“It is not acceptable for you to sleep here, mistress.”
I groaned without opening my eyes. I felt comfortable enough around the machine to get whiny. “It’s such a long walk back to my room.”
“Would you like me to carry you, mistress?”
Now I opened my eyes. The offer was tempting. “Carry me how?”
His hand extended to the floor to grab my shoes. He set them on my stomach, and then his arms went into a forklift position. He shimmied them under me and lifted. Once I was up, his hands flattened against my hip and shoulder to hold me securely. Then he zipped off towards the elevator. It was 30 miles per hour again. My hair blew. It was kind of fun.
My steed set me on the bed in the tiny room. It felt pretty comfortable.
“Thank you.”
“You are very welcome, mistress.”
A panel similar to the one beside Elentinus’ door lit up red.
“If you require my assistance again, just press the button. This also controls your door.”
I managed a sleepy smile. “Do you have a name other than ‘Domestic’? Like something that identifies you, specifically?”
“I am Domestic 946, mistress.”
He said the numbers in the alien language. It sounded like ‘sha-kang-shoon.’
“I’m going to call you Kang. That was the village next to the one I lived in back in Botswana. Can you be my Domestic, Kang? Will you be the one to come whenever I need something?”
“That would be most acceptable, mistress.”
He backed out and closed the door. There was some hidden light source in the room that kept it from being pitch black. I didn’t really care. I tossed my shoes on the floor, got under the blanket, and went to sleep.
***
I probably only slept about four hours, though. I woke up to pee and realized how hungry I was. (I was also vaguely aware of the fact my pubic hair had disappeared, but didn’t let it compute). In my half-asleep stupor I thought it would be fun to order room service. I met Kang at my door.
“Can you get me something to eat?”
“Of course, mistress. What would you like to eat?”
“Um…a tuna fish sandwich?”
“That food is not available here, mistress. Would you like a fish donut instead?”
That woke me up. “Ew. What the Hell?” I considered for a moment. I’d had a thing called vetkoek in Botswana that I would probably describe as a meat donut. Sounded disgusting, but tasted delicious. “Okay, fine. I’ll try it.”
He zipped off and I waited in my doorway. A minute passed and I heard footsteps. I looked down the hall. The lights had been dimmed from what they were earlier, but I could still make out Elentinus’ silhouette.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Even if he hadn’t seen me yet, if I tried to hide in my room he’d hear the door slide closed. I stood there frozen with my head down and my arms crossed below my bosom.
Elentinus stopped in front of his door and looked at me. I kept my head lowered and peeked up at him. His hair was a little mussed.
“Were you waiting for me, my dear?”
“Oh, um…” I had the urge to lie and say that I was. I don’t know why. Whore had brainwashed me into feeling like I had to please the guy.
Kang sped down the hallway just then holding a plate with a metal cloche covering it. Elentinus chuckled when he stopped beside us.
“Ah. I see.”
He lifted the cloche. There was a big fluffy white pastry with some weird seaweed-looking garnish. Elentinus leaned down to sniff it. I didn’t have to lean down. A delicious aroma wafted up to me, making my mouth water.
“Cre-ann fish pastry.” He looked impressed. “What made you order this?”
“I love food.” Um, yeah. I probably needed to sleep a few more hours before I’d become articulate. “I mean, I love trying new things.”
“This is a fine start then.” He replaced the cloche. “I’m pleased to see you have an appetite. It’s most encouraging.”
The silence that lingered after he spoke was about to get awkward. I hated awkwardness. It’s the sort of thing that would vex me all night.
“Um, you know when you get a new cat? Some cats will hide under a chest of drawers for, like, the first three days. Other cats will go out and explore and try to sniff everything. Either way, they both just want to feel safe in a new environment.”
Elentinus took my hand and got a little bit closer. I managed to look into his eyes.
“What a lovely analogy. When you have a new pet you want them to know that they’re safe and they’re loved. You want them to be happy.” He looked down at our hands. “But…they are still your possessions. A rare and cherished animal must be closely guarded.”
I swallowed.
“I want you to be happy, but some fundamental things in our marriage will be…resolute. I almost hesitate to behave too friendly to you. If you object to any of my wishes later, well, it can’t be tolerated. You have to serve your purpose regardless of my desire for you to be happy.”
“I…I can compromise. I just don’t know how much compromising you want.”
He smiled. It made his eyes look kind. “Just the fact you’re open to compromise pleases me.”
He released my hand and pressed the button to open his door.
“Good night, my dear.”
After he left I went into my cell and dropped onto the bed. I rubbed my face with both hands. How was I going to get to sleep after hearing that?
Kang rolled in with my plate.
I fumed. “I can’t eat now. Can you get me something that will help me sleep?”
“Of course, mistress. Will you please assume your sleeping position?”
My brow twitched, but I did what he asked. Once I was lying down under my blanket, his hand extended out and sprayed something on my face.
I flinched and sputtered, but in two seconds I was out like a…
***
I woke up in full panic mode. This was the part where I’d expected everything to be a dream and thought I’d be back home. I curled in on myself to go over all the insanity in my head. I tried to figure out, once again, what the Hell was really going on. What explanation could there be? No good answers brought on another session of tears. Then I bucked up.
I summoned Kang and had him give me therapy while I stayed huddled up in bed. I needed to have all the information Whore gave to me regurgitated nice and slow.
“How the Hell is that possible?”
He told me how.
“But why? Why me? Why the Hell did this have to happen right when I’d finished my tour and was just starting to get my life straightened out?”
There weren’t any answers so I let myself cry again. I tried to fuel my tears with more revelations of misery. “Everyone I ever knew is dead. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Yes, mistress. Humans cannot live 2,080 years. If they had somehow lived there is a 96.8% probability they would have been become brain-dead hosts to the Instajant parasites. Only 368,046 humans are left. Most of humanity was culled during the Instajant invasion.”
“What the fuck!” I said through my tears. “Can you get me that damn vaccine?”
“You have already been vaccinated, mistress.”
I wiped my nose on what I’d figured out to be toilet paper. “Of course…of course you did. Probably during my brain surgery, right? Or when you were fucking up my ovaries or some shit?”
“All your required treatments were performed during one procedure, mistress.”
“Fuck you!” I continued sobbing loudly.
Okay, I wasn’t really angry at him. I wasn’t even that hysterical. I wanted to get on with whatever I had to face here without any baggage holding me back. I needed catharsis, and emotionless robots made handy punching bags.
When my swollen eyes and raw throat finally needed a break I went after my cold fish donut.
“Can you get me some water?”
“Of course, mistress
. How much water would you—“
“Like a two liter or something. And some hot coffee, too.”
“That beverage is not available here—“
“Well I need coffee, damn it!” I started gesturing at him with one flailing arm. “Go into your Earth database thing. Figure out what coffee is. And bring me the fricking equivalent.”
“Of course, mistress. I am very sorry you are distressed today, mistress.”
I froze and looked at him. “You don’t have emotions, do you?”
“No, mistress.”
“I’m not distressed, Kang. I’m frustrated. I was just taking it out on you so it didn’t come out with Hor-Denay or Elentinus.”
“That is a very wise strategy, mistress. However, you must refer to my master as ‘Lord Elentinus’ until you are married to him. Then you must refer to him as ‘husband.’”
“Oh my God. Get me coffee now, please.”
He revved up to go.
“Wait.” I grabbed the utensil that came with my food and scratched a small letter K in the middle of his chest. “Okay, now go.”
He revved up again.
“And don’t tell Hor-Denay I was snippy with you, okay?”
“I am not required to report on your treatment of me, mistress.”
“Good. Then hurry the fuck up.”
He sped off and I managed a weary laugh. Being a bitch was a great stress reliever. Kang didn’t deserve it, but, then, he didn’t mind, so why not? Right now my life was out of control and I felt like a victim. I would make him my whipping boy until my head was in a better place.
I was a lot calmer once I had the weird thick gingery/cucumbery drink Kang brought me. It had to have caffeine because it made my headache go away and perked me up. I used the energy to take a shower.
Kang showed me the clear trunk under my bed with everything I needed. I had one similar for some of my stuff in the clinic in Botswana. If they piped in some flies, stifling heat, sweat stink, and gave me an uncomfortable cot I would have been right at home. I grudgingly admitted this was an upgrade to my situation there.
Then I took it back just as fast. It was my choice to join the Peace Corps, right? Those happy posters all over my college campus had seduced my naïve, adventurous mind. I’d graduated in three years just so I could hurry up and go. Then I’d arrived in squalid Hell and realized I’d made a hideous mistake. I still regretted signing up half-way through my tour. Once the end was in sight I got less depressed. In the final months I was even considering a second tour—but not with much conviction.
So what was the Peace Corps for me? Something I’d thought would be a fantastic adventure, but had turned out to be miserable Hell-ride.
What would this place be? A miserable Hell-ride that turned into a fantastic adventure? Well, one could hope. The point was that I chose the Peace Corps. I was a prisoner here.
Some choice I’d made, though. If I had to do it all over again—? Nope. I wouldn’t have gone. Maybe having someone else choose my fate would turn out better for me. Again, I’d have to hope for this. For better or worse I was stuck here.
I kicked Kang out of my room to undress in case he had a camera. This is when I let myself notice I had no body hair—not even in my butt, which, you know, hadn’t been too much of an issue, but I was a grown woman. I ground my teeth. If it was only me, Whore, and Elentinus on the ship, then who the Hell had waxed me?
Under the soothing spray of warm water I tried to convince myself a Domestic had done it. Maybe it hadn’t been waxing, but something like a make-your-hair-fall-out injection. I tried to kick all these thoughts out of my mind.
When I got out of the shower the asshole was standing in my room. Thank God I’d wrapped myself in what I determined to be a towel. I glared at him while my hair dripped a puddle on the floor.
“You need to eat,” he said in his typical impatient tone.
“I already did.” I pointed to my dirty dish between the wall and the foot of the bed.
His face softened. “Oh. Fine then. Come with me.”
“Suuure.” I got a wicked smile at the thought of Elentinus catching him dragging me around the ship in nothing but a towel.
Whore made his annoyed grumble and turned to leave. “Well, get dressed first, of course. I’ll wait outside. Hurry up!”
“Jack-ass.” I made sure to mutter this after the door had closed.
I dressed fast just because I didn’t want him bursting in on me half-naked if he found me to be too slow. There was little camisole type thing for my bra, which did hold the girls up pretty well, and a girdle type thing for my bald groin. I had to put both on to fit into the tight black dress. It was more comfortable than the constricting undergarments should have allowed. Once my nudity was safely concealed I looked for a hair dryer. I didn’t find one, so I laboriously towel dried my long hair. I was brushing it in front of the oval mirror attached to the wall when Whore burst in.
“I told you to hurry up!”
I bit my tongue and kept up with him down the corridor.
“You’re getting along fine, aren’t you?”
I was surprised at his concern. “As well as can be expected.”
He shot a look at me. “I expect you to be fine. You’re eating, aren’t you? You slept through the night. You’re fine.”
I made an exasperated shrug. “Sure.”
He pressed the button to summon the elevator. “Listen, these ‘Degrees of Intimacy,’ they’re not the norm. It’s just dragging out something that should be fairly simple.”
I followed him into the elevator. “That’s easy for you to say.”
“Don’t start with me this morning! By the gods, I swear I’ll zap you!”
“If you zap me for no good reason I’m telling Elentinus.”
“How dare you refer to him with such familiarity! He’s Lord Elentinus! Lord Elentinus!”
I cringed back. Damn it—I knew that. “Sorry. I—I forgot. Lord Elentinus. Then husband. I won’t forget again.”
Whore glared at me, but his tone showed me I’d appeased him. “Anyway, my people are on the brink of extinction. Even worse than your own. It’s imperative that you start the breeding cycle as soon as possible.”
An icy shudder started at the back of my neck and moved all the way to my stomach. As we exited the elevator I was hugging myself again. (I’d stopped doing that for at least a little while).
“What…what’s the breeding cycle?”
“Kindly spare me your tiresome foreboding. You’ll be given injections to increase your fertility. Lord Elentinus will impregnate you twice per month.”
My jaw dropped.
“Five days after every conception the zygotes will be removed from your body to be gestated artificially.”
This brought my horror level down a few ticks. At least they weren’t planning to turn me into a brood queen. Now I just had to deal with the thought of—what? Twenty-four babies a year?
“What happens to the babies?”
Whore stuck his nose in the air. “They’re cherished of course. They’ll be granted to worthy caretakers who will raise them with the utmost love and care.”
“…Really?”
Whore spun on me. “Yes. Really.”
I took a deep cathartic breath. I figured I could live with that. I had to. If everything they’d been saying was true, if they really didn’t have many women left, and if they were really on the brink of extinction, then I had to expect to be used this way. If I let myself get sentimental about my children then I’d probably lose it.
“I’m going to be having surgery twice a month?”
Whore gave me a dismissive wave. “Pah, it’s nothing. You won’t even notice anything’s been done to you. The unit is quick and precise. It will be a minor inconvenience at worst.”
A robot surgeon? Well, it was probably better than having Whore cut me open.
We’d crossed the lobby and were now headed down another long corridor. This one had several doors
lining the sides. Whore brought me to one of the larger ones. I recognized the room inside as a clinic. A pretty sleek one, full of a lot of rounded fixtures coming out of the walls and floors.
Whore walked over to a counter with some equipment on it. “When was your last menstrual cycle?”
Oh, boy. I hadn’t been sexually active since a brief indiscretion in college, so I had no reason to keep track of them. I blinked a few times. I remembered bleeding through my pad on the plane ride to New York. “Uh, like, two weeks ago.”
Whore grumbled. “Of course. You’re probably fertile right now. Come here. Give me your finger.”
I gave him the middle one. (Heh, heh). He put it under the blue light of a scanner thing. A black rectangle the size of a big screen TV appeared on the wall in front of us. After a few seconds my body in the form of a laser grid appeared on the screen. Apparently the blue light shooting into my finger was spreading all through me.
“They already found a cure for cancer, right?”
Whore shushed me. The mapping got more elaborate, with veins and organs being displayed. Whore tapped his fingers on a control panel and it zeroed in on my reproductive system. A red blinking triangle pointed towards something. Whore made the area larger.
“You’re ovulating.”
I eyed him.
He made several annoyed sounds and headed toward the door. “Wait here.”
He left me alone several minutes. I used the time to analyze myself on the screen. From what I could tell there were no giant tumors anywhere. Yay?
Whore returned with a black rectangular thing with a point on it and something else that looked like an electric shaver. The former I recognized. He’d jabbed it in my neck back when he kidnapped me. I reeled back away from him, but he gave me a threatening look. I fumed and held still for the injection.
“That will extend the amount of time you’ll remain fertile, but it won’t last for nine days.”
He waved the electric shaver over my neck and the small amount of pain I had from the injection went away.
“You need to move things along with Lord Elentinus or this egg, which represents a Dak-Hiliah life, will be wasted.”
I touched my neck. There wasn’t any sign I’d had an injection.
“Isn’t it important for Lord Elentinus to follow the druids’ rules?”
Alien's Bride Book One Page 3