Chapter Five
Kest gives me a few hours to rest after releasing all the telerings. The surface of the table softens underneath me as if by magic, allowing me to curl up into a ball and sleep. Cool air currents circle around me, wicking away my sweat. By the time I wake up, I feel as clean as if I’d just showered. The wonders of his technology never cease to amaze me.
Even the processed bar of food that Kest serves me from the ship’s pantry is delicious. Kest chews it slowly, like he’s barely forcing it down.
“You don’t like it?” I ask, biting off another piece.
“Nonperishable ration bar? No, this is barely edible crap.”
I shrug, swallowing. “I like it.” Admittedly, I’d been really hungry, but I still think it tastes pretty good.
“Try it again after eating something real,” says Kest. “Your underdeveloped human senses are about to have their standards raised quite a bit.”
That doesn’t sound so bad, but for now, I’m still hungry.
“Can I have another bar?”
Kest laughs, rolling his eyes. “Knock yourself out, pet.”
By the time we arrive at our destination, I’ve been on board Kest’s ship about a day. It feels like a lot longer since we left, but I guess that’s what happens when every second brings some new discovery, adventure, or terror. My ass still smarts from the caning; I want to be angry at Kest, considering he’ll probably find an excuse to do it again, but I can’t forget the extraordinary pleasure he shared with me after.
If I could just get all that good without all the bad…
A soft tone sounds, alerting Kest that the ship is about to exit its jump. The stars stop streaking by, and a planet emerges in front of us. I jump back, thinking we’re about to crash into it, but when the ship stops, we’re still so far away I can see most of the sphere.
Mouth agape, I stare at the world, which is clearly not Earth, despite the presence of blue oceans, green continents, and white clouds. Landmasses of red, purple, and pink are common too, leaving me in awe of the new world’s beauty.
On the night side of the planet, I see outlines of darkened continents, but no major lights coming from them. Are there no cities on the world? Is it even inhabited? If not, why come here?
Unfortunately, before I finish staring, the ship banks to port, putting the planet out of sight.
“We’re not going there?” I ask, failing to hide the disappointment in my voice.
“Not today. We have to make a stop first,” says Kest, pointing at some kind of massive structure straight ahead.
Composed of a sphere of concentric rings and a central orb connected by dozens of spokes, it glows brightly against the backdrop of stars. “Is that a ship?” It looks too… majestic for a spacecraft.
“Space station,” says Kest. “It’s a major transit hub, and my people’s seat of government. It’s called the Dominus.”
I continue staring, jaw dropped, right up until the ship docks at the breathtaking station. It’s hard to believe something this awesome could have been built, even by a race as advanced as Kest’s. It shouldn’t be possible, yet when our ship enters a small receiving bay, the people I see out the window are going about as though this is business as usual.
And the people—good lord—are all as immaculately sculpted as Kest.
Maybe space isn’t so bad.
Man or woman, they’re all beautiful, tall, and healthy. Most notably, though, is the pigmentation of their skin: each of them appears to shine with some kind of colorful glow. Silvery, coppery, gold are just the start: some have a mild blue tint, or a lavender—they all give off a slight aura. Were they to land on Earth and present themselves as benevolent, one could be forgiven for thinking they’re gods.
Despite how I left Earth, there’s a part of me that’s not at all sorry to be here now.
“Wait. Why is the government on the space station instead of the planet?” I ask.
Kest grins. “I think the best way to answer that question is to show you the planet. You’ll see it later, pet.”
“Is the planet where your species is from? Is it a holy site, or something?”
“No,” he laughs. “Nothing like that.”
A soft tone sounds; Kest turns to the console and speaks into it in his language.
“What was that?”
“I asked them to refuel and resupply my ship,” Kest explains. “I’ve been living out of this thing for some time.”
Living out of it? Maybe there’s a part to the ship I haven’t seen, but otherwise my midtown Manhattan apartment was bigger. Why would he live on his ship?
“Is that why we’re here? For gas?”
Kest shakes his head. “No, we’ll be here a little while. Haley, I understand you’ve got a lot of questions, that everything you’re seeing is new and different, and maybe a little scary. I promise, I’ll tell you everything you need to know. And I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
I stare into Kest’s eyes, looking for a sign of guilt or deception, but finding only honesty. That is, if what I see can be believed. He pulls me against his chest, wraps his arms around me, and kisses the top of my head. His heart beats faster as I lean into his body, and I realize my heart is racing too.
“I’m not scared,” I say.
Kest chuckles and gives me a gentle squeeze. “No, I guess not. You’re pretty resilient, for a human.”
For a human. It still weirds me out to hear things like that. “Gee, thanks.”
“I mean it. I half-expected you to be catatonic after leaving Earth. I’ve seen it before. When people are launched—literally—into an inconceivable situation, they are often paralyzed by fear. They deny reality, holding fast to hope that this is just a dream from which they can still wake. But not you.”
I smile, even though there is a part of me still half-hoping that I’m either asleep or in a mental home. Those would be far more likely explanation for what’s happening. Yet, I see the planet and the Dominus; could my imagination have come up with them? I doubt it.
“Thanks,” I say, meaning it this time. “You’re maybe not so bad for someone who kidnaps people, punishes them, and drags them across the galaxy.”
Kest lets me go and slaps my ass soft enough to be playful, but hard enough to still sting. I hiss from the pain and rub at the burn.
“Get dressed,” he says, pointing at my clothes. Neatly folded, they rest on the table where I’d been bound.
My cheeks flush as I realize I’ve been naked this whole time, and surprisingly comfortable with it. Kest turns around to give me privacy as I dress, even though it seems a little pointless now. Is this normal behavior for him? Has he ever taken a person from their planet before? Or is he just giving me a little shred of dignity back?
“Kest, why have you brought me here?” I ask, buttoning my blouse. Though being fully dressed for the first time in nearly a day is a relief, I don’t feel quite right, as I did a moment ago.
A door to the ship opens with a quiet hiss, beckoning.
Strong hands grip my shoulders. As I watch, a long metallic strand rises from the cabinet with the telerings. Like a silvery snake in a pond, it floats toward me until it’s inches away.
“What is that?” I ask, trying to step back, but Kest holds me steady.
“Relax, pet,” he says.
The snake comes a little closer, meeting the telering around my neck. With a little click, they connect; as soon as they do, the snake seems to lose its power, falling like a string in front of my chest.
Kest lets go of my shoulders, but grabs the snake. He tugs softly, forcing me to inch forward.
Holy shit, it’s a leash!
The idea sends shivers through my body. It’s humiliating, yet my pussy throbs; a wet warmth dampens my panties, and I’m sure it won’t be long before they feel soaked through.
“You asked why you’re here, Haley,” says Kest. “Come with me. You’re about to find out.”