Page 97 of Alien Jeopardy

It’s not right for thousands of living beings to just disappear in the blink of an eye.

“I’ve sent the comms tablet ahead with your branded merchandise,” Ken says. “Now close your eyes. You might see a bright light, but this shouldn’t hurt one bit.”

Rex folds me into his body as soon as Ken finishes that sentence, pressing my face against his chest, wings cocooning me.

If there’s a bright light, there’s not a crawfish’s chance in hell he’s going to risk me seeing it.

When he finally releases me, I’m dizzy.

I plop down on the floor, and dried mud flakes off my legs.

“Holy shit.” A woman who glows like Tinkerbell crouches before me. “Kanuz, look, it’s the couple fromMated and Afraid. The AI kept its word.”

“Are you a fairy?” I ask her, woozy.

“Fucking hell,” the blonde woman rolls her eyes. “No. I’m Gen, and you’re on Sueva. You’re going to be alright.”

I exhale, and then I promptly and quietly pass out.

CHAPTER

FORTY-FOUR

Ellison

Rex is holding me.

That’s the first thing I’m aware of.

“Where are we?” I ask him, muzzy.

“Ellison, you scared me.” He holds me tighter.

“I told you she was fine, you big bat.” A curly-haired woman rolls her eyes in my direction. “These aliens are so overbearing. I’m Tati, I’m a doctor. How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” I say automatically, then take a second and do a mental survey of all my body parts. Intact. “Tired,” I amend. “What happened?”

“Well, as far as we can tell,” the glowing woman answers, “you have been fucking through it.”

“Gen, that’s not helpful,” Tati admonishes her. “You were dehydrated, and I think whatever mode of transportation that AI managed really does a number on humans. Your final episode was two weeks ago.”

“Two weeks?” I croak, not quite believing it. “I’ve been unconscious for two weeks?”

“No, two weeks was how long the interstellar transference lasted,” Gen answers. “We really need a better name for that.”

“Two weeks,” I repeat again, shocked. “Has anyone else made it here? Are my friends okay?”

“They’re still being streamed. We’ve made contact with the AI in an attempt to barter for their release, but it’s not interested.” This comes from a tall dark green Suevan, thick black hair falling over his shoulders. “We do not understand what it wants.”

“We are working on it,” a beautiful brunette at his side chimes in, and I glance down, noticing a tail wrapped around her calf. “The important thing is that you are safe, and though your friends appear to be in danger, the AI is keeping true to the contract you signed.”

The doctor, Tati, runs a wand over my body. “Your vitals are good. Nothing some more vitamins and fluids won’t set right. That and some sleep.”

“Do you want to see your new house? Abby has been working like a wild thing to make sure everything is set up at the colony.” Gen grins at me. A little green-skinned blonde toddler races into the room, giggling. She’s the spitting image of Gen, albeit a green version, and the woman scoops her up and kisses her forehead. “We’re all excited to show you.”

“Cited,” the little girl croons, waving a chubby hand at me.

“Yeah,” I say softly, squeezing Rex’s hand. “I want to see where we’ll be living.”