She just sat, trying not to make a sound, with her senses pricked for any movement. A mirror was placed too high on the wall to see her reflection or that of the room behind her. Her legs were beginning to get numb and she feared that her careful pose would have to be spoiled before he’d seen it when at last, a large figure moved out from behind the screen.

“I’m sorry.” A low, gravelly voice hit Lena’s ears and she almost squealed. She’d never heard such a sound. Human, of course, but so deep, so animal, so strong. Her senses melted into the sensation of hearing the voice alone. What would a male hand on her shoulder feel like? Or her neck…or breast. Animal instincts were raging through her and her pussy was engorged with new attraction. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing.”

The body moved toward her and into the light. Lena looked away quickly as she realized he was completely naked.

“Me neither,” she admitted while trying to stifle a nervous giggle.

“Oh no, should I get dressed?” He shuffled back toward the screen again and Lena immediately turned to face him.

“No!” she cried, a bit more enthusiastically than she intended. “I mean, if you don’t want to, it’s okay.”

The male looked about nervously as Lena stared at him. It was the most amazing thing she had seen. Flesh like hers, but strong and taut with a sheen of power beneath. Shoulders and chest broad and smooth, legs lean and thick with luscious black curls coaxing her to drink in the sight between. Standing proud and straight was his member. Lena had never expected it to be so beautiful. It gleamed in front of her. Her pussy was wet and aching at the sight, and Lena felt desire and heat course through her. She had to touch…

But she couldn’t. She sat in spellbound silence as the male grew more uncomfortable under her gaze. The stiffness wilted and he placed his hands over his crotch.

“I think I want to put some clothes on,” he said, and Lena was mortified.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I never meant to…” She didn’t know what she was doing and just turned her head away. “Yes, all right. I’m sorry.”

He sat on the furthest chair, wrapped in a kimono of his own, and regarded Lena nervously.

“You must think me so stupid,” he said, looking away and shaking his head. “I’m supposed to be this machine that fucks and comes and saves the planet, but I’m pathetic. I’m so shy.”

Lena looked up to see his ironic grin, and she grinned back. “Not as pathetic as me, I’m supposed to have this magic pussy juice or something, and I didn’t even know what my pussy was for until four weeks ago. That’s pathetic.”

“I didn’t even know it was called a pussy.” The male’s grin widened.

“Me neither!”

His smile was infectious and Lena began to laugh. Nerves and tension turned the laughing into hysterics and Lena dissolved into it, feeling happier than she had in a very long time.

Chapter 5

“It’s beautiful,” Lena whispered, fondling the piece carefully.

The male smiled self-consciously. “Thanks,” he said, pulling his kimono a little tighter.

After the giggles had subsided, Lena had taken a good look around the room and found a workbench. Upon opening the drawers she had discovered a collection of intricate copper clockwork butterflies. She’d looked hesitantly at the male and picked one up carefully when he nodded approval.

“Did you make this?” Lena asked, unable to take her eyes off the exquisite craftsmanship.

“Yes.”

“And the others?” Lena looked at him with huge shining eyes when he shrugged the affirmative. The silence continued as Lena studied each one carefully.

“I guess I have a lot of free time.” The male smiled, passing Lena an even tinier treasure. “This is my favorite one. Here, take it. It’s yours.”

“No, I couldn’t,” whispered Lena, holding out her open palms in delight. “Really?”

“Of course. Who else is going to have them?”

Lena realized with sadness that it was true. He was a prisoner. Albeit a lovely one, his luxurious room was still a prison. Lena thought more deeply on her own position in the manor and concluded that, while she might be able to roam the grounds at will, she too was a prisoner. In fact, now that her status had changed from trainee to collector to the savior of mankind, she imagined even that small freedom would soon be impinged on.

“Thank you,” she said, tears forming in their ducts. She sniffed them away.

“Here, let me show you it flying.” He flicked a tiny switch on the butterfly’s abdomen and a key appeared. He wound it four times, pinching the wings between his finger and thumb. He held it to Lena’s face. “Kiss the proboscis,” he said softly.

“Really?”

“Uh-huh,” he urged again, and Lena leaned toward the metal tube. “Use your tongue. There needs to be saliva.”

Lena felt ridiculous, but did as he said, licking tentatively at the tiny curled spear.

“There,” he said, satisfied, and held the creature to the window, which barely opened six inches. “Now, watch.”

And Lena did. The butterfly fell for an instant, then the wings began to whir into action, lifting it chaotically upward until it found some balance. It was incredibly realistic and mimicked the stuttering, yet graceful, flight of a real butterfly.

“It’s incredible,” Lena exclaimed, excited and scared at the same time as the little insect flew higher and around the top of an oak tree. “Where’s it going?”

“You’ll see.” The male smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Lena moved a little closer, allowing her body to absorb his heat. Shielding her eyes to get a clearer view, she watched the butterfly weave and dip through the air back toward the window. To her astonishment, the little creature flew back in to the room and landed delicately on her shoulder. It flapped slowly once or twice then came to rest. Lena just stood holding her breath while the male smiled.

“It’s a homing Lepidoptera,” he explained. “It travels to its genetic partner. That’s you.”

Lena touched her lip then the proboscis that held her DNA.

“What are you called?” she asked, realizing suddenly that she didn’t know.

“Angelo,” he said, looking shy again.

Lena regarded him carefully. “It’s perfect,” she said, and an electric silence descended over the two.

“Is the duty complete?” A crackling voice filled the room and startled Lena. She instinctively flew into Angelo’s arms.

“What’s that?” she asked, her ears ringing with the invasive noise.

“That’s Archmatria Jones. She’s just checking up on us.”

Lena felt a little sick. An image of a wizened, beak-nosed shrew hunched over a monitor flooded her brain.

“Oh my God, they can’t see us, can they?” She broke free from Angelo and peered around the room for cameras.

“No. I don’t think so.” Angelo strode to the door and pressed a button on the wall. “Incomplete at this time. We will report back in due course.”

“May I remind you of the importance of your swift emission.”

“We will report back in due course,” he said, more firmly this time, and Lena was pleased to see that, even in his imprisoned state, he knew his value. Angelo released the intercom and came back to Lena. “Well, I think maybe it’s time…”

Lena trembled as his fingers reached out to her obi. He was shaking too, obviously wishing they could talk more, get to know each other. The easy manner they’d slipped into was now disappearing in the growing anticipation.

“Are you all right?” he asked her tenderly.

She nodded, noticing a peak rising at his crotch. The effect on her was instant. Her nipples tightened as he slowly peeled the silk down past them. A soft, low groan left his throat, and Lena inhaled his musky scent. She reached out and stripped him of his robe, burying her face into the base of his neck, trying to tease out another delicious moan. His neck was hot and his scent made her mouth water. She bit into his flesh and suckled, relishing the new manly odors that were overtaking her senses.

“I’m fine,” she whispered as he pulled her into a strong embrace and kissed her, fully engulfing her lips in his.

His arousal was unmistakable, pressing into her through the scant fabric, and she tugged his kimono off his shoulders and down his back while the searing kisses continued into her hairline and neck. She shuddered as his tongue flicked at the most erogenous part just at the base of her earlobe. Melting feelings of pure desire made her feel weak as she tried to keep disrobing Angelo. Heat pulsed between her legs and she ground herself into his hardness. He responded by meeting her thrusts, gently at first, then with more vigor, humping and grinding, knocking her off balance until they tumbled together onto the sofa. It felt wonderful to have something as mighty and solid as this male between her legs and she wrapped them firmly around his torso. She realized he had come free from his kimono and his flesh met hers, slipping against her wet lips and inner thighs. The groan came again as the tip of him pressed at her twitching entrance. She held her breath as they stared at each other. Was this really about to happen?

“Remember the vial.” The crackly voice slammed through the moment, breaking the spell.

A small portal next to the intercom button swooshed open to reveal a glass beaker. Angelo exhaled and flopped lifelessly onto Lena. His hard-on was subsiding quickly, and Lena tried to buck her hips to urge him back into action.

“I’m sorry.” He lifted his head to regard her. “I just can’t…”

“It’s okay,” whispered Lena into his mop of curls as he let his head drop back down onto her shoulder. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

“I’m not sure that we do,” he mumbled.

Lena knew he was right. They would be hassled and cajoled until they produced the magical vial. What if they chose someone else to be Angelo’s collector? Lena felt a deep panic rise in her belly, knowing something more had happened between them than either had expected. It should have been a quick and efficient procedure—not this emotional meeting of minds. If the Archmatria found out there had been more of a connection than necessary, she’d be gone, assigned to a different male, or worse, banished.

“What will we do? We can’t deliver an empty canister.” Lena tried to prop herself up under his weight.

“I know,” he said, rising up on his elbows.

“We could try again.” Lena bit her bottom lip and smiled.

Angelo lifted himself off her and lightly padded over to the portal, taking the beaker out and holding it up for Lena to see.

“We ought to really,” he said, and Lena was relieved to see a smile light up his eyes. “The future of the world depends on us, after all.”

The robe fell gracefully to the floor to reveal his gleaming body once more. Lena suddenly felt feral with desire and sprang from the sofa, falling on her knees before him. She gazed as his cock which began to rise right in front of her eyes until it stood rigid and straight up. Lena pulled her kimono off her shoulders and leaned back on her heels to let Angelo take in her naked breasts, swollen and tight, heaving with her breath. She wanted him to know how much she wanted him. It seemed important somehow, that even though it was her duty, he would see she was also offering her trust, her mind, and herself.

Desperate to touch the thick shaft looming above her, yet wanting to tease and deny herself until she was crazed with desire, she forced her hands down toward her own sex. Angelo’s eyes followed her fingers as she parted her legs and slowly trailed a path into her dark curls, pulling and tugging them until her juices seeped out. She pushed her middle finger into her aching pussy and was amazed to find it wetter and hotter than any time with Mae, and Mae knew how to turn her on. Rocking her hips and fucking herself slowly in front of Angelo, she saw a tiny droplet of pre-cum form on the tip of his beautiful shaft.

Now was the moment she’d been waiting for. Withdrawing her fingers, she knelt up, inhaling his aroma, until her eyes were in line with his cock. She dived into his crotch, feasting on the scents and pheromones that were driving her insane with hunger. At last, she drew her cheek along his shaft, amazed to find it coated in the softest, velvety skin. The finest silk had nothing on this new treasure.

Her nose trailed up the length of him, seeking the dewy droplet that was her prize at the peaked dome. She flicked her tongue around the ridge at the base of his head, savoring the delicious salty flesh then flattening it out to encase and engulf him with her mouth. The liquid was as sweet as she dreamed it would be, and she lapped and sucked like she was possessed by him. Wrapping her fingers around the root of his hard cock, she pulsed in time with her suckling. She was rewarded with that throaty groan which had made her so horny when she heard it the first time. It gave her such satisfaction to know that it was she who had caused that noise.

The thrusting increased, and she noticed a misting of sweat forming over his torso. She knew he was close to their objective, and a thrill welled in her stomach as he gently lifted her head away from him.

“It’s t-time,” he stuttered, and Lena took the beaker from him.

It was curved at the opening and she slipped it over the tip of his cock, still pumping with her other hand. With one more groan and a huge shudder, he came, spurting thick cream into the clear glass. Lena stared at the emissions, fascinated by the desperate twitching and pulsing. When he had finished, she licked the excess off his softening penis and smiled contentedly. Her job was done. Relief flooded through her, and she was confident that she would be allowed back to perform her duty again.

“But what about you?” Angelo sighed heavily and fell back onto his huge bed. “I should have taken care of you first.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Lena replied, realizing she’d been so absorbed in his pleasure that she’d completely forgot about her own. “We’ve got plenty time for that.”

She placed the vial carefully on the table and lay next to him. Just as she felt herself dropping into a quiet slumber, tiny beating wings tickled at her shoulder, disturbing her enough to bring her back to reality. She kissed Angelo softly and padded quickly to the door, placing the vial in the portal. Pausing to take one last look at his gently sleeping form, Lena smiled and crept out.