Collected (Selected Book 1)

by Robin Roseau

  I consider us friends, Sapphire, and so I have watched you. I have watched your challenges, although not always in real time. My schedule is not always my own.

  I was so deeply frightened when you stabbed yourself. Please promise to never scare me like that again. But I laughed when you encountered the trap in the storage shed. I congratulate you on your win of your first challenge and commiserate that you lost your second. You will also lose your third, but you recognize that. Do not lose heart.

  You should not worry about Stockholm Syndrome. Yes, I know this term. You must understand, for those who pursue a relationship in this fashion, it is natural to us. The mates of our own races expect these challenges. The mate that Bronze would have pursued, if she were on her home planet, would work very hard to win. In a way, this is our ancient survival of the fittest, and it is our biology. But once a mate is won, she embraces her mate with her entire heart.

  And that process begins about when it has begun for you.

  For her, this is natural. And your empathy makes it difficult for you to avoid assuming some of her ways, just as she will assume some of yours.

  Do not worry about that. Instead, worry about what makes you happy.

  If you want her to hold her, call her. You know she will come.

  It is good to hear your voice, and I am sorry you cannot hear mine. I have talked to both Bronze and Jasmine, and I understand why it must be this way. But they have assured me we may exchange messages as often as we like. So perhaps we can "talk" for a while tonight.

  Your friend,

  Moirai

  I read her letter twice and sighed.

  Moirai, thank you for your kindness and your friendship.

  I am still confused and don't know what to do. I want this over with, my five -- or perhaps even seven challenges. I wanted to fight. I was so angry at first. I wanted to fight. I wouldn't have given her my ribbon if I could have fought her instead. I was in a corner. 64 challengers, and only three female. If I'd fought the way I wanted, I'd have been taken by one of the males. And then I would have only one pair of thoughts: kill him or kill me, whichever opportunity presented itself first.

  Perhaps, and I choose that carefully, perhaps I have a duty here. But mating with a male is too much. To think that all of you were willing to force me to accept that touch... Too much.

  Can you imagine how out of my mind I was?

  In all your testing, you didn't test my preference? I can't have been the first human you've taken with this preference. And then you place me in that situation, on top of the rest of it.

  Or April. That is just as bad. I believe she said she is 17. She is too young!

  Perhaps there is duty here, but you ask too much. 21, maybe, but not 17. And you must not present such poor matches, such as a male for a woman who prefers other women.

  Perhaps you do not fully understand that. For me, that preference is at least as great as Bronze's need for this competition, and for some of us, including me, a man's touch causes revulsion. I have cause.

  I said no man has touched me. That's not entirely accurate. But it wasn't my idea.

  And you would have done that to me.

  I don't know what to think. I don't know how to forgive any of you, especially you. You helped them do this to me. It is unforgiveable.

  I don't want to talk to you anymore. I'm done turning to you for solace. You have never been my friend.

  I'm trying not to cry.

  Her reply was not long in coming.

  Bronze comes.

  No man touched you. Perhaps you should wonder how Jasmine Brighteyes arranged that. Perhaps it wasn't as dire as you fear. Perhaps even if you hadn't offered your ribbon, Jasmine would have found another way to protect you.

  Moirai

  And I had barely finished that before I received a message from Bronze.

  Do you like chocolate?

  * * * *

  I was still lying on the bed when Bronze entered. She climbed onto the bed, and I laid my head in her lap.

  She stroked my hair soothingly. Neither of us spoke. She stayed for a long time.

  When she began to grow restless, I sat up. "Thank you." She nodded, and then I walked her to the door, accepting a hug and a kiss on the head before she left.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Bronze invited me to the gym. It was amazing to watch her, but I think she enjoyed watching me even more. I had a good workout, but I told her she wasn't allowed to watch me shower. However, she seemed subdued, and I wondered what was wrong. I didn't ask.

  When she returned me to my cell, there were clothes waiting for me. I hurried to them. They were simple clothes, just jeans and a blouse.

  "Did you do this?"

  She nodded, and so I thanked her.

  After lunch, I received a message from her.

  Will you let me take you to dinner?

  It was easy to accept, but I was quite surprised when, late in the afternoon, the nook opened, and there was a dress and heels waiting for me. I was amused to see it was the color of her eyes and somewhat unsurprised to see a slit up the side, a great deal of exposed back, and almost as much exposed chest.

  I sent her a message. "If you want to see me wear this, I have more extensive preparations to make, and I require a proper bathroom to do them. Otherwise I'll wear the jeans."

  I outlined the exact requirements, and a few minutes later received a reply.

  I didn't have to wait long before Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum arrived. They stepped into my cell and smiled. They saw to my shackles, then Dee took my arm and Dum carried my things.

  I was blinded until I found myself in a very nice bathroom, and everything I had requested was waiting for me.

  "Knock on the door when you're ready."

  "It will be some time."

  Dee smiled. "I imagine so."

  And indeed, some time later, I knocked. Seconds later, my visor dimmed, slowly so I was prepared, and then the bathroom door opened.

  "Wow," said Dum. "Your alien is a lucky woman."

  "Thank you," I said. "Does everything look all right?"

  "Absolutely. We're not taking you back to your cell. There's another room to wait for her, but she won't be long. We'll return your other clothes, so leave everything there."

  "Ma'am," said Dee. "We have an inventory of the contents of the room before you stepped in. If you are attempting to smuggle anything out, you better tell us now."

  "I'm not. Feel free to search me." I held my arms wide.

  "We couldn't search you everywhere. I'll just take inventory."

  "Everything is on the counter." I turned towards their voices. "I'm scared and confused, but that doesn't mean I am accepting what you help them force upon me. You are just as evil as everyone else involved. Remember that."

  Neither of them said anything, but they were gentle when they took my arms.

  I had to cool my heels for only a short time. The visor wouldn't let me look around, so I didn't know where I was, but it let me read.

  Still, when I heard a door, I stood and turned to the sound. Footsteps came to a stop, and then I heard a rumbling.

  "Bronze?"

  She crossed to me, and I recognized her touch when she caressed me.

  "Do I look all right? I have no idea what your standards are for beauty. I can't imagine any human being what you really want."

  She pressed her fingers against my lips.

  "All right," I said.

  We walked slowly through the facility before she helped me into one of the transports. Then she held me warmly as we lifted off.

  "Can you tell me where we're going?"

  Words appeared in my otherwise blank visor.

  Talking in your language is still difficult for me. I will speak here. I have a few messages already prepared. Others will be slower.

  "Thank you," I said. "You're going to so much trouble."

  You are worth it.

  "You had that one ready!"

&nbs
p; Yes.

  Then...

  The arena is near a small town. Everyone in the town works for the arena or understand what happens here. There are restaurants. Many serve extraterrestrial foods, but my body enjoys your food. I have chosen a human restaurant. I hope you like it.

  I was touched. I started to cry quietly.

  Please don't.

  "I'm sorry. I can't help it."

  What did I do?

  "You were kind. I'm being silly. I'm sorry."

  It only took a few minutes for me to stop. I brushed the tears away, the ones that had escaped the visor, and the visor seemed to absorb the rest. At least I hadn't turned blubbery.

  "I'm sorry," I said again.

  Do you want to go back?

  "No! Please. I'm just feeling vulnerable. This is a nice gesture. Thank you.

  You are worth it.

  I didn't ask any other questions, and we landed a few minutes later.

  "Do I remain shackled and blind?" The reply was slow coming.

  Until we are seated. Jasmine insisted.

  "I bet you can track me by the visor or something. If I ran, where would I go?"

  She didn't answer that. But we stood, and she guided me from the flying taxi.

  "Humans would like those," I said.

  Then they will need to learn to make them. The physics is advanced.

  We strode forth, a walk of perhaps a block and a half. It was warm, but not horribly, and we walked slowly.

  I heard other people around us, although no one addressed us.

  "Are people staring at me?"

  Would that bother you?

  "They know what I am."

  Many probably know who you are, Sapphire.

  "Do I have groupies?"

  There was a long pause.

  I had to research that word. Yes, you do.

  I laughed, and a moment later we stepped inside.

  Restaurants everywhere sound the same, it seems, and so I had no trouble guessing we had arrived. And it seemed that Bronze was known, as she was called by the name I had given her, and then we were led to a table, Bronze walking behind me and guiding me by my shoulders.

  "You could just let me see."

  Jasmine insisted.

  She helped me to sit, and that was when she freed my wrists, but my legs remained shackled. Then the visor cleared, and I was free to look around.

  If you stand, the visor goes black. And you cannot remove it.

  "All right."

  It could have been an upscale restaurant anywhere. Most of the tables were set for intimate conversation, seating for two or four, with white tablecloths, black linens, and crystal water glasses.

  About half the tables were occupied, most of them by humans, but a few had aliens. I recognized three or four races. The wait staff was entirely human, and we had only been seated a minute or two before a woman approached.

  She eyed both of us, and I was sure she had noticed my mode of arrival. She turned to Bronze and looked her up and down. When she spoke, it was with a German accent.

  "I do not recognize your species." Then she set a tablet onto the table facing Bronze.

  Talk to her for me.

  "Hello," I said. "I call her Bronze. She understands English, but she speaks little. Do you need to know her race? I do not know it."

  The woman turned to me. "I do not know which menu to give her. Their diets can be exceedingly varied."

  "She told me she can eat human food." I looked at Bronze. "Did you want a human menu in English?"

  She nodded.

  "Two menus in English, if you please," I said.

  The waitress turned back to Bronze. "Ma'am? You must verify the candidate's request."

  "Trust," Bronze said, the single word clearly difficult for her.

  "Trust her?" Bronze nodded. "Of course, ma'am. I will send Skye with menus and water."

  She stepped away, and I looked at Bronze. "So, she believes I belong to you, does she?"

  Bronze smiled.

  You do.

  "I can absolutely promise you there aren't enough months in the world to convince me to accept that sort of relationship." I rattled the shackles at her. "These are temporary."

  We will see.

  "Oh, we'll see all right!" I said hotly. "I'm not-"

  Teasing, Sapphire.

  I stared at the words for a moment.

  "All right," I said. "I'm sorry. I couldn't tell."

  I am sorry. I thought you liked teasing.

  "I do. You may tease."

  She smiled.

  "I bet that gesture isn't natural to you." She didn't answer that. Instead she leaned forward and held out her hand. I looked at it for a moment before offering mine. We held hands, not talking, until the waitress arrived.

  "Hello, Ladies," a rather buoyant young woman said as she stepped up to our table. She set down water and passed out two ornate menus. "My name is Skye. I understand you both understand English, and that I am to trust the candidate."

  "It's a Halloween costume," I said.

  "Excuse me?"

  "Bronze wanted to understand about Halloween. I'm in costume. She wasn't here in time, so we're making our own party. She's in costume, too."

  "Costume?"

  I couldn't read Bronze's expression. I'd have to work on that. But then the words appeared.

  Tell truth!

  I snickered.

  "I'm sorry, Skye. I'm teasing her, and maybe you. I think she'll do terrible things to me if I don't admit I'm teasing."

  The girl looked back and forth a couple of times.

  "She's not in costume?"

  "Actually, I'm not sure. She's an ET. This might be a costume. I haven't met many ETs, so I can't be sure."

  "Um. I'll be right back with a bread basket, and perhaps you'll have drink orders ready when I return."

  She fled the table, and I watched her go.

  You are naughty.

  "Are you angry with me?"

  No. But stop teasing her.

  "I was teasing you."

  Stop confusing her.

  "I didn't know she couldn't keep up with me. I'll cool it."

  Apologize to her when she returns.

  I cocked my head. "I haven't decided if I have to obey you about things like that. In fact, I'm pretty sure I don't."

  You do.

  "I'm not sure I agree, but you're probably right about this time. I'll apologize." And so, when Skye returned, I did just that. "I'm sorry. I'm a little giddy just to be out."

  "You are a candidate."

  "Yes."

  "Really? Do you have any advice?"

  "Advice?"

  "To become a candidate?"

  "Do you know what the process is?" I asked somewhat incredulously.

  "Yeah. They fight over you!"

  I looked at Bronze. Her expression, like most of them, was enigmatic. "A little help here."

  You talk to her.

  "Thanks."

  "What for?"

  "Bronze is sending messages to my visor. I was thanking her for the most recent."

  "Your visor. That's the thing on your face?"

  "Yes. It's sort of like night vision goggles, ET style."

  "Where can I get one?"

  Bronze snorted.

  "How old are you, Skye?"

  "Sixteen. I didn't know there were female champions. She is female, right?"

  "She is."

  "So she's, what? Gay?"

  "Well, I am, and there weren't any guys to fight over, so she must have realized she was getting a woman. But we haven't talked about things at that level."

  "But most of them are male, right?"

  "The ones I saw, but I've met far more female aliens than male, so I don't know if that's the normal ratio."

  I looked at Bronze, expecting her to chime in, but she offered a smile without saying anything.

  "I don't have many answers, Skye."

  "How did you get them to select you?"

&nbs
p; "How did I get them to select me? Bronze, am I allowed to answer that?"

  Yes.

  "You know what version I'm going to tell."

  You may answer.

  I turned back to the girl. "Skye, four police officers showed up at my house while I was still in bed. They hauled me away, still in my pajamas, and didn't give me an opportunity to pack a thing or even tell me what was going on. That was nearly two weeks ago, and I'm still angry about it."

  I'm sorry.

  "No you're not, Bronze. Don't lie to me. I don't appreciate it."

  "But.. They're amazing! I'm not at all gay, but if she showed up on my doorstep, I'd let her take me away with her."

  I felt a surge of jealousy, but I shoved it down. Where had that come from?

  "I admit, they can be pretty fascinating, or at least the ones I've gotten to know." I paused. "Skye, I don't have all the answers, but you've already got a lot going for you."

  "I do?"

  "Do you know what xenophobia is?"

  "Yeah. Around here, we know that word." She narrowed her eyes. "I'm not a xenophobe!"

  "I can tell, and they told me that's the most important criteria. They don't take someone who is repulsed by the differences."

  "The differences I've seen are so cool!"

  "I think so, too. I've met someone who looks almost exactly like a Siberian Tiger. And I've met a Catseye. She's pretty interesting."

  "They look like us, but with different eyes."

  "There are some other differences, too, but I think that's something I'm not supposed to talk about."

  You're not.

  I looked at Bronze. "May I tell her a little about you?"

  Yes.

  "Bronze had her body changed to be more compatible with a human mate. I don't know what she looked like before." But then I looked back at her. "But she's going to show me pictures."

  Not tonight.

  "She's very private. She hasn't told me her name or species, but she's going to do both very soon. Isn't she?"

  We'll see.

  "So, what do I do? To be selected?"

  Ask if she enjoys school.

  "What grade are you in at school?"

  "I'm a junior. It's a really small school, but the teachers are cool."

  That's a good sign. Ask her if she wants an introduction to Jasmine.

  "Skye, I know who you should talk to. Her name is Jasmine Brighteyes. She is a Catseye and is the administrator at the center. If you are sure, really sure, then I can arrange an introduction. But you understand, they look for very specific things, and I don't know what they covet."