Claimed By My Alien Captor by Shona Mira
Prologue: Tenem
oversleep. But I have struggled to motivate myself to continue as the length of each day stretches on. Every morning I wake, gazing out my window at the graying ocean stretching on forever. This morning was no different. Once a vibrant blue-green that brought warm memories, now the dulling waters of Aseah only remind me of the infinite days I have been here. Isolated. Trapped.
But not for much longer.
I burst into the Auction House, reminding myself to keep low but be ready for anything. I try to keep my face unaffected as I pass many females filing in against the back wall. Some crying. Some trembling. All terrified of whatever fate is coming for them.
I despise the Auction House, but my presence is needed most every Auction Day. However, "needed" may be the wrong word. Demanded. Mandatory. Come or feel the wrath of the Roa if you resist.
I do not wish to think of what my fate would be if I resisted. I remember the cries of my people as we were torn from our homes. I could not look away when unspeakable things were brought down upon us during the Roan invasion. While the years have passed, their cries still ring true in my ears as if it were yesterday. Even now, as I drag myself through the many species present for Auction Day, I can see but a few Kwame people. My people.
I do my best to silence the rage growing deep in my belly. I know now is not the time. I am here with a purpose. I am here to do a job, no matter how revolting I find the creatures around me, laughing and jeering at the thought of bidding on yet another prized female.
I flatten my expression when I come across two female Gyoka, trembling and clinging to each other as they are ushered backstage. I remember planet Aseah during the Gyokan rule. Aseah was a luxurious getaway, home to the most luscious orange beaches and sunsets that lasted hours. The depths of the ocean reflected in the sky like a mirror, the most beautiful and harmonious sight—a paradise.
Until the Roa invaded. They enslaved or slaughtered us by the thousands, causing the Gyoka to flee… if they could.
I turn away, angered because these two Gyokans look like younglings, just babes who were ripped from their homes. Or worse, they never knew of a home other than this. I hear one let out a rattled cry as they're shoved behind the curtains by a Roan security guard. I tell myself not to get involved and carry on.
Of course, their Gyokan youth will be considered a prize. They'll be prime stock for mating and harvesting eggs, which is the Roa's main priority. Whether they succumb willingly or not…
As I approach the base of the auction stage, the bodies grow denser, causing me to use my Kwame height and build to push through. I search and finally spot Yorah, the owner of the Azure Well where I work. I'm but a few paces away from him when someone steps into my path.
Ruak Kah.
"Late again, Tenem?" Ruak jeers, my translator buzzing behind my ear as his palps click, a Roan laugh if I have ever heard one.
"Apologies, sir," I reply, standing tall. "It won't happen again."
Ruak looks back at the other two Roa, who snicker, their bulb eyes rolling from side to side. Disgusting creatures.
"I should hope not. I'd hate to show you what would happen if it did."
The three Roa click their palps, laughing as one. They continue to jest at my expense, and I push the rage further into my depths, knowing I could snap all of their twig-like necks without a drop of sweat reaching my brow. I long for the days when the Roa feared me due to my Kwamean size. Once they outnumbered us, that fear was gone.
They shove their bony, pebbled arms against me as they pass and finally leave me be.
"Let's not forget," Ruak hisses as he passes, "what happened the last time you tried to cross me."
I close my eyes, the memories rushing through me. I seethe as he walks away, remembering all too well and cringing. When I open my eyes, they are gone, thankfully.
Any encounter with a Roa is awful. But an encounter with Ruak Kah, the leader and overlord of this region of Aseah, always ends with devastation.
I try not to dwell on it as I step toward Yorah and stand at his side. He and Vrex are deep in a discussion, their voices quieting when they notice me.
"You're late," Yorah says without glancing toward me.
"Apologies. I was managing the situation with the Crexians that arrived yesterday."
"And?"
"The incident is taken care of. A misunderstanding."
"Good." Yorah nods. "The last thing we need is chaos from new clients."
Both Yorah and Vrex seem tense. While I want to ask what could be troubling them, I know my place. They may be my allies, trapped here just as I am, but I know better than to ask questions about things that may not concern me.
"Tenem," Vrex breaks my thoughts saying, "maybe you should go back to the Well. You don't need to be here this time."
The three of us share a glance before Yorah looks to me, waiting.
I'm about to respond when the announcer comes back out onto the stage. The full room clicks and caws at his presence, letting everyone know the bidding is about to continue.
"Finally, I have a rare treat for everyone this evening!" The announcer calls out. "I, myself, have only come across this unique and attractive species thrice. And I've been with many species."
The room cackles and cheers. I glance at Yorah, who has turned his gaze back to the stage, unmoving. When I try my best to mimic his calm, he leans closer to me.
"Patience, Tenem," he purrs.
I nod and stand taller, towering over those around me. I fold my arms around my back, inhaling deeply and pulling my attention to the two Roa bringing the newest female to the stage. Their backs are to the room as they drag her out, finally tossing her to the floor in front of me, tattered and chained.
My heart stops.
She strains to stare into the sea of bodies, blinded by the bright stage lights. She struggles to her feet, terrified but determined to remain strong. Her dark, wavy hair whips around as she glances from side to side, seeing the Roa flanking the stage. No escape.
She wears almost nothing, an incentive for every bidder as always. They usually strip every female of most of their clothing, hoping to entice whoever claims her as a prize. And even though her breasts are exposed, I keep my eyes fixed on her face.
Thrum.
"No," I whisper to myself, feeling the thrum again, deep inside me. It's as faint as a whisper, but I know this to be true. It's awake. I'm awake.
"She's…" I say, leaning down to Yorah.
"Yes. She is." Yorah remains cold, but I can see the same things running through my mind in his beady eyes.
She tries to lift her chained arms to brush her hair from her eyes. Her flawless tanned skin glows, causing the bidders to shout and call to her, crudeness filling the room. She stares out into the void, her brow furrowed, her physical rage louder than any voice in the room. The intensity in her gaze brings back too many memories, memories that thrum in my chest once again.
She reminds me of… her. Small. Frail. Fierce. A rarity in this region. On this planet. In this solar sector.
A human.