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Chapter 3- Guide

Astrid's p.o.v

He looked different from the other aliens. Far from it, actually - he appeared almost human. His features were angelic, making it impossible to believe he was such a monster. His skin was pale, almost too pale, and his eyes were the most piercing blue I'd ever seen. With that white hair-

"Now, what is your name?" He moved closer, eliminating what little personal space I had and snapping me out of my thoughts.

I met his gaze directly, matching his challenging stare. Something about him seemed on edge, though I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

"A... Astrid," I managed to say, unable to look away from those piercing eyes.

"Hmmm," he rumbled, his eyes darkening for a moment before he drew himself up to his full height.

"You have been tainted!" he growled, causing me to look at him in confusion. "Those bastards said you were untouched!" he yelled, causing me to flinch. I did not get it - what was he on about?

Before I knew what was happening, he took me by my hair and dragged me up the stairs.

"Fuck!" I thought as I began to struggle against the pain.

"You bitch! Let go of my hair!" I kicked, tossed, and even bit his leg but nothing. He was unmoved by everything I did.

"Here," he snarled, throwing me roughly into a cold room. "Save your strength for later. You'll need it." He said with a smile that made me want to slap the living hell out of him along with two of his teeth.

He walked to the window, his back to me, and I could see him taking deep breaths. "It doesn't matter. You'll have to do." He turned to stare at me, leaving me even more confused about his meaning.

His face began to twist, his mouth stretching into something inhuman. His skin took on a metallic sheen, the smooth surface transforming into intricate patterns of wires and gears, as if his very being was merging with machinery. His arms and legs extended into what looked like reinforced metal plating, sleek and powerful, yet terrifying. His fingers elongated into sharp, claw-like appendages, half-human, half-mechanical. This wasn't the angel-faced man from before. This was something else entirely.

And then his eyes flickered, glowing with a pale, unnatural light. It was like staring into the void, into something vast and endless. My legs trembled so badly that if I hadn't already been on the floor, I would've collapsed from how overwhelmed I felt.

He looked at me, taking one step my way.

"Stay back!" I screamed, my voice breaking. The terror was coursing through me, causing me to be unable to move. I looked around the closed space. TThe only other person present was the guy who'd tried talking to me earlier, and he didn't seem nearly as freaked out as I was.

He, the monster in front of me, came closer, taking both my hands in his and putting them above my head.

"P...lease..." I pleaded for the first time since Celeste died, terrified for my life. "Please... please let me go."

"Fool! The sooner you accept this as your new reality, the better. You should consider yourself lucky - I rarely take this much interest in humans." He leaned in close and... he sniffed me????

I couldn't dwell on how weird that was because I was shaking with fear.

"Lord Orion!" the other guy finally interrupted, providing a small measure of relief. "Not now."

"I'm a Prince! I do what I want, and right now, this one right here is what I want." He looked at me with thirst-filled eyes, causing my skin to crawl from fear.

"Lord Orion!" The other man moved closer this time. "The Martians won't care if the interstellar race is superior or not. One more human death and there'll be riots. There are hardly any humans left since the war, and you know the Aurelians sent this as a trap!" He looked ready to physically pull him away from me if necessary, and for some reason, I felt grateful.

That seemed to snap him out of whatever was happening.

"Fine then, I'll wait." His eyes held a promise that made me shiver.

He stared at me for a moment longer before discarding me like a rag doll.

I coughed violently as my body hit the ground for the second time.

"Prepare yourself, because when we reach interstellar, you'll have nowhere to run." It was a promise, and I knew it meant nothing good for me.

Before I could blink, just when I thought I'd seen it all, he transformed - wings erupting from his back - and flew through the window.

I watched him leave, relief flooding through me even though I knew he'd return. For this brief moment, I was going to savor whatever peace I could get.

"You must have been terrified." I felt my body freeze again.

The other one was still here. My heart started racing.

"Don't worry, I don't bite. Believe it or not, I'm nothing like Lord Orion." I nodded, unsure what to say.

"I'm Caelum, the prince's butler and assistant head esper." He must have noticed my blank expression because he continued. "There are different types of aliens, just like there are different human races, you know?" His innocent expression made me relax slightly. Something about the way he spoke made me want to listen - he didn't seem threatening.

"Well, it's the same for us. We're called the interstellar race, made up of Espers and guides."

"What does that have to do with me?" I looked at him. "I can't be a slave to... whatever you call yourselves. I'd rather jump out that window."

"Well, our Prince is looking for a guide and from what has happened twice now, you might be his perfect guide."

I felt my heart slam against my ribcage. I did not know what a guide meant, but if it had to do with that beast, I knew nothing good was going to come out of it.

"How do you know that? I am just a human and... I can't..."

"Well, that's what we are going to find out tonight." His smile was at this point betraying the look on his face.

"A...and what if I am not compatible?"

"You die after sex."

"WHAT!!!" I blinked, trying to see if I heard him well. S...ex??? D...eath...

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