What exactly was he? Where was he from?
He said something. The only thing I understood was my name, both first and last.
I sagged, legs stretching out.
Kalvoxrencol said my name again.
“Will you let me go home?” I asked. “I just want to go home. Lucy needs me.”
“Say…” Kalvoxvrencol's voice trailed off into a jumble.
“What did you say?”
He made the circular motion again.
I shook my head, irritated but too tired to do anything more than sigh. “It’s rather annoying to keep repeating myself.”
“I understood that.”
“What?”
“Keep talking. The (garbled sound) is learning.”
“Why am I here?”
“The Crystal sent me to you.”
While I’d understood each word, they didn’t make any sense. Apparently, I’d gotten abducted by a crazy alien. That was great, just great, but perfectly in line with my crappy luck.
“When can I go home?” I asked.
His tail twitched. “Home?”
“Yes, home. Earth. I need to go home.”
“I understand.”
Relief shot through me. “Thank fucking god.”
His eyes widened, and his tail moved faster.
“Now, can you send me home or is there a pod, ship, thing I can take?”
“You are not returning to your planet. You are staying with me.”
“What?”
“You are remaining here with me. We’re going home to my planet.”
“No.” I stood, then staggered as my knees buckled. “I need to go home. Why would I stay here? Why can’t you let me go?”
“Because you’re my mate,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone, remaining crouched.
“What?” I asked, even as my thoughts returned to the room with the people. The ceremony. Suddenly, it all made sense. “No, no, no, no.” I shook my head. “No.”
He straightened, hands raised like he intended to grab me, but he didn’t. “I know this is surprising, but the Crystal led me to you.”
“You’re insane. I want to leave.”
