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“That is the ultimate goal, yes,” he said nonchalantly.
I scowled.
“I’ve heard they’re good to her. Her four men,” Aarom added. “She wants for nothing, especially now that she’s pregnant with their child.”
I blanched.
“She’s going to have a Vakarran baby?” I asked, afraid of the truth of the words even as they sprang from my lips.
“That’s what the rumors say, anyway,” Davon replied, and I shivered. I wondered if she was happy, if her band of Vakarrans were cruel, or seemingly, if twistedly so, kind and protective like the group that held me captive.
“Do they hurt her? Are they cruel to her?” I asked hesitantly.
Aarom met my eyes and shook his head. None of them said anything further, leaving me to ruminate in my head once again. I wish I could see her. Talk to her. Make sure she was alright. I bit my lip. Maybe one day, I’d be able to see her. If I obeyed this motley group of four Vakarrans. They’d said she was on the ISS Starrider. That’s where Davon had said Kira was.
Maybe I could use them. Get in contact with my sister somehow.
I’d have to remain vigilant. Observe everything around me. Listen. Learn. Begrudgingly obey their command, for now anyway. Possibly escape one day.
I knew Danika and Kaela could handle themselves. They’d be fine without me. I’d miss them, but I knew that they would remain safe.
The five of us walked through the forest together, Aarom gently tugging me forward by my leash. The four of them were still clothed and I, completely naked. I could feel the last tendrils of sunlight peeking through the leaves, its warmth like a quiet caress on my skin.
My heart pounded gently in my chest, my nerves at finally being captured by the Vakarrans twisting at my insides. They were in my head and in my heart, and I didn’t quite know how to handle that.
I wanted to hate them all. But I couldn’t. Not yet.
I’d hold judgement a little longer. For now, I’d stay compliant, in actions only. I would submit with my body, but not my mind until I knew more.
We walked silently for a while, the only sounds being the shake of the leaves from the wind or the echo of a breaking twig beneath our feet. Eventually, as the sun began to set behind us, I started to hear signs of voices and movement ahead of us.
I stiffened slightly. I knew the land. It was familiar. I knew we were nearing the Vakarran female training camp. At Kira’s insistence, I never came here. It was too dangerous and now I was being led straight into it. My eyes flicked back and forth between the four men as we drew closer. Oddly enough, it seemed that all of them tensed as we approached the camp. They were nervous.
Why?
What were they afraid of? This was their kind.
On the edge of the woods, Ryder stopped, and the rest followed suit. He turned back toward me and began whispering in a low, dangerous tone.
“Alaina. It’s very important you obey us here. If one of our brethren suspects you are not properly trained or obedient, he’ll demand public punishment or worse, direct transfer to Commander Nix’s observation. Trust me. You don’t want that,” Ryder began.
“It might be best for you just to stay silent,” Aarom insisted.
I gazed at them, meeting their eyes, each and every one. They seemed desperate for me to obey. Like they wanted to protect me.
I lifted my head.
Perhaps I could use that to my advantage.
Davon took my hand into his. His youth was refreshing, his inexperience captivating in an odd sort of way. It made me feel at ease. Like he understood me too.
“You’ll probably see much more harshness than we’ve shown you at the human female processing center,” he warned sincerely.
“Trust in us and you’ll never get to experience anything like it,” Aarom added.
I didn’t want to trust them, but I knew I had little choice. Between the four of them, their strength was no match for my small frame. Intellectually though, I’d find a way to best them, eventually. I’d escape. I’d kill them all, without hesitation next time. I’d make Kira proud.
I nodded silently.
