I thought being abducted and experimented on by aliens was the worst things could get. But I was wrong. Because when I tried, and failed, to escape, I promised to protect an alien-human baby. And then we were thrown into a new cage.
And my cell-mat...
(if you want to listen while you read the audiobook is linked above!)
Ronan
I had always been quiet. Not abnormally so, but quiet. I'd been born with a solemn face with wide blue eyes, or so I'd been told. Perhaps that's what made me such an effective warrior.
Welcoming the burn in my biceps, I finished my last pull-up from my cage bars– a routine I'd developed in the two spans I'd been imprisoned by the Szenists. I let go of the metal bars lining the top of my cage and settled into the back of the dark cage that the Szenists had thrown me into.
My prison was solid metal on two sides, the other two barred. The two barred walls gave me a view of the corridor and the empty cell beside me. I sat on the hard cot next to the bare necessities– a toilet and wash basin.
I welcomed the solitude. Their feeble attempts at interrogation for the past two spans were nothing but a minor irritation. Meditation gave me much-needed mental clarity, though.
The spaceship thrummed beneath my feet. Occasionally, a muffled scream pierced the silence.
What were the Szenists doing? The Szenists had always been a relatively peaceful race. Yes, they did tend to push the boundaries of scientific exploration, but they were a member of the Intergalactic Alliance.
Which made it all the more confusing when all signs pointed to the Szenists being the ones who kidnapped my cousin, Keir. An act of war, if proven true. My unjust imprisonment already broke three accords alone.
But that was why I was here. The sharpened blade of retribution to retrieve Kier and bring honour to my house. My time for answers would come. But my daily interrogation was nearing if my internal clock was correct.
I closed my eyes and readied myself, sinking into a meditative state. I was to collect information until my team tracked me through the chip in my neck.
A blaring alarm rang out. My eyes shot open, and I was met with flashing red lights. Hazy smoke crept down the corridor, stinging my nose. Fire. My muscles tightened in readiness.
Loud footsteps slapped against the metal floor of the corridor, and a short being ran past my cell. My eyes followed them, taking in every detail. Their gauzy white dress left little to the imagination, curves evident. My brow furrowed.
... a female?
I shook my head. No, it couldn't be. What would a female be doing in a place like this? Immediately, I got to my feet. Her breaths came in panicked gulps. Females were revered among the Rhodin, so seeing one in such visible panic made every protective instinct rise to the forefront. My heartbeat pounded.
She clutched some sort of bundle of cloth to her chest, hands encrusted with blood. Strange, red blood. Long, dark, wavy hair flowed down her back.
My gaze narrowed. She was soft, defenceless. She had no scales or claws for protection, like the Szenists. She had no wings or fangs like the Rhodinians.
She was unlike any species I'd come across, and, as an elite Rhodinian warrior, I ventured farther into the universe than any normal being.
"Where are they? Oh God, where are they?" She ran to the dead end past my cell. I grasped the bars of my cage, enthralled. Her voice was unlike any I had ever heard. Even through my translator, it had an ethereal, musical quality. Curious.
Before I could open my mouth to ask what she was looking for, the grating sounds of claws clacking against metal drew my attention. The Szenists were coming, and she had nowhere to run. She was clearly another prisoner, like me. My curiosity as to how she got herself imprisoned here was overridden by my anger at the Szenists. How could they imprison a female? My grip tightened on the bars, knuckles white.
I was powerless. I felt hollowed out, stomach heavy. There was nothing I could do as the Szenists advanced on her, shock sticks crackling in their grip.
To her credit, she didn't cow away from them. She stood tall with her back against the dead end, head held high.
"Release Specimen 001 and return to your confinement." The Szenist's voice was cold, clinical, and detached. His forked tongue darted out as he licked his lips, tasting the air to scent her emotion.
"Over my dead body." She held the bundle closer to her chest. The specimen.
"Your death would be a waste of resources. Release Specimen 001 and return to your confinement," the Szenist repeated and advanced with his shock stick.
I pulled at the bars, knowing I couldn't escape but desperately wanting to protect the female from the Szenist. The bars didn't budge. I let out a growl of frustration.
Her eyes blazed, defiant. I couldn't draw my gaze away.
Before the shock stick made contact, she opened her mouth and screamed– the sound like nothing I had ever heard before in my twenty-six revolutions. I fell to my knees and covered my ears, the pain staggering. I could only make one coherent thought– what was she?
✶ ☾ ✶
AUTHOR'S NOTE
What do you think of Chapter 2 and Ronan? Any thoughts for what's going to happen next? What would you do if you were in Aanya or Ronan's position?
Also, did you listen to the chapter? Would you like me to keep making audio versions of the chapters, or no?
Comments and votes are much appreciated.
Virtually yours,
Ro
P.S. don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter (for free) at https://www.rosingh.com to find out how aanya & ronan were abducted!
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