Page 5 of Found By the Alien Warrior

I pretended to survey our surroundings to distract myself. "I don't know how anyone else managed to sleep."

“Stop it.” She nudged me in the arm. “You’re such a goofwad.”

I had no idea what a goofwad was, but my joke worked, as she let out a small laugh. But her laughter quickly subsided. The sudden halt of the vehicle meant we had arrived at our destination.

"Whatever happens next," I said to her, "I'll protect you."

Her eyes locked onto mine, and I could see the gratitude and trust in her gaze. It only fueled my resolve to keep her safe, no matter the cost.

SONYA

A rough voice jarred me out of my light moment with Aurik, as our alien captor barked orders. “Everyone, stand up.”

The door to the cargo wagon revealed more armed aliens waiting outside. My breaths came shallow and fast. What was waiting for us?

"Keep moving," one of them snarled at us, pulling a terrified captive from the vehicle.

I cast a glance at Aurik, who nodded to reassure me. We stepped out together, and I caught sight of a dome-shaped building before us. Was this the fighting ring owned by Korga? No other structure stood around it. We were truly in the middle of nowhere. The thought sent chills down my spine. My sense of fear was renewed.

I surveyed the building. The compound seemed designed to intimidate – and it was working.

"Hey, you," one of the guards shouted at Aurik. "Stand off to the side. You're needed for the next tournament in a couple hours."

I kept my breathing steady, not wanting to show how much their words disturbed me. We just got here, and they wanted Aurik to fight someone already?

Aurik faced the guard. "Korga said I could name my prize for winning the last match." His voice was calm and firm. "I choose this human woman. That means no one, not even Korga, can have her."

My pulse sped, both from the intense way he made his statement and the uncertainty of what it meant. Would I become nothing more than a prize in this brutal world? Or did Aurik's protectiveness mean something more?

“I’ll inform Korga.” The guard gave in to his demand. "But remember who's in charge here."

We moved further into the compound. Once we got inside, the separation was swift. The guard got between us. "Korga will have the last word," he taunted Aurik.

"Stay strong, Sonya.” Aurik gave me a determined nod before his gaze hardened, locking onto the guard with a fierceness that made my breath catch. His eyes glowed an eerie, ghostly blue. "Your leader’s death rattle will be the last thing that comes from his mouth if he lays a hand on her."

"Promises, promises," the guard mocked, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. As I followed him, I clung to the memory of Aurik’s protectiveness, his burning determination to keep me safe.

I stumbled over uneven ground. The other captives whispered amongst themselves, their words foreign to my ears, yet the fear in their eyes spoke volumes. We were all trapped here now.

Chapter Three

SONYA

I was led down a dimly lit corridor, my feet stumbling as I tried to keep up with the brisk pace of the guards. The cold metallic floor created echoes of our footsteps that went through the vast space of the complex.

"Here you are." One of the guards pushed me into a room filled with various female aliens. I managed to regain my balance before falling flat on my face. A six-foot serpentine alien slinked towards me on narrow feet, her grey-green scales shimmering in the low light.

"Welcome.” She extended a hand, tipped in emerald-green claws. "I’m in charge of the female division. I’m known as Vessa the Viper."

"Sonya Bennett." I shook her hand. Her hand was cool, and her grip was surprisingly strong for someone who appeared modelesque.

"Come, let me show you the female wing." Vessa led me through the bustling room, weaving effortlessly between the different aliens. I couldn't help but gawk at the variety of species surrounding me. Some appeared to be entertainers, their voices carrying haunting melodies that echoed through the room. Others were dressed in revealing outfits, clearly intended to seduce.

The thought of being forced into such roles made my blood boil. I hadn’t seen this Korga character yet, but I was tempted to throw something in his face. Anger wouldn't get me out of here alive, though. I needed to be strategic, to find a way to escape without bringing attention to myself. And if possible, to help the other females break free. For now, I kept my thoughts to myself.

"Here is where we stay when not working," Vessa explained, gesturing to a series of small, partitioned cubicles. Each contained a simple cot and a few personal belongings. It wasn't much, but it was better than the damp, drafty space of the vehicle that brought me here.

"Thank you," I murmured to Vessa as she walked away, leaving me in the wing.

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