Ethereal Lives (Ethereals Book 1)

Ariane Wilson's eyes shot open before quickly closing again to block out the stark white light. She raised a hand to her heavy head, trying to shake the fog that clouded it. She had been reading a book on the beach in Barbados. Did I fall asleep in the sun?

Look, I know we were short on time, but Ax isn't going to like this.

The soft voice broke through her hazy mind making a dull ache prod her temples. Go away, I'm on holiday, she groaned.

When she opened her eyes again, she winced at the bright light and threw an arm over her face. She wasn't on the beach now; she was sure of that.

Well, it's awake, so I guess we'll find out what Ax thinks soon enough, a gravelly voice replied.

Ariane attempted to open her eyes once more. The light didn't seem quite as bright this time. A large lamp hung above her, reflecting off of white walls. Am I in a hospital? The clinical smell that you would normally associate with such a place was missing, but it certainly appeared sterile.

Do you understand me? the soft-spoken person asked.

Err, yeah. She glanced around the room in confusion, though there wasn't much to see, just a door, tiled white walls, and two men standing a few feet away. Where am I?

On our ship, the taller man replied, as he stared at her quizzically.

Ship? She didn't remember a ship. Yes, she'd been at the beach. However, she had no recollection of getting on a boat and why couldn't she feel it rocking? The fog began to lift from her brain. Okay, why am I on a ship?

You are our prisoner, the shorter man said in his much gentler tone.

Ariane blinked a few times as she regarded them. They didn't look like kidnappers. Yes, she'd heard about people being kidnapped, when on holiday, and sold as slaves but she felt pretty sure they didn't get put in rooms this clean. If that had been the case, she imagined she'd be somewhere grotty, probably tied up, and the captors would be dirty and unshaven. These men were clean and well dressed. If you could call tourist shirts with parrots on them well dressed. One stood about a foot taller than the other and was nearly bald. The shorter man had big bushy eyebrows that joined in the middle. They appeared more like friendly uncles than sleazy people traffickers. Still, looks could be deceiving.

With caution, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Both men jumped back slightly as if wary of her.

She frowned. That was a strange reaction for a kidnapper. It calmed her nerves and helped her voice stay steady. Right, as fun as this has been I think it's time to end it, so if you could just drop me at the next port, I'd really appreciate it.

Baldy took a step towards her. Do you understand what I'm saying?

She leant back, relieved when he didn't come any closer. Of course.

Good, as I said, you're our prisoner.

Ariane fidgeted under the man's stare. Okay, is this a joke? Her eyes darted towards the door, wondering if one of her work colleagues was waiting to run in laughing. I know. It's reality TV, isn't it? I bet I signed up by mistake, by clicking on one of those stupid pop ups on the PC.

When the men didn't respond and just continued to stare, she decided she might as well take a look at the room. After all, didn't you have to complete tasks in these shows? Escape from a beach or eat bugs in a jungle. Maybe she had to get off their ship. Sliding off the bed, she placed a hand on the wall for support. Whatever had knocked her out earlier made her unsteady on her feet. The room spun; she swayed and her vision blurred. Taking a few deep breaths, she regained her footing, and her eyes came back into focus.

You stabbed me in the neck. She touched the spot she remembered stinging. The skin felt tender. When she had taken a holiday in search of excitement, this was not what she had in mind.

We did not! Baldy responded instantly.

You did, I remember. I was on the beach, and you pulled me to my feet and stabbed me in the neck.

Since your neck is not cut open and bleeding I think we can safely assume you remember incorrectly.

Ariane narrowed her eyes. You stabbed a needle in my neck, she clarified.

Oh yes, we did that, Mr Unibrow softly replied, smiling as if it was of no significance.

Okay, she was pretty sure they didn't drug you on reality TV. Keeping an eye on them, she took a couple of steps to check her balance. When she didn't fall face first onto the floor, and the men didn't stop her, she decided it was safe to move around. Where are we?

On. Our. Ship, Baldy repeated slowly as if speaking to a child.

Ariane sent him a glare. Yes, I got that bit the first time. I meant, where is the ship?

All around you? Unibrow asked.

She blinked a few times before continuing to creep towards the door. Either this was a really poor joke or Dumb and Dumber here were literally the stupidest people on the planet. Where is the ship currently situated?

Well, we can't give you the correct coordinates from here, Baldy said. I'd guess about 700 miles from Earth.

Ariane stopped abruptly and stared at him for a moment before laughing. Oh that's a good one, so this is a space ship, is it?

It is.

She scanned their faces for any sign of humour but none appeared. Great. I've been kidnapped by a mental asylum.

Continuing her stroll around the wall, her fingers skimmed over what felt like a raised panel and she stopped to take a closer look at it. When she gave it a push the panel shot out to reveal clean bedding.

Nifty. Leaving the panel showing, she continued walking.

She got about three feet from the door when a voice spoke into the room. Is it awake yet?

Ariane jumped and looked around for speakers, a moment later Unibrow revealed a panel next to the door and answered.

Yes, a few moments ago, we're bringing it now. He touched a button, and the door whooshed open revealing a corridor.

Baldy nudged her closer to the door. She gasped in surprise, not realising he was so close. For a tall man, he was quiet on his feet.

Where are we going? she asked, wrapping her arms around her middle to ward off a sudden chill. As her hands came in contact with the smooth nylon of her swimsuit she wished she hadn't been sunbathing when abducted. At least she had a sarong around her waist, but it did nothing to warm her arms that were now breaking out in goosebumps.

The captain wants to meet you.

The captain of the space ship?

Yes,

Ariane eyed the two men who were now freaking her out.

What were her options? Stay here indefinitely or go with them? With any luck, this actually was a reality show, and she could be about to win a quarter of a million pounds. All right, maybe that prize fund did sound a bit extreme, but hey, might as well hope for the best. It was a better option than thinking of other possible outcomes. Like ones involving the ten o'clock news and body bags.

Okay, she said, standing straighter and giving her arms a brisk rub. What the hell, this is a space ship and I'm your prisoner so, take me to your leader. She accompanied the last bit of her sentence with the Vulcan, live long and prosper hand signal.

Do you understand it? Baldy asked Unibrow, who frowned, giving the impression he had a caterpillar running across his forehead.

Unibrow shook his head and exited the room. Maybe Ax will. Come on.

Baldy stood behind her and gave her a quick nudge in the back. She jolted forward then followed Unibrow down the long corridor.

Unlike the room, the walls of the corridor were silver. The only seam ran along the centre of the ceiling like the entire wall was one long sheet of metal. The ceiling arched reminding her of the church one of her foster parents had made her visit as a child. She pushed the thought away; her childhood was never a good thing to dwell on.

What's that? she asked, pausing abruptly outside an open door.

Recreation room, Baldy replied before nudging her forward.

A few paces farther she stopped again. What's this? She pushed a panel on the wall before they could stop her and gave a little squeal of delight when the lights turned blue.

Don't do that, Unibrow snapped shoving her aside and changing the lights back. Seeing both men distracted Ariane pressed yet another panel and jumped back with a gasp when a stern voice said, Yes?

Baldy pushed her out of the way and spoke, gruffly, to the panel. Sorry Sir, a little mix-up, will be with you in a moment. Now stop touching, he ordered, grabbing her arm and dragging her down the corridor.

They stopped outside another door, and Unibrow revealed a brightly lit keypad. He pressed some buttons to glide a door open and then pushed her into a room.

With a yelp, Ariane stumbled forward only just stopping herself from falling face first onto the floor. She seemed to be in some kind of control room. Along one wall was a huge metal control centre, covered in flashing lights and buttons. Machines buzzing and beeping quietly were the only noise. A few people were seated around the room and in the centre stood a tall and handsome man who looked like he belonged on the cover of the book she'd been reading. His hair was short and dark, his eyes were a smoky grey, and his strong jaw was set in a firm line. Arms that bulged with muscles crossed over his well-defined chest. He was dressed in some kind of black leather trousers with a leather jacket on top, but no shirt.

Hello gorgeous, Ariane mumbled taking in Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome. Her eyes travelled up his body until they met his gaze. Unfortunately, she didn't see any matching appreciation there, not that she was surprised. Men like him didn't fancy women like her. Instead, he appeared rather annoyed and unimpressed.

His eyes travelled from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. Despite his obvious disdain, she felt herself shiver again as his gaze passed over her breasts. When they reached her hips, she became extremely grateful for the sarong that hid her cellulite.

What is this? he asked her abductors, in the same stern voice she had heard over the intercom. So this was the captain.

Baldy and Unibrow shuffled their feet as they avoided meeting his eyes. An Earthling, Unibrow said in a surprisingly confident voice.

The captain's gaze travelled back to Ariane. This is not what I asked for.

Well it's the best we could do, Baldy replied with a shrug.

Did I not show you pictures of what I wanted? He pressed a few buttons on the control panel, and a picture of a lingerie model appeared on a screen on the wall. In what way does that, he pointed at her, resemble that? He directed their attention to the screen.

Both men stared at their feet, apparently lost for words. Ariane studied the picture. The woman seemed to be a size six, a far cry for her size fourteen. Where the model had long blonde locks, Ariane wore her mahogany hair cut off at the shoulders and most often pulled back in a ponytail. Though she often wore lingerie like the ones in the picture, it didn't look half as good on her.

You know most normal women don't look like her? she piped up, wrapping her arms around her midriff self-consciously. All eyes turned to her. The captain took a final glance at the screen then walked closer.

Where the other two men had seemed puny and non-threatening, this man was the total opposite. He screamed strength and power. She took an involuntary step back as he drew near.

Dyan, Brise, he addressed each of the men in turn, why did you bring this?

Baldy, who was apparently called Dyan, ran his hand over his head before speaking. It's harder to get a female Earthling than you would think. It's the only one we could find who was alone in such a short amount of time.

The captain, once again, ran his eyes over her before turning away. It will have to do, there are no more left. We'll set a course for Xanlas to refuel, then we make our way to the Sixth Galaxy.

Baldy, Dyan and Brise with the unibrow rushed to take seats at the control centre while the captain removed the image of the model from the screen.

Wait, wait, wait, Ariane said, waving her arms to remind them she was still in the room. What's all this Xanlas business? Who the hell are you? Where am I? No more what left? And will you please stop referring to me as it? She took a big gulp of air when she finished speaking. Her eyes darted around the room in panic but avoided meeting any of the gazes sent her way.

The captain approached with steel in his eyes. He circled her again before answering, Did I say you could speak, Earthling?

The man was obviously trying to intimidate her. A little voice in Ariane's head screamed at her to run. To find the first exit she could and get off this crazy train before it derailed. She stamped on it, crushing it under her foot.

She'd spent all her youth in foster care with people who liked to intimidate and bully her so she would toe the line. As soon as she became independent, she'd promised herself no one would walk all over her again and no one had since.

She crossed her arms over her chest and stood straighter; giving an impression of confidence she was far from feeling. You didn't say I couldn't speak.

Chapter 2

Ax stared down at the small human. When he'd sent his men to get a female Earthling, this was not what he had in mind. He'd seen pictures of them, and this one did not look or act at all as he expected.

Do you know who you're speaking to, Earthling?

The human glared at him with blatant disregard for his authority. Should I know?

Ax took a deep breath. Never before had anyone dared to speak to him this way on his own ship. I am Axermaxacorm Kas, captain of this ship and I demand respect. You are on my vessel, where we're headed is no concern of yours, and I will call you whatever I wish. He turned his back on the human. How dare it think to question him like that?

And that's the name you're sticking with, is it? she asked.

Ax twisted back to the human slowly, this was nothing like the submissive creature he'd expected to get from Earth. He hoped its attitude wouldn't make it harder to sell. I beg your pardon?

The human shrugged and gazed around the room casually. Just, not the sort of thing I'd have chosen for an alien name.

Ax clenched and unclenched his hands a few times and concentrated on keeping his breathing steady. This had to be the most infuriating creature he'd ever encountered. It took a considerable effort to keep his voice even when he replied. Well, let's just be thankful I'm not you.

The Earthling huffed. Okay, I've had enough now. I don't care how much money I could win, I want out. Let me off the ship, or whatever this place is. I want to go back to my holiday.

He didn't really understand all the words the human spoke, but it clearly had no idea of its current situation. You can't go back, there's nothing to go back to.

The human blinked at him in confusion. What do you mean? Of course, I can go back, now let me off this ship right now. It stamped its foot as it finished its speech.

Ax laughed at the human's defiance. What would you suggest I do? Shoot you out of an airlock? We're in space.

No, we're not.

I assure you, we are.

The human raised an eyebrow and snorted. Prove it.

Ax could not remember the last time someone had questioned his word, but Earthlings were known to be simple creatures. Fine!

He activated the screens covering the front of the ship. They squeaked slightly as they opened, revealing the sky outside, black as night with twinkling stars all around. A gasp from behind him confirmed the human hadn't expected that move. He smiled to himself, happy to know he had the upper hand.

That's amazing, it said, surprisingly close to his left shoulder, it looks so real.

He frowned. It is real.

The human scoffed. Of course, it is.

I assure you, it is.

It gave another unbecoming snort. If that's real, and this is a space ship, what are you, an alien?

He thought about its question before answering. I think technically, now you are the alien.

The human shook its head. Come on, drop the act. You're human just like me. Now I've had enough, take me back to Barbados or home, whichever.

Ax crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. He'd had enough of its denial. We may appear human, but I assure you we are not. This image, he said, waving a hand in front of himself, was merely to make you feel more comfortable, you are the only human here. In fact, as of five Earth hours ago you are the only human in the universe. Your planet no longer exists. You are the last human and my prisoner. As soon as we reach the Sixth Galaxy, you will be sold to the highest bidder, making me and my crew very rich.

Many emotions flash across the human's face before it finally settled on disbelief. It squared its shoulders taking a stubborn stance. Alright, if you're not human, show me what you really are.

Glaring at the annoying creature in front of him, he thought through his options. He could show his true self although it wasn't a good idea, or he could refuse the request. However, the human was obviously in denial about its situation, which made the thing extremely annoying.

They had discovered long ago that most species preferred to trade with their own kind, so they tended to adopt the image of whatever being populated the planets they visited. This system increased their business and earned them a steady income, yet, still allowed them to hide their natural form.

The next planet they would visit was Xanlas, to get fuel. Xans did not have the nicest of appearances. It would be the perfect image to prove his point.

In the blink of an eye, he changed forms. His height increased by at least a foot, and his skin turned grey. All his dark hair left his body, and his fingers grew to about three times their human length.

Shock appeared on the human's face then seconds later it crumpled to the floor with a thud.

What happened? Sek, his second in command asked, crossing the room and nudging the human's shoulder with his foot.

I don't know. Ax activated a screen on the wall. Using the ships database he searched why humans would drop to the floor in such a way. Apparently, it's called a faint; they do it when scared or overwhelmed.

He frowned down at the human. How inconvenient, it better not think it can do that on a regular basis. Take it back to the infirmary until it wakes.

Sek picked up the creature, throwing it over his shoulder and taking it out of the room, while Ax checked their course for Xanlas. It would take two days to get there, so he might as well get some rest. Noticing his Xan reflection in the window, he changed back to human before making his way to his quarters. He had to admit, he did find the human form rather comfortable.

...

It's awake, Ax.'

Sitting up with a jolt, Ax scanned the room, before realising it was Sek on the intercom. And? he asked groggily.

It wants to talk to you.

Groaning, Ax climbed out of bed. Why were his men finding it so hard to keep a human quiet?

He could hear it talking before he even reached to the infirmary. Asking a number of questions about them, which Sek tried to avoid answering.

You may go, Sek, Ax said from the doorway. A look of relief passed over his second in command and best friend's face. Sek strode from the room, leaving Ax to deal with the human, who stood staring with open curiosity.

He returned the stare, walking further into the room. It was always best to stay silent whenever possible, to avoid saying something one might regret. As expected, the creature didn't remain silent for long.

What are you? The question was asked with surprisingly little fear.

That's none of your concern, Earthling.

It frowned. Ariane.

I beg your pardon?

Ariane, it said again. My name is Ariane, not human or Earthling, and I'm a 'she', not an 'it.

Very well, Ariane, he said rolling the strange name around him his head, and deciding he rather liked it, you may call me Ax.

She nodded in acknowledgement. Well Ax, this has been lovely, but I want to go home now.

No, he replied, short and clipped.

Why not?

Ax sighed. Did you not listen to me earlier? There is no more Earth. Besides, you are my prisoner.

She frowned at him. "What do you mean? Of course, there's an Earth, I was just there. I was