I gave him the finger and curled up tighter. His rich laughter filled the room, and I turned myself so he couldn’t see the tears traveling down my face.
 
 This sucked.
 
 I didn’t know where I was, why I was kidnapped or where I was being taken.
 
 “What are those spots on her skin?” Another voice joined the room.
 
 “Those are called freckles. My understanding is they are common for those with pale skin and what they call ginger hair.” The suited man responded, and I felt my eyes roll back into my head.
 
 “And she’s untouched?” The new voice asked.
 
 “According to the medic who examined her, and from the laws on Earth, she is completely untouched.”
 
 Someone tapped on my cage, and I turned my head to see who. His eyes felt familiar as I looked into them. Black, with a rainbow outer rim. His face was shaped like that of a snake, complete with a forked tongue.
 
 “What name do you answer to?” The strange man asked me.
 
 I shrugged and tried to turn back around.
 
 “We can do this the hard way and allow one of our thugs to probe your mind,oryou can try to communicate with me.”
 
 Heaving a sigh, I turned to face him.
 
 “Are you untouched?”
 
 I nodded my head.
 
 Of course I was. The man in the suit told him the reasons.
 
 “And you were planning to apply for Xa’Karth?”
 
 My eyes narrowed as I nodded.
 
 “Noboru, unmute her.” He called over his shoulder before looking back at me. “If you scream or ask too many questions, you will be muted again. Understood?”
 
 I nodded.
 
 “She can speak, Zsesux.”
 
 The serpent face alien tilted his head. “Your name?”
 
 I rubbed my cheeks, cleared my throat, and spoke softly. “Kayla.”
 
 “Very good, Kayla.” He crouched down to be at eye level with me. “And your mating hole? It’s never been used?”
 
 Shaking my head, I looked down. “No more than a finger of mine.”
 
 He motioned to see my hand, and begrudgingly I held it out. “You have thin fingers.”
 
 “Why were you down in that district?” Noboru stood up and came over to the cage. “You don’t look dirty enough for that area.”
 
 “I saw an ad. It was for a planet called Xa’Karth.” I lifted a shoulder, shrugging. “Having an adventure sounded like fun.”
 
 “Excellent news!” Zsesux stood up, clapping his hands together. “That’s exactly where we’re taking you!”
 
 “Your bright hair and pale body will fetch a hefty sum.” Noboru reached through the bars to stroke my leg. “The fact that you are untouched? That will add to the pot, And we’ll be set for life.”
 
 Outstanding. I was going to be sold as a pet or a slave on an alien planet.