StarPyre

could he say that with a serious face?
“How would you know?” I challenged—because, to be honest, I wanted to know if his species had some alien technology that could transfer a consciousness or make someone immortal unless beheaded or something. “If death wasn’t permanent, you wouldn't be making a big deal about dying.”
I know because I am a Cosmic Soul. He looked away, toward my two boyfriends. The Fates and Stars have blessed me with extraordinary abilities. They have marked me in sapphire to show I am different from other Swynemi. That’s why I am not the same color as my crewmates, and I’m capable of communicating like this.
“You aren’t their leader?”
He shook his head, snapping his gaze to mine. No, of course not. Why do you think that?
“Only because they always refer to you for answers,” I replied, confused.
I am sorry for the misunderstanding. He paused as his thumbs traced the back of my hands. I didn’t know if it was a comforting touch or a nervous tick. Auro is our crew’s leader. They look to me for guidance whenever they need to solve a mystery. You were an unknown, so they needed me to figure out who and what you were.
“And you did that by mind-raping me,” I muttered, unconsciously pulling my hands away.
He instantly tightened his grip, pinning my hand down with his thumbs. Tori. Listen to me. Please!
Lowering my eyes, I halted my retreat, readying myself for whatever he needed to say.
I didn’t mean to mind-scry you. I know I went too far, and for that, I am truly sorry. I know I can’t ever take back my actions. He slowly loosened his grip, making me meet his dull white eyes. I wanted to understand why you couldn’t mindspeak to me, even though you looked like a royal Swynemi and should be easily capable of doing so. We needed to find a way to communicate with you, and mindspeaking was our best option. Somehow, I took out my frustration at our situation on you. You didn’t deserve that. I was desperate—I still am.
He was some sort of cosmo-priest. Fates? Stars? I thought aliens believed in science, not some mystical higher power.
“So, are you saying that you read constellations or something to tell people their horoscope? And your society believes anyone born blue is capable of reading information from the stars?” I asked, cringing at how stupid the questions sounded out loud.
He nodded. Cosmic Souls are born with unique abilities different from the royals’, which allow us to seek guidance from the Stars and follow the path the Fates have laid out for us. We are gifted with a few minor abilities like mindspeaking and healing, but most of our strength lies in helping others follow their destined path.
He was an alien astrologist. Got it. I wasn’t sure I believed the part about him talking to the stars, but he was speaking to me telepathically, so that left me little room to question him.
“And why are you dying?” I prepared myself for some inspired answer about his cosmic journey.
Because unlike my emerald brethren, I need to recharge my energy stores whenever I use my abilities. If I don’t, my body slowly wastes away from lack of cosmic energy, as if I were starving to death. He sighed. But that isn’t the reason why I need to talk to you.
“There’s more? What can be worse than dying from energy starvation?”
Being eaten alive.

Fourteen
CELYZE
Fear flooded me when Tori flinched within my grasp.
This was why I hadn’t wanted to explain alone. She was already hesitant to spend time with me due to what I’d done to her, so I dreaded delivering the news about why we were trapped within these walls.
“Eaten?” she whispered meekly, her pale green eyes flickering frantically, as if she was searching for an attack.
Yes, eaten, I sighed, giving her hands a slight squeeze to snap her out of her panic. The Vhalxt have given us an ultimatum. The three of us must . . . copulate . . . with you to produce offspring for their kind to eat. Whoever fails to impregnate you will be eaten.”
“But, I can’t . . . .” Her hands began to shake. Soon the trembling traveled up her arms, and tears formed in her eyes. “But I can’t have children. I’m infertile.”
Tugging on her hands, I pulled her into my lap and wrapped my arms and wings around her as I tried to soften the wave of emotions flooding through her. Instead of pushing me away, she curled into me, her head, hands, and cascade of white hair brushing my chest. A waterfall of tears soaked my chest as she began to sob.
Instinctively, I combed my fingers through her hair, trying to calm her. I wasn’t an empath, so I didn’t have the experience to tell me how to comfort her. All I knew was what I’d seen while mind-scrying her, and the loud thoughts she was constantly projecting.
I had grown to admire this exotic female over the last few solars. Holding her in my arms brought out a feeling I’d never felt before; a fierce drive to protect her from whatever was bothering her. Maybe even something more.
I know, I said gently. We all know. That’s why I’m going to give myself to the Vhalxt when they return in two solars to inspect you.”
She jerked her head away from my chest and glared at me with pursed lips. “You are not. I won’t let you!”
I gave her a sad smile. I am wasting away. What good will come from prolonging my death? If I can grant you a few more solars of happiness before the Vhalxt come for you, then I’ll gladly make the sacrifice. I’ve failed this crew as a Cosmic Soul. Let me give you as much of a chance at escape as possible.
“There has to be a way to recharge you,” she begged, her hands frantically roaming my body, searching