At least she could admit she’d let people walk all over her for far too long. That weakness was exposed here, raw and ugly. Like a scar that festered under her skin. Joining the alien exchange had been her desperate, last-ditch effort to become someone stronger, someone new. She grunted. Yeah, as if leaving Earth could scrub out who she really was. She hadn’t left her flaws behind—she’d just packed them up and brought them along for the ride.
Toni’s lips twisted. Sitting here sinking into self-reproach wasn’t getting her anywhere. Maybe that blue-crystal-creep Baelon spiked her drink with something that triggered an allergic reaction that created that realistic, lucid dream. Look at her, grasping at anything to keep from thinking about the stupid mess she found herself in.
Expelling her held breath, she watched it roll out in a plume. The room was still chilly. She sat up and rubbed her arms. Damn, what she wouldn’t give to have that suit she had on in her dreams. Maybe if she got up and walked around, she’d make herself warmer.
The now familiar, sharp, echoing sound of the wall sliding open caught her attention. Instead of the hulking figure of Baelon, in stepped a Krystalii with different coloring than Baelon’s. It was more of a moonstone laced with a notable iridescent shimmer. This one was in female form, complete with feminine features and perky breasts topped with darker nipples. She even had a smooth, human looking vulva.
“Ah, you are awake.”
The musical sound of the Krystalii’s voice made Toni frown. How could something so beautiful belong to something so monstrous? And why did this creature seem familiar? Like she’d met her before.
“I am Lyrentha. I am assigned as your healer to assure your optimum health.”
Lyrentha? Wasn’t that the name of the rebel in her dream? How odd was that? She cocked her head and studied the alien. Healer? For her? Toni snorted. She wasn’t an idiot. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that once she was at ‘optimum health’, they’d start the genetic experiments on her.
“Here, drink this.” Lyrentha held another container like the one Baelon had given her. “It carries all the nutrients and liquid your physiology needs.”
Toni stared at the translucent chalice with the pale-lavender substance inside. Even though the first one had been tasteless, her mouth watered as if she’d been offered a succulent treat. With a resigned sigh, she took the cup and looked up at the Krystalii.
“Thank you.” Putting the glass to her lips, she muttered, “I guess.” She took a quick sip. The same tasteless concoction made her grimace. But at least the rest of it went down easily enough.
“I have also observed the temperature here is uncomfortable for you, therefore I brought this for you to cover your fragile frame.”
Toni’s jaw dropped when she saw what Lyrentha held up. It was the suit… the formfitting one she wore in her dream. She shivered. It even had the same shimmering gold veins threaded through the deep-midnight-blue fabric. Their intricate patterns ran along the sleeves, legs, and torso. She jerked her head to study the Krystalii. How was this possible?
Her mind in a jumbled fog of questions, Toni stepped off the platform she’d slept on, reaching out with her fingers to rub the fabric with one hand while holding the chalice in the other. A comforting warmth radiated from the material. “Here, hold this.” She shoved the empty cup into the Krystalii’s hand to grab the suit. Tempting warmth overrode everything else. The cream-colored Hanbok short-sleeved blouse she’d donned with slacks for the alien exchange seemed like a lifetime ago. And the wear-and-tear she’d endured since then showed. Dirt, smut, and God-knows-what-else had torn most of what she had on. To be offered something new and clean was a temptation she’d be an idiot to refuse.
“Where did you get something like this?” She eyed the naked-looking crystal alien. “You don’t look like you wear clothes.”
Lyrentha jerked her head to the side, the movement stiff and strange. “The Krystalii have no need for such primitive accouterments. We have complete control of our bodies to self-regulate when necessary. This—” She gestured to the suit in Toni’s hand. “—is part of the relics we’ve kept in The Vault of Forgotten Worlds.”
Toni startled. Vault of Forgotten Worlds? Wasn’t that the name of the place she visited in the dream? Her lips thinned. Hard to believe that was a coincidence. Something funny was going on here. And she didn’t need a laugh track to tell her that. “Why would you keep relics from species you’ve taken over?”
“We are an inquisitive species by nature.” Lyrentha’s shrug was stilted and unnatural. “We investigate everything about our adversaries for the benefit of the Krystalii race.” She stood with her shoulders back, in a posture so perfect Toni would never dare copy. “It is how we uncovered this dimension and the riches that rightly belong to us.”
Toni swallowed a snort. Arrogant bullshit aside, she had better things to do. Like getting warm. Who gave a crap about modesty? She couldn’t wait to put the suit on. Whipping off the grody shirt, she didn’t hesitate to slide everything else off as quickly as she could. Even her shoes. Her shivers increased, making it hard to hold on to the soft material. She checked the suit out front and back—it was obvious it was a onesie. Hopping from one foot to the other, she pulled her legs into it one at a time, nestling her feet into the footies. Once she put her arms through the sleeves, the seam melded over her torso and sealed itself closed. Right up to her neckline.
Opening her arms wide, she examined the formfitting material and let out a whoosh of relief. She threw her head back with her eyes closed, pressing her gloved hands against her skin, savoring the heat like a lifeline. Damn, she’d almost forgotten what it felt like not to be shaking like a leaf. Once her shivering settled, she opened her eyes and looked down at herself. There didn’t seem to be any way to open it.
“Hey.” She glanced at the crystal woman. “How do I take this thing off to go to the bathroom?”
Lyrentha’s face went blank. “I do not understand the question. What is a bathroom?”
All at once, her full bladder felt normal. She no longer felt the urge to go.
Human woman from Earth, do not alarm yourself.A soft, nonbinary voice said in her head.I am called Sensos, and I am the garment you wear. Now that we’ve bonded, I will take care of all your physical needs. But please do not alert the Krystalii to my presence.
Swallowing hard, Toni gave Lyrentha a sheepish grin. “Ah, never mind.” She tilted her head and crossed her arms. “So, what now?”
“We will continue to monitor your vitals to determine optimum health. Once we accomplish that, Lord Baelon himself will inform us of the next procedure concerning you.” She turned and headed back to the open doorway. “Until then, I suggest you take this opportunity to regain your strength,” she said over her shoulder before the wall sizzled closed behind her.
“Opportunity?” Toni’s eyebrows rose. “I’ll show you opportunity.” As the warmth seeped into her limbs, her breath became steady. Her mind cleared. Ah, yes. Now that she felt more like herself, it was time to plan a real escape.
May I assist you in this endeavor?the telepathic voice said in her head.
Oh, you betcha.Toni used her mind to reply for the first time. Hey, talking to it like this was easier than she thought it’d be.Tell me what you can do and leave nothing out.
“Are you the human woman known as Antonia Soo-min Choi?”
