Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“Deep breaths, Baby girl. You’re safe.”
I realize he’s walking with me, and when I glance around, I notice we’re in a sterile hallway. It’s silver and shiny—both the walls and the ceiling. “Where am I?” This must be a hospital.
“You’re onboard the mothership, Clara,” he informs me.
My breath hitches and my eyes must bug clear out of my head. I struggle in his arms, wanting him to put me down.
He holds me tighter. He’s far too strong for me to escape, plus I’d probably get injured if I fell to the floor. He’s that tall.
“Where are my friends?”
“They’re still in the club, I assume. I was worried about you, so I took you in a pod off the planet as fast as possible. We’re with the ship’s doctor, Dankin. He’s going to examine you as soon as we get to his office.”
I twist my neck to see another man is walking alongside us. “You took me off Earth?” This is unimaginable. It’s not possible. People don’t just leave Earth, especially without their knowledge.
“Yes, Baby girl. You passed out. No one could wake you up. I was concerned.” He gives my fingers a gentle squeeze. “I need you to take some breaths for me. Your heart is racing too fast.”
Breaths? He wants me to take breaths? Is he certifiable? He just informed me I’ve been moved from Earth to a spaceship. Breathing isn’t a priority right now.
The man stops at a door, opens it, and steps inside. A quick glance tells me I’m in an exam room like one would find in a hospital emergency room. Maybe that should ease my fears.
“Let’s get her on the table,” the second male voice says.
I look toward him again.
He smiles. “How do you feel, Clara?”
“Why do you know my name?” How I feel is panicked. How could I feel any other way?
The man holding me gives me a gentle squeeze. “Your friends gave us your purse, Little one. We looked at your ID. We needed to give it to Jefared so he could enter you into the system.”
I have no idea what this man is talking about. But Jefared must be an administrator or something for this hospital. Is that what this is? A hospital in the sky?
I panic further as the man holding me lowers me onto an exam table. I cling to him. For some reason, I don’t want him to put me down.
He stays very close after he settles me on the table. “I’m not going anywhere, Clara. I’m right here. We need to let the doctor examine you, Baby girl.”
“Why didn’t someone call an ambulance? Why did you bring me to the spaceship?” I’m fisting the lapel of his suit jacket with all my might. Even in my weakened state, I need to hold on to him.
He eases his hand up to cup my face.
For the first time, I fully take him in. He has thick dark hair and green eyes. His skin is tanned. And he’s a giant. I’ve heard these Eleadian males were big, but I’ve never seen one before to confirm the rumors.
“I couldn’t part with you, Little one,” he says calmly as if his words are reassuring. “Your friends said you’ve been tired lately and seeing a doctor. Eleadians have far superior medical knowledge. Dankin will get to the bottom of your illness.” He smiles.
I’m not reassured. “Then you’ll take me back to Earth?” My voice wobbles. Somehow I know this is not going to happen. I feel a weird attachment to this man. I don’t even know his name, but I don’t want him to let go of me, and I suspect he’s not going to.
“No, Baby girl,” he says softly. “You’re mine.”
The blood drains from my face. My lips part, but I can’t make a sound.
“Kalbrac, you need to calm her.”
Calm me? What does he mean? Calm is not an option right now. But at least I now know the man holding me is named Kalbrac. He has one arm under my neck, and his body is leaning over me enough to keep me from squirming out from under the pressure.
Kalbrac takes my hand in his again and brings my fingers to his lips. He holds my gaze as he kisses my middle finger. A second later, something pierces the tip of my finger.
I yelp and try to yank my hand free of his, but he’s too strong. He keeps my fingers against his lips, gazing into my eyes as another prick punctures my pointer.
How is this happening? I don’t see a needle. Is he some weird vampire alien? I’ve never heard a single rumor about the Eleadians being vampires.
“Ouch.” The single word is insufficient, and in my mind, I know I should be outraged, but instead my body is calming. I’m sinking into the table. Am I going to faint again?