by Sabrina Kade
“Is your name Howl-Eaze?” he asks, frowning as his golden eyes dip up and down my frame.
I nod before clearing my throat awkwardly. If he knows my name, he probably already knows I can speak Sidese. I throw caution to the wind. Sort of. “A-actually, it’s pronounced Hollis.”
“Howl-Iss Bane?”
“Blane,” I fill in.
He grunts. “My name is Exdrux.”
That’s a tongue twister. I meekly nod, not sure what to expect, but the Sidyth continues to stare down at me. Dark yellow eyes land on my chest, my thighs and then flicker back up my face.
“What is your master’s name?”
“Sohmac Tendalson. I call him Soh.”
“You speak fluent Sidese, yes?” He narrows his eyes. “You are capable of holding full conversations in another language, yes?” I nod dumbly. “I suppose you are wondering why I have taken you from your errand, yes?” I nod again, and he frowns. “For a human who knows our language, you certainly enjoy nodding like a well-trained indut. I am not quite sure what he sees in you.”
My heart stops right as I’m trying to remember what an indut is. “He? Sohmac?”
The Sidyth – Exdrux – scoffs. “Sohmac. Practically a commoner. No. I am talking about my employer. He asked me to check on you. He was searching the marketplace, but you are very good at remaining hidden. He worried that Sohmac had punished you in some way, but that woman is following him nonstop and he does not have the heart to… he could not risk letting her see you again.”
My mind is spinning. Soh? A commoner? And who the fuck is he?
Oh no.
“You work for the Etansyl family, don’t you?” I’m already dreading the answer. “Your employer is Chimase. And the woman… that’s…” I frown, trying to remember, but coming up blank.
“Vydeka Satheesh,” Exdrux fills in. “Yes. She was quite upset that Chimase did not punish you. Frankly, I’m surprised by his willpower not to punish her, but no matter. He says you are different from other humans. Something about the smell? But now that I’ve met you…” he stops and inhales deeply before pulling away, “… I am not sure what the fuss is about. I suppose it is not my place to say.”
“No, it is not, Exdrux.”
I spin away from the stranger only to find Chimase Etansyl himself standing between the two buildings with a smug smile on his fanged face. He’s dressed strangely in lots of frills and lace combined with steel and chain, but somehow still looking so Victorian. Still, though, it’s odd to see a seven-foot-tall alien practically rocking a mohawk in Victorian chain garb.
I can’t decide if it looks like a fashion show gone wrong, or a cosplay phase that’s lasted one year too many.
Exdrux lowers his head and backs away from me as Chimase approaches, assessing my form without shame. My face grows hot as he gets so close that I can’t even look at him anymore.
“Here,” he grunts.
I look down, and sure enough, he’s presented me his open palm with something in the center.
“Money?” I ask, lifting my head. “I don’t know if Soh told you, but I’m not for hire.” I lick my lips and gather all the courage I have left. “I’m not going to pleasure you no matter how much you pay me under the table.”
Chimase’s expression shifts and his hand lowers. “You think that is what I am offering?”
“Aren’t you?”
“An Etansyl does not have to pay anyone for pleasure,” Exdrux hisses from the side. “Especially not from some human.”
“Enough, Exdrux,” Chimase says, holding a hand up to him. His head turns, and once again those piercing golden eyes completely focus on me. “I am not paying you for pleasure. I am paying you to visit a med specialist. A human one. Someone to make sure your nose is okay?” He narrows his eyes, crouching down slightly. “Is your nose okay?”
Instinctively, I cover it up with my hand. “It’s fine.”
“Good. I’d still like to pay for your next visit. It would give me pleasure to know you had a professional take a look.”
“I don’t like the idea of taking your money,” I say, slowly removing my hand as something dawns on me. “Hey, wait. You didn’t tell Sohmac what happened, did you? About my nose? I just realized he never asked me about it.”
Chimase shakes his head. “I did not. It was not my place to tell.”
“Oh.” I lower my head again and accept the money. I won’t visit the medic, but I can treat myself to some extra banbask bread now and then. Maybe even another sparkly tie for my hair. “Thank you, Mr. Etansyl.”
Chimase snorts. “That human saying. Mr. Several of my service workers uses that term with me. I do not care for it. You may call me Chimase.” He pulls away further. “May I ask you a question… Howl-Ese?”
“Hollis,” I correct carefully. “And sure.”
“Are you treated well?”
My head shoots up. “What do you mean?”
“By Sohmac Tendalson. Does he treat you well? You speak Sidese fluently, so I can only imagine the training regimen he put on a human. How did he train you? Shock collar? Were you denied feedings? Pleasure?” He shifts shockingly awkwardly. “No pleasure?”
My eyes narrow. “He did not do any of those things. He merely sat down and spoke to me. I talked with him. I picked up the words. He helped me mimic the sounds. It wasn’t that hard. Your language is very Germanic. It only took me eighteen months… uh… in Earth time… until I was fluent.”
His eyes widen, and he shoots a look towards Exdrux. “Why don’t any of our service workers speak Sidese like this one?”
“Most don’t bother to teach us,” I fill in before Exdrux can. “Sohmac says it helps you guys more easily view us as pets.”
“Yes,” Chimase says in a low voice. “I can see how that would make sense. What about you?”
I eye him skeptically. “What about me?”
“Could you teach some of my service workers to speak Sidese? They would likely be more open to the idea if a fellow human taught them. Don’t you think, Exdrux?” We both turn towards the long-haired Sidyth who shrugs with a bored expression. Chimase isn’t put off in the least. “Yes, I do believe this is a fantastic idea. You could teach my service workers Sidese! They would love it! And surely Sohmac would not be able to object my request.”
“Of course not,” Exdrux says. “He should have never—”
“No,” I interrupt before these two can get too far ahead of themselves.
Chimase seems shocked. “I’m sorry, Howl-Iss. Was I speaking too quickly?”
“Your speech is fine. And my answer is no. I’m not interested in that kind of job. You can call it whatever you want, but I’m not leaving Sohmac.”
“You would refuse an Etansyl request?” Exdrux hisses, looming closer. Chimase holds his arm out, blocking him. “When an Etansyl requests something, you do it. They will not be denied, human!”
“Well, this human is denying,” I say huffily, feeling surprisingly confident with Chimase blocking him. “I’m not interested in working for some stuffy family.”
“Stuffy?” Exdrux hisses. “This sounds like a negative comment.”
“Wow, you’re brilliant.”
Exdrux snarls. “You insult his family and his name?”
Chimase chuckles. “Relax, Exdrux. I am hardly insulted. This is only a human, though I must say I am still very intrigued by her. I enjoy her sharp tongue, hey! Where are you going, Howl-Iss?”
I’m already running before they’ve noticed I’ve left. Leave Soh? Leave him to live in some wealthy family’s house and train fellow humans how to speak Sidese? I don’t think so! Chimase can call it whatever he wants, but at the end of the day, I would be vulnerable. Instead of having to worry about Soh, I’d have to worry about Exdrux, Chimase, that woman, and all the people working in his house! There’s no way I’m leaving Soh!
“Hollis!” Chimase bellows as I run down an unfamiliar sandy street. For a moment, I’m shocked he’s saying my name cor
rectly, but that doesn’t stop my legs from pumping.
No. No, I’m not leaving Soh. I don’t care what this new Sidyth offers me.
I’m not leaving him.
There’s no way things would be better.
I’m better off with Soh. Soh cares about me. In his unique way, he loves me. He’d Choose me if he could. If it weren’t illegal, he’d Choose me officially as his mate.
I don’t care if this Chimase Sidyth comes from a good family. I don’t care if his intentions are honorable and he really does want to hire me to teach his human service workers to speak Sidese. It wouldn’t be safe. Soh is safe. Soh is familiar.
I don’t love Soh in that way, but I don’t think I’ll ever love anyone in that way now that I’ve been abducted from Earth.
And I’m okay with that.
Still, something stirs inside of me.
Who knows? Maybe it would be good if more humans learned to speak fluent Sidese.
If that’s the real reason Chimase wants me, which I doubt.
Still. Something about Chimase’s behavior irks me. He doesn’t speak to me like I’m a complete idiot. He talks like maybe I’m more than just some human service worker.
Chimase Etansyl is a weirdo. For sure. Wealthy guys are weirdos across the galaxies, I suppose.
Soh eyes me strangely after I’m finished shopping for the day, but he doesn’t ask any more questions. He’s not kind with his pleasure either. My body still hurts from the deep prodding, and I start to wonder if Soh really is the safest person to be with. Err—alien, I mean. Since Chimase and that woman fell into me and in my life, I’ve noticed something strange about Soh’s behavior. Days go by, but he doesn’t talk to me about it. I see he’s on the voice comm more often. Usually, he lets me sit next to him, but now, he slides the panel shut and sets the alarm pad, so I can’t sneak in.
I can’t help feeling that he’s planning to sell me.
Still, I keep about my business, following his orders when he sends me to the marketplace and try to keep him happy.
Despite everything, I don’t want to lose him.
The streets are busier when I’m heading to grab some extra banbask for Soh as a surprise, and my mind wanders as I walk. Several Sidyths bump into me, but I remember to keep my damn mouth shut and not speak Sidese so openly. There’s something wrong—
“You.”
The voice that catches my attention sounds oddly familiar, and though I’m sure there’s no way a Sidyth is speaking to me so directly, I turn slightly. Looking over my shoulder, I notice someone who makes the hairs on my neck stand on end — a female Sidyth. Easily six and a half feet tall with a metal petticoat skirt and form-fitting top. Her hair is nearly white and braided in cornrows. She’s pretty enough despite the scales on her forehead, but the look she’s shooting me can only be described as aggressive.
Without answering, I start to turn.
“Hey, you. Filth. Answer me when I’m talking to you. I said stop!”
Instinct hits and my feet drag in the sand, halting me. My heart races against my chest as a few Sidyths pass with pitying expressions. Are they pitying me? Of course not.
“What’s going on?” a largely built female whispers.
“Disobedient filth,” says her equally bulky friend.
“She’s taking care of it. Look, perhaps we’ll see a show.”
My skin crawls as the owner of the feminine voice draws nearer. I want to run. Oh, hell do I want to run, but if I do, I’ll be in even bigger trouble with Soh. I can tell something’s wrong already. He’s either tired of me, or tired of the drama that follows me. Sadly, I can’t blame him
I’m tired of the drama that follows me.
“Chimase Etansyl is my Chosen mate. I don’t exactly know what you’re thinking going after him, but I intend to stop this now.”
I curl my tiny hands into fists as a hand lands on my shoulder. Sidyths are watching the scene, probably hoping to see a display of dominance. They want to see the female beat the living shit out of me. They want to see if humans bleed red or clear. Different aliens have different blood colors, and they’ll probably enjoy seeing blood similar to their own. There’s nothing I want more than to run away, but now that the woman’s grabbed me, I can only keep my breathing steady and my eyes ahead.
“I’m not going after him.”
“You lie.” Her voice comes out like a hiss, and I feel her loom over me. “You remember me, right?” I nod. “So, you know what happens when a woman messes with another woman’s Chosen mate, yes? You speak so well for a human; I’d imagine Sohmac told you what would happen.” She squeezes my shoulder harder, and my knees start to buckle from the pressure. There’s a whoop of excitement towards the busy streets. Plenty of land vehicles hover, looking more like flying bicycles, and suddenly I’m desperately searching for an opening. I can’t take much more of the pain.
“You may not be Sidyth, but I’m sure arrangements can be made to send you to the grounds for harassing him. Chimase is a good male. He’d never think of such a thing. But one of my brothers—”
“Vydeka, stop.” A new voice gives me the opening I need. It’s male.
When Vydeka’s fingernails (talons may be a better word) pull away from my shoulder, I start to run. Into the street.
“Wait! Stop!” the male voice calls again.
I turn over my shoulder, hardly surprised to see Chimase Etansyl reaching out for me. But of course, I’m not going to him. That woman is right there next to him with kill written all over her features. She sees me as a threat to her mate. She’s going to kill me. Once a female Sidyth targets another woman as her competition, only one woman may survive. Or worse…
I turn, only realizing at the last moment that a larger land vehicle is heading straight towards me.
I feel my body shatter.
Everything goes dark.
This death has to be better than whatever one Vydeka has planned for me.
***
“She’s mine now.”
A deep and masculine voice makes my pussy tingle. I groan, thinking about relieving the build-up and bend my legs at the knee.
My legs. They’re tingling, too. That must mean they’re still there. Memories flash before me at this sudden realization, all thoughts of masturbating shoved aside. How can I even think about that when there’s a chance I’m permanently injured? Am I still able to walk? Am I still alive?
And why don’t I hear Soh? Hasn’t he come for me if I’m not dead?
I open my eyes, and I’m met with a chilling, fanged smile, so I immediately pinch my eyes shut.
Not Soh.
“Wolband Etansyl, there’s no reason for you to stay now. She’s been released. We’ll be sending someone.” It’s a feminine voice again, and this one shakes me even more to the core. Not because it’s that woman, but the words she’s saying. “Please do not feel obligated to take care of this one. She will be well received at auction.”
“There will be no auction. She’s mine.”
“Wolband—”
“Leave us.”
A low hiss follows, but eventually, I feel the woman leaving the room. Her bare feet pad on the ground, and I dare to peek one eye open to see where I’m at.
It’s a hospital.
Or a vet’s office. The door has bars across it like a dog’s cage, and the room can’t be larger than eight feet by eight feet. There’s just enough room for a tiny cot with a sheet and pillow, a table, and a chair with someone sitting in it.
The fanged mouth crooks up in a grin, and I quickly shut my eyes again.
“You do not need to fear now. Vydeka is gone. It is just us.”
As if that’s going to give me any comfort. Still, I slowly open my eyes and find Chimase Etansyl again, in all his glory. I’m getting pretty damn sick of seeing this dude, but he seems thrilled to see me awake.
“She shouldn’t have gone after you like that. I apologize…” He lowers his golden gaze to the table beside him, and flic
kers his eyes back to me, “… Hollis. Hollis Blane, yes? Am I saying your name correctly?”
I slowly lower the sheet and sit up awkwardly, surprised that I don’t feel much pain. Despite the stranger watching me, I peer down below the blanket to see if there are any bruises. I’m fucking naked, but uninjured. I quickly wrap the blanket around my breasts so Chimase doesn’t get a free show, but he only cocks his head at me, looking entirely too much like a curious feline.
“What?” I snarl.
“Your name,” he answers with a low, hissing chuckle. “I asked if I was pronouncing your name correctly and you ignored me. You pronounce your name, Hollis, yes?”
I narrow my eyes. “Yes.”
“Ahhh, that is good. I wanted to make sure I was saying it correctly.” He beams to himself like he’s the proudest mother fucker in the world and leans back in his chair, assessing the tiny room we’re trapped in. “I must say that humans are given the short end, yes? When I had a low temperature, my accommodations were much different.” He juts a thumb over his shoulder, so much like a human gesture that I frown. “And the bars? Weird, yes?”
“They think we’ll run away.”
“From what?” He seems fascinated by this. “And where?”
I’m not even sure. This isn’t even the conversation I want to be having. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Why?”
“Because Soh is already upset with me because of you.” I lower my eyes. “When he hears about this, he’s not going to be pleased. You should go to that woman. Vydeka.”
“I want nothing to do with that woman.”
“She is your Chosen mate.”
“No.” He scoffs. “I am her Chosen mate. And until she can catch me in her grasp and make me unconscious, I have no plans to let her have me. I have no desire for her.”
I dare to arch an eyebrow. It’s odd to hear a male talk about unwanted affections from a female.
“That woman only cares for social status. Squeezing me and forcing me to make her mine would be quite a step up for her family. She should not aim so high. She has a decent enough name of her own. A mithird is nothing to scoff at. She should find a mate she truly cares for and not a name she wishes to carry.” He frowns deeply again, turning over his shoulder.
