Chapter 2


"Zulikmha?" Alex called.
I had been so engrossed in the story that his words made me jump and nearly drop the device. Ksarr differed so much from Earth. Its two suns made it look awkward even though they were hard to see behind the thick stinky smug. Eww…
"Sorry, I didn't hear you come in," I said, putting the memory cube away. "I so love this…" The words died in my mouth at the sight of the gorgeous woman who clung to his arm.
Don't take me wrong. I'm not the jealous type but looking like that had to be a sin. She had perfect skin, perfect blonde hair, perfect hazel eyes, perfect full lips, and on top of that, she was taller and slimmer than I was. In case you didn't get the picture, she had everything to make a girl doubt herself, all in one convenient package. As if that wasn't enough, her outfit was so tight, it didn't look like clothes.
"Hmm," I said. "Is that paint on your skin? A little less and one might think you're naked."
Alex laughed, which did nothing to lighten my spirit.
"What's funny?" I asked.
"I think my timing was perfect," he said with a hint of a smile. "You are grumpy. This means you must be hungry."
"Humph! I'm not grumpy, but yes, I'm starving."
"I hope you will be satisfied with her blood," he said.
If she so much as walk an inch closer to him, I think I'm gonna scream.
Instead of shouting my thought, I mumbled, "As long as you don't feed on her."
"Why? No, I rarely drink blood anymore, but you know that."
"Yes, I do, but with such an appetizing morsel, you could easily change your mind."
"Are you jealous by chance?" he asked. His eyes sparkled as if he had the best time of his life.
"If every female Xhartan looks like her, yes. I'd soon rather go back home."
"She is not Xhartan," he said and looked at her from head to toe. "But I admit she is a work of art."
I felt a pang in my heart. This wasn't what I was hoping he'd say.
"Would it be so hard for you to tell me she isn't your type or something?"
"Zulikmha, it's not what you think," he said and took a step toward me.
I stepped back and his eyes turned a dazzling lime green.
Good! Let him worry a bit. After all, he brought that bimbo here. What was he thinking?
"Come on…when did I ever do you wrong?"
I looked at the ravishing beauty standing near him. "Aside from her you mean?" Before he had time to reply, I threw the malevolent woman's name in his face. "What about Destiny?"
He winced and rubbed the spot where a star shaped scar marred his chest. "Please…no…do not go there, ok? You know it was not my fault."
"Your fault or not, she's still having your child."
He let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his thick dark hair. "Ok, leave it at that before you say anything you might regret," he said. All hints of happiness had vanished from his face.
I immediately regretted my harsh words. He was right. He had been nothing but kind to me. The least I could do was let him explain himself.
"I'm—"
"No," he said, interrupting me. "You said what you needed to say. Now, it is my turn. "
"But—"
"This is FP0001 or, if you prefer, Female Prototype 0001. She is an android. She uses the same technology as our Hearts to regenerate her blood. My people thought vampires would prefer drinking from something that looked human rather than bags." He shrugged. "I guess they were wrong. I'll arrange for someone to fix the dispenser to add the new blood flavor."
Without adding another word, he left. I ran out calling his name but he was gone. A sob escaped my throat. Sure, I could go out and look for him. I wasn't a prisoner but although prior to our departure Alex had shown me how to find my way around the ship and had spent many hours trying to make me feel at ease, I still didn't like leaving our room. Besides, I didn't want to encounter anyone, so I stayed in suddenly realizing that with Alex out most of the time, it would mean a long three-month journey.
I sighed and noticed the darn android hadn't moved an inch. I pinched her out of spite. She smiled at me and asked me if I was hungry.
"Go! Out! I don't wanna see your fake face anymore," I told her.
"As you wish," she replied and walked out.
"Stupid bitch," I muttered. "I'm not hungry," I shouted at the android's back.
After this, I didn't think I could ever feed anymore. I wiped my tears with my shirt's sleeve and ran to the bed where I sat crossed-leg, took the memory device, and continued Alex's story.