Page 12 of Survivor
“Fuck.” The word teased my tongue. I had found it often during my Earth research, a favored curse of the planet and one Lucy seemed to prefer as well.
My mother’s ambitions were domination and bloodshed. She envisioned conquest, seizing power through force andfear. If someone from the Alliance lent their support for her endeavors... the very thought sent a chill down my spine.
“I think we should assume that someone intercepted your message to the Alliance,” Diarvet suggested, his voice steady yet tinged with concern.
“Without Alliance help I cannot keep Lucy safe in the long run,” I worried aloud, my mind racing with grim possibilities. She would be condemned to live a life of perpetual flight and danger. Lucy did not deserve that. Not to mention, the thought of her constantly hunted by my mother and Seibring caused a rolling knot deep in my gut.
Diarvet paused, his voice thoughtful as he weighed the options. “I believe you should try contacting Chieftain Khaion of theBardagaor Duke Ako. They are honorable men, untouched by corruption. They will be able to reach the Alliance Prime with your news.”
“Good idea,” I said, nodding to myself. I had heard much of both males. Both warriors were known for their sense of justice, fairness, and determination to protect and treat humans equally. “I am sorry for any danger this puts you in, Cousin.”
“Sometimes doing the right thing is worth the danger,” he replied, voice unwavering. “Be safe, Cousin.”
“You as well,” I told him. Diarvet was connected to me by the bonds of family, but beyond the ties of ancestry, he was my friend.
When the comm ended, I snapped the small metal unit in half, the sharp crack echoing in the air. The act shattered not only our line of communication with my cousin and the Alliance but also eliminated the more important threat of my mother using it to track us. Worry gnawed at me for Diarvet’s safety. Uncovering his betrayal would cause Mother to unleash Seibring on him, and Seibring would show no mercy. Perhaps I should have killed him when I had the chance.
Utilizing the ship’s communication system, I dispatched two encrypted messages, one to Chieftain Khaion and the other to Duke Ako. Although I refrained from disclosing my exact destination, I conveyed the details of my mother’s intentions. I assured them Lucy was safe and would remain under my protection until such a time when the Zarpazian queen no longer presented a danger. Without a way to pinpoint Khaion and Ako’s location among the stars, the messages would have to travel through channels, meaning it might take rotations, or possibly even cycles, to traverse the cosmic expanse and reach them.
I would be on my own... with Lucy. The thought of having her all to myself sent a thrilling rush of excitement coursing through my veins, yet a substantial wave of fear balanced it. Her entire life, her every breath and heartbeat, would rest solely in my hands—a responsibility I embraced with the utmost dedication. I would do anything and everything in my power to keep her safe.
Chapter 7
Lucy
A jostle woke me. It wasn’t a sharp jolt but rather a gentle shake that reminded me of the way Nurse Jolie would wake me when it was time to take my medication.
I stretched, feeling the muscles in my body unfurl like a tightly wound spring, and for the first time, noticed the soft, furry blanket draped over me. I didn’t remember getting a blanket. Had Vraxxan placed it over me while I slept? The thought brought a smile to my face.
Since my abduction, I’d encountered a diverse array of aliens. Some were downright turds, but many others—most of the ones I’d met—possessed a kind and gentle nature. Vraxxan belonged in that second group, at the top of it, actually. Despite only having known him for a few hours, I had to admit that I did trust him. He’d protected me to his own detriment. I couldn’t say that about many I’d met in my life, even those on Earth.
I shifted on the bench, which made a rather comfortable bed, keeping the blanket tucked around my legs and drawing my feet up under me. The lights were dim in the spaceship, but that meant diddly when trying to tell time. How long had I slept? The last thing I remembered was getting to the part inThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, where Aslan gave himself up to the White Witch.
I so enjoyed telling Vraxxan the story. His bright teal eyes, like shimmering pools of the clearest ocean, watched me with unwavering attention. He seemed to hang on my every word, each sentence weaving a spell that bound him to the tale... and to me. I didn’t believe anyone had ever shown me that type of attention without the sharp prick of a needle piercing my skin.
It felt... nice.
I cast my gaze around the interior of the spaceship, searching for the male in question. The sleek metallic surfaces gleamed like polished chrome under the soft, ambient glow of multicolored control panels, casting an ethereal, futuristic ambiance throughout the cabin. Faint, rhythmic beeps, and clicks emanated from the cockpit, suggesting Vraxxan’s presence there. Of course. We must be nearing our destination. My gaze jumped to a nearby porthole, my eyes widening as my breath caught in my throat. Instead of the expected star-studded blackness of space, a stunning view of lush foliage met my eyes. Swathes of verdant blue and regal purple leaves swayed gently, interspersed with bright spots of blooming flora.
In the hospital, I would sit for hours watching the Travel Channel, my imagination swept away by visions of faraway locales. The lush rainforests, white sandy beaches, bustling markets, and ancient temples all beckoned to me from the screen. Now, I found myself visiting a location even more far off than I ever imagined.
“You’re awake.” Vraxxan strode in from the cockpit, instantly making my heart skip a beat. His appearance was definitely alien, yet that only enhanced his allure. His features were strikingly exotic, with chiseled cheekbones and eyes that gleamed like twin gems. The scales gave his skin a unique, iridescent quality that caught the light in mesmerizing patterns. Every step he took exuded confidence and grace, and the air seemed to shimmer with a magnetic energy around him.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Vraxxan said, striding to the galley area, where he began pulling supplies from the cabinets. “I tried to make the landing as gentle as possible, but I needed to get us under the cover of the trees to camouflage our location.”
“How long was I asleep?” I stretched again, feeling my cheeks heat as a small yawn escaped.
“Almost ten hours.”
Based on the way Vraxxan’s lips twitched with amusement, I must have appeared shocked.
“You needed the rest. The incident with Seibring must have been taxing.” Vraxxan offered me an excuse, leaning against the galley counter and crossing his massive arms across an equally massive chest.
“This wasn’t my first abduction,” I reminded him. Although I got the distinct impression that it would have been far worse with Seibring than the cat aliens.
“So, what’s the name of this planet?” I inquired, rising to my feet and stretching. I was astonished that I had slept that long. Yet, instead of feeling sluggish, I felt invigorated and alert.
“It doesn’t have a name, only a designation. Planet XZ1827R,” he replied, his gaze following me as I moved closer to the window. The sprawling foliage beyond resembled images I’d seen of the Amazon rainforest. I wondered if it was as dangerous even though its beauty was undeniable. A backdrop of blue, purple, and green, punctuated by the vibrant colors of blossoms exploding across the landscape.
