CHAPTER 1
Gray-brown dust was everywhere. It seemed capable of penetrating anything, covering the entire patch of the planet Christina had managed to see while the ship landed. Barely had the engines cut out and the ramp lowered when she, along with the other captives, was shoved outside and forced to the ground. Soft and dry, the dirt immediately clung to her boots, coating every exposed inch of skin in a thin, sticky layer. It ground between her teeth, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
One of the women nearly fell, tripping over her long, bright garments. Christina caught her with manacled hands. Her fellow prisoner whispered something back, likely thanking her. Her long black hair was woven into dozens of braids that reached her ankles. “What would they look like unbound?” Christina wondered. The woman’s unusual, almost golden skin tone made her look like a statue. She was astonishingly beautiful. As were all the other women she had ended up with in this strange world.
Christina didn’t consider herself particularly attractive. With her messy red hair, dirty tank top, and jeans, she looked like a pathetic shadow next to them. She had no idea what her kidnappers saw in her. She stood there for a moment, breathing in the alien, prickly air filled with unfamiliar scents, while their captors argued about something, shouting in an incomprehensible language.
Well... She had to face facts and accept that Earthlings, sadly, were not alone in the universe. Outwardly, the bastards mostly looked human, just like the captives—practically indistinguishable. So who were they? Notorious space pirates, damn them? What did they want? Where were they taking them? Were they going to sell them into slavery? What kind of world was this? Christina couldn’t find an answer to a single one of these agonizing questions.
After all, just recently, she, Police Detective Christina Peters, had been behind the wheel of her beloved old Ford, speeding down a night road to a crime scene. It was pouring rain, visibility was terrible... She had almost arrived when she saw a silhouette standing in the middle of the road. No matter how much she honked and slammed on the brakes, the figure didn’t move, getting hit by her car. She stopped immediately and got out to help. That was her fatal mistake. The moment she leaned over the victim, she felt a searing pain in her shoulder that sent a shockwave through her entire body. That was the last thing she remembered before passing out.
She woke up on the ship, barely able to comprehend what was happening. Christina had no idea how long she had been there. They were kept in one large holding cell-cabin. There were five other women with her. Her weapon, of course, had been taken. All she had left was an empty holster and her now-useless police badge in her pocket. Strange, glowing shackles bound her wrists. Scrapes on her forehead and shoulder, earned during an escape attempt, were scabbed over. They stung mercilessly thanks to the caustic sand. But she had no way to clean herself up.
Christina shook her head, trying to clear the long, tangled strands of hair from her face. Everything happening felt like a fever dream. Looking at the armed men, she felt a fresh surge of indignation.
No, she just had to accept reality. Accept it, deal with it, and not let her emotions take over. Don’t cry. Don’t flinch. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And use the very first chance to break free. Damn it... If only she could figure out how to free the others too. The powerlessness was agonizing!
Far ahead, beyond the dunes of multi-colored sand and massive bare cliffs, the silhouettes of towers belonging to some old city loomed. It was either dusk or dawn. The city looked more like a massive, grim fortress. Sand was everywhere. It covered a large stone platform in a thick layer. It seemed ships hadn’t landed here in a very long time. Whistling, one of the kidnappers strode toward the city gates. After a while, the man returned and discussed something with his accomplices. Then three of them approached the captives, ordering them to follow.
When Christina hesitated, one of the guards grabbed her hair, expertly wrapping it around his fist before she could react, and dragged her forward. She resisted as best she could, trying to break free, but it was useless. After dragging her a short distance from the ship, the pirate let Christina go. Pointing and waving his weapon at her, he ordered her to walk. Then he surprised her even more by stepping uncomfortably close and brushing the dirt off her clothes, straightening her tank top. The guard stared at her face for a long time, looking skeptical. Then he waved his hand, clearly disappointed. The weapon poked into Christina’s back again, and she trudged forward, catching up with the rest of the silent, submissive captives.
The city’s outlines grew clearer. Now she could make out tower-like, circular buildings huddled haphazardly together. Their roofs shimmered beneath a rising sun, and the countless empty sockets of windows seemed to peer down, studying the guests from an alien world. Only a few buildings had lights on, and they didn’t look welcoming at all.
The rising wind whipped prickly grains of sand into her face, forcing her to constantly wipe her lips and squint. The city felt like a cemetery, silent and empty. Christina shuddered as the massive gates began to creak open.
Five figures, apparently locals, emerged to meet them, forming a wedge. They were tall creatures, about two meters in height, wearing bright robes that hinted at skinny, bony frames beneath. They moved in jerky, twitchy motions, constantly swaying from side to side, leaning on long staffs made of carved wood or bone. Elongated, wrinkled faces and unblinking amber eyes hidden beneath shaggy, protruding brow ridges evoked nothing but revulsion.
Sinking almost to his ankles in the sand, one guard took wide strides toward the creature at the head of the wedge. Apparently, he was the group’s leader. The moment the man stopped and spoke, all the other creatures simultaneously fixed their amber gazes on the captives. The leader nodded, then his eyes snapped back to Christina. He shouted something sharply, making an incomprehensible gesture with a bony hand. His lackeys were now staring solely at her as well, with open hostility.
What was wrong? What were they talking about? Christina took a step back and looked around. Run? Where? Sand and rocks... How long would she last out here alone in these handcuffs? Meanwhile, the guard began gesturing heatedly, arguing a point with the tall creature swaying on long, three-toed legs hidden beneath its bright robe. The leader clearly disagreed with the human’s assurances. Poking a crooked finger at Christina, he shook his wrinkled head, which was crowned with soft, dark feathers right at the top. The guard cursed hoarsely and spat, glaring contemptuously at the colorful delegation.
Christina flushed hot when the man turned around, aiming his weapon right at her head. It seemed that whatever was happening, these scumbags couldn’t reach a deal. So he just decided to shoot her? Christina took a jagged breath. No. If she was going to die, it wouldn’t be standing still waiting for a bullet to the brain! What did she have to lose when there was no choice?
Her advantage was that the guard wasn’t expecting resistance. With one swift motion, Christina swatted the weapon aside, then kicked the kidnapper in the groin. While he was stunned, she disarmed him by twisting his wrist. The guard doubled over, wheezing and clutching his crotch. His comrades instantly aimed their weapons at her, and Christina braced herself to say goodbye to this strange world. But the locals suddenly perked up, cawing joyfully. Nodding, they raised their arms. What the hell did that mean?
“Kharrmma!” the leader shouted hoarsely.
“Khaarrrrmmma!” his minions clucked in unison, nodding their plucked heads quite contentedly.
Watching the guards lower their weapons, Christina didn’t know what to expect. They weren’t going to kill her? Had she gotten a reprieve? Why were these feathered freaks so happy? Had she actually gotten a little lucky? Oh, what a grand delusion that was...
