Chapter 3

Two guards follow behind Noe and me as we walk up a winding staircase to the second floor. Unlike the first floor, the second contained hallways on either side of the landing. Noe turns to the right and walks into the first room. I follow at his heels, stopping short when I realize what the room is for. "No." I try to exit, but the two guards create an impenetrable wall behind me. Noe wraps his arms around me, pulling me towards the center of the room. "You don't have a choice."

My eyes widen in fear at the sight of the colorless medical capsule in front of me. It reminded me of a cocoon or a hammock. Still, instead of soft fabric enveloping me, hard gray plastic would surround me. Standing next to the capsule is a striking female. She was tall, with shiny purple hair. Her golden skin glowed under the fluorescent lights. "Theta. She's here." Noe gruffly announces.

The female turns and nods. She was a young Teril that was certain. What she was doing in the employ of the Weston Syndicate escaped my understanding. Terils claimed they weren't beholden to humans. "Have her sit in the capsule." Her emotionless voice slices through my skin. I struggle against Noe, a yelp escaping me as he scoops me into the medical capsule. "Mr. Weston, please! I don't want to become an android! Besides, I was denied during the sorting!"

Noe's hand cups my cheek, his thumb stroking my skin as if we are lovers. I jerk away from his touch, and he scowls at my dismissal. "You forget, babe, I'm Noe Weston. I can buy anything I want, including the Terils' commitment. I decide who undergoes the Android procedure; they sign off on it. You will be my Queen. You will undergo the procedure. Theta is a respected member of the Teril medical community. Only the best for my girl."

It's official: Noe Weston is deranged. I manage to loosen one of my arms from his grip and slap him across the face. "Fuck you."

He grits his teeth and presses my arms against the cold seat, his fingernails digging into my skin. "Theta. If you please."

The alien known as Theta approaches with a large syringe. "I must take a sample of her blood, Noe, to ensure she is healthy for the procedure."

Noe releases my arms and waves to Theta. The female approaches me, sticking the needle in my arm without warning. "No 1..2...3..eh?" I sarcastically say.

Theta furrows her purple eyebrow. "I don't understand this. Did you want some type of comfort? You, humans, are odd with your need for such silly matters." She pulls the needle out of my vein, replacing it with a cotton ball. "I'm going to test your blood. It will only be a moment." She moves back to her desk, typing something on a tablet and inserting the tube with my blood in a machine. The tablet beeps, a printout appearing on her screen. She stares at it for a moment, tapping her fingertips against the plastic. Theta turns around and addresses Noe. "Mr. Weston, it appears your future bride is too weak to undergo the procedure. She is malnourished. Perhaps after a couple of weeks of solid substance, we can revisit this procedure."

Noe curses, flipping a metal tray over and turning to the wall. "Gods! What am I going to do with her for the next several weeks? I have a gala tonight, for fuck's sake! I don't want to introduce my fiancee-the human!"

"Gee, thanks." I roll my eyes. "You know I'm right here?"

Noe sighs, his muscles relaxing as he turns his attention towards me. "I know, babe. I can't have a human as a Queen. It would make me look weak."

"Great, then release me and find an android," I reply. Somehow I don't think Noe would like this idea.

"I want you. We will wait and figure this out." He runs a hand through his dark blonde hair. Wow, he actually looks sexy with his wild, tousled hair. Despite my disdain for my captor, I can't help as my eyes roam over his athletic build. I wonder how he would feel above me as he takes me mercilessly? I have never had sex with an android, and maybe it wouldn't be so bad to entertain his delusions. Noe catches me ogling him and smirks. "Like what you see, baby?"

My brief attraction ended when he opened his mouth. I chide myself for my momentary lapse of judgment. "Yes, up until you opened your mouth."

His smile falls, and he whirls to Theta. "Check her vitals. I'll be right outside. I need to make a call."

Once, he slams the door behind him. Theta snickers and sits next to me. "I like you. That Earthling is a pompous asshole-as you humans say."

I widen my eyes at the alien's personality change. "Um...yea.. he is."

Theta looks back to the door as she grabs a blood pressure cuff. "We don't have much time until he returns. I lied about your results. Truthfully, you can go under the procedure today. However, I don't like Noe's coercion of the Teril council. He is corrupting the purpose of the human android program. It is fair and impartial in its selection process. We also don't believe in forcing humans to undergo the change." She wraps the cuff around my arm as she speaks, hitting a button to take my reading. "I will make you an offer: I will delay Noe Weston's request for your transformation if you provide me insight as to how he coerces my council." She removes the cuff. "Deal?"

A slow smile spreads on my face, followed by a sigh of relief. "Deal."

The door flings open, revealing an annoyed Noe walks in, yanking me from the capsule. "Theta." he greets before hauling me out of the room and down the hall. We walk into a bedroom. The room is absolutely breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling glass showcases a scenic view of a flower field. The room itself felt airy, with light linens and curtains dancing about. In the middle of the room sat a large bed with lilac and rose bedding. "This is to be your room until I say so." Noe dumps my hand from his grip.

"Thank you." I turn my body to get a feel of the room. "It is beautiful."

"Yes, it is." I feel a hand brush the hair from my neck as a pair of lips land on my skin. I shiver and pull away from his lips. "What are you doing?"

"Tasting my intended. I am allowed that right." Noe wraps his arms around my waist, holding me firmly against his chest. "You aren't allowed that right unless I say so." I try to fight my way out of his arms, but he only tightens his grip until it becomes painful. I shiver from his warm hand caressing her side, moving down to my behind. Gods, I need to fight him. I can't enjoy his magic caress and the things it does to my body. He chuckles in my ear and rests his hand on my hip.

"You have captivated me, Lara. Android women are pompous and boring. You are feisty and dangerous. I will enjoy taming you, making you mine. Noe cups my neck and bites down on my earlobe. He sucks it into his mouth before releasing it with a pop. "Please stop." My voice sounds needy, weak. He chuckles, planting a kiss on my neck. "You're very responsive."

"Please. I'll do what you want." My own voice sounds foreign as I beg the syndicate boss. "Very well. But you will do as I say, Lara. No fighting." He plants a kiss on my shoulder. "Now, baby. Shall we talk about your plans tonight?"