“If you do not want me to pluck you bald, I suggest you shut your beak.” Aldri puffed her chest out. “None of you are good enough for him. He will seek me out.”
The strange woman, who reminded me of a ginormous butterfly, stretched her wings. “We shall see.”
I watched as the strange unicorn-looking woman walked off with the one who had bark for skin and shook my head.
Was I dreaming, or were these strange creatures real?
Mirtus shook her head. “Every labyrinth brings out the competitiveness in all species.”
Not dreaming. This was real.
“Um, Miss Mirtus, what exactly happens now?” I fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
“There are seven doors, choose one and wait for it to open.”
“And then?” I rolled my eyes upward, hoping she didn’t see my tears.
“When it opens you enter the labyrinth.” Her face pinched in irritation. “Not the smartest from your planet are you?” She pointed toward the hall. “Go.”
I dropped my head and made my way through the circular hall to the only door left. The titters and murmurs from the others stung as I passed by them.
Aldri wasn’t wrong. I had no clue what to do with a man, let alone a bull-like creature.
Each door had a different smell and when I reached mine, a soft floral scent tickled my nose.
Well. So far, so good.
From the other side, I heard the crowd cheering, intermixed with bets on who would make it to the center first.
No matter where you were, or what planet you were on, people were the same.
The floor beneath my feet shook and then rose up. A moment later, I was surrounded by a mirrored box.
I couldn’t see anything but my reflection, and hanging from the roof was a black bag.
“Welcome to the Labyrinth! Today we have seven contestants ready to make their way through and be claimedby Prince Genmor!” The announcer’s voice unnerved me. He sounded happy to see us run through the maze.
“Here are your contestants. In this box we have a hucow! Meet Tasha, she is here from Earth and has been hailed as one of the best milk producers from the Creamy Delight Dairy!”
The people responded by cheering louder.
“You still have time to place your bets, so get them locked in now!”
Cheers roared as I felt my way around the mirror.
“Next we have Vivia!” Her name came out in a singsong way. “She is Marvummoth and looking for a new cocoon to keep her warm!”
What a horrible thing to say.
“From the planet of Dragons, we have Dracorian warrior Aldri!” The roar of the crowd grew louder. “She claims to be a hot head who insists she can keep the Prince warm!”
“Beside her let us check out the pretty pony Serissa!” More cheers. “With those legs she plans to prance her way into the Prince’s barn and let him ride her when she is bad!”
I heard a whip crack, and the audience stomped their feet.
“Turn your attention to the tiny little hooman and give it up for Mindy!” The sounds of the crowd subdued. “She is our underdog in this race.”
My heart sank to my toes. I wasn’t wanted on Earth, and I was not wanted here.
