Incredible sex or not, released from the bondage of alcohol and restored to strength, she had nevertheless traded one master for another. With Paatuun in view, she already contemplated how to escape. Only somehow finding Raven and the other women and getting them to Earth could make up for any part of what had happened to her.
“You’re not even looking at your new home. That’s beautiful Paatuun at last, where we’ll share the rest of our lives together.”
Kimi shook herself from the onslaught of brooding thoughts. She gazed at the planet filling the view from the front of the ship.
It was indeed a lovely place, almost Earthlike, in fact. Great blue swaths of ocean. Fertile green pieces of land. White-mist clouds trailing over its surface. Its similarity to her home planet brought a pang of real regret. Would she ever see Earth again? Did she have any chance at all of returning to her own universe and world?
Swallowing the abrupt grief that arose, she managed to speak with a controlled voice that hinted at nothing. “How long until we get there?”
A slight frown touched Laaruu’s lips. “Several days after our layover at the intake space station.”
“Layover?”
“For your immigration processing and the computer interface installation. The medical staff at Intake is topnotch, so I arranged for it to happen there.” He studied her with mounting concern. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” After all, there was no use in complaining. The time for tears had passed. She’d fucked herself over good and proper, and there was no way to take that back.
Laaruu turned from the view that had him beaming with joy only moments before. He stood before her, his brows pushing together so that a line formed between them. “You are homesick.”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to himself. He stroked her hair, her shoulders, her back, petting her. Soothing her.
Kimi fought for that cleansing hatred again, the dislike for this man who had taken her from her home and reduced her to his compliant sex toy. She didn’t want to lean into his embrace, though her body swayed to do just that. She didn’t want to bury her face against his strong shoulder, though she couldn’t stop herself. She refused to believe she meant something to Laaruu, though he went out of his way in this tremulous moment to show her she did.
This was so fucked up. She’d have killed for a drink at that moment.
After a few minutes of her relaxing in his embrace, Laaruu released her and dressed. His outfit was layers of robes. Matching his eyes and hair, he was a dark angel in turquoise and black. He drew them in at his waist with a silver sash, into which he tucked a crop. “Not that I’ll need to use it, will I, my darling?”
Kimi gave him the middle finger salute, smiling sweetly as she did so. He snorted, but glared at her narrowly.
“Make sure you leave such gestures for private moments. As uncomfortable as you believe public nudity will be, it’s nothing compared to public discipline.”
Kimi shrugged, but her mouth was dry at the thought. Behave. Do what you’re told until you find Raven. Then you can pound him.
Laaruu went over directions on how to present herself to other Paatiin. “Do not look them in the eye, do not speak, and obey whatever you are told to do, no matter what it is. As long as I don’t intercede, you can be assured any commands are within reason.”
Docking with the station was anticlimactic. A few clicks sounded. A beep. Laaruu stood before the wall and waved Kimi into position behind him and to the side. She sullenly stepped to the spot he indicated. She wiped the scowl off when he pulled his crop out of his sash.
Later. I’ll beat him with his own damned straps and crops later.
The hatch did its drape-opening trick. She followed Laaruu out into a place that was both remarkable and terrifying.
Kimi immediately forgot that she was supposed to keep her gaze down as cool air hit her and she shivered. Instead, she gawked at what she took to be a kind of arrival and departure area, similar to an airport terminal. There were gaping arched openings in the semi-circle chamber, from which large numbers of people emerged and disappeared into. Almost all of them wore layers of robes identical to Laaruu, in all the hues of the rainbow. They carried bins like Laaruu’s too. There was a huge rectangular opening on one end of the short curve of the oval, where Paatiin and a few bronze-skinned humanish types entered and exited in nonstop streams.
The bronze-skins, male and female alike, were nude and followed the Paatiin with their heads bowed. Fellow slaves.
Kimi wanted a closer look at those people, but the rest of her surroundings couldn’t be left unexamined. A clear dome covered the ceiling, showing the planet Paatuun hung as an ornament in the black sky. Occasionally, there was a flicker of a suggestion that something passed by, though it was difficult to discern any details. Kimi had learned the Paatiin ships had the ability to camouflage—the glittery stuff on the outside of Laaruu’s ship wasn’t a result of him going wild with rhinestones and a glue gun. They gathered solar energy for power functions. An incredible piece of technology.
Beneath the dome, ringing its outer edge, a bank of lights illuminated the vast room. The walls were as gray as the interior of Laaruu’s ship, with some areas displaying the space beyond and others showing quickly changing images and scrolling symbols. Kimi took them to be the equivalent of video ads and information for arrivals and departures. It was as good as guess as any, she supposed.
There were smaller arched openings close by where she and Laaruu had emerged from their own modest and identical exit. Most had no activity, but a couple discharged a few Paatiin. Kimi gawped at them as well. They looked humanlike, but she couldn’t figure out if they were male or female. They were so androgynous as to be impossible to categorize. Laaruu was an anomaly in that he appeared very much ‘he’.
She was so fascinated that she initially failed to note she was being stared at with interest and confusion. And some irritation, as she met the stare of a Paatiin with the richest mahogany brown hair she’d ever seen.
Laaruu’s crop suddenly appeared before her. He tapped her nose with it. “You’ve had your moment of gawking. I’ve indulged you to the point of insulting others. Now look down, or everyone here will witness how you look when you climax.”
Kimi bit off a growl. He wouldn’t be so smug if not for the button on her clit. It wasn’t worth fighting over, however. She lowered her chin and stared at his feet.
“Well done. Let’s find the rooms I’ve reserved—now what?”
Kimi peeked up to glimpse two Paatiin approaching them. In that quick glimpse, she noted one with hair the color of perfect beach sand and the other with brown hair not as impressive as the guy/girl with mahogany tresses. Her gaze shot down again before Laaruu could catch her looking.
The yellow and blue hems of the Paatiins’ robes appeared in her line of vision as they stopped before Laaruu. The fabric swished softly about their ankles and fell still. A soft voice spoke. “Greetings, Laaruu. I am Waaleen and this is Baaniil. We were sent to fetch your slave for the upgrades you requested.”
“Sent? I thought the procedure wasn’t until tomorrow.” Laaruu’s confusion was plain in his tone.
“We had an opening come available suddenly.” There was a pause, and Waaleen’s next statement told Kimi he’d examined her during that momentary quiet. “You are to be congratulated on procuring such a slave. She is a fine specimen. Alt-Earth, correct?”
“Yes. I’m not sure this is an appropriate time to send her in. I have to register her and perform other regulatory duties immediately.”
Waaleen’s smooth confidence reminded Kimi of an insurance salesman pitching more expensive whole life instead of term coverage. “Of course. We can take her ahead and begin the work while you attend to that. Do you have any special instructions beyond what has already been noted?”
His tone remained unsure, but Laaruu answered readily. �
��Only to watch yourself if she becomes upset. She’s can be a bit unruly.”
“That’s the way many of them are when they are brought in. I understand they settle down quickly, however. She is lovely.”
“Thank you. I’ll be along shortly, Kimi. It won’t take long.” He touched her arm.
Fear flashed through her. She dared to look up at Laaruu. “I don’t want to go without you.”
Waaleen, he of the sandy hair and blue robes, smiled cheerfully next to Laaruu. “It’s quite all right, slave. We’ve worked with enough of your kind that the procedure is now routine.” He took her arm. His hand was warm. Damp. Kimi had to remind herself about the clit stimulator to kill the instinct to pull away.
Laaruu didn’t let go of her other arm. He wavered, his expression unsure as he glanced from her to Waaleen and the silent Baaniil.
Waaleen’s smile grew larger, as if he’d expected the reluctance. “That first separation when you’ve found the perfect slave is such a difficult one. We could wait, but in my experience, it’s better to do this as fast as possible. We find the sooner we’re done, the happier they are.”
His voice was a soothing balm. He seemed so nice, not taking offense at Kimi staring at him. Her heart slowed its desperate pace.
Hadn’t Laaruu told her over and over that the procedure was routine? That she had nothing to worry about? Silly Kimi. She wouldn’t accomplish any of the things she’d set out to do unless she got a grip on herself.
Though Waaleen hadn’t acted upset with her direct attention, she dropped her head and looked at the hem of his robe. She would show she could behave. She’d show them all.
Laaruu let her go. “I suppose it’s fine. I’ll be along in a few minutes. You’ll be fine, Kimi. Nothing to worry about.”
“Okay.” She smiled, staring at the bottoms of their robes.
“We’re all friends here. Come along, slave.” Waaleen gave her a gentle tug, and she went with him. He smelled nice. Not as delicious as Laaruu, but quite pleasing. Kimi bet the Paatiin never had to worry about deodorant.
The silent Baaniil flanked her on the other side, which Kimi approved. Not that any of the Paatiin would bother her when she so obviously belonged to someone. Collar, clit button—clear indications she was owned by a member of their kind. Still, she appreciated that Baaniil’s presence kept anyone else from brushing up against her nude body, whether accidentally or otherwise. She belonged to Laaruu, after all.
It didn’t even bother her that she was naked, but for the slight chill of the arrival and departure hub. Even that was mitigated as they stepped through the wide rectangular opening, into the warmer corridor beyond.
Kimi sighed with pleasure, liking how better things felt all around.
She basked in the warmth and feelings of security until they veered off the main concourse into a less populated corridor. Only then did she wonder why she was so contented.
This wasn’t her. No matter how she enjoyed the serenity that had been missing from her life since losing her parents, it couldn’t be real. Yet it lulled her, a siren song that insisted everything was wonderful.
They veered again, toward a closed door which opened automatically at their approach.
“Through here, girl.” Baaniil spoke for the first time, his tone arctic cold.
It appeared to be another, albeit smaller shuttle bay. Yes, some seats in the middle, the small arched doorways that Kimi had supposed were meant for private vessels to dock at—it looked almost identical to the larger bay she’d come from.
She fought to overcome the happy, floating feelings that left her drifting under the control of the two Paatiin. With effort, she managed a weak protest. “This is no medical facility. Am I drugged? Did you drug me? Where are you taking me?”
Neither answered. They tightened their grips on her arms and propelled her forward, toward a door. Beyond it, the glittery surface of a ship like Laaruu’s parted open.
Kimi thought of bracing her feet. Of fighting the Paatiin who were undoubtedly abducting her. Yet her body wouldn’t cooperate. It kept walking for parts unknown.
The only thing she retained any control over was her mouth. She ignored the muggy, dreamlike thought: why bother?
Instead, she summoned what strength she had and poured it into her voice. “Hey. Hey! Laaruu! Help! Kidnapping!”
“Shut up, stupid booniiv.” Her pal Waaleen wasn’t so pleasant any longer. He yanked her arm hard.
Nevertheless, Kimi swore she heard Laaruu calling her name from a distance.
How sweet. He’s worried about me.
Damn it, get your head together! Fight!
Kimi had no chance to act, had she been able to. A few steps from the hatch, Waaleen turned to her, his hand flashing out.
The survivor part that had been shrieking in the back of her skull all along tried to make her cringe from the blow coming her way. But all Kimi could do was stand there and watch.
Waaleen didn’t hit her. Instead, he pressed something against her neck. There was a feeling of cold, then a sharp pain.
“Ow. You hurt me.”
“Get her on board quickly. We have less than an hour to rendezvous with his ship.”
Kimi tried to yell for Laaruu again. With detachment, she heard herself cry out from far away. Her sight was misting over, and she stumbled.
“Get in, bitch.” Unkind hands shoved her toward the dark interior of the waiting ship.
“Laaruu. Help me.” Kimi could barely hear herself. She went through the door.
Then all was dark for a long while.
Chapter Nine
Cold. It was fucking cold, and Kimi groped for sheet and comforter, wondering why her bed felt hard instead of the marshmallow-soft mattress she loved so well.
No sheet. No comforter.
This is not my bed.
She opened her eyes, noting that not only was it not her bed, it was not her apartment. The lighting was dim, but the smell of shit, sweat, and a sharp tinge of ozone informed her before strange shapes impressed her logy brain.
Where the fuck was she?
Because she was oblivious of her exact situation, Kimi closed her eyes again and faked continued slumber. Or unconsciousness, which was a better bet. After a few seconds of casting about in her memory, she had it: arriving at the space station, encountering Waaleen and Baaliil, being drugged and tossed through a departure hatch.
Son of a bitch. But she was alive. Physically, no parts were missing. Wait—something was off. Kimi’s fingers crept carefully to check on the lack of heaviness and touch in a certain spot. Her investigative probing confirmed that Laaruu’s clit stimulator had been removed.
Okay, that wasn’t bad in and of itself. It bothered her because some unknown asshole had been handling her girlie bits, and it meant someone was intent on removing her from Laaruu’s presence entirely. No doubt for purposes more nefarious than his.
Bit by bit, she tensed and relaxed various other body parts. Nothing appeared amiss, beyond the stim button. As she took her time with her self-examination, the mists in her brain continued to clear.
She took stock of her physical condition. As she did so, the squalls of unhappy babies filled her ears. Several unhappy babies. Accompanied by occasional moans. Was she in a hospital? A nursery? Why was this place so damned frigid?
When she judged herself to be of okay health, she concerned herself with what situation she’d ended up in. Full of dread, wondering what fresh hell she was about to discover, Kimi opened her eyes again.
Shadowed environment. Dim shapes that resolved into the figures of people. A cot next to her, which clued Kimi in on what it was she lay upon. A metal framework with fabric stretched over it; no pillow and no covers despite the cold.
A woman cradling an infant strode into Kimi’s vision. This brunette stranger, her bruised, nude figure shaped with the swells of a new mother, sat on the cot next to Kimi’s, her back to her. The whimpers of the baby quieted.
Kimi sat up slo
wly, carefully, staring all about her. Vertical, the more distant shapes took on coherence and distinctiveness. She gaped.
Dozens of women, all naked, sat or lay on the dozens of cots in a large room. Many had infants. Others stood in partitions along a wall, more moving shadows than living beings. Kimi squinted, trying to peer to see what they were doing. They caressed themselves for the most part, as if pleasuring or—wait, she heard the hiss of water now. Showering. They were showering.
A very pregnant woman walked past Kimi without glancing at her. Her expression was blank. It occurred to Kimi that a large number were either holding babies or pregnant. Those she could see the clearest were bruised, in a fashion that Kimi had witnessed too many times in her law enforcement career. Signs of abuse were impossible to miss when she’d come upon them on a regular basis.
Another walked past Kimi carrying a baby and sporting a black eye. Tears tracked down her cheeks. Otherwise, she displayed no emotion as she wandered by. She didn’t spare Kimi a glance.
Kimi got to her feet. After a few moments’ consideration, she went to her next-cot neighbor, who sat stonily staring into the distance. The baby she held nursed at her breast.
“Excuse me?” Kimi winced at the black-and-blue marks on her cotmate’s arms and legs. “Can I bother you for a moment?”
The woman sat and stared into space. Kimi got the feeling she had heard her fine, but she wanted her to leave.
It wasn’t Kimi’s usual manner of addressing women who’d obviously been harmed, but she needed answers, and she needed them fast. “Hey. Where the fuck am I?”
The woman closed her eyes. Inhaled a deep breath. She glared at Kimi. “You’re on an alien ship.”
“Is it Paatiin?” It didn’t appear Paatiin, at least according to Kimi’s limited experience.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who is Patton?” Some of the other’s detachment eased, as if she’d been startled out of it by the unexpected question.
“Not Patton. Paatiin. The aliens who can change their appearances. They shift their faces so they appear to be anyone they want.”
Righteous Fury (To Protect and Service Book 2) Page 9
