by Ivy McAdams
“Hey, hey. It’s okay,” the female says. Her voice is low and soothing.
It does calm me for a moment, but I frown and shake my head.
“Back up,” I growl.
She puts her hands up to show she has no ill intent and takes a step back. When the medicine man doesn’t, she gives him a strong shoulder in the arm. He blinks at her as if coming out of a trance, then finally falls in behind her.
The smile she turns on me once more is bright and encouraging. Her voice is still gentle when she speaks. “Who are you?”
The question swirls in my head until I feel drunk on it. Woozy. It takes a moment to find my voice again.
“I’m not a fucking alien, that’s for sure.”
Her eyes brighten. “I knew you weren’t.”
“Well, duh. You guys stuck me in here. I don’t know what sick experiment you’re playing at, but I want out. Let me go!”
The happy demeanor in her face and gaze doesn’t dampen. She positively glows warmth. Or maybe that’s the upbeat energy radiating from her. What is with these aliens and their projecting emotions?
Can you feel how angry I am? I grit my teeth and glare at each of them. Can you feel that?
The female’s face softens even more and she reaches a hand out but doesn’t try to touch me.
“Trinity?”
I’ve just glanced to the side, wondering if I could skirt around this girl and run, when she says my name.
She knows my fucking name.
I stare at her with wide eyes and do my best to still the tremble in my hands.
Every gaze in the room is locked on me. The male who rescued me hasn’t moved, but his eyes are still intense, drinking me in. It’s hard not to just stare back and let him overpower me, but I need answers.
I tear my eyes away to glare at the female again.
“How do you know my name?”
I didn’t think her smile could get any bigger, but it does. This time her hand moves toward mine.
“Because we were stationed together on Xion V. I’m Gemma.”
Chapter 3
Trinity
I’ve never felt the need to hide my head in a hole and pretend everything is a dream more than when Gemma says her name.
The most rational part of my brain feigns utter confusion. Why would one of these aliens, beings on another planet in another galaxy, have a name so similar to the dinosaur girl in the nerd herd?
But I know the truth. Even as I stare at her and my brain wars with itself because there’s no fucking way that can be possible, I know it’s true.
She’s an alien too.
“What the fuck?” I breathe. It’s barely a squeak.
She laughs a little, grabbing my hand and giving it a pat.
“I know. Isn’t it so weird?” she says, laughter still dancing in her eyes.
My teeth set, biting back an angry snarl. “What are you talking about?”
“No, it’s okay.” She holds up her hands again. “I’m sorry. I’m just happy to see you. I’ve been waiting for you.”
My eyes cut around the room. To the weird bed where I woke up. The other sleeping aliens around me. The psycho mad scientist medicine man.
“What the hell is this?” I murmur.
“We’re still on Xion V,” she says. “Do you remember the monsters aliens? The Kutarians saved us.”
My eyes jump to my rescuer for half a second, then back. "I'm not stupid. Cut to the chase."
She licks her lips as she starts again. “Well, the Shaman here had been perfecting a process to bring in more women to save the tribe, and—”
A tickle of panic flutters in my throat. “Tell me about me. Why am I in this body? Where is my body?”
Some of the happy and fluffy air deflates from her expression. “You’ve been swapped to an empty Kutarian body.”
“No shit.”
“It’s not that bad, really. It’s safer. Humans can’t survive out here.”
I stare at her in absolute shock. She's got the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome I've ever seen. She's okay with being here. The way she smiles tells me she believes it, even if it's total shit.
She’s turned into a scaly, tailed alien and is happy.
Oh my God.
I jerk my hand free of hers and press farther back into the leather wall of the tent.
She reaches as if she wants to grab me but doesn’t. “I was totally freaked out at first too. I understand.”
The sincerity of her words makes me hesitate. And also wonder how long she’s been an alien. Have I been out long? It felt like just a couple hours.
“This planet is beautiful,” she continues, “and the Kutarian people are amazing. I know from the outside it just looks like some sort of alien breeder thing but it’s different, and—” She stops suddenly and presses fingers to her lips when my eyes widen.
Alien breeder?
The room spins and I think I’m going to puke.
That’s the most insane thing I’ve ever heard.
And yet, I hate the curious intrigue that courses through me.
Except, what the fuck is there even to be curious about? These are aliens. Scales and tails and, holy crap, I need to sit down.
They’re savages, for God’s sake. We can’t run around having alien babies.
Except Gemma’s eyes look as earnest as can be.
“Really, Trinity. It’s for the best,” she says, reaching for me again.
That’s so fucked up.
I lean away. The leather behind me bows and gives just enough that I can stick a foot outside.
The look of panic on the medicine man’s face tells me he can see the light click on in my head the moment I realize I can slip out of here.
No sense in waiting for them to stop me.
I push and duck out of the side of the tent. Then I run.
This body is gangly and hard to control, so I bolt for the next tent I can see. It may not be any help, but it might at least give me a couple of seconds to think.
I must be on the backside of the hut because I don’t see a door. Instead, I stoop down, grab a couple handfuls of the taut leather siding, and pull it up to push my way in. Once the walling snaps back into place, I find a big, quiet tent much like the one I came from. There’s little light, but I can see.
The hut is empty but for a small cluster of cots.
What’s lying in them shocks the hell out of me.
I gasp so hard my chest hurts. I press a hand to it as I stumble backward.
Human bodies.
Hooked up to tubes and lying in the small beds on the floor.
Do these sick savages abduct people for their psycho experiments?
I creep closer and realize these aren’t random abductions. It’s the nerd herd. All seven of us that were picked up. Rescued from the insect monsters, if you want to call it that. More like stolen from one freakazoid to another.
And then there’s me.
Dark hair, eyes closed. Naked under a thick blanket.
Oh my God. Why am I naked there too? What’s the deal with these people and clothes?
I have no idea how they transported me out of my body, but I’m sure as hell not going to leave it here.
I’ve never heard of this kind of technology on Earth, but I hope our people can help me. If I can just get back to our base with my human body, maybe they can fix it.
Voices call my name in the near distance. I don’t have much time.
I touch my human shoulder, looking at the tube connected to my arm. The mask on my face, no longer connected to the oxygen canisters we were wearing before, but to some sort of small bulbous gourd. There's mesh and green things in there that I can't identify. I'm reluctant to remove it since the body is somehow surviving without the oxygen reserve.
Just as I’m considering how to properly disengage the tubing, a set of stomping feet thunder outside the tent.
Rather than working precisely, I snatch the body from the cot, blanket and all,
and yank the tube free. Cradling the body to me is like holding a child. I leap for the doorway, away from the approaching footsteps. The leather flap slides over my back as I duck through and escape.
Just in time to run smack into the shimmery, muscled alien who brought me here.
He grunts as I plow into his chest, and I fall back with a shriek. Those pecs are hard and warm. My cheek tingles where it brushed him.
“Don’t touch me,” I whimper as I back away, nearly tripping over my own feet.
His deep purple eyes land on the human body in my arms and bounce back up to me.
Oh shit. I’m in trouble.
There’s a raw primal energy radiating from him. It’s impossible to ignore, and fresh prickles of sweat roll down my spine, reminding me yet again that I’m naked.
Do these alien gals have nipples like we do because mine are definitely at attention right now. Can he see them? I hug the small body tighter to my chest.
Geez. Could this get any worse?
“Stepping out for some air?” he asks.
His voice is stoic, masculine, with a hint of playfulness. I can’t tell if he’s angry or poking at me.
My free hand lifts between us to ward him off as I continue to backpedal.
“You guys can find someone else to play Frankenstein babies with. I’m outta here.”
His big hand closes over my wrist before I can get out of reach. Alarms go off in my head as I jerk back, but that grip is like a vise.
Are we doing the breeder thing now? Oh shit.
“Let go!” I scream. My anger is almost enough to conquer my fear, but now that his hand’s on me, I’m terrified.
When I stop thrashing for a breath, I find his eyes roaming over me, narrowing slightly. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but I give him my best pleading eyes.
Please don’t torture me anymore.
Please don’t dissect me alive. Or dead.
Don't put me into any more strange bodies. Or put baby bodies into me.
My lip trembles as his deep eyes dive into mine.
Please let me go.
Nearly on queue, his hand eases on my arm. Then he drops it completely.
I regain my balance and take a single step away.
Is this a trick?
When he doesn’t grab for me, I step again. He only stands and stares, so I turn and run.
I may be more confused and afraid than I’ve ever been in my life, but I know better than to waste my opportunity. I’ve seen enough horror flicks to know it’s the overly curious and slow chicks that get sliced and diced.
I press my human body into my chest as I sprint through the remaining two tents to the outskirts of the village. The grass is thicker almost instantly. Taller, lusher. It feels good on my bare feet, but it also brings more vegetation like bushes and spiky weeds that I have to dodge.
A few scratches and a cramped muscle later, I’ve made it to the other side of the small clearing beyond the village. I step into a grove of tall white trees. The wide red leaves form a thick canopy and I duck inside, hoping to conceal myself.
It seems rather odd that no one came running across the field after me, but I’ll count my blessings. The alien savages can move far better than I can and they know the land. If one chases me, I’ll be done for.
All I can do now is keep my focus on the path ahead of me. If I’m lucky I might find the valley where we were attacked on the other side of this forest. I can find my way back to our base from there.
If only I’d been awake for our journey to the alien village. That would be immensely helpful right now.
That reminds me.
I slow down enough to turn my human body over in my arms and shift my right leg toward me.
The bite on my knee is dull against my pale, gray skin. No swelling, no colors. It looks much better.
Except for the odd tilt in my knee joint. It's set at an awkward angle, perhaps dislocated or healed off-center. Either way, it doesn't look like it'll be much fun to stand on later.
I may have to relearn to walk.
With a quick check over my shoulder, I stop behind a tree and disentangle the body from the blanket. With clumsy fingers I rip it into bands and wrap some around my body, tying myself a short sarong skirt and a simple strap around my strange alien breasts. Okay, they’re not strange but they're rather small and more toned. Is that right? They're not muscles, are they?
Hell, I don't know. Maybe we should be dissecting them to see what's going on in these bodies.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, my stomach sours. I don’t have ill wishes toward these people in general. I’m a peaceful person overall. It’s just hard not to feel vengeful and angry after being abducted.
And being told I’m to be used as breeding fodder.
Rather than letting the negative thoughts fill me, I wrap the remaining blanket around my human body and pick it up again.
At least I’m away from the village. I’m no longer naked. And I’m on my way back to our NASA base.
Hopefully.
Chapter 4
Xjhun
If what the Captain has told us about discovering his energy match is true, I’ve found mine.
Many of the Kutarian men have been doubtful of Kovak’s description of the pull between him and his new mate. We can all feel one another’s energies―sometimes even that of the animals around us―but none of us have experienced the overwhelming pull and eruption of energies that he’s described. His stories have been met with silent longing and skepticism from many of the warriors.
But now I know it’s not a lie.
It’s all very true.
I could feel the new female across the Shaman’s tent. Her fear, her anger. I knew instantly that it was the female I rescued in the Big Valley, even before Gemma confirmed it for herself. The woman’s energy waves are much stronger in her Kutarian body, and it felt as if she reached clear across the room and slapped me.
Especially when her gaze met mine. Those soft blue eyes, shrouded in confusion. She may not have been in a frame of mind to see me properly, but I couldn’t help but drink her in.
I did my best not to stare at her nakedness, but gods was it hard.
Between her energy pulling at me and her bravery―I could feel every inch of her trembling in fear, and yet she growled and stood her ground like a true fighter―I couldn’t control the fire coursing through me.
My body felt truly alive for the first time in my life.
After she ran into me between the tents, it was near impossible to control it.
Her body was awake and oh-so-visible. Breasts on alert and looking right at me.
Gods, there was no controlling my cock. It stood tight against the fold of my loincloth, begging for her. Thankfully she never looked down from my face before she was running again.
And I let her.
I do enjoy a good chase.
Though more than that, I don’t like that look of fear in her eyes. My mate should not fear me. She should desire me.
I want to see that before I take her.
My lip curls in a satisfied grin at the thought. The very idea of Trinity gazing up at me with a need only for me in those beautiful blue eyes has my cock leaping all over again.
I will give her the time she needs to calm down, and then I will have her.
With a sharp whistle, I start over the field she crossed. My nerves tingle in anticipation. She’s not that far away, and I’m sure I’ll catch up to her in no time.
Heavy footfalls behind me approach at rapid speed. Then Desian’s at my side and I pull myself up onto his back. The levadon’s nostrils flare and he looks around with a raised head.
He’s ready for some action.
I grin. “Be swift, my friend. We have precious game awaiting us today.”
And we’re off.
I’m far behind her, but I can hear her crunching through the forest ahead.
Being blessed with the keenest hearing in the village has
always been useful while hunting, but it’s never been as imperative as now.
Today my ears will bring me to the mate I never thought I’d have.
* * *
Trinity
I have no idea how long I’ve been walking, but my feet are killing me.
The forest was smaller than I thought it would be and it opened into a huge prairie of swaying green grass. Though not the valley I was hoping for.
Or at least I don’t think it is.
There is a herd of dinosaurs in the distance―some sort of tall giraffe-looking things―but I’ll be sure to give them all the room they need.
I trudge through the field, trying to remember if any part of that valley looked like this.
Once we left the plateau, I was too distracted by the giant dinosaurs to pay attention to my surroundings. I’m only human, after all.
Or, I was.
My confidence in what that valley looked like is beginning to wane.
And my body is getting heavy.
My human body that is. The very thought is weird and makes me squirmy. I’m carrying my own body. The empty shell of who I once was.
Talk about picking yourself up when you’re down.
The body is small though. How am I so tired?
My stomach feels empty and my mouth is dry.
I pull in a deep breath. The air around me is moist and the smell of water hits me. I stand taller on my big, splayed toes and look around. The glint of sunlight reflecting off water hits me in the eye.
Thank goodness.
It only takes a few long strides to reach a clearing, a rocky shore stretching around a large glassy lake. The grass in the field is so overgrown I almost didn’t even notice the water as I walked by.
I guess I’m not that observant. I’m not exactly an outdoorsy kinda girl. Sure, I like rocks and gems, but I get most of the jewels I love in cardboard boxes at the store or grow crystals in the lab at the university. Actually hoofin’ it out in the wild is a bit more than I bargained for.
I just need to be more aware of my surroundings. And not pass up perfectly good lakes full of fresh water when I’m so parched.