Page 11 of Bela's Bounty
CHAPTERFIVE
Bela
We’re ushered through the center of a bustling station that reminds me of a ritzy shopping mall. Both sides of the busy concourses are lined with storefronts: boutiques, cafés, salons, you name it. Strange smells and a cacophony of sounds surround us. I’m sure I’m gawking as we pass by all kinds of strange aliens. And they stare curiously back. Overhead, a labyrinth of escalators zigzags through the air while glass elevators shoot up and down far faster than anything I’ve ever seen on Earth.
All of this is against the inky black, star-speckled backdrop of space that surrounds us.
The madame ushers us into one of the glass elevators and, without warning, we’re shot toward the ceiling like a bullet, leaving my stomach far below me. As soon as the doors slide open, we’re hurried through a masculinely decorated lobby and then up a short flight of stairs to a long hallway lined with different colored doors. We’re not even halfway down the hallway when it becomes obvious what is going on behind those doors.
Heat creeps up into my cheeks at the sounds of low, throaty moans, and I cup my hands over Skylar’s ears.
“Seriously?” Nita arches a thick eyebrow at me.
I merely shrug, keeping my hands over her ears as we follow the madame to a set of double doors at the far end of the hall.
“This will be your new home,” Madame Athea announces as she throws both doors open with flourish.
Inside is a riot of colors. Brightly dyed textiles are draped over almost every surface with plush, intricately woven rugs covering the smooth floors. I’m so taken in by all the different colors and patterns, I don’t notice the women staring back at us at first.
A pink alien wearing nothing except for a lace vest that barely covers her ample chest and booty shorts steps forward, and I slide my hands from Skylar’s ears to cover her eyes.
“You’re dumb. She’s seen boobs before,” Nita grumbles, elbowing me in the ribs.
I mean, she’s right, but I’m pretty sure Skylar has never seen anything quite likeherbefore. Her tits seem to defy the laws of gravity and practically float off her chest. She looks like she walked out of an anime porn. Besides having bubblegum-pink skin, she’s got wild blond and pink hair and blue eyes that are too big for her face.
“Cybele, dear, these are our newest girls,” the madame tells her.
Cocking her head to the side, Cybele takes her time looking each of us over. “They look like Xaja,” she finally says in a soft, breathy voice.
“They are human,” the madame replies, as if that explains everything. And maybe it does, because Cybele’s eyes grow even larger, darting from the madame to us and then back.
“I expect you girls to teach them what they need to know. Except for this one.” Skylar squeaks when Madame Athea pushes me aside and takes hold of her shoulders. “This one is special. She is too young to entertain just yet.” When Skylar tries wiggling out of her grip, the madame just clamps down harder, keeping her in place. “Shemustremain intact. So be gentle with her.”
Cybele nods her head.
“I’ll leave you to settle them.” Madame Athea turns her attention back to us and smiles, showing off her sharp white teeth and sending chills racing down my spine. “Let me know if you need anything.” Then she turns on her heel and vanishes in a whoosh of colorful fabric, closing the doors behind her with a sense of finality, followed by the distinct sound of a lock sliding into place.
Nita, Skylar, and I all turn as one to face Cybele.
No one says anything for a time until the pink alien finally shrugs. “I assume you know why you’re here?”
Nita and I both nod, and Skylar sniffles loudly.
“Right.” Cybele looks longingly at the door before sighing. “Welcome to Lux.”
A blue-haired alien pops her head over Cybele’s shoulder and snorts, “More droids?”
“No, Madame said they are humans,” Cybele says before turning her attention back to us. “This is Elara.” She gestures behind her. “Ynez is taking the day customers along with Xaja, whom you won’t see much of. She’s a droid and only recharges once a span.”
“Humans?” Elara scoffs. “What is that blue devil trying to pull now?”
Cybele and Elara both turn to scrutinize us once more, and Nita and I exchange equally questioning looks.
“Well?” Elara asks after the silence stretches for an uncomfortably long span.
“Well, what?” Nita snaps back.
“Aren’t you going to introduce yourselves?” Cybele asks in her quiet voice.
