Ethereal Lives: A Romantic Sci-Fi Novel

Chapter 30

Ax sat in his cell listening to footsteps echo back and forth along the corridor outside. His sale was today, he'd heard it mentioned earlier. Leaning his head back against the cold wall, he closed his eyes and sighed. He had no idea what to do. His only hope was that someone made a mistake while transporting him and he saw an opportunity to escape.

Though he still worried about the tracking device they claimed to have put in him, he wouldn't meekly go to the auction block. He had to make an attempt to get away.

Footsteps pausing outside the cell brought his head up sharply. As the lock clicked and the door opened, he climbed to his feet.

"Ah, I see you're ready for us." Kestel entered the room, closely followed by two other Xans.

Ax heard the words but didn't respond. His eyes wouldn't leave the halt collar held by one of the men. "What do you plan to do with that? You said it's dangerous for me to change forms."

The laugh Kestel gave in response hissed through his teeth. "Don't you worry about it, I lied."

Ax shook his head, berating himself for believing the other man's bluff.

The halt collar was passed to Kestel as the two Xans advanced on him. Ax retreated until his back hit the cell wall. Each Xan grabbed one of his arms. Yanking against them, he caused one to stagger and let go. Not about to miss his chance, he swung the arm around punching the other Xan in the jaw. Just as the Xan's head snapped back Ax lost form.

Kestel stood beside him with a tight hold on the collar which now rested around Ax's neck. Something fell to the ground with a ching. Glancing down, Ax saw two microchips on the floor which must have been planted in him as trackers.

Without another word, Ax was unceremoniously shoved inside the crate that sat in the corridor. It wasn't long before he heard the muffled voices of the Xans as they carried it from the building.

Ax floated around inside the box until it came to rest and a transporter began to move. He cursed being in his natural state. It may provide comfort and prevent his form from feeling the heat of the confined space, but it made escape impossible. When he attempted to move the lid, his hands simply dispersed like spilt water before reforming. The journey didn't take long. In no time at all, the roads turned rocky, and he became aware that the travelling wasn't as smooth by the way his form shuddered.

When they finally stopped, the box was dragged from the vehicle, making a loud thump when it hit the floor. The move had obviously been done to annoy him. Did the idiots not realise he couldn't feel anything? Yes, his form got shaken and distorted, but it didn't provide any discomfort.

When the lid of the box finally lifted, he slowly drifted out. He found himself once more in a kind of cell. This one had a window. Unfortunately, in this state he had no way of opening it.

Kestel stood in a doorway. "Don't get too comfortable, you won't be in here long." The door shut with a bang that vibrated around the room as he left.

Ax stared at the door for a moment then moved to the window. He appeared to have been taken out of the city. All he could see were fields and a large building in the distance. He attempted to grab the window latch despite knowing the effort was futile. His hand moulded around the shape, acknowledging there was something there, but he couldn't grasp it. He had no way out as long as this collar hung around his neck.

Staring into the distance, he wondered what his men were doing. Part of him still thought they'd try to rescue him. At this point, he didn't know if it would be a good idea or bad. Common sense told him they should flee as fast as possible and never look back, taking Ariane with them. His heart was in total disagreement and wanted them to appear and help him out of this damn mess. He felt pretty sure his crew would be in agreement with his heart and attempt a rescue. He just hoped they didn't get captured in the process.