Page 77 of Stolen Slave

The scent of her growing distress flavored the air around us as she began to toy with the mineral waste at her throat.

“Are you afraid of stopping anywhere?” the female asked, also seeing Vya’s growing agitation.

“Yes and no. Khorahn already took me to a station—I think it was a station. The people there were nice too. Very different. But nice.

“While we were there, I had to talk to an Oebri. It was a little, um, uncomfortable. Khorahn said that they can influence me and make me want to go with them. And that I might not be able to go home even if we do reach Earth. Is that true?”

The woman’s expression turned compassionate again. “The Oebri can be a little intense, but they don’t seem to influence us as completely as they do other races. And as for Earth, I promise you that we will reunite you with your family, honey.”

The relief Vya felt fragrantly teased my nose. However, I didn’t let that distract from the female’s words.

“She did not ask about reuniting,” I said. “She asked if she would be allowed back on her planet.”

Vya’s relief disappeared as her gaze bounced between the female and me. The female didn’t seem angry that I questioned her misleading words.

“We haven’t stopped anyone from returning,” she said. “However, there are possible repercussions that we discuss with abductees, in person, before asking if they wish to return. And no, I’d rather not discuss them now, impersonally, while you're still struggling with everything you’ve already experienced. I’d rather do so when you’re here and I can give you the hugs you might need.”

“That doesn’t sound promising,” Vya said.

“I won’t mislead you. It’s not. But I can promise you, the choice will be yours once you’re here. Okay?”

Vya nodded.

“And I’d like it very much if you keep in contact now. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Any chance you have a chocolate recipe for the food machine on this ship?” Vya asked.

The female laughed. “I’ll send a list of our favorite recipes. Take care of yourself, Vya, and stay close to Khorahn. I think you’re in good hands with him. Khorahn, please send the coordinates of the Helix station you’ll be using. I’ll have some extra supplies waiting for you.”

The comms link cut off, and I looked at Vya as she stared at where the female had been. The scent of Vya’s sadness rose, and I brushed my hand over her arm in the way she liked. She looked up at me, her eyes red from their watering.

“Can you hug me again?” she asked.

I picked her up and held her close as I nuzzled her damp cheeks.

“That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for,” she said.

“I know.”

“Thank you for pointing out her empty promise.”

“It wasn’t empty. Likely, they would invite your family to join you on the station.”

Her arms closed around my neck as she pressed herself closer in her misery.

“So my family would need to choose between staying on Earth and never seeing me again or living in space to see me? That’s a shit deal and a choice they shouldn’t have to make.”

“All relationships change over time, Vya. Some grow closer, and some break apart.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, pulling back to meet my gaze.

“Although the present choices aren’t ones you like, perhaps you will have better choices in the future. Earth’s people will not remain ignorant of the ways of the systems forever. Once they are no longer afraid of abductions or their place in the systems, you may find that you can return to your planet as you wish.”

Bitterness flooded her scent. “When I’m ninety?”

I stroked my hand over her arm again to comfort her. She sighed and leaned into me.

“Rather than hope for a better tomorrow, I’m going to work to make today the best it can be. Since it sounds like I’ll be living in space for a while, it’s time I learn more about it. What was that place we just left? A trade station like the one you mentioned in Earth’s, uh, Senior’s system?”

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