Free Hunger by Harmony Raines Page A

Earth, and they would agree.
    Yes, Lytril would accept any reason if he thought it was to benefit the human race.
     

Chapter Eighteen – Evie
    It surprised Evie how alone she felt once he had gone. Ishk had granted her permission to sit in his garden, but not to leave it, or touch anything. She smiled. Granted her permission: if anything said you’re a prisoner , that did.
    Around half an hour later, as she dozed in the sunshine, she heard a cruiser coming along the road. Only the slight vibration of its engine gave it away. She stood up. It didn’t sound the same as the one Ishk drove, and she became nervous.
    Going inside, she hid behind the sofa as the cruiser pulled up in front of the house. However, when two women, and Okil, exited the cruiser, she didn’t stay hidden for long. People. Humans. She had guests.
    Opening the front door, she was hit by uncertainty. Would Ishk mind them coming into his house? Had he invited them?
    “Hello,” Okil said, smiling broadly. “You survived the first night with Ishk, then?”
    “Yes, it’s good to see you, Okil.” She wanted to throw herself into his arms and hug him, it was so good to see a friendly face.
    “And this is Celia and Elissa,” he said, introducing the two women, previous lottery winners, one who had a very noticeable baby bump.
    “Hello. Thank you so much for coming to see me,” Evie said nervously. They both looked so happy, their mates must be easier to get along with than Ishk.
    “It’s good to meet you, Evie. Okil has told us so much about you. Wow, those bruises look worse than Okil said they would,” Celia said.
    “Oh,” Evie said pressing her hand to her face. “I keep forgetting. Ishk treated them with something. Um, ocatha?”
    “Yes.” Okil looked surprised. “I thought, knowing Ishk, he might have left you to suffer. You are already working your magic on him, Evie.”
    “I don’t know about that. I think he just got tired of me whimpering pathetically when I moved.”
    “Right. Well, we have brought you some clothes and other goodies that no self-respecting human female can be without on Karal.” Elissa handed her a bag full of small bottles. “Shampoos, moisturiser—those two suns play havoc on your skin. And Okil, there’s the box in the cruiser with the clothes.”
    “I’ll get them.” Okil went back to the cruiser and came back to the house, carrying a large box.
    “I would invite you in,” she said awkwardly, “But…”
    “We understand, it’s why Vanessa didn’t come. She thought it might cause trouble if Ishk knew she had been here.”
    “Thank you for understanding.”
    Celia placed her hand on Evie’s and said, “Listen, if you need anything, if he is cruel to you, let Okil know. He promised to pass by every few days and check in on you.”
    “I’ll be OK. Ishk isn’t so bad. I mean, he doesn’t like me. But I don’t think he’ll hurt me.” She smiled then, brightening. “And anyway, once I conceive, I won’t be living here.”
    “He still intends to send you to the breeding house?” Elissa asked.
    “Yes. I think that is one thing that will never change. He is so against humans. And I don’t think I’m the person to change his mind.”
    “You never know, Evie. Here are the clothes. See what fits, and then we can get some made for you. You can pretty much design what you want and the tailors will make it for you. The fabric is mainly cotton; all the materials are natural. Get your order in soon, though; once there are hundreds of us, I think they will have to move to mass production.” Celia kissed her cheek gently. “We will visit you every day when you go to the breeding house, Evie. We won’t just leave you there alone.”
    “Thank you.” Was that all she could say? Feeling overwhelmed by their kindness, and feeling the full force of Ishk’s rejection, she watched them leave. Only when they were no longer visible along the road did she turn and look down at the box of clothes and