“Sentinel reporter Daria Zane left work Friday evening and hasn't been seen since. Before leaving she told her editor, Malcolm Payne, she was meeting with an informant concerning the hundreds of missing women in the Washington, D.C. area. When Ms. Zane failed to arrive for work Monday morning Mr. Payne contacted the police and a unit was dispatched. The officers found Ms. Zane's apartment door kicked in and her home ransacked.
Ms. Zane is five feet ten inches tall, medium weight with long black hair and distinctive violet eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black leather jacket, and black running shoes. The police ask anyone with information concerning her whereabouts contact them at the following number...”
***
Daria finished reading the public notification board then ducked into another group of people and followed them. She'd been on the run for four days, finally losing her pursuers earlier by joining a crowd of office-bound workers. Noticing the crowd was thinning, she had to find a place to hide and rest while she figured out what to do. The alley she chose was dark and lined with high stacks of boxes from the local businesses. Exhausted and filthier than she'd ever been in her life, she slipped between two stacks, leaned against the building and closed her eyes. At her wits end, she didn't know who she could trust with the information she'd learned about the missing women.
Shivering, she crouched and grabbed the broken laces on her shoe. The dried blood coating them brought tears of exhaustion and anger to her eyes. She mumbled several curses directed toward the men pursuing her, as she tied them into a bulky knot and stood up.
When she received a call from a woman saying she had information about the missing women, she'd been excited. She arranged to meet her on the lower level of a nearby parking garage. The woman was hiding in the shadows, and as Daria approached she was surprised to see her friend Marie's step-sister. Emma looked terrified and pulled Daria into the shadows while she told her what she'd overheard her boss, James Martin, his brother, Senator George Martin, and several other men discussing.
The Martins owned one of the largest and oldest pharmaceutical companies in the country, and Emma was James' executive assistant. The previous night she'd stayed late to finish a report, but after placing it on his desk she'd remembered he'd asked for several other files. She'd gone to the file room to pull the files and as she'd put them on his desk she'd heard him and several other men talking in the conference room.
While trying to decide if she should offer to have some food brought in, she heard what they were discussing—a trade deal made with a race of aliens called the Witvians. Apparently, in exchange for young and attractive women they were receiving a constant and plentiful supply of a new drug they called Aphrogen. The drug had been stolen from the Zarronians who called it ZL3.
When Daria asked who else was at the meeting the list of attendees staggered her. Not only the Chief of Police, but the owner of the Sentinel and several other powerful businessmen, military personnel and politicians were in attendance. From the list Daria knew their organization stretched into several states and to some of the highest offices in Washington.
While the two of them were trying to decide what to do the car park had filled with the sound of squealing tires and slamming car doors. Several men ran toward them and she and Emma took off as bullets whizzed by their heads. Just as she'd thought they were going to make it, Emma was struck by a bullet. Daria tried to pull her to safety, but it was no use—Emma died instantly. She had no choice but to leave her behind.
Afraid to go to anyone on Earth, her only option was to go to the Zarronians. She'd first met the Zarronian Ambassador, Valan Eirikson at a news conference at the White House six months ago. Most of the questions he'd been asked had been answered with an intimidating stare and a 'no comment.' As he'd walked out she'd caught him staring at her eyes and she'd hastily asked if he was married, first in English and then in his own language. He'd looked surprised while the more seasoned reporters around her laughed at her question. For a moment he'd stared at her then he'd smiled and in his own language he'd told her about his wife, Lia. The other reporters tried to get close enough to hear what he said but his warriors kept them back.
Afterwards she'd rushed back to her office, written the story and turned it in. Two days later she'd been offered an interview with Ambassador Eirikson. Stunned, since he'd never offered anyone an exclusive interview, she accepted and presented herself at the Zarronian landing station. When he introduced her to his wife, Madami Valan, she'd been nearly giddy with amazement. Nobody on Earth had ever seen a Zarronian female much less spoken to one. Madami Valan answered most of her questions then gave her a tour of the transfer station, that alone was surprising but when she insisted on giving her a tour of her husband's starship she'd nearly fainted. She would be the first person from Earth to board one of the starships and be allowed to return to Earth.
The article she'd written and the accompanying picture of Madami Valan showing her how to use one of their food processors made her famous and recognizable. A big disadvantage now, but if she could make it to the landing station she might be able to sneak onto one of their ships. She'd hide until they reached Zarronia and only then would she announce her presence and her need to see Ambassador Eirikson.
At the end of the alley the sidewalks filled up with the lunch crowd. She joined them for a few blocks until she saw a sign for a thrift shop. Darting through the door, she moved into the deep shadows between two racks of used clothes. While she looked for something to wear she kept an eye on the door and breathed a sigh of relief when it remained empty.
The teenage clerk at the counter looked at her once then ignored her as she chose a long, loose fitting dress in a dark blue color. In the back of the shop she found a pair of black ankle boots next to a rack of long coats. She grabbed the boots and a thick coat then smiled when she saw a row of wigs lined up on a nearby shelf. She chose a shoulder length blonde one.
The clerk reluctantly lowered the fan magazine she was reading and smiled before she showed her the cover featuring several huge Zarronian warriors. "These warriors are so hot!" she said and fanned herself. "I saw one coming out of a building a week ago. He was huge and so good-looking." She laughed. "My boyfriend got mad I was watching him. But, I mean, really, how can you not watch them, right?"
Daria smiled and nodded. "Yes, they're very handsome."
The girl looked down at the items Daria placed on the counter, popped her gum once, and asked, "Is it all you want?"
"Yes."
"Today is half-price day. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"
Daria smiled then noticed a display of sunglasses. She grabbed a pair and added them to the pile.
The girl added up the prices. "Eight credits."
Daria shuffled her feet. She didn't dare use her credit chip. She patted the pockets of her jacket. "I don’t have any credits. Will you take a trade?"
"What kind?"
Daria shrugged the leather jacket from her shoulders. "How about my jacket?"
The clerk hesitated then smiled and Daria handed it over. "Could I use your ladies' room to clean up and change?"
The girl shook her head. "The boss says we're not supposed to let the customers use the facilities. If we let one then they'll all be coming in here."
"Please? I have a job interview this afternoon. I'll be quick." Daria glanced out the front window of the store. Thankfully, she didn’t see anyone waiting for her to leave the store.
The clerk chewed on her bottom lip then nodded. "If you hurry you can use it. The boss won't be back until one. If he comes back early you can just duck out the back door. Okay?"
Daria smiled and picked up the pile of clothes. "Thank you."
The clerk nodded before she pointed toward the back of the store. "The bathroom is in the back to your right. The light should be on. The boss doesn't like me to leave it on but it's spooky back there in the dark, you know?"
"I know. I don't like the dark either," Daria
whispered, remembering how scared she'd been the last four nights while hiding in any dark corner she could find. She moved to the door into the back room and peered around.
The room was dim and full of tables stacked with bundles of clothes. Directly across from her was a door to the alley. Beside it was an open door with light shining. She went into the bathroom and locked it before she looked in the mirror. She was a mess. Her hair was tangled and grime covered her face and neck. The right shoulder of her sweater was torn and hung loose. Her eyes landed on the dried blood stain. Against the dark color of her sweater it looked like a coffee stain. Only she knew it was Emma's blood. Looking away from it, she turned on the hot water. Nothing happened. She turned the other faucet and a stream of cold water rushed into the bowl. A small sliver of soap sat in a pool of water in the soap dish.
She stripped and grabbed a handful of paper towels and washed, shivering when the cold water hit her skin. The warm air dried her while she applied a heavy layer of makeup, outlined her eyes with a black lining pencil, and put several coats of mascara on her lashes. The shape of her face changed as she used blush to make her cheekbones appear higher and sharper. Lastly, she pulled on the wig making sure none of her own hair showed, and then arranged the blonde strands around her face.
She pulled on the baggy dress and stepped into the boots. Her clothes went into the bottom of her tote before she pulled on the coat, left the bathroom and hid the bag under a large pile of clothes in the far corner of the room. The door to the alley appeared to be unlocked so she opened it and peered out. Seeing the way was clear she slipped out, put on the sunglasses and walked to the end of the alley where she joined a group of tall suit-clad men. She walked close behind them until she spotted a taxi cruising toward her. Hailing it she jumped in as soon as the driver pulled over and told him to take her to the alien station.
The driver gave her a funny look. "You one of those women going into space with those warriors?"
"Yes, and I'm late so could you please hurry?" Daria glanced through the back window looking for anyone who might be following her. Would they guess she'd try to reach the Zarronians? Cursing her own stupidity, she anxiously watched the speedometer as they traveled in the early morning traffic. She should have gone to the Zarronians Friday night after Emma was killed. Why hadn't she thought of it then?
She tried to remember what she'd been shown during the tour but the adrenaline that kept her going was wearing off, and she could barely keep her eyes open. Leaning over, she rolled down the window and let the freezing air revive her. She knew every female who entered the station had to show her ID. Somehow she'd have to avoid it as she'd left her identification behind and certainly wouldn't show it anyway. Remembering the layout of the station she realized she might be able to go directly to the changing rooms.
Madami Valan told her the women who went to Zarronia weren't allowed to take anything with them, not even their own clothes. In the changing rooms they stripped, showered and dressed in gowns provided by the Zarronians. They were then transferred to a starship and taken to a large chamber which they shared during the journey. That would cause a problem as well. Once on the starship the females were carefully monitored. She'd have to get away before she was taken to the women's chamber and find a place to hide. Madami Valan showed her the second level of the starship where several quarters for Ambassadors and other VIPs were located. Daria asked if she lived on the starship and Madami Valan laughed and said the quarters were unoccupied unless an Ambassador was on board. A small hysterical laugh escaped her lips as she realized she might make it after all if she could reach the second level and gain entry into one of those quarters.
"Here we are, lady. Sure hope you know what you're doing," the taxi driver said.
"I do, too." She opened the door and swung around to get out of the vehicle. "How much do I owe you?"
"A hundred credits," he told her, grinning at her look of shock.
Daria started to argue with him then smiled and handed him her credit chip and sighed with relief when he pocketed it rather than scanning it. Hopefully by the time he got around to it she'd be long gone. Curiously, she asked him, "What would you have done if I didn't have that much?"
"Nothing. But, I figure you don't need it now and I do." He laughed and waved at her as she shut the door and turned towards the white stone building.
She approached the doors and they automatically opened to let her enter. The reception room held hundreds of women. They glanced at her and turned away. Daria ignored them and made her way to the right side of the room. She stopped next to a closed door she knew opened to a hallway to the changing rooms. The door was her ticket to freedom and she was determined to get through it.
She watched the women as one by one they stepped through one of the many doors at the far side of the room. Most of the women never returned but a few would re-appear escorted by a stony-faced warrior. They'd be escorted to a waiting shuttle and Daria figured they'd been rejected and would be given a ride back to the city. Her reporter's curiosity rose and she fought the urge to run out to the shuttle and ask the women why they'd been rejected. The door opening next to her saved her.
Several warriors came through it. She glanced behind them, saw the corridor was empty and slipped through the door before it closed. The corridor ended after twenty feet. She had to go left or right. She peered around the corner and went left when she saw the way was clear. The door at the end led to the changing rooms. She hurried toward it and slipped inside. Several women glanced at her then went back to fixing their hair.
Mirrors and sinks lined the walls on either side of her and dozens of showers were placed along the back of the room. She moved to the last one and stripped then shoved her clothes through a small door that was marked as a disposal unit. After adjusting the temperature of the water she stepped into the shower and scrubbed her skin but avoided smearing her make-up. The temptation to remove the wig and wash her hair nearly overwhelmed her but she resisted it and decided to leave the wig on until she was on the starship.
Several women waited to use the shower so she stepped out, dried herself, and pulled on one of the Zarronian gowns. A glance in the mirror had her groaning. The dress was skintight and outlined every inch of her curves. It clung to her breasts and stretched across her waist and belly before it ended at her knees. The material was silky and thin, but thankfully not transparent. Accepting the situation she moved into the next room and used one of the brushes to smooth her hair.
"Didn't you hear what the man said? No make-up allowed," the dark brunette next to her said.
"Uh, no, I guess I didn't hear that part. Are you sure?" Rats, she thought to herself, without the make-up someone might recognize her.
"I'm sure. You better wash it off. They said anyone who didn't want to comply wouldn't be allowed to transfer to the starship."
Cursing beneath her breath, Daria leaned over the sink and removed the thick layer of cosmetics. She had to wash twice before it all came off. Standing, she patted her face dry, and looked at herself. She was back. Drats!
"I don't know why you young girls want to wear all that stuff on your face. You don't need it," the brunette told her, smiling.
Daria nodded and moved away. It wouldn't do to get too friendly with anyone. When she disappeared, they might start asking about her.
She wandered toward a group of women who waited to be escorted to the transfer rooms. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes and thought about sleep. When she made it to one of the Ambassadors' quarters she was going to sleep for twenty-four hours. Maybe longer. A hand shaking her shoulder brought her back to awareness. She opened her eyes and saw a small brunette smiling at her.
"It's time to go," she said with a smile.
"Thank you." Daria followed the others out the door and down the corridor to a transfer room. She and five other women stepped onto the transfer plate. For a moment, she felt dizzy and disoriented, then the feeling faded as she rematerialized on
the starship. She stumbled as she left the transfer plate and a huge warrior reached out and caught her. She smiled at him and he held her until she was steady on her feet before releasing her. His eyes slid slowly down her body then back up, and he grinned. She frowned at him. Men!
"You have beautiful eyes, female." He ran his knuckles over her cheek and smiled. "The same shade as the wolfens on Zarronia."
A shiver of feminine awareness slid along her spine as he spoke, and her mind went blank. These Zarronians were unbelievable. They were what a co-worker, Edith, called 'real tasty babes'. For once, Daria agreed with her. They had everything, great bodies, gorgeous faces, and a level of sensuality that was nearly impossible to resist. To top it all off, they also had the sexiest voices she'd ever heard.
"You're not so bad yourself, sweetie-pie." She smiled when the warrior shivered. Even as a child, people gave her startled looks the first time they heard the whiskey-smooth, low tones she'd inherited from her mother. Grinning, she moved away in a hip swinging saunter. Too bad this was the one and only time she'd get to flirt with one of these huge warriors. Under other circumstances she might have been tempted to get up close and personal with him.
In the corridor, she joined a group of women as another Zarronian warrior approached and told them to follow him. She moved to the end of the line and trailed behind. When they reached a place where two corridors intersected, she stepped into the other corridor and hurried away, holding her breath and praying she wouldn't run into anyone.
Four corridors later she came to what appeared to be a dead end. She waved her hand over a small dot on the wall and two hidden doors slid open revealing an elevator. She entered it and repeated the words Madami Valan spoke and felt her empty stomach jolt as the elevator began to move. Crossing her fingers, she hoped when the doors opened the corridor would be empty. Her luck held and she left the elevator, scanning the nameplates on the doors she passed. The first one said 'Commander Valanson'. Frightened it would open and she'd be caught she hurried by it, tripped and bumped into the wall, making a loud thumping noise.
Valan's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 1) Page 28
