Page 90 of All You Need is Alien Love
Did she sayagain?
She shakes her head. “Poor naïve, trusting Kai. Do you know how long it took me to find a viable Iyaran male with the ability to gestate offspring? You are my crowning achievement!” The gleam of fervor in her eyes is terrifying.
“You’ve gone full mad scientist,” I whisper. River’s shown me enough of those films to know.
“Hardly. I’m one of the greatest minds in the universe. And I’m going to create the first Iyaran male pregnancy in centuries.” She points to a cooling unit nearby. “I even have samples of Fabian’s sperm to implant once you go into Tentaculum Calefaction again.” Her grin is maniacal. “After all, we need you to gestate pure Iyaran offspring.”
I gag and have to concentrate on my breathing so I don’t throw up at her words.
“You’re sick and demented,” I grit out through clenched teeth as I fight the restraints. “Forced implantation is the same as rape.”
She sighs. “You’re failing to see the bigger picture. Sometimes sacrifices must be made in the name of science.”
I scoff. “This isn’t science. This is a creepy eugenics agenda.”
“The fertility of species like my own is declining. Additionally, birth rates of mixed-progeny are on the rise, meaning the purity of our people is at risk.” Her eyes hold a feverish gleam that’s terrifying. “My work will save the Osairan race. The data from my research on you will enable me to increase fertility options among my people. Well, only for those who agree to keep the Osairan race untainted. You are serving a greater cause.”
I’m shaking with equal parts rage and disgust. “Was this your unhinged plot all along?”
“Why else would I have volunteered to come here? This godsforsaken outpost had a disproportionate number of Iyaran members. Your species is remarkably fertile, and at one time, all sexes could gestate offspring. What a gold mine of opportunities! I made it my mission to learn as much about Iyaran biology as possible and covertly studied all of you for years. Everything was going so well too…” Her expression darkens. “Until River Sullivan showed up. He ruined everything. After all my efforts, he was the one to induce Tentaculum Calefaction in you.”
“He’s my life mate. No one but him could bring on such a response.”
She holds up the syringe. “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we? I’m quite confident that my research has led to a successful triggering mechanism for Tentaculum Calefaction. Once you go into an episode, I’ll implant Fabian’s biological material to continue my experiment. Later, I’ll be able to run tests on your offspring as well.”
Panic washes over me and my tentacles thrash inside me, unable to come out thanks to the restraints over my abdomen. This is all so much worse than we imagined. Layne Madison is awful, but Adeline is truly terrifying. She seems to be the true believer among the two, while her co-conspirator is more of a slimy opportunist willing to take or leave what best suits his goals at any given moment.
She swabs my arm and before I can even react, injects me with the mystery substance.
“It’ll all be over before you know it.”
I swallow back my fear and hold on to the trust I have in my mate.
River, get your ass moving and rescue me like we planned!
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Spill the TEA: Trustworthy Earthling Advice
Issue 13
Here on Earth, we are nearing the winter holiday season! There are many unique holidays celebrated around this time of year, but perhaps the most pervasive in the Western world is Christmas. It’s quite fitting, then, that my query today relates to this most festive of seasons!
And now for today’s topic… office gift-giving.
Dear Dr. TEA,
I recently started working in an office and just learned that my entire department is participating in something called “Secret Santa.” Unfortunately, I was out sick on the day the details of this event were explained to the team. Everyone seems to think this activity is well-known. When I tentativelyasked for more information, a colleague just laughed and said, “Don’t worry, we just do the basics like most offices.”
Now, I feel like I can’t ask anyone for more details without seeming ignorant and totally weird! I have tried to educate myself on the Christmas holiday and this mythical figure known as Santa Claus—not to be confused with Santa Claws, that movie gave me nightmares!—But I am hesitant about what to do as Secret Santa for John the IT guy. Should I try going down his chimney to place my gift in his home one night? I’m not entirely sure his house even has a chimney since they do not appear to be common in Las Vegas. My body is very flexible and I can squeeze myself into tight spaces, but I fear if he sees me, it might reveal my true identity even if I am wearing the Santa suit.
Please help, Dr. TEA!
Sincerely,
Scared to be a Secret Santa
Dear Scared to be a Secret Santa,
