Chapter 4
Dr. Ali Monroe
“Come, human. Before you do any more damage.”
The Pelin didn’t say this unkindly. In fact, he seemed more concerned for my well-being than anything else, as I could tell when his gentle hands nudged me forward. I followed the little man; he reached about the height of my kneecap and walked with a jaunty step.
“The contaminants of space travel can be very risky for human and Verian alike. Fortunately, the Pelin are well-equipped to deal with such trials.”
He pointed to the long brown hair, which obscured any defining features of his face. I had never seen a Pelin up close before, and took my chance now. The man’s nose was just a small suggestion in the middle of his round torso, and his long legs and arms fanned out into large hands and feet, very humanoid, except that they were missing two digits, leaving them with three fingers and toes on each hand and foot instead of five.
“What is he going to do with me?” I said, my voice shaking.
It was the question I had been asking myself over and over again. But every time I asked, I had no answer. I didn’t even have a ballpark of an answer. All I had was fear and speculation. Most women brought to the planet Helna were bred and discarded once they reached menopause, their bodies used and either dumped back on Earth, where the resources to care for them were plentiful, or slaughtered. There was a small camp of human slaves allowed to live on Helna, but most Verian people didn’t want aging humans around them. Would I end up in one of these three disturbing categories? I could only pray that I wouldn’t.
“Who? Commander Curad?” the Pelin asked, casting a look at me that, because of the hair in front of his face, I couldn’t read.
“Who else?”
“Well, let’s just say it’s lucky you ended up with him and not his brother. The Doyan is not a very kind man. There’s no telling what would happen to you, or what will happen if you don’t mind your temper.”
I glowered down at the ground, my blood pressure spiking noticeably. My temper wasn’t the problem. The fact that I had been betrayed and abducted from my home planet after stupidly helping an enemy was the problem. The fact that the man who would have died were it not for my assistance had the nerve to tell me to keep myself in check under his roof when I should have been under my own roof that very minute. Who did he think he was? And why was the Pelin so blind to my plight?
“And anyway,” the Pelin continued, “it’s for your own good for you to be here. The army is planning a massive strike against Zone 70. Pretty soon, there will be no home left for you to go back to. Perhaps the commander was just trying to return the favor.”
I hadn’t heard anything about Zone 70 being in danger. Was the Pelin speaking the truth? Would the commander truly want to return the favor and protect my life during the attack?
We continued walking in silence as I contemplated the possibility. If Commander Curad was actually looking after my well-being, that would be one thing. And even if that was true, it didn’t excuse him for abducting me from my home. I was making great progress on the superweapon that was going to put the war in the human’s favor. And without me there, it wouldn’t be finished in time to save Zone 70 against the strike. Sure, part of that was the fault of the stubborn and sexist Dr. Cranston. But more than anything, it was due to the fact that I had made a horrible choice and helped an enemy. An enemy who was bound and determined to remain my enemy. And so he would, as far as I was concerned. I would never forgive him for this.
“Here, please step inside, human. There is much to do.”
I hesitated when the Pelin halted outside a dark doorway, but when he pushed through the door and flipped a switch, the room was filled with a beautiful golden light, and I couldn’t help but venture inside, intrigued by its ethereal glow.
“What is this place?” I breathed, my eyes roaming the high, sloped ceilings, the brilliant architecture, and the altar across the room. In the middle of the room was a large tub, and the Pelin walked briskly forward and began to fill it with steaming hot water.
“This is the altar room,” he said, not looking at me from his task. “I am going to have to ask you to bathe here tonight, human, and dress in clean robes. I will have your clothing laundered and returned to you, and perhaps in the morning we can browse the catalog and have some new garments delivered to you. After all, you have found yourself in the home of the second most powerful Verian on the planet Helna.”
I was stunned by the news. I knew he was strong, but I’d had no idea of his status. Somehow it hadn’t registered that being the brother of the doyan might coincide with a huge amount of power. But the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.
When the tub was full, the Pelin stood straight and headed for the door. “If you should need anything, I will be outside the door awaiting your departure. Please, place your clothing in the bag to the right of the tub. Peace to you.”
With that, the Pelin disappeared, leaving me alone to marvel at the wonders of the room. But when I was finished stripping, carefully doing as the little man had asked of me, and putting my clothing in the bag, I slipped into the tub, and my chest tightened. I hadn’t realized that Commander Curad was quite so powerful. I still didn’t even know his first name, and here I was, captive in his home, for who knew how long. And I still had little faith in his good will.
As much as I wanted to believe that he had brought me here for my own good, and as attractive and unbelievably powerful as he might be, I was being held against my will. And I was going to do whatever was in my power to find a way back to Earth.
***
“Wake up, human!”
I was startled out of my fitful slumber by the sound of the commander’s deep, powerful voice.
“What?” I exclaimed, sitting up with my heart pounding hard in my chest.
“A package has arrived for you. The Pelin took the courtesy of ordering you new clothing.”
“Did you seriously have to wake me up like that over clothes?” I grumbled, stepping out of bed. “I could have gotten them when I woke up on my own.”
Our eyes met, and for a moment, I had the disconcerting temptation to reach out and touch him. I looked away quickly, glancing back up after taking a deep breath. When I did, I was surprised to find that the commander’s handsome face looked lost.
“Dershalga, human. But it is time for your meal, and I will not be back to see you for quite some time. I have matters to attend to. I had hoped to dine with you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that your brother is the doyan?” I asked.
He looked at me then, his brow quirked and face pensive.
“I wasn’t aware it was any of your business who my relations happen to be.”
“I…it’s not. The Pelin told me. Is that why you brought me here? Does it have something to do with the Doyan?”
“No,” the commander said, growing rigid. “It just happened as it happened.”
“All right,” I said quietly.
There was an odd tension between us now; we could barely meet each other’s eyes. I was reminded again of the way his strong hands had felt on my wrists when he had tugged me out of the prison cell. My heart had been in my throat then, unsure whether to punch him or reach out and touch his face.
“Your food is ready, Yula. And there is nothing worse than cold oka, so I recommend you come as soon as possible.”
The commander turned his back and began to leave.
“Wait!”
My plea startled us both, and he turned to face me, his expression impossible to read.
“What’s your name?” I asked, embarrassed that I had blurted such a familiar question. I hadn’t even known I cared enough to ask.
He hesitated, and then his handsome face broke out into a broad smile.
“Pax,” he said. And then he left me alone.
***
The first few nights in his home, I was left alone. Pax was a busy man, and with access to his Vari-X dosages, he was a whirlwind of activity. He barely acknowledged me when he was home, but when he did, his eyes were dark, brooding, and intense. He seemed to have words buried deep within him that he had to struggle to keep contained, because whenever he looked away from me, he seemed anguished, and maybe a little bit angry.
It scared me in a way, so I learned to stay clear of him when I knew he would be around. My only ally in the place was the Pelin, but I was wary of the strange little man, as it was clear he was loyal to a fault to Commander Curad. Anytime I expressed my displeasure at my situation, Kera jumped to Pax’s defense, his little voice wavering with devotion. He believed that Pax had brought me here for my own good, and seemed determined to convince me of the same.
I refused to believe it though, until one day something I heard made me question it.
I had just finished up my evening meal and was readying myself for bed by bathing. I was barely out of the tub, slipping on one of the hyper-comfortable robes made of a special, silky Verian material, when I heard the door of Pax’s home slam shut.
I jumped despite myself (being abducted had left me feeling very on edge) and then leaned against the door with my heart pounding hard in my chest.
“Can you believe the nerve?” Pax exclaimed. “He was going to keep this from me! My own brother! The krocha!”
“What’s wrong, Commander?” the Pelin’s voice asked. There was a notable change between the deep, masculine voice of Pax and the tweedy, higher-pitched voice of the small Pelin man.
“Kera, my brother is a madman. He cares nothing for the resources of Earth! I just found out today that he’s sending a military strike against one of the most densely populated forests of the planet! Half of all marine and forest life will be wiped out! The beauty of Earth’s biodiversity will be in shambles!”
“Why would the Doyan do such a thing?” Kera whispered.
“Because he is a fool! A foolish man with his heart set on gold and wealth, with little regard to the bigger picture.”
“What has he to gain, Commander?”
“That I do not know, but it must be something. I have a bad feeling about this, Kera. Something is amiss, and I have yet to discover just what that may be. But mark my words, I will. And when I do, I will put a stop to this!”
“You must be careful, Commander,” the Pelin said quietly. “If the Doyan hears you speak such things, you will be executed for treason.”
“Then let him execute me!” Pax’s voice rang clearly through the house, loud and passionate with conviction. “What have I to lose, anyway? I am fighting for the sake of Earth. The human deserves a home to return to!”
The Pelin grew silent, and my chest tightened. Was he being sincere? It sounded as if he truly cared about me. But that was impossible. He had barely spoken two words to me since the morning when we’d first eaten together.
“All right, Commander. Please, let me know if there is any way that I can help you.”
“You can begin by getting a meal on the table. It has been a long day, and I would like to end it as quickly as possible.”
“Of course, Yul Curad.”
“And…”
The air was suddenly tense as the interaction continued and the Pelin shuffled, probably turning back around to face Pax after believing he had been dismissed.
“And, Commander?”
“Bring me the human. There are things we need to discuss.”
I cringed, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I didn’t want to be near him. Not when his temper was so short. Even if it wasn’t, I had nothing to say to him. All he would want were answers, information, and I would never betray Earth. The balance was far too delicate. Even if Pax did want to protect me, there would be no stopping him from taking anything I told him back to the Verian army and destroying my people.
I tried to get to my bedroom before the Pelin could find me. Perhaps if I feigned sleep, I wouldn’t have to face him. But just as I made it to the end of the hall, the little man stepped in front of me.
“Commander Curad would like you to join him in the dining room,” he said, his voice remarkably even compared to what it had sounded like when speaking with Pax.
“I see,” I said. “Thank you, Kera.”
I didn’t want to go, and I think the Pelin knew it because he waited for me to turn back around and head out to the dining room before he resumed his trip into the kitchen.
“I will prepare the commander a meal. Perhaps some tea for you, as you just finished eating.”
I nodded, silent presentment creeping through my body. The idea of speaking to Pax, answering or dodging whatever questions he may have had for me that I wasn’t prepared to answer.
“Human.”
I was electrified by the timbre of his voice, and walked forward at his mercy, unable to help myself.
“Good evening,” I said quietly.
“Please, sit.”
The quiet clatter of the Pelin laying out plates and saucers on the table between Pax and I filled the room, and I stole a glance at Pax. He was as calm as ever, his face drawn and serious. Why was he so obnoxiously attractive? It was all I could do to keep from groaning out loud, frustrated by my longing for a man I knew I couldn’t have; or shouldn’t even want to be near.
“I have to talk to you,” Pax said, once the Pelin left the room and we were alone again.
“So I gathered,” I mumbled.
The Verian man sighed. “This is serious. Please, for once, keep your mouth shut.”
“If my mouth is shut, I can’t answer your questions,” I mumbled.
“Yes, human, very clever,” he said impatiently, though his face seemed to soften. “Now, on to business.”
I hated business. Especially the way the Verian made it sound. No matter how good looking he happened to be, I rebelled immediately against the thought of our upcoming conversation. It could only turn out ugly.
“I presume you overheard what I was saying to the Pelin,” Pax said, eyeing me steadily.
I looked away, a little bit ashamed and embarrassed to have been caught eavesdropping.
“It’s all right, Yula. I can hardly blame you for being concerned. A Verian man’s temper is nothing to scoff at.”
It felt a little better, in a way, to hear him acknowledge that. The truth was that the Verians had always scared me, ever since I was a young girl. My family had been devastated by the war, and the faces of angry Verians haunted many of my most disturbing dreams.
“You’re right about that,” I admitted.
Pax sighed heavily, his clear blue eyes boring into mine, a look almost like remorse flashing deep within them.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“And why wouldn’t you?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Because instead I’m going to claim you.”
I was startled by his words, and the seriousness with which he spoke them.
“Claim me?” I asked, my disbelief turning to indignation. “You can’t claim me! I’m not a thing.”
Pax stared at me, unimpressed by the outburst.
“No,” he said slowly as if the matter was entirely too simple for me not to understand. “But you’re mine.”
I stood up, my fists balled in rage.
“Actually, that will never happen. I will never belong to anybody!”
Pax smiled at me then, a cocky, arrogant smile that made me burn with rage; and something else. Something forbidden and unwanted creeping through the very depths of me. I didn’t like it.
“All right, human. If that’s what you say.”
But there was something knowing behind his eyes, as if he knew I didn’t quite believe my own words. The look only served to make me angrier, until I had to restrain myself from being volatile. He was already in a foul mood, and the thought of him turning on me was even less appealing than having him claim me.
“So why did you really bring me in here?” I asked, eager to get off the topic. Anything would be better than this infuriating conversation.
Kera entered the room, a steaming tray of food held high over his head, and we were both silent again until everything was in order. He placed a cup of tea in front of me, and I smelled it. It was nothing like the blend we used on Earth. Somehow, it smelled even better than that.
When the Pelin man left, Pax relaxed once more and gave a thoughtful nod. “Things are not at peace on Helna,” he informed me, his masculine voice deep and troubled. “There is something terrible going on, and I have no way of finding out what it is without betraying my brother: the Doyan. He would quickly have me executed should he decide that I am a traitor.”
“Maybe he should execute you,” I said, without being able to help myself. “You’re no different than any of the other men on this planet. In fact, you may be worse.”
Pax was silent as he studied me, his face stone. It was useless to try to read his expression, so I waited, my heart thudding hard in my chest, until he spoke again.
“I am not proud of what I did to you, Yula,” he said finally, turning his dazzling blue eyes upon me. I was lost in them for a moment, my anger second to my bizarre desire to be closer to him. “But I did what I had to do. You may not see the sense in it now, but I assure you, one day you will. And when you do, you will no longer be so outraged by my claim.”
“Don’t count on it,” I mumbled. But the fire was no longer in my voice.
Pax seemed to sense this and smiled. It was unbelievably infuriating, having a Verian man look at me like he could read my mind. And yet, in a way it was comforting. Almost as if I didn’t have to be alone anymore.
But I couldn’t let myself think that way. I had to be strong. I had far too much to lose. If I didn’t get back to Earth, the war against the Verian people would be lost. Men like Pax and his brother would take over my home, my land, and disregard my people. The Verians were vicious and self-serving. They had kept it no secret that they thought the only thing we humans were good for was slavery.
But somehow, whether it was the Pelin’s unwavering faith in the man or my own flawed judgment, I didn’t want to believe that Pax could possibly feel that way. Was it possible the little man was right? Could Pax truly be different from the other Verians I had encountered?
“You must tell me everything you know about Zone 70,” Pax said finally, after a long silence of us each seeming lost in our own thoughts, testing the waters of our conversation.
“Why? So you can destroy the only place I have ever felt like I belonged?” I demanded.
“That’s not it,” Pax said, hesitating and looking away from me. There was pain, or maybe exasperation, in his voice. And for some reason, at that moment, I believed him.
“Well then, what is it?” I asked, giving him a level of attention I hadn’t anticipated I’d be able to give a Verian. Whatever he said next seemed unbelievably important: urgent enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Pax said, looking down at his food with a heavy sigh.
“Try me,” I said, reaching across the table and taking his hand in mine. The gesture surprised us both and I drew my hand away quickly when Pax eyed me curiously.
“If things are as bad as I fear, with my brother Grod, then we may need a safe place to return to. A base. I am afraid that he is going to lead my people astray. Though I can’t tell just how far he is willing to go.”
“I see,” I said quietly. “Well, I’ll tell you what. You find a way to prove to me that what you’re saying is true, and I’ll talk to you. Find out what the Doyan is up to, and maybe we will provide you with a safe haven, and maybe not.”
“I don’t make deals with humans,” Pax said, his voice and face drawn and dark now. “Return to your room before you regret trying to play games with me. We will discuss this more later. I want to eat my meal in peace.”
I was bewildered by my abrupt dismissal, but in a way, I was also relieved. I had no idea what I had been trying to pull with the commander, but I was getting a lot of mixed feelings from the interaction. I was probably feeling off-balance; seeking some kind of comfort after being whisked away from my planet for too long. But I would certainly never find normalcy with him. In fact, Pax was the last place I would be able to look for such a thing.
I laid down, taking a deep breath and closing my eyes. I could forgive myself for a brief moment of weakness. But I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I dwelled on it and let myself get tricked into thinking I could ever be able to live with this man. It was just too much.
It was with a tremendous effort that I was finally able to fall asleep, and dream of the green, comforting pastures of Earth.