Groomed

XIU POV My eyelids are heavy but I force them open. I can hear my father's low voice and the nurse's quiet whispers. I know they are talking about me but I can't distinguish the words. I am too drowsy. I just received my medicine an hour ago so I am at my weakest. After a few more blinks I turn my head to find them standing only a few feet from my bed. "My beautiful daughter looks like a skeleton. Why is the medicine not helping her? Money is not an issue. Make her better," my father angrily spews at the nervous-looking nurse, and I smile weakly. Just hearing that he cares about me warms my heart. He has never shown me much attention unless it involved my studies or teaching me something about the company. He had actually started giving me one-on-one tours of our beverage company and talking about when I would be taking over before I got sick. "Sir, her cancer is stage four. Her bones are riddled with it... There is no getting better. Xiu is going to die," she explains yet again

I growl lowly as I think about the Vaals being slaughtered at this very second. Young males who are not even out of training and yet they are having to fight. I will make every dishonorable bastard on that rock bleed. Only cowards attack those too weak to win. "They are going to keep hitting this area if we do not put fear into their hearts," Burk roars as Nole straps his knives to his thighs right beside me. I can see the sweat glistening on my orange friend and I know his thoughts about our enemy mirror my own. We will give them nothing but death. "Our brethren are dying right now! Jahns and Gafrops have attacked the Vaals stationed on the moon of Frole. Are you ready to defend? Are you ready to protect? Are you ready to tell these Beasts we will not succumb to their rule," Burk roars again as he paces the transport room? "Yes, Commander," we shout as the technician finally presses the transport button. A wash of color zooms past us and my body sinks into a crouch. As soon as o

My body aches as I begin to regain consciousness. I have no idea how long I have been asleep, but my joints aren't happy. I try to open my eyes but the bright colors in the room make me close them again almost instantly. I can hear someone else in the room with me, but my mind is groggy. I try to lift my arm to rub my face and wince. Everything is still as sore as it was on Earth. Either they haven't healed me yet or the entire thing was a lie. Suddenly, someone touches my arm, and my eyes fly open. When I am able to focus I see a dark blue alien man with red eyes and hair looking at me, and I instantly scream. "Who are you," I demand in Mandarin, and he backs away as if afraid of me with his hands in the air. I try to sit up, but my arm gives out on me. The male tries to approach me, but I yell again. I don't want him anywhere near me. He is too tall and too large. I have no way of defending myself in my weakened state. He stops in his tracks and once again puts his hands up as if

I silently glance around at the colorful walls as Liamee leads me to the room I am supposed to be staying in. The other girls will be in the same hall as me, and I pray they leave me alone for the evening. I have so much to think over. "Here is your room, Xiu," Liamee says as she comes to a halt. The door slides open and my lips tilt up as soon as I see the luxurious space. At least the room I will call home is nice and calming. "I see you like it," Liamee says as she looks over my expression. I smile at her and nod. "Well come in. Let me show you some of the things that might be different than Earth," Liamee says and I follow her inside the big room. She glides around pointing at things, but I only half listen. My eyes are making their own assessments as she talks. The linens are nice, the rug is expensive, the artwork is simple, and the touches of red make me happy. The sitting chairs look comfortable, but the bed looks overly plush and I know it will hurt my back by day t

"You still haven't found a place," Nole asks as he downs another shot of Cok alcohol. I shake my head. The tournament is six days away and I have yet to find a suitable home for my future mate. "Not knowing what species she will be is making me hesitant. I don't know what her preferences will be," I say before taking my first shot. The strong liquid scorches a path down my throat, but I keep my face blank. Cok liquor is strong and requires a strong stomach, but we have been drinking it for years. "Just pick something fancy, but easily defendable. I found a place two days after we were retired," Nole says with a slight slur and I notice his orange skin looks blotchy. He beat me to the bar so who knows how many shots he took before I arrived. But blotchy skin means he has reached his limit. "Slow down. You have had enough," I say to my friend, and he grunts but doesn't reach for another. "Are you more nervous than you are letting on? Drinking that much before I even arrive.