by Sabrina Kade
“Depends on your version of okay, I guess,” Alaska calls. “Personally, I don’t think being hunted for sport is any type of okay. No matter how good the pleasure beforehand.”
My shoulders bunch together, and I take a few deep breaths. If I start getting upset, then everyone’s going to get upset – other than Alaska and Kansas. They think they’re so great because they’ve seen it all, and while I haven’t seen every dirty corner the galaxy has to offer, I’m certainly not a newbie who can be frightened off with a few well-worded nightmares.
“What if they’re lying?” Sloane’s eyes are wide like Layla’s. “What if we’re all going to be hunted?”
“I guess you’re shit out of luck.” Kansas elbows Alaska who snickers into her hand.
Sloane is not amused. “How can you be so nonchalant about this?”
“Nonchalant,” Alaska laughs.
“That’s a big word. Be careful you don’t choke on it.”
“Enough!” I shout over Kansas and Alaska, cackling like mean girls in a high school movie. “Geezus, this isn’t helping. I’m telling you we need to think about this logically, and all you’re trying to do is scare each other. We need to look at the facts.” I steal a look over my shoulder, not wanting to think about a certain Sidyth listening in and mentally recording every word to be reported back to the prince.
“Fact one. We’ve been separated from some of the others here. That’s not unusual. And though I’m worried about that little one the Toda bastard hit, I’m sure Arizona will take care of her.” I glare at Alaska, daring her to disagree because that would mean putting down her supposed family member. “Fact two. Blythe’s been taken by a Sidyth. A prince, from what we gathered. She’s been gone a few days, and we hear what the others are saying. She’s okay. Chosen or not, I want to believe she’s okay.”
“If you knew what I knew—”
“Fact three.” I’m barely able to interrupt Alaska without my cheeks turning pink. “Despite being put in this room and being gawked at like we’re salmon at the fish market, no one’s put a hand on us. Those are facts, ladies. Facts we can’t ignore.”
“And the one watching you?” Ellis dares to ask. “What is your fact about that?”
“Well…” My eyes trail curiously back to the doorway, and sure enough, the masked alien remains in the opening of the Gathering Room, arms crossed. I shouldn’t delight in how much attention he’s paying to me. I’m sure there’s a reason, and it’s probably nothing good, but I can’t stop the small throbbing between my thighs.
“Oh God, not you too.” Alaska sneers. “Seriously, what is wrong with you?”
“Shut up. Would you rather he come in here?” I turn around and face the masked stranger. “Hey, you!”
“Shut up,” Sloane hisses, trying to reach for my arm. I yank it away, and Ellis quickly touches my shoulder.
“Seriously, York,” she says. “Are you kidding?”
The masked Sidyth’s eyes widen over the crest of his mask. I snicker and hope I’m not making a huge mistake. Because while yes, this Sidyth is definitely interested in me, no one knows exactly what for. And now I’ve drawn more attention to myself. But I can’t stand how Alaska and Kansas are acting; like they run shit because of seniority.
It’s not my fault I’m not thirty.
“Yeah, you,” I call to the massive stranger in the doorway. He uncrosses his arms and cocks his head to the side, acknowledging my words without any of his own. “You going to tell us what the plans are for us any time soon, or are we supposed to cool our heels up in here?”
He doesn’t answer, but another Sidyth appears next to him.
“Enough talking,” he rumbles. He’s bigger than the masked stranger and dude is fugly.
It’s hard not to shudder, so I narrow my eyes. The masked one didn’t say anything or tell me to shut up. Maybe he can’t talk, and that’s fine. I’m so tired of being trapped in this room with twelve other women. We’re on a rainy planet, which I love, but we’re being kept underground. But despite everything, there’s no proof anyone’s been hurt yet. Everything we’ve experienced so far isn’t typical Sidyth behavior. Alaska knows that. I know that. Even the newbies are starting to get antsy about how unconventional this situation is.
The rest of the group falls silent as the fugly one pulls away from the doorway, but Scary McSmallShorts remains. I still haven’t got the slightest idea what he’s thinking, but he’s still watching me. Maybe calling out to him wasn’t such a brave idea. Despite my intelligence, I’m not a bitch like Kansas or a withdrawn know-it-all like Alaska. I don’t want any trouble simply for the sake of trouble.
If I could just see Blythe. If I know she’s okay, I’m sure my true confidence would return. I need to know she’s okay and not being raped by one of these yellow-eyed monsters.
Someone rests their hand on my arm, and I jump slightly, turning to find Ellis. At a few inches shy of five feet tall, she’s about as scary as a poodle, but she’s got maturity and determination I can’t help but warm up to.
“You shouldn’t draw too much attention to yourself until we figure out what’s going on,” she says calmly.
“We need to know if Blythe’s okay.” I nod at my own statement, and luckily Ellis agrees. So do Sloane and Celeste. Work out twins are already doing pushups in a corner, and some of the others, who I don’t know very well, huddle together and talk amongst themselves.
I wish there was a way to bring us all together.
Blythe.
Blythe is the answer to everything. If the Sidyths can’t prove the one taken from us is okay, then we’ll know to be afraid. Afraid of what, I’m not sure yet. Sidyths aren’t known for their kindness towards anything – let alone Human Whores. I’ve heard the stories, but I haven’t been with one myself, and Alaska and Kansas seem to be the most outspoken about their past experiences. They’ve been telling the others about one of their late family members – Washington – and how she was hunted down after one of the top hierarchy members chose her, and she agreed. I can’t think being Chosen is a bad thing. Dude in the doorway makes my thighs wet, but I don’t want to be dumped into a forest all Hunger Games-style while he hunts me down.
We’re not being raped, but we’re not free either. I try to focus on some of the positives.
There’s rain above. Cool air and oxygen. This planet is the closest I’ve felt to home, and yet I’m trapped underground with twelve other girls and a masked secret admirer.
I want to get out, but I can’t make it past the masked Sidyth, let alone the enormous fugly one.
I slump down against a wall; Sloane and Ellis quickly come beside me. Celeste eyes us warily but eventually joins our tiny makeshift circle.
“If Blythe was hurt, I’m sure we’d know,” Sloane says softly.
“Yeah.” I bob my head and press my lips together. “Still, it’s been over a week. Why the hell hasn’t she come by to see us?”
“Maybe she’s not allowed,” Sloane reasons.
“Yeah,” Ellis agrees. “I mean, if it’s like Alaska and Kansas say, they’re at least trying to isolate her. I guess this is how they court females?”
“Trust me,” Celeste groans. “This is not how they court females. For one, females court the males.”
Sloane’s eyes widen. “Really?”
She nods. “Yeah. The females are the true aggressors. That’s probably why these guys brought us here. If the female gets jealous, she’ll kill anyone on sight.” She wraps her arms tightly around her chest. “They pull you in like this – their killing method is almost identical to their mating method – and they basically squeeze you. If they’re trying to mate and, the male comes, then she’ll release. It’s a victory.”
“And if she’s… uh… not mating?” Sloane asks quietly.
Celeste’s dark eyes flash up to Sloane’s. “You figure it out. You’re not that stupid.”
“Don’t be so sure.” Kansas snickers from a corner.
I ignore
them. “Facts,” I say to my tiny group. “We have to think about the facts otherwise we’re all going to drive ourselves crazy. We’re not hurt. Even when I called the masked one, he didn’t come here and beat me up, did he? And we’ve heard bits and pieces of conversations they have between each other. If the prince guy was hurting Blythe, don’t you think they would have talked about it? If they’re so cruel, don’t you think they’d be laughing their asses off about how weak human women are compared to Sidyth women?”
No one says anything.
“We have to believe this is just another weird ass assignment. We have to believe Blythe is alright.”
Another pregnant pause.
“Do you think things could be okay?” Sloane asks. “They’re Sidyths. You heard Alaska and Kansas—”
“Those two don’t know everything.” I can’t resist rolling my eyes before shooting a look at Celeste, too. “I’m sorry, but Sidyths may have a reputation of being cruel, but they’re not stupid. If Blythe was dead, they’d want us to know about it. They’d want us to freak out about it. They’d want us to know there’s no hope. They taste fear, and I bet they can get off on it. But they haven’t. They’ve been cracking jokes about how she’s resisting him, and how she tried to escape. We heard the prince roughed up one of his brothers up for touching her.”
“It could all be a game,” Celeste says. “This could all be some elaborate scheme to make us feel comfortable, so it’s more fun when they hunt us down.”
“They won’t hunt you down unless you’re stupid enough to consent to them,” Alaska calls over, finally offering a useful piece of information. “Sidyths are all about consent. They like knowing they’re in control, and if you don’t let them choose you, they can’t hunt you down. It’s part of their fucked up traditions.”
“So, to stay alive,” Ellis reasons, “we can’t fall for one.”
“Don’t go rom-com on me.” Alaska rolls her eyes. “Don’t fall for their shit. If they say they love you and want you to choose them, don’t. That’s consent, bitches, and once they have it, you’re basically theirs. They think they own you, and there’s nothing a Sidyth male enjoys more than proving females are weak. Sidyth males can’t love women. Not really. Their entire existence is to prove they’re not as weak as women. It’s the only reason a king runs their planet and not a queen.” She rolls her eyes and returns to speaking in a low voice with Kansas, the work out twins, and Lacey.
“Heartwarming,” I mutter, unable to resist a trace of sarcasm in my voice, but I can’t help myself. Alaska’s right. This could all be an elaborate game to make us seem weak.
Come on, Blythe. I need some reassurance…
“Holy fuck,” Ellis mutters.
“What?” I ask in a bored tone.
“Shit.”
“What?” I turn around, and as soon as I see what’s caught Ellis’ attention, I rise to my feet. I can’t help the scowl on my face, but it quickly shifts to a smile. Blythe. She’s alive. She’s okay.
“Blythe?” The bitch grins before I turn back towards Sloane and Ellis. “I’m not losing my mind, right? Blythe’s standing right there.”
“It’s me,” she says, rushing forward. I can’t help embracing her; she’s the same age as me, but the warm touch reminds me of hugs I used to get from my grandma – other than her enormous chest. “Oh my God, I was so worried about you guys…”
“Worried about us? Bitch, we were worried about you!” I laugh into her shoulder and try to remember everything I talked to the others about the past few days. Answers. I need to get answers. “These pale bastards won’t tell us anything. We only managed to figure out the one who took you is royal.” As much as I’m enjoying the embrace, I push away and lock my eyes on hers. “Seriously though, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. York, I never thought you’d be the one who worried about me.”
She’s laughing, and I can’t help myself. I still have to make sure she’s real. I run my fingers through her hair and touch her cheeks. I don’t care about how stupid I look, and as everyone’s starting to get a clue that it’s her and she’s okay, the rest of the girls stand and come closer.
Enough pleasantries. “It’s true?” I blurt. “No one’s hurt you?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I took so long.” Blythe’s rambling nervously and stealing occasional glances at the Sidyth behind her. This must be the prince. “Korben hasn’t done anything terrible. He’s not like the Sidyths we’ve been around.”
I narrow my eyes. “They’ve all been coming to look at us,” I say, letting her know we’re as okay as we could be. And it’s true. They haven’t been bad. The Sidyths are always trying to take care of us – at least the ones that will talk to us. I don’t bother to mention the masked stalker, but the more I explain, and the more I look at Blythe, the less I’m worried. In fact, Blythe’s more concerned we’re the ones who should be looked after.
“What about Arizona?” Alaska stands. “Does anyone give a shit about them?”
Blythe flushes, glancing over her shoulder. “I’ll talk to Korben. He’s kind of in charge here.”
Alaska finally saunters over. I can’t stand how intimidated I am of her, but she has a presence, not to mention a point.
“He’ll listen to you?” Alaska drones.
“Of course.”
Alaska rolls her eyes, a sight I’ve grown overly accustomed to these past few days. “They’re Sidyths, Blythe. Don’t forget that. Hopefully, you haven’t gotten yourself into anything stupid.”
Blythe’s blush deepens against her mahogany skin. I can tell this is a sensitive subject for her, but I want to believe she’s not betrayed us because a Sidyth’s shown her kindness. She narrows her eyes, probably growing as infuriated with Alaska as I’ve been, but I can’t defend her. Though I am relieved she’s okay.
“You know what? I don’t care because all that matters to me is I haven’t been touched. Or raped. And that seems like a pretty good deal so far.” Krista. She’s dark, and one of the girls I haven’t gotten to know very well, and yet, she voices the facts I wanted everyone to focus on. “I’ve never been on any assignment where I didn’t have to spread my legs the first night. If the worst thing to happen is creepos leer at me, I can make it work.”
“It’s never that easy,” Alaska snaps, losing her cool demeanor. I can’t blame her. Blythe’s back, but she literally has nothing to offer us other than she’s getting pleasured by a Sidyth prince. “She’s pleasuring him,” Alaska continues. “Or he’s been pleasuring her. Either way, it looks like she’s already developed feelings for a Sidyth.” Alaska shakes her head, and it’s hard not to feel embarrassed for Blythe.
The prince isn’t alone in the room now, flanked by the masked Sidyth and the fugly one.
Blythe nervously bites on her lower lip, and right as she’s about to speak, her little prince storms up to her side. I’m the only one who doesn’t move away – after all, Prince isn’t half as scary as his buddy and mask boy. Besides, if Alaska and Kansas want to run their mouths but show fear, I’ll step up to the plate. Prince seems a little shocked I haven’t moved, and I swear a hiss comes from his lips as he pulls Blythe closer to his pale, exposed chest.
“I have never taken advantage of my Chosen.”
I start to open my mouth. I want to believe him. I want to believe something, and sadly, the main reason stands a few inches behind Korben. If Prince hasn’t harmed Blythe, then maybe the masked Sidyth won’t hurt me.
“No harm will come to you.”
There’s no mistaking it, Prince boy is hissing in Alaska’s direction. Good.
“My brothers know they are not to touch or harm any of the human women in any way. You were not brought here to be touched or pleasured without consent. Blythe is with me because she wants to be.”
I feel the truth in his words. Abandoning the rest of the girls, I stand closer to Blythe and Prince. “You know what? I believe him.”
“You do?” Ellis seems surprise
d. “You think…”
“She doesn’t look like she’s been raped to me.” I brandish my hand up and down Blythe’s frame, doing a quick scan to make sure Prince hasn’t sucked the skin between her breasts. Looks relatively clear. “If she was miserable, the big guy wouldn’t be so willing to let us see her. It doesn’t make sense. Sidyths are cruel, but they’re not stupid.”
Korben stiffens, and Blythe attempts to calm him. I’m watching them both carefully. Looking for any signs of betrayal, but whatever’s going on between the two of them might be the real deal.
But a question remains unanswered, and if I don’t ask it, I’m worried no one’s going to ask. “If we’re not here to get raped and carry babies, what exactly do these guys want with us?”
Prince boy hisses, but Blythe seems to calm him with a squeeze on the arm. “I don’t want you guys hanging out in this room anymore. It’s cruel.”
It’s not a direct answer, but it is an interesting one.
“This is the safest place for the women,” Prince-y grumbles.
Blythe continues to look up at him with a soft expression before turning back to us. “No one wants to spend their time here while Sidyths check them out.”
“This is how things are usually done,” Prince rumbles. “Women do not usually wish to interact unless mating is involved.”
“Human women?” Blythe forces him to clarify.
“Sidyth women.”
“Exactly. We’re not Sidyths, Korben.” The two start to talk to each other in low voices, and hope blossoms in my chest.
Unfortunately, I’m brought back to reality when a certain gorgeous blond ruins everything.
“We should stay here unless one of us is needed. I don’t like the idea of us being broken up into different rooms because this one had a few orgasms.”
Poor Blythe. She’s blushing. I don’t ever remember her flushing before we got here or on the ship, and wanting to believe in her, I hustle to her side. She seems relieved, and though Prince has started hissing again, I decide to take a stand.
