by Luna Hunter
The Spearhead was sterile by comparison. The marketplace is an all-out assault on my heightened senses. There’s so many smells, sights, sounds… I strain my neck trying to take it all in.
“What do you think?” Erran says when he sees me staring. “Impressive, no? The market of Archon is the biggest in the cluster. Anything you can imagine, you can buy it here. Anything.”
The Nezdek is not lying. I see strange curiosity shops offering alien body parts for sale, vendors hawking foodstuffs and drinks I’ve never seen before and which scents offend me… and that’s before we even reach the slave market.
The crowd arounds us thickens, their alien eyes following Sarah’s and my every move. A murmur passes through the crowd. They must have never seen a human and a Zoran together before.
On the other hand, I’ve never seen any of their kind before. There are many Nezdek, but also green insectoid beings, walking on their hind legs, staring at me with their many eyes.
I do a double-take when I see a fish-bowl passing by. The bowl is attached to a bronzed suit, like a diving suit, but made for walking on land. The scaly man inside of the bowl of water glares at me, and when I keep staring, he raises his fist at me.
“Keep walking,” Terula says. “You don’t want to upset a Kua. Proud bunch, those.”
“What are they?” Sarah asks.
“An underwater life form,” Erran answers. “They live on Mika, a few galaxies over. Look down their scaly noses at everyone else, but their technology is unparalleled.”
I’m so busy watching the Kua walk away I don’t see where I’m going, and I bump right into someone’s broad, soft and fluffy chest.
“Excuse me,” a low, animalistic voice growls.
I stumble backwards, which rarely happens for a man of my stature. When I bump into someone, it’s them who fall over. I glance up and see a furry face looking down at me surrounded by an impressive mane.
I’m looking at a seven foot lion wearing a blood-red robe, walking upright.
The man places his paw on my shoulder. “Don’t look so surprised, Zoran.”
I’m not usually at a loss for words but I’ve never seen anything remotely like this.
Sarah gazes at his majestic frame with her mouth hanging open, and I feel a tinge of jealousy in my gut. I’m the only one she should look at with such awe.
“W-who are you?” I stammer. “How do you know me?”
“Everyone knows the Zoran,” the lion growls. “We speak of you in hushed whispers. You’re the bogeyman… yet here you are!”
The lion chuckles, a deep, low sound that I feel reverberate inside my ribcage. I now see he’s got quite an entourage with him — no less than a dozen guards, all lions like him.
“My name is Emir Mowsir, of the Sultanate of Asir.”
He leans in and whispers the next words into my ear.
“A word to the wise: Don’t let the Nezdek seduce you. They have… sordid tastes. Make your stay a short one.”
With a polite nod the lion says his goodbye, and walks past us both. Sarah and I watch him and his entourage walk off, both of us too stunned to talk.
“Ignore the Asir,” Terula growls. “Come.”
His white eyes are narrowed. From his posture it’s clear to see he’s filled with anger. The two species don’t seem to be on the friendliest of terms…
The two Nezdek push their way through the crowd, and we follow suit, until my mate stops me.
“Oh my god,” Sarah gasps, grabbing my hand. “Look!”
When I see what she’s pointing at, a dark pit forms in my stomach.
Alien women stand lined up on wooden scaffolding, wearing little more than the chains around their necks and their wrists. A few scraps of fabric are covering their breasts and their waists, but only barely so.
I don’t recognize the species. Their skin consist of many different hues of green and blue, while a fin runs from the top of their heads down to their lower backs. All of the women have their eyes cast downward, as the men bid on them.
“Hundred credits for this Suuna!”, a Nezdek man says. He’s wearing an eyepatch, a scar running down the left side of his face.
“Fifty!” a man in the front screams.
“Only fifty? Look at these,” the Nezdek says as he tears the women’s top away, exposing her round breasts. A murmur runs through the crowd “Tits like these are worth a hundred at the minimum!”
“She’s a Suuna whore,” the bidder retorts. “Fifty is too much for her!”
The crowd chuckles, and I see Sarah’s face is ashen grey. I grab her hand and hold it tightly. Those alien lords weren’t fucking around when they referred to Sarah as my slave — a woman’s life is only worth a handful of credits to them.
“Ah, I see you’re appreciating our wares,” Erran says with a spiteful grin. “Fine catch today, no?”
The eyepatched Nezdek asks one of the captured woman to twirl around and show off her assets. She spits at his feet, and a moment later he savagely strikes her across the face. I feel my gut clench, and my hands ball into fists.
“What’s the meaning of this?” I growl.
“What do you mean?” Erran asks. He seems genuinely surprised by my questioning this behavior. “We have won our bitter, prolonged war against the most manipulative and treacherous of bitches; the Suuna horde. Don’t let their curves fool you — they have considerable psionic powers, and only the chains around their necks are keeping them in check. We have defeated them, and as they say, to the victor go the spoils. You understand, do you not?”
I feel Erran’s white eyes questioning me. I want nothing more than to rip the chains from the slavers hands and beat him to death with it, but I’ve got a role to play, whether I like it or not. I can not let the Nezdek think I am weak or sentimental.
“Of course,” I grit through my teeth. “But you’re spoiling the merchandise.”
Erran shrugs. “I’ve never thought of it that way. Are you interested in her?”
Sarah squeezes my hand. Her big blue eyes are begging me to do something.
“Yes,” I say.
Erran whispers something into one of his guards’ ears, and the man disappears into the crowd. A few moments later I see him talking to the slaver. He places a pouch in the man’s hand, and the girl is pulled of the stage by the chain around her neck.
I think we just purchased a slave.
“Fine choice,” Erran says. “She’ll be delivered to your quarters. Just wait until you see her on her knees, eh?”
I breathe in through my mouth and out through my nose. It takes all the effort in the world to stop myself from breaking that pale, ghostly face of his. I’m no saint, but I have no qualms about killing anyone who lays his hand on a woman.
“Let us move on.”
We continue our journey through the dark underbelly of Nezdek society. I have barely come to terms with what I just saw, before the next vile moment presents itself. We pass by a theater or some kind, and a short, stocky man stops us dead in our tracks.
“Look at that!” he says. Unlike the other Nezdek, he’s as round as a barrel. Without warning he grabs my biceps, and I flex my muscles, glaring down at him. He gets the message and backs off instantly.
“Brought me a fresh one, Erran?”
“Not today, Gani.”
“Shame,” he says. “He’d make a fine addition to the roster for tonight!”
“What’s on the menu?”
“Lord Radha of House Mager is facing a Kua Orkotpus.”
Erran cackles with glee. “He’s dead meat.”
The alien man nods. “I am counting on it.”
This place is not a theater — it’s a gladiator pit, where the Nezdek watch men fight themselves to the death for their pleasure. My lips become a thin line, and my grip on Sarah’s hand becomes even tighter. Despite their advanced technology, the Nezdek are barbaric. Judging by the slave market, the gladiator pit and the brothels we have walked past, their society is based on ow
nership.
And we have to cut a deal with these people.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we come to the end of the bustling market. Erran leads us into a large elevator.
“The market is just a place for tourists,” he says as the elevator starts its descent into the depths of the planet itself. “You are about to witness the true grandeur of Archon, something not many off-worlders can boast of. Consider yourself lucky.”
I’ll do that the moment we get off this forsaken rock, but for the moment, we are plunging into its depths…
14
Sarah
I hold Kazim’s hand tightly, my knuckles turning white, my body pressed against him. We’re surrounded by Nezdek guards on all sides as the elevator sinks into the ground. My stomach flutters as we drop down faster and faster.
“How far does thing go down?!” I stammer, grabbing hold of Kazim with two hands for support.
Erran gives me a wry, condescending smile.
“Answer the question,” Kazim growls.
“Several miles,” Erran says.
Suddenly, it all makes sense. The pale bodies of the Nezdek, their white, ghostly eyes — they live underground!
“How can you breathe down here?”
Erran points at the faint, glowing moss that is passing us by rapidly. It grows on the inside of the caves, its shine visible through the translucent glass of the elevator.
“Due to the blessed Nao,” he says, “Praised be. She gives life.”
Suddenly the elevator comes to a full-stop, and my stomach nearly flips upside down.
“We have arrived in our blessed capital. I will escort you to your rooms, but we have to take certain safety precautions.”
The pale alien pulls out two black hoods.
“I am sure you understand.”
Before I even have a chance to react, two guards grab my arms from behind, and Erran pulls the hood over my head. My world goes dark and all sounds are muffled. I feel myself being turned around, until I am dizzy and have lost all orientation.
I hear the sounds of a scuffle, and my heart is beating in my throat.
Please don’t hurt Kazim.
I struggle and fight, but it’s useless. A hand grips my throat, cutting off my air supply, and my legs flail as I try to breathe. Is this the end?
A moment later, the hand loosens its grip, and I wheeze for air. The aliens lift me off my feet and carry me, and my mind runs wild with horrible visions of the future. Will I end up on that very same scaffolding, stripped down naked and beaten in front of a crowd who just jeers and laughs as they bid on me?
These thoughts run through my mind as I’m carried for what feels like an eternity, but might very well be only a few minutes.
The hood is ripped from my face, and the light blinds me at first. Then I realize I’m looking at the big blue body of Kazim, and I let out a giant sigh of relief. We’re in a small, underground apartment. Our cell.
There is a scratch on Kazim’s cheek, but otherwise he looks perfectly healthy. I jump into his arms and kiss his cheek.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine,” he growls. “Just a scratch.”
The door slams shut behind us, and I hear the lock turn. Yes, it’s a cell alright.
“What just happened?”
“I wasn’t prepared to be led away without a fight,” he says. “But then they threatened to harm you.”
His radiant, purple eyes are filled with concern.
“So I relented. Are you okay, Sarah?”
“I’m fine,” I stammer, “I’m fine.”
Tears sting the corners of my eyes. I can’t believe that Kazim, this brutish warrior, this alpha man would risk his life… for me! I’m flabbergasted.
“Thank you,” I say while I fling my arms around his neck.
He slides his arms around my waist and lifts me up. I bury my face in his neck, drinking in his manly scent.
I feel the tension flow away as his hands rub my back. From the moment I laid eyes on the Nezdek, I’ve been a nervous wreck. Now we’re miles underground and for all intents and purposes their prisoner, but at least we have each other.
They can never take that away from me.
“You are mine, Sarah,” he growls into my ear. “For now and always.”
“I know,” I say.
Despite the situation we’re in, I can’t stop smiling.
This is not how I imagined finding love would go, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?
I place my hands on his cheeks and kiss him deeply and passionately. He returns my kiss, tightening his hold on me, and for a moment, there’s nothing except the two of us.
His tongue is in my mouth, his hands on my lower back, and I feel the bulge in his robe press against me. My mind drifts to the passion we shared on the shuttle. I have no idea what might happen next for us, and I intend to make every moment count…
Kazim lowers me to the ground, and I place my hand on the bulge in his robe. Through the thin fabric I can feel his cock pulse, and I feel my body respond in kind.
And then the metal doors of our cell whir open. I turn around, my cheeks burning brightly, hiding Kazim’s erection behind me.
The green-blue woman from before, the slave, is pushed into our room by Terula, one of the Nezdek lords.
“Your order is here,” he snarls. “Enjoy.”
He slams the door shut behind him. As my eyes adjust to the sight in front of me, my arousal is replaced by sheer, unbridled anger.
The girl is staring at the ground, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s got a chain around her neck, her wrists and her ankles. A flimsy, dirty cloth that’s wrapped around her waist and chest is all that’s covering her naked skin. She’s covered in lashes and bruises. A fin runs from the top of her head to her lower back, but it’s seen better days as well.
“Those bastards,” I say, balling my fists. “Those total fucking assholes.”
I walk up to the woman and touch her shoulder. She instantly recoils, her eyes snapping up at me. They’re an electric yellow and filled with pure hatred.
Understandably so. She thinks we are her owners. Just thinking it makes me feel dirty.
“Relax,” I tell her. “We mean you no harm.”
She presses her back against the wall, raising her chained hands to her chest. I bet she’s heard that one before…
“I am Sarah Granger,” I tell her. “And this is Kazim.”
“This is useless,” Kazim says. “She doesn’t understand us. Or doesn’t want to. We have to come up with a plan.”
“No, we have to help her first,” I say. “We can’t just leave her like this!”
My Zoran warrior places his hand my shoulder.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but… we can’t save everyone.”
I turn around and glare at him. “Perhaps, but we’ve got to start somewhere. And I’m starting right here, right now, with this alien woman.”
I rummage through the small apartment, hoping to find a medkit of some kind. All I find is a washcloth. It’ll have to do. I run some hot water and call the alien woman over to me. She hesitantly edges towards me.
“We are not like them,” I say. “The Nezdek. I am human, and Kazim is a Zoran. We are not from here. Now, please give me your arm.”
She raises one eyebrow and carefully follows my command.
I slowly grab her hand, being careful not to spook her or make any sudden moves, and do my best to clean her hands and arm. Her skin is cool to the touch.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She nods. “Yes.”
Her voice is soft, melodious. I turn to Kazim, a victorious smile on my face. He shrugs, conceding defeat.
“What’s your name?”
“I am S’eu,” she says. “Are you… my owners?”
“No,” I say resolutely. “Not at all. Well, technically yes, I suppose. But no.”
All I’ve managed to do is confus
e the poor girl more.
Kazim clears his throat, and the low rumble grabs the girls attention. “We are visitors here,” he says. “The Nezdek have… given… you to us. But we are decidedly not your ‘owners’.”
S’eu raises her eyebrows.
“Sorry for being hesitant to believe you. One does not travel to Archon to achieve freedom.”
“How can we prove it to you?”
She extends her arms. “Remove my chains.”
“I don’t have a key,” I say.
“I have something better,” Kazim says as he strides forwards.
He grabs the chains that are binding her wrists together with his bare hands and with a single tug he breaks them. The chains around her ankles are next. S’eu stammers back, her yellow eyes opened wide.
“Do you believe us now?” I ask.
I pull the sheet from our bed and quickly fasten it into a robe for S’eu to wear. I’m beginning to get quite adept at this! Throwing together makeshift clothing for aliens was not a skill I’d ever thought I needed. The flimsy garments she’s wearing are degrading.
And, if I’m perfectly honest with myself, her slim, barely covered, perfect alien body is making me a little self-conscious. Kazim’s radiant eyes haven’t flickered across her green skin for even a moment, but still.
“Th-thank you,” she stammers as she accepts my offering.
She wraps the white sheet around her body, and sits down on the edge of the bed. “I-I can’t believe it,” she says. “The nightmare is… over?”
I bite my bottom lip.
“I wish I could say yes,” I tell her, “but that would be a lie. We are prisoners here as well… but we’ll do everything we can to truly free you. I promise.”
She rubs her temples, a pained expression on her face.
“What can you tell us about the Nezdek?” I ask her.
“I can’t think straight. Please, remove this,” she says, pointing at the chain around her neck. “It’s… blocking my thoughts.”
“Hm. The Nezdek said you had telepathic powers,” Kazim says.
S’eu looks at my mate defiantly. “I do,” she answers. “All Suuna do.”
“How can we trust you then?”
“You’ll just have to take the leap,” she answers. “You’re asking me to do the same, after all.”
