Page 9 of Selected By the Dragon Alien

“Why is what?” Ellion asked.

“Why are the rules different? If such things are available toyou, why can’t they be available to us in the settlement?” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with curiosity. “We’re suffering down there.”

He inclined his head. “That is the will of the Axis. I cannot question them.”

“So the Axis make us suffer.” She shook her head. “And you don’t ask why?”

Ara let out a whispered chuckle. “You chose one with spice, Ellion. I like her already.”

Ellion gave the shadow female a bland look before turning back to Turi. “There is much you don’t know. Things I can’t talk to you about, but there are reasons for all of it. I suggest you accept it and try to enjoy your life here. It will be more comfortable. I can promise you that.”

It didn’t appear that Ellion was in the mood for any more questions. He nodded to Turi, then Ara, then strode from the room.

Turi let out a sigh. “He’s so strange.”

“Just wait until you get to know him better,” said Ara. “You haven’t seen strange yet.”

“How long haveyouknown him?” Turi asked, fascinated by the easy rapport between them.

“Ah.” Ara observed Turi for a moment before answering. “Longer than he knows.”

Turi shook out one of the garments, trying not to show the awe she was feeling just holding this beautifully woven fabric. “How is that possible?” She sighed. “You both talk in riddles.”

Ara sat on the edge of the bed, and Turi was surprised to see the mattress sink under her dark, featureless weight. She half expected Ara to have no substance and be the shadow she appeared to be, but this was a new world. Turi reminded herself to be prepared to be in a state of wonder most of the time. From the overseer actually having a name and a personality, to learning that the specters were not spirits of the dead at all, but just people, she was beginning to question everything she’d ever known. And this was likely just the beginning.

“You only just got here,” Ara said. “You can’t expect us to tell you all our secrets on the day you arrive.”

“I’d appreciate it if you would,” Turi muttered.

Ara chuckled again. “Idolike you. You’re going to turn everything upside down, but maybe that’s okay.”

“How am I going to turn anything upside down?”

Ara tilted her dark head to the side. “You really have no idea, do you?”

“Apparently not.” Turi looked at Ara expectantly. “But I’d love to hear about it.”

Ara reached out and placed a shadowy hand on Turi’s knee. “Ellion likes you. He finds you interesting. And I suspect over time that interest will only grow. You stood out to him at the settlement. That’s very rare. Just…give him a chance, will you?”

A chance at what?Turi wanted to ask, but she was as fatigued of asking questions as Ellion apparently was of answering them. She shrugged, confused by Ara’s cryptic words. “Sure. I never had anything against the overseer. He never bothered us. We were terrified of him, of course.”

Turi got the impression that that wasn’t what Ara had been hoping to hear, but it was all she had in her. She was hungry, overwhelmed, andstilltired, even after getting some sleep.

“You must be hungry. Why don’t you eat something? I’ll set up your bath, and then I’ll show you how everything works here,” Ara said. “After that, we’ll get a real meal.”

“I am hungry,” Turi admitted, noting the slight tremor in her hands as she ran her fingers over the bundle of clothes. They didn’t feel quite so alien anymore. “But I’m always hungry.”

“You won’t be anymore.” Ara’s voice was firm. “Ellion will take good care of you.”

“I suppose he has ample food here in the fortress while those of us in the settlements starve.” She held up a hand before Ara could reply. “And don’t tell me—it’s the will of the Axis.”

“The Axis is a powerful force, even over Ellion.” Ara shrugged one shoulder. “Now, come on. I’ll bring your breakfast—although it’s late afternoon—and you can soak away the rest of the stress and dirt from your ordeal.”

Ara followed Turi to the bathroom and helped her peel off the nightdress, waving away Turi’s noises about modesty. “I’m completely naked right now, Turi,” Ara said. “You don’t seem scandalized.”

“You don’t have…” Turi peered at her shadow face. “Doyou have genitals?”

Ara laughed. “Of course. We reproduce like other organisms. Well, not exactly like them, but the concept is the same.”