me. I watch Zelga rifle through the colorful garments and hold various items against my body. Each one of them is equally as beautiful as the last, but none please her. While she’s focused on selecting my outfit, the male pushes me down onto a velvet chair by a dresser and opens the drawer. He drags out a heavy-looking box that he then pulls apart, revealing several little drawers and compartments that were hidden inside.
Once he’s got all his equipment ready, he tilts my head to the light and makes short work of my makeup. Well, I think it’s makeup. The brush he drags over my olive skin is hard-textured, and I gasp, instinctively pulling back.
The male slaps my hand and points a finger at me. “No!”
I blink up at him in disbelief. Did he just scold me like a misbehaving puppy?
You’re lucky I have too much self-respect, or I’d totally lift my leg and piss on you like a fire hydrant, asshole.
As much as I’d love to do that, I’m not a complete idiot. The two of them could kill me right now if they wanted to, and those who ever knew me would be none the wiser. My corpse would rot on this planet with no memory of my existence. All I can do is close my eyes and let him paint a mask on my face. I’ve never felt more powerless in all my life than I do right now.
But I refuse to let this bullshit break me.
The apocalypse? Check.
Alien abduction? Check.
Sold at an auction on a strange alien planet? About to be checked the fuck off because I am not going to let this be what finally ruins me. I’ve gone through too much to give up now. Yeah, I can be scared, terrified out of my wits, but I can’t give up.
I won’t.
I may not be the strongest physically, and I may have relied on others to protect me in the past, but I will not allow my inner strength to be extinguished; it’s all I’ve got to rely on now.
“This will have to do.” Zelga marches over and holds out a dress for the male’s approval.
He gives it with a single nod.
“At the very least, it should make her a little appealing.”
The male pulls me up and drapes the silver outfit over my body. The material clings to me like a glove. Well, the little bit there is. It’s basically a short skirt and halter top connected by strips of fabric on the sides. My breasts, now voluptuous from whatever vitamins the Torags gave me, nearly spill out.
That’s one way to make sure I’m sold.
He hooks the sleeves onto my middle fingers and then spins me to face the mirror. My breath hitches when he opens my arms and I catch my reflection.
From the dark smoky makeup drawn over my eyes to the silver glitter dusted over my skin and long ebony hair, I don’t look like myself anymore. I look like a phoenix born from the ashes. Perhaps it’s intentional; they want to burn who I am so that the alien who buys me can recreate me into whatever they desire.
“I’m afraid that’s as good as she’s going to get,” the male says, giving an exasperated sigh. “We are running out of time and still have to prep number five.” He taps his lower lip. “Wait. I know what to put on her!”
“Put on me,” like I’m just a doll for them to dress and maneuver however they please. If my stomach weren’t so empty, I’m sure I’d vomit again. This is all so sick and degrading.
The male hurries over to the wardrobe again and rummages through the drawers. He returns carrying an elaborate headdress with silver spikes molded into feathers. It’s surprisingly light when he places it on my head.
“Well? Is she ready?”
At the sound of the female voice, both aliens move aside and bow their heads. The alien that enters is tall like a stick insect, and her pink flesh is covered in scales that gleam when she moves. Instead of hair, two sets of ridges start at her brow bone and then run all the way to the base of her spine.
Zelga shifts nervously under the creature’s scrutiny, her gaze still averted to the floor. “We have done all that we can, madam.”
So this is Madam Pim? Looks like that bitch is the one who needs a drink because damn, she’s ugly.
“And yet what you have done is only satisfactory.”