Free Alien Dragon by Sophie Stern

over.”
    She takes my arm and guides me from the room.
    I don’t bother looking back.
    We enter the hallway and she walks with the confidence of someone who knows what’s up.
    “How long have you been here?” I ask.
    “20 years.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “Somewhere far away.”
    “Do you miss it?”
    May stops and turns to me. Her hand finds my face, but her touch is gentle and understanding.
    “These are dangerous questions, Riley. You need to be sure you can handle knowing you can’t ever go back before you ask if you miss it, okay? I know you’re asking about me, not you, but it’s a fine line, honey. The Taneyemm,” she lowers her voice, even though we’re alone. “They aren’t bad, but they’re different. Sometimes different is hard. Sometimes it’s very, very hard.”
    We walk the rest of the way in silence. She leads me up four flights of stairs and I wonder exactly how big this place is. We go down another hallway with a few turns before we end up in a small bedroom. There’s a bed in one corner, a large armoire, and a window.
    For the first time in years, I have a window.
    “The bathroom is down the hall,” she says. “Try not to leave the room unless you absolutely have to.”
    I turn back to her, confused.
    “You aren’t going to lock me in?”
    May shakes her head.
    “Trust me. You won’t risk running away if you know what they’re capable of.”
    “What do I do now?” I sit on the bed. It’s soft and a little bouncy. I’m exhausted and to be honest, I’ll probably just go to sleep.
    “It’s late,” May says. “I’ll come get you in the morning. For now, you should rest as much as you can. Tomorrow will be a big day.”
    “Thanks, May.”
    She nods goodbye and leaves, closing the door behind her. Now I’m alone. The first thing I do is go to the window and stare. The glass is perfectly clear. There are no smudges or scrapes and I almost feel guilty pressing my hand to it.
    I have to, though.
    It’s dark outside, but there are lights sprinkled throughout the grounds. They light several paths that lead in different directions. I think they’re garden paths, but it’s too dark to tell.
    Figures move slowly in the dark and a shiver runs down my spine as I see one begin to change shape. I’ve never seen a dragon shift from human form before. I think that’s what’s happening.
    It’s too dark to see the details, but it doesn’t take long before the shape leaps into the air and I see its bright, colorful wings flapping. The lights reflect off the wings and I see sprinklings of different colors. I wonder what this dragon looks like in the daytime.
    He or she must be beautiful.
    And then the dragon turns.
    My heart stops.
    Can it see me?
    Can it hear me?
    Am I talking to myself?
    Am I breathing too loudly?
    I stare, and the dragon flies over to the window. His snout and eyes stare straight into my room and my jaw hits the floor.
    Those eyes are so bright and sweet. This is definitely not the King. No, this is a kind dragon. This is a good dragon. I press my hand back to the glass and the dragon licks the glass with its long tongue.
    Then, after it blinks a few more times, the dragon flies off into the darkness.
    What a weird fucking night.

Chapter 8
     
     
    My mood isn’t any better the next morning, but May wakes me up and has me shower and dress. I get to choose anything in the armoire and I select a knee-length, bright blue dress. I look around for a bra and panties, but they aren’t any, and May just shrugs.
    “They have their preferences. You’re a human house girl, so you can wear what you like. No uniform. You just have to be bare beneath the dress and you can’t wear shoes.”
    “Do they have like…a foot fetish?”
    “No.”
    “May,” I grab her arm. “Are they going to…am I going to be raped?”
    “What? No!” She practically squeaks the words. “What in the world made you think of that?”
    “I don’t know,” I lie through my teeth. I’m