“The others,” she said, pointing at Nime, who scowled in that uniquely alien way—his rigid brows snapping down over his eyes, “tried to cut our hair. Please, I beg of you. You must not allow that to happen. I know onlyyoucan help us. Your power bleeds from you. I can feel it down to my pores.”
If I had the energy, I would have rolled my eyes, convinced she was way too far up his butt for him to believe her.
He tapped the tips of his fingers together as if to encourage her to continue. The roar of the crowd confirmed the meaning of the gesture by snapping their beaks.Clip, clip, clip.
Dios, he was lapping that shit up.
Work it, Nieve.I was so impressed I didn’t mind the foreign feeling ofrooting for herinstead of trying to maim her. Huh, it wasn’t as painful as I thought.
“Why-whywould you want to be infested-ted?”
Nieve looked around as if for inspiration. “Our strength… comes from our hair!” She blinked, and a wide, close-mouth smile spread across her face, clearly as impressed with the lie as I was.
“But-butthe bugs. How will you remove them-em?”
“We have ancient practices that will cleanse the bugs and allow our power to grow. We long to prove ourselves to you, and show you our devotion. To show all your people that we fight for you.” Nieve deferred to the supreme but kept an eye on the crowd, understanding we had to win them over as much as him. He craved their adulation, so we needed their approval.
A spark lit his eyes when he heard the crowd react. “Power-werfrom your hair? Is-isthis a unique trait to all earthers? We-wewill have to test your DNA specifically for this phenomenon. Very well-well.”
A kernel of hope unfurled in my chest as the supreme paused dramatically. Not a spark of sound could be heard anywhere.
I have about five seconds left before blackout.
He raised his hands. “I must see this reported strength that comes from your filthy locks. Oh yes,yes. Do-donot cut their hair.” The crowd erupted. He raised his hand abruptly, clearly not finished, and the aliens shut up immediately. “They-theywill fight in the Great Race and complete work duties. I will not waste resources if their promises prove false-false.” He cut a conniving look at Nieve, his eyes tracing her face.
Work duties?I didn’t want towork.
Nieve put her head down and bowed.
Four seconds till blackout…
“This I decree-ree.” He dismissed us with a wave and was swarmed by women, no men, well,alienswho had all kinds of masks and equipment surrounding their mouths. Maybe this was the alien equivalent of lingerie. The closest one crawledtoward him, and he roughly grasped her face and shovedallfive of his tongues in her mouth.
The crowd clipped their beaks in approval as my muscles seized.
Three, two, one…
My eyes rolled back, and the world faded to black.
CHAPTER 8
Xefe lifted thelifeless earther from the ground, careful not to injure her floppy limbs. Again, the briefest surge of terror enveloped him. How would she survive the Great Race? Her speed had been incredible, but her weak body could not protect her as needed. She, and the other even weaker earthers, would perish.
“These earthers are a surprise, yes,yes? I haven’t decided if that is good or not. Take her-her. Watch her closely and train the humans for the Great Race. I hold you personally responsible-ble.” The supreme had disconnected from the holo-system that projected his image and words throughout the planet and escorted Xefe to the edge of the floating stage.
Xefe looked down at the sprawled human with skin as soft and delicate as ahojaflower. “Yes, Supreme.”
The supreme reached forward and pulled back one of the earther’s plump lips. He recoiled and said, “Teeth-teeth. Located there? Horrific.” His gaze jumped to Xefe’s mouth, narrowing his eyes on Xefe’s sharp fangs. His shrewd gaze hardened. “I do not trust these aliens. Why-whywas she so ready to kill Tontoh? What if she uses her speed against me-me?”
The supreme’s guard materialized out of nowhere, a gold and turquoise blur—always watching, even when his leader spoke to him. Xefe was his First, yet they watched. The supreme’s silent companions. But they made themselves visible to show they would kill the earther if she proved a threat.
“I would protect you with my life.” Xefe stared down the elite guard until they tipped their heads up in agreement, one by one, and took a few steps back. “Till death. Supreme first!”
The three elite guards pounded their chests and repeated the chant.
“Yes-yes.” The supreme waved his tiny hand dismissively. “I tell you this, and you will share it with no other-other. Not even my Second.” The supreme’s feathers ruffled and settled. “This first trial is a test-test. The earthers win, or they die.”
“But supreme, there are many places they can contribute—”
