“The communication device can be activated by placing it on any flat surface in your room and stating the recipient's name and location,” the computer responds with artificial calm.
My hands shake as I place the black card on thenightstand. Exhaustion weighs on me, but my anger burns hotter. “Call Cal, Terra Sanctum, Earth.”
The card glows with a deep crimson light, pulsing like a heartbeat. For a moment, I think it won't connect. Then the light stabilizes, projecting a small holographic insignia of the Ascendant Alliance.
“Connecting,” says a mechanical voice.
Seconds stretch into a full minute. I pace the room, chewing my lower lip until I taste blood.
“Eve?” Cal's voice comes through, distorted at first, then clearing. “I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. How is?—”
“You lied to me!” I cut him off. “About everything. The human slaves and Denise.”
“Eve, I?—”
“Why did you show me that Facebook page? Was any of it real?”
“Yes, the page is real. But, I’m sorry to have deceived you. Denise isn't married on Earth.”
“Two people here have already told me two different stories about what happened to Denise, and I don’t want her story to becomemy story.”
“It's complicated. Denise became involved with Shadow Sovereign Lorian.Intimately involved.”
“Go on.”
“To him, she was recreation. When she realized he wouldn't make their relationship official, she became depressed, and Imperials believe humans become suicidal if left alone too long.”
“But she was working here. She wasn’t alone.”
“But the Sovereigns considered her to be alone because she was the only human, so it's rumored, not confirmed, that Shadow Sovereign Lorian sold her to one of his wealthy friends in the Empire.”
“Sold her?” The words feel dirty in my mouth. “Sold their employee.”
“To a good Imperial family with many pampered human companions. But something went wrong, and somehow she ended up with a crime lord named Kamos. He has a palace on a fringe world, and is renowned for collecting rare and beautiful things, including humans. That’s the official story management has been given by the Ascendant Alliance.”
“Did Sovereign Lorian sell her to this crime lord for more money?”
“No. The Sovereigns are many things, but they would not have done that. No one I know knows how Denise ended up with Kamos. And believe me, I’ve asked. I still consider her my responsibility, you know? Just as you are.”
My legs give out. I sink onto the bed's edge. “And the Facebook page? You said it’s real. How’s that possible?” I don’t know much about social media, but I’m pretty sure its coverage doesn’t reach the entire galaxy; but then again, maybe it does. Maybe millions of aliens have accounts and are interacting with humans every day for a laugh. Or to screen for alien abductions.
“The technology isn’t that advanced, and I know Denise maintains her social media under Kamos’ supervision. But, Eve, I need you to understand Denise isn't suffering. Not physically. She has comfort and protection. And she's pregnant with his child now. All intelligence says she's okay. And you’re in a better position, the Sovereigns have taken a special interest in you.”
“She's a fucking sex slave. I just saw her picture naked and collared. Don’t gaslight me.” I get goose bumps suddenly. “What kind of interest?”
“The kind that could keep you safer than Denise was and the kind that could give you access and influence.”
“If they're anything like every other grey-skinned man I met today, they only want me as a sex doll.”
“The Sovereigns can have any woman they want in the galaxy, but at the same time, I won't deny the possibility that they want you for sex,” Cal admits. “Although, Eve, there's power in being desired too.”
“You're asking me to prostitute myself and risk ending up in the same, if not worse, situation than Denise?”
“No, I’m telling you that the promise of sex is stronger than the act. Understand?”
“I think so,” I say, imagining myself as an alien courtesan, always flirting but never fully giving my body away, which will be easy with the Venus Lock. I don’t have a choice.
“Now listen, about Denise, you know that saying—‘if you can’t beat them, join them?’ I think that’s what happened to her. But you’re different. You have never encouraged any man’s sexual attention, nor do you require it for your own self-worth. What I’m trying to say, very clumsily, is that Denise’s weaknesses are not yours, so you don’t need to worry. Her story will not become your story.”
