21. Vanessa

Chapter 21

Iyelped when something erupted from the floor around me, bright purple segments snapping out then wrapping me in a cocoon, binding me while yellow and pink fluff exploded over my head. I was being mummified, and there was nothing I could do about it but scream.

A blossom, huh? This was a pastel nightmare.

Aizor bellowed my name, and I wanted to go to him, tell him I was okay, that I'd survived this like I had so many other things in my life. But I plunged down, down, away from him, and landed hard, the vibration jarring up my spine. I was absorbed in darkness and couldn't see anything around me. For a moment, panic shot through me, and a scream rushed up my throat. I could barely hold it back.

Be still.The voice echoed around me, reminding me of the one that woke me on the Mars spaceship.

"Someone's inside my mind," I cried out. "Get out of my head!"

How else will I speak to you?

Speak to me, notwithme. I noted that. "You could use a mouth."

Which I don't have.

I thrashed, trying to break free of the bindings. "Then make one. Surely someone who can direct robocops to kidnap a bunch of women, steal a spaceship headed for Mars, and bring the women to an alien planet can create lips."

If you don't hold still, I'll make you.

The thought of mechanical claws bursting through the mummy-blossom and pinning me in place made me stop struggling. My feral panting echoed around me, and my heart rate thrummed in my ears at a furious pace.

"Send me home," I said, reluctantly adding, "Please."

This is your home.

"No, you stole me like I'm some kind of pet. You brought me here and gave me to an alien as if I have no free will of my own."

Few have any say in their lives.

"That doesn't make it right. You didn't ask if I was okay with your plan."

Would you have agreed?

"I doubt it."

We're giving you and the others the gift of language.

A jolt shot through my brain like I'd taken a blow to the side of my head.

"Ow." With my arms bound to my sides, I couldn't rub my aching temple. "Thanks?"

Return with Aizor to your home. Love him. Bear his younglings.

"I'm not a broodmare."

These people are dying.

"You can't pin that on me and a few women. Species die out all the time." The thought of the Zuldruxians fading away was a knife gouging my throat. Aizor, Jessia, who I'd only briefly met, and baby Willire and her mom, Tapesta.Each person had touched my heart already. "Save them."

We cannot do this on our own. We need you.

I'd never had a purpose in life, but there was no way they could expect us to save them.

If they die, so shall we.

"Are you saying you have a symbiotic relationship with the Zuldruxians?"

To some extent, yes. We came here so long ago; we've forgotten where we came from. We were welcomed. Worshipped. We wish to be revered once more.

"And you think forcing women to come here and hook up with Zuldruxians will make us love you like they do?"

We don't need love.

"Everyone does." The silence dragged on for so long, I had to break it. "Free the other women. Please."

When it's their time.

"It's not fair to keep them frozen like that."

They're safe. Healthy. They wait and they dream.

"They're probably having nightmares."

We don't dream.

I felt a twinge of pity for these alien beings who were entrenched in this planet and dependent on the Zuldruxians for worship, but my sympathy for them didn't shove aside my anger at what they'd done to me and the other women.

One week, the alien being said.

I stilled, waiting before blurting out, "One week for what?"

If, after one week, you wish to return to your wretched, dying planet—

"Hey, we have tacos and coffee, things I'll point out arenoton the menu here."

—then we will return you.

My breath caught. "Really?"

You doubt our ability to do this?

"No, but I'm questioningwhyyou'd do it."

We're not without feelings.

So far, I'd seen no evidence of that. But I'd be foolish to point that out or disagree.

We only ask that you give Aizor a chance.

A big part of me wanted to. "I can do that."

On the seventh day, come to us if you wish to remain here. If you don't come, we'll assume you want to return to your planet and will send you back.

That seemed reasonable.

"It's a deal." I could stick it out for a week. "Will you tell Aizor?"

Why would we?

Because they were Team Aizor, not Team Vanessa.

The thought of going home didn't make me as excited as I'd thought it would, because leaving meant saying goodbye to him.

"I'm not falling in love with him," I pointed out.

Silence.

I muttered, trying to fill the gap. "He has an amazing tongue. He's sweet and kind. He's a good person. But love takes time. It takes . . ." Trust.

I sighed, realizing I'd been pinning my general lack of trust for men on Aizor. He didn't deserve that.

Give us your answer in seven days.

"Alright."

Before I could ask them anything else, the blossom shot upward and spit me out onto the floor. Aizor rushed over and scooped me up in his arms. He dropped onto the floor beside the wall, placing me on his lap. After weaving my legs around his waist, he wrapped me up in his embrace.

It felt good to be close to him, to take the comfort he readily offered.

"What did they say to you?" I finally asked.

"That they'll give you and the other women the gift of understanding. And you?"

"I asked to go home."

He didn't tense up, per se, but I sensed his hearing suddenly sharpened. "Yet you're still here, as are the other women in the outer room. I looked."

"Your god told me my home is here."

"You don't agree."

"When I got here? No."

"And now?"

"I'm . . ." I looked up at him, and the hope in his eyes made my breath catch. I wasn't sure what I felt about this alien, but I didn't want to hurt him. If I did, it would shred my heart. "They told me they'll return me to Earth in one week if I still wish to leave."

"I have seven days to convince you, then."

Unlike when I first arrived here, he didn't sound cocky. He also didn't sound confident.

"Yes, seven days. I'm," I sucked in a breath and my hands actually shook, "I'm going to give us a chance."

He cupped my cheeks and tipped my head back, making me look up at him. "A male can do a lot in a week."

I couldn't hold back my smile. "A male can."

"Be prepared, mate."

My smile grew wider. "For what?"

"For me to show you why you want to remain here with me before the seven days are over."

My pulse surged, and my core throbbed. What would it be like to stay here forever as his mate? The thought scared me. I'd only been here a short time. It was okay to feel frightened. This wasn't just about being an alien's mate but adapting to a completely new way of life.

But . . . I was going to give it a shot.

And then, in seven days, I'd either come here and tell the crystal gods I wished to stay or they'd return me to Earth.