I’m terrified to see a thin shadow standing at the end of the street. I turn on my heels, hustling to get to the busier part of town. I hear footsteps getting closer and closer, and out of a panic, I turn down a nearby alleyway.
The shadow keeps following me. Is it the shadow from my dream? It can’t be. This one is smaller, and wearing a lab coat of some kind. I keep walking, breaking out into a full on sprint. My boots feel too heavy for my feet, and I almost trip over them as I desperately reach out towards the light at the end of the alley. Instead I’m met with a firm grip around my wrist that tugs me backwards.
I start to scream, kicking wildly and doing all those things I see in self-defense videos, but this stranger has got me in a death grip. I’m held against them, as they wrap an arm around me. I panic as I see the glimmer of a syringe being held up to my neck.
“What the hell are you doing?” I scream, but my voice fades as the world starts to blur around me. My body feels heavy, and I don’t even feel myself hitting the sidewalk.
The last thing I see is the faint image of a woman in glasses, a glimmer of light blocking out her eyes.
CHAPTER TWO: PICKUP
KILLUK
“Killuk, pick up your feet,” is a phrase I hear my combat trainer say at least twenty times a day. I’m incredibly bored by the idea of training for wars that aren’t even going to happen. Still, young warriors are sent to study the art of combat for weeks on end, in secluded huts on the outskirts of the village. I happen to be one of those unlucky warriors, and I find myself constantly being pummeled into the ground or prodded in the ribs with a wooden staff.
I spar with my partner in one of the training huts while our trainer evaluates us, staring at us with a twitching worn look gained in ancient battles. I can’t imagine the horrors of war, or of exposing myself to the terrifying violence that takes place on other planets. Luckily, Avrox hasn’t fought anyone for a while, but I’m still stuck here against my wishes. In my village it’s customary to learn the basic combat skills. The elders call it precautionary, but I call it a nuisance.
I can never seem to stay on my feet. I can sense my trainer’s disappointment as I put up my staff for the day.
“We’re going to strengthen those prawny legs of yours,” he grunts, handing me a large, woven basket. “Take these fish up to the market. I imagine those hills will put some bulk on you.”
Begrudgingly, I take the package with a half-hearted “Yes, teacher,” and hoist it onto my back. The stench is unbearable, and I can see a grey fluid leaking from the cracks.
I hate doing extra chores, like this, after training, but at least it gives me a sliver of time to myself. I can see the market in the distance, but there’s a rugged trail leading off the main road that’s calling my name. I make sure nobody’s watching before I stray from my task, dragging the basket behind me.
This is the side of Avrox where the land meets the sea. I prefer the smell of the saltwater, and the cool, wet breeze that sticks to my skin. I stand on the edge of a cliff towering over the ocean, and kick the basket until it rolls over the edge.
I breathe in a healthy dose of fresh air, and pull my tunic over my head. Then without another thought I take off, running towards the water, my feet pounding against the rocks that are warmed by the sun. My feet leave the cliff, and soon I’m floating, just for a moment, before I plummet towards the waves below.
The water is so cold I feel my muscles tighten under my skin, the moment I touch the water. I close my eyes, feeling the natural push and pull of the ocean. I’m in my element here. No worries about training or future wars, or the fact that I’m a constant disappointment to my teachers. I could stay here forever, but my lungs start to burn. I swim up and gasp for air, bobbing up and down with the water.
I grab onto the basket, which is floating nearby, and kick towards an island – a sandy patch protected by rocks and covered in trees – my own personal paradise.
I jolt at the feeling of something slippery brushing against my leg. It’s certainly not a veera eel. Those things will eat you up without warning. Still, I don’t want to take any chances. I swim faster, making my way towards my private island. Just before I reach out for the rock I’m bumped again, and startled to feel a nip at my heel. I kick frantically. Maybe it’s not a veera eel, but something much worse.
My mind wanders to thoughts of the many species of shark that inhabit this planet. Suddenly, a large grey face shoots out from the water in front of me. I’m about to strike it, but I recognize the three eyes and the whiskered snout of a barking drach. This one has a small gash above his third eye, and I’ve given him the endearing nickname of Hindsight.
Hindsight opens his large mouth, revealing rows of rounded teeth, and barks loudly. I’ve heard them being compared to seals from the planet Earth. Hindsight swims over towards the basket behind me. I can see where his priorities lie, and I chuckle as I make myself comfortable on the island, admiring the hidden temple nearby that I have often explored. The branches of the jungle trees that grow here obscure it. Time has swallowed it up, but I’ve been lucky enough to uncover it and have it for myself.
“Brought your lunch,” I tell Hindsight, cracking open the basket. He wobbles over, his lumpy body wriggling awkwardly in the sand. I throw him a couple of the fish and he slurps them up happily. “Busy day?” I ask him. He wiggles his head around, satisfied at his lunch.
I stare out at the water. The foam on the waves reminds me of the application process I have recently completed. In my rebellious hopes of getting out of training, I’ve taken it upon myself to join the Avroxee Mates Program. I hope I will be assigned a potential mate. I was told that if I can find one, I will no longer have to be a part of the military.
I stare out at where the glittering ocean meets the horizon, thinking of the mate that I was paired with the other night. She had an incredible body, not to mention she was beautiful and daring. She wasn’t even frightened of me when we met in her subconscious. That’s a strange feature of us Avroxee, to be able to project ourselves into the dreams of other species. The Mates Program has harnessed this ability, and created special machines to allow us to visit multiple partners during the application process.
She was the first match I got, and despite that, I believe that she’s meant to be mine. In those short moments we spent together, I felt a connection I never thought I’d ever feel. I’m not just trying to get out of the military. I can’t bear the thought of being alone, especially when I plan to go out to sea. There are other sides of Avrox that have yet to be explored, especially the oceans beyond land. I’d love to have a beautiful first mate at my side as we set sail to other worlds.
I say goodbye to Hindsight and head towards the market, drip-drying myself along the way. I can’t stop thinking about my subconscious traveling experience, and it’s only a matter of time until I hear back to see if my application was accepted. I am a little nervous, though. This is the first time I’ve ever applied for a mate. I’m not even sure if I’ll be able to speak to her once she’s actually standing in front of me. It’s easier to approach someone when you look like an ominous shadow person.
“Killuk!” someone shouts as I drop off the fish basket at a market booth. It’s a small courier. He huffs and puffs as he holds out an envelope. “From the facility,” he explains. I take one of the coins from the fish payment and put it in his hand. I tear open the envelope, recognizing the three-triangle logo of the Mates Program.
I feel a buzz stirring in my stomach as I read through the letter, telling me that I’ll finally be united with my mate. She is currently traveling to Avrox. My heart leaps in my chest, and suddenly I’m also terrified. Maybe I should go back to my island for a little bit. I start to imagine island living wouldn’t be so terrible; at least the teachers couldn’t drag me back to shore for more training.
Then I remember my encounter with the woman, and suddenly I feel a rush of excitement. Soon, I’ll be face to face with her; her face is formed so clea
rly in my mind, and her name is still on my lips.
Isabel…
CHAPTER 3: MISUNDERSTANDING
IZZY
I wake up with a splitting headache. Geez, I probably shouldn’t have had that third beer. My vision comes to, and I feel my head pressed up against something cool, a thin, glass window that is yellow in color. I expect to see the city passing by outside, assuming Jasmine must have found me passed out and called a cab. We’ll be having a sleepover in no time. But outside there is only an endless darkness, peppered with the occasional cluster of stars.
I try to grab my aching head, but I find that I’ve been handcuffed to a seat next to me. Shit…I’m not in a taxi. Something is very, very wrong here.
I look around, taking in the blinking lights and the beeping sounds that surround me. There’s a low hum nearby; the sound of an engine or something. Now I realize that I’m not in the city anymore…I’m on a spaceship. It’s a glittering vessel, made of organic material…as if I’m inside some kind of insect.
I start to panic. Where the hell is Jasmine and how did I end up in this place? My mind backtracks, trying to fill in all the gaps. All I can remember is the glimmer of a needle as it went into my neck and the flash of light reflected across that woman’s glasses. That woman! Where is she now? There aren’t any other passengers with me, just a cockpit, several feet away, up at the front.
“Hello?” I shout, pulling against the chains that bind me to the seat. “Is this a prank show? Because, I really don’t feel like being faked out right now!” There is no answer at first. Then, I notice a figure leaning from the cockpit. It’s the woman in the lab coat. She adjusts her glasses on her thin nose, a curled smile on her lips.
“Glad you’re awake,” she says in a smooth voice.
“What is going on?” I demand. “Where’s Jasmine? And who are you?”
The woman waves her hand to dismiss me. “Try not to get too riled up,” she says as she steers the ship. “We wouldn’t want to traumatize you too much before we make it to Avrox.”
Avrox…is she being serious? I feel like a gear has shot out from my head as the shock settles in. Just moments ago I was ranting about visiting this place, only for everyone to shrug it off except for Jasmine. “You’re one of those people,” I tell the woman. “You’re with the mating program.”
The woman smiles at me through a mirror above her head. “Sorry to scare you with the whole sedation thing,” she says. “It’s a little old fashioned, but it’s a precaution for the both of us. Trust me.”
“You didn’t even ask me first,” I tell her. “I would have gone with you, believe me. I’ve been trying to get to Avrox for a while now…”
She turns around, looking at me a little more suspiciously now. “What do you know about Avrox?” She asks.
I shrug, my chains clinking against the seat. “You guys abducted my friend,” I explain. “She didn’t make it. Not like that, though…she’s not, you know, dead or anything. She just couldn’t woo her mate over or trigger whatever that thing is called…”
“The True Love Effect,” she says.
“Right. That’s it. Oh, also the internet is a thing. I’ve found, like, blogs and stuff about it. I’m not sure how aware of that you are.”
Her glasses hide it, but I can tell her expression has shifted a little. “I’m not an alien,” she says, annoyed. “Just a human ambassador for acquiring mates. I know what the internet is.”
“Right, sorry,” I say, looking out the window. I can make out a blue and purplish-green sphere approaching us. It grows larger and larger as the ship gets closer. “So,” I ask, a little nervous. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“All the details will be discussed upon your arrival,” she says.
I make a face behind her back. These formalities are a little too polite for my taste. I’d rather have all the information now, to be honest. It’s the least she can do after kidnapping me in the middle of a dark and scary alleyway.
“Welcome to Avrox, Isabel Tramer,” the woman says as the sphere fully reveals itself to us. It’s larger than I expected, and I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. Finally, after daydreaming about it for so long, it’s right here in front of me. If only I had known a better way to get into this program, I would have done it months ago; none of this weird handcuff and secrecy bullshit.
Still, the planet is just as beautiful as I thought it would be: colorful, and blossoming with life. I can already picture the jungles and I want to get lost in them right away. It’s one thing to obsess over hidden planets and other galaxies, but it’s a completely different feeling to actually be able to see it. I’m met with the wonderful confirmation that I’m not crazy! This entire obsession hasn’t been a waste. In just moments, I’ll be united with the sexy shadow from my dream and maybe we can make this whole thing a reality.
I’ve barely had enough time to get a good look at the place. I’ve just been in awe at all the interesting aliens wandering around me. All of them are female, like me, each hoping for a chance to appeal to their Avroxee mate. Some of them look as if they’re here against their will, and I feel a twinge of sadness for Jasmine. I imagine that she was among that group, never fully wanting to understand the scope of this place. I don’t blame her though, this place is terrifying too.
I’m run through an exhausting string of courses, explaining the rules of the Avroxee Mating Program. We learn all about how the program works, how an Avroxee has selected each of us prior to our arrival, and told that we’re here to see if we’re actually the women of their dreams. They’ve given us a week only to prove ourselves worthy of companionship, which is usually determined by the Avroxee’s “True Love Effect,” a soft glow that an Avroxee gives off when he’s found his true mate. Some have succeeded, but many have failed. I know that I’m not about to let myself fall into that last category.
They give us a brief history of Avrox, how it used to be a fierce warrior planet obsessed with war. It was a violent time back then, when women were used as baby-making machines before being slaughtered. Now, mating has become an optional procedure, carried out by lonely Avroxee, looking for someone to fulfill their needs. I find myself being distracted by tantalizing daydreams of my mate, and everything I’m willing to do to him to unlock that True Love Effect.
Before I know it, the classes are over, and all the ladies are rushed into a large waiting room. It’s nicely decorated, and filled with men of all shapes and sizes. All of them have the same light-blue skin and bright-pink eyes, just as Jasmine described. They all wear tribal-like clothing and their thick hair is styled in numerous ways, except for one, hiding in the back. His beautiful locks have been completely shaved off.
He stares at me, a hint of recognition in his eyes, and it’s not until this moment that I feel actually nervous about this whole thing. I mean, I’ve literally been picked off my home planet and dropped right in the middle of this crazy mating program, with no idea of how this week is going to go. My hands shake, and I clutch them in front of me hoping they’ll stop. I try to remember my dream. I’d been waiting for something like this for weeks now. That black checkmark in my journal was just the first step on this insane journey.
The Avroxee watching me is incredibly cute…for an alien, I mean. His eyes are large, and the way he’s nervously biting his lip makes me feel some kind of way. I look around at the other women, getting matched with their Avroxee; some of them excited, others a little worried. Nobody’s claimed this one yet and I feel a strange urge that takes me over to him. I have this weird feeling that he’s the one…
He smiles, perking up as I approach and straightening his broad shoulders. This is it…I’m about to meet my mate.
But before I can even hold out my hand to say hello, a giant figure steps in between us. I look up to see a hulking Avroxee looking down at me, his brow furrowed as he glares down at me. His muscles bulge from under his tunic, his giant arms crossed in front of him.
“Um, who are you?” I ask
. No answer from the giant Avroxee.
A hand casually touches my arm. It’s the woman from before. I can now read her nametag: Kate M. Her glasses flash at me.
“Miss Tramer,” she says; her smile a little too wide. “I see you’ve found Zayin. Zayin, this is Isabel. Your new mate.”
I feel my feet turning into a gelatin in my boots. New mate? This guy? This terrifying mountain of a man in front of me? He definitely doesn’t match the shadow from my dream.
“Isabel,” he says, in a deep sulking voice. He reaches for my arm; clutching it so tightly I’m afraid he’ll snap it in half. I look at Kate with pleading eyes, and I lean in closer to her.
“I think there’s been a mistake.” I tell her. “This doesn’t seem like the guy that I was matched with.”
Kate looks down at a folder in her hands.
“Oh, it looks like there’s no mistake here,” she says confidently. “Here it is, right here on paper.” She turns her folder towards me, showing my name next to Zayin’s.
“But I don’t understand,” I say. “He doesn’t look anything like who I saw in my dream.”
“Please know that the selection process is over eighty percent accurate,” Kate replies. “In our program, there are no such things as mistakes, only fate.”
I open my mouth to protest, but I feel Zayin’s firm hand reaching around to clutch my waist as he pulls me towards the door. This has spiraled into a nightmare all too fast.
I look over at the cute Avroxee in the corner, the one that I was so close to earlier. He’s been matched with a girl with pink scaly skin and long blonde hair. She strokes his arm sensually and leads him away. I don’t even know him, but I feel a strange pang of jealousy. I want to run to him, but Zayin’s got a firm grip on me. The other Avroxee looks back over his shoulder at me and then back at his mate, a little confused, and about to turn around when Kate catches my gaze instead.
The Avroxee Mates Series: Boxset Bks 1-3 Page 14