Page 101 of Stranded with the Alien

She swallowed down her hurt. He had played her beautifully, she had to give him that. All thatkalehshashit. She had believed every word.

Solarun marched her through the vessel, ignoring the open curiosity and catcalls from the troops they passed. Kara didn’t need the microbes to translate the insults, though some were more imaginative than she expected.

She wished she could snap back at them but her throat was still sore. And besides, Vahn was right about one thing. She shouldn’t let on she could understand them. It was an advantage, however small, and it might help her.

So she kept her head down and her mouth shut, even when a crowd grew around them. Vraxians edged closer, trying to get a look at the enemy prisoner in their midst. Alien faces glowered in every direction and she started to get jostled.

At first Solarun ignored it. But as the jeers and shoves grew more intense, she barked an order.

Immediately, the crowd evaporated. Every soldier went back to his or her task without a murmur. Kara let her shoulders relax, impressed at the general’s unquestioned authority. Her mother would approve.

“If it were up to me, I’d let them tear you limb from limb.” Solarun’s tone was conversational. “I don’t know what the Imiri has planned but it had better be worth stinking up my beautiful ship with your disgusting carcass.”

Kara kept her face impassive.

They walked towards a gleaming silver tube. Solarun pulled Kara inside and uttered a syllable. The tube shot upwards and Kara realized they were in a lift.

They emerged on a floor which seemed to have only one door, guarded by two of the biggest Vraxians Kara had ever seen. Even their muscles had muscles.

They saluted and stood aside as Solarun strode past them and into the room beyond.

Kara gaped.

Okay. These had to be the most luxurious, spacious and opulent quarters she’d ever seen. Not even the Presidential Suite in the New White House compared to this. There were at least three rooms, all decorated in silks and velvet, or whatever the Vraxian equivalent was. And in the center was a large bed.

Her gawping was brought to a rude halt when Solarun grabbed her by the arm and threw her to the ground.

“I know you can’t understand me, vermin. But the Imiri has seen fit to let you live and I will abide by his orders.” The Vraxian bent down so she could stare into Kara’s eyes, her own slitted pupils black and unblinking. Her next sentence was in perfect English, each word enunciated carefully and slowly. “If you try to harm him in any way, I will kill you. Slowly. And painfully. Do you understand?”

She loves him.The thought came to Kara as she stared into Solarun’s intent gaze.She’s worried about him.

She wanted to laugh. How many women had Vahn seduced? Instead, she nodded.

Satisfied, Solarun left. Kara was tempted to see if she’d locked the door behind her, but there were two enormous guards on the other side so what was the point?

She drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms round her shins, rocking slightly.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

She heard the engines begin to thrum as they took off. Next stop, Vraxos.

She was fucked. Well and truly fucked.

Forty Eight

She was still dredged in misery when she heard the door open. She knew it was Vahn even before he spoke.

“Kara.”

“You bastard.” Her voice was muffled, her face pressed against her knees.

“Kara look at me.”

“Go to hell, you lying piece of snake-shit.”

He sighed and squatted down next to her.

“You want to hit me? Would it make you feel any…”

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