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“Not again,” Lex muttered. That was my only warning before I could sense a source of bright light behind my closed lids. Knowing that the visual alarm clock wouldn’t turn off until I left the bunk, I groped around for the side of the bed and managed to climb down to the floor. I blinked and opened my eyes just as the radiance of the lights faded to something bearable. This was our third day waking up in this cold lab, and I dreaded every moment of it. The unknown made my stomach quake from the uncertainty.
I eyed Evette and Anna, who were both dressed in their cloth hospital gowns. We had all been sequestered in the room, being forced to “relax.” That was exactly what the prince told us on day one. Like anyone could relax in a lab, knowing that they may become nothing more than parts for someone to introduce to a sample. The wall vanished and an android pushed in a cart with four covered dishes. My stomach rebelled, pleading for me not to eat the goop that the prince supplied. But we had no choice. Lex had been sedated for a day after his unkind words. No one wanted to share his fate.
“Breakfast is here,” Evette said in a pitiful tone. “Thank you, Prince Eleron, for the thoughtful gift.”
I couldn’t blame Evette for acting thankful. She was angling to increase the odds of her and her foolish son’s survival. I, on the other hand, thought it best to keep quiet. Our captor gave me the impression that he truly despised insincerity. Why lie? I wasn’t grateful for the goop, the hospital gowns, my imprisonment, and the horrid waiting period. I sat for three days, wondering if I would be injected with drugs or forced to use my power until I dropped.
The droid left the room and the wall appeared again. None of us said a word as Anna handed us each a bowl of green goop that we ate with spoons. The prince was so controlling that each bowl had a name on it. That fact made it obvious that we were probably given different food.
I sat on the floor beside my bunk and shoveled the first mouthful of warm mush into my mouth. It tasted like flavorless toothpaste. I chewed and swallowed, waiting a bit before eating more food. Anna joined me, handing me the canteen with my name on it. I took it and smiled at her. It was the size of a water pitcher and would be refilled every day. The water was refreshing, so I quickly took a sip. David’s mother sat beside me and studied me with sad eyes.
“I’m sure that Prince Eleron won’t hurt you. You have talents he’s fascinated by. If he happens to let you go back to the Peirc Estate, let David know I love him,” she softly told me. Worry filled my gut and I stiffened, wondering why Anna’s fear seemed more intense.
“Did I miss something while I was asleep?” I asked.
Anna nodded. “An hour ago, an android brought me a cuff that I’ll have to put on after breakfast.” Great. It would seem that relaxation time was over with.
“What about Lex and Evette?” I quietly asked her.
“No instructions were given to them,” she replied. I felt terrible for Anna, but couldn’t do anything to change her fate.
“She’ll be fine, relatively speaking. They are taking her for an egg extraction,” Christian mentally told me. “From what some of the scientists are saying, a few embryos will be helpful for their research.”
“What kind of research?” I mentally asked Christian.
“I’m not sure. I have to be careful, my Gwen. The prince has strong mental abilities. I just read the surface thoughts of his assistants when he isn’t around,” Christian explained. At least I could breathe a little easier, not that nonconsensual surgery was acceptable. I just knew that no one would hurt Anna.
“What do you think will happen to the rest of us?” I asked Christian.
“I have to go now, Gwen. Stay vigilant.” See if you can get a moment alone, he said. When his presence left my mind, I ached for him to return. Before I could think long on it, the wall vanished again and Prince Eleron entered, a wide grin on his face.
“I’m glad that none of you have been wasting my food,” he brightly said, his eyes glowing extra bright.
“We’re grateful for the food,” Evette said.
Lex rolled his eyes. “If only it tasted better,” he muttered.
The crazy prince let out a regretful sigh. “My taste buds were affected by an accident when I was young. I’m afraid I’m not too concerned with how nutritious food is supposed to taste. Perhaps you can enlighten me on some healthy spices I can add to your food. Your health is my main concern,” the prince told my foolish half-brother. It was like Lex no longer had a filter.
“Sure. Can I also enlighten you on fashion? I’ve been wearing the same clothes for days,” Lex complained. I eyed Evette, whose eyes grew wide with horror.
“Don’t you worry, Evette. I won’t punish you for your son’s ungratefulness. Unlike Lord Peirc, I believe that the person held responsible should pay. Congratulations, Lex, you earned testing duty,” the prince announced.
Lex stood, his hands balled into fists. “What’s the point of playing your game? You’re going to kill me anyway. I’d rather die fighting,” he said before foolishly charging the prince. What was the matter with Lex? We were deep in the prince’s territory, with no way out. Even if he managed to kill the scientist, how would we leave the lab? Lex didn’t even make it two feet before his body floated in the air, the same way it had when the prince floated him out of Lord Peirc’s estate.
“Let me go,” Lex shouted.
The prince shook his head. “I bought you, Lex. You are my property. When my property misbehaves, I have to punish it.” One minute, Lex was scowling at the alien, the next he vanished. Evette began weeping, her body shaking furiously.
The prince rolled his eyes. “Hysterical women aren’t what I want to deal with. I’ll trade you in for another,” he declared before Evette floated away. The prince next eyed the both of us. “Anna, put on the cuff I brought you. I regret that neither of you got to finish breakfast due to your disrespectful roommates.”
We stood and placed our half-eaten food on the cart. The prince nodded and gestured at the exit. We followed obediently, Anna’s hand in mine. She was rightfully frightened, and I was resigned. I couldn’t escape this hellhole. I just needed to endure it.
“No, you don’t,” Christian mentally told me. You can change things if you fight.
“How?” I mentally shouted at him. “I’m stuck in Prince Eleron’s lair.” Where will I escape to?
“I’ll find a way, Gwen. I’m not sure that you’ll actually take it when I point it out.” Christian’s tone told me that he had little faith in my ability to rebel. I wanted to scream at him for judging me. Dammit, I was playing the game in order to survive.
“How dare you judge me when you’re doing the same thing? I bet you haven’t tried to escape my father,” I tossed back at Christian. I detected emotional pain coming from him, and was nearly staggered by it.
“I tried, once. Your father made me pay,” Christian said. I wished I could tell Christian that I was worried that Prince Eleron would make me pay. Wasn’t seeing Claire’s head leave her body enough carnage for a lifetime? But I didn’t because he was probably haunted by whoever lost their life. I could suddenly feel Christian’s grief and loneliness, and those emotions crushed my spirit. I blinked, forcing myself not to allow the tears to fall.
“Christian,” I said, my selfish plea for him to rein his emotions in. Without a word, my mental companion left my mind.
“This is your stop, Anna,” Prince Eleron said. I released my grip on Anna’s hand and focused on my surroundings. Prince Eleron gestured at a wall to the left, and it vanished to reveal a room with five exam tables, four of which held women. Anna shakily entered the room and the wall appeared again. I wanted to throw up when the prince shot me a hungry expression.
“Gwen, I have a task for you,” he announced.
“Task?” I asked.
“I want to see how obedient you really are.” Despite what Christian thought, I was going to be as obedient as a trusted golden retriever. I’d do just about anything to survive. I hated being treated like a puppet, but what could I do?
“I’m at your service, sir.” Prince Eleron let out a belly laugh that nearly caused chills to give my skin frostbite. I shuddered, knowing that I’d be in for a surprise.
“Precious Gwen, if you were so obedient, Lady Valera would still be alive,” he taunted. I wanted to defend myself, but decided that saying nothing was the best choice.
