Page 9 of The Highseer's Mate

We walk further and finally, little nodules of luminescence like the ones on the massive trees flicker to life. The bright green balls of light are like chunky little energy sources stuck within the very rock of the walls around us. Soon, the entire walkway is lit up in soft lighting—as if I turned on a floor lamp. Or a calming LED light.

My heart aches.

I had said goodbye to my apartment in Chicago, dropped off my keys at the front desk with the excitement of a new life in the terraform community. Life on Earth wasn’t full of life for me and I was looking for a change, but as we walk further into the caverns, I realize I wasn’t expecting a change quite like this one.

At least when I boarded the ship to Mars, I was choosing my future. I was in control. I knew that the Mars colony would offer similar luxuries and quality of life.

This alien isn’t giving me a choice.

And this place is…

Tears brim my eyes as the walkway widens and he slides through this place with ease. It opens up as the cavern ceiling lifts. Little skylights appear allowing misty beams of light to trickle down and cast shadows across the dirt floor. I choke back the emotions threatening to swallow me whole as we arrive at an archway with a leather tapestry hanging down like a makeshiftdoor. He slides the leather aside and enters, setting me down in what appears to be a private room.

Is this… his room?

Does that mean there are other aliens down here too?

I wrap my arms around myself, a chill settling in my bones.

My alien kidnapper steps further inside, outstretching a long arm and pointing from wall to wall. I follow his movements and then he points to his chest.

The luminescent pattern across his dark gray skin flares bright.

He points to me.

I suck in a deep breath.

He’s trying to tell me something.

This room is his. But now it’s also… mine?

Chapter 5

Varek

My female is standing there shivering. Is she cold?

Her eyes are wet—little blobs of moisture leaking down her beautiful cheeks as if she’s sad.

How could she be sad at a time like this?

I palm my chest.

She’s my mate.

A sense of pride swells through me as I take her in. She’s small. Too light when I hold her. Her dark brown hair falls just past her sharp shoulders and her skin is a creamy shade. She is not a Vrut, for I have never seen a female that looks like her.

But I have never seen anyone of her kind either.

As a council member, I should have observed her and kept my distance. It’s our way. I was planning to learn about the ship and report back until I felt the intense pull to her. My very bones ached to go to her, to touch her, to bring her home.

Even before I had laid eyes on her.

I couldn’t understand it until the glows chose her.

My mate.

My lips twitch as I stare at her. I want to comfort her. To tell her she's safe, but the little troublemaker doesn’t understand my tongue. She’s afraid of me and it makes me physically ill.

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