StarPyre

other human had ever had before—to explore outer space beyond our solar system.
No matter how I diced it, I was at the twins' mercy. My chance of returning to Earth was probably slim to none, and even if I somehow made it back, no one would believe that I’d been abducted. People who told those stories were usually thrown into an asylum.
I’d been doomed from the moment I woke up wrapped in that webbing.
Large double doors slid open into a wall, revealing a vast white room equipped with a ring of medical tables displaying 3D projections of a patient’s condition next to each bed. The open-concept layout allowed me to survey the entire room at once, including the series of robotic arms that dangled lifelessly from the ceiling. This med bay probably didn’t need a large staff to run smoothly.
My eyes zeroed in on the sapphire male lying in the furthest bed. He sat up, and his wide eyes locked onto mine as if he’d sensed my presence the moment I had entered.
“Celyze!” I yelled, pushing past the four males.
When I was about to reach his bed, a massive crimson naga—half man, half cobra—stepped into my path with fangs bared. Golden horns framed his long black hair, and his fiery eyes burned me alive every time I tried to meet his gaze. He swiped his tail across the floor between us, making me jump back. Surprisingly, instead of a rattle at the end of his tail, like a rattlesnake, he had a cluster of dancing fibers reflected the room’s light, creating a breeze in its wake.
I screeched, jumping backward in fear.
Who had I pissed off? Celyze’s Stars?
I’d gone from overcoming one nightmare to running into another.
“Zyxel! Stand down!” A teal male barked.
The snake monster narrowed his eyes with a scowl, keeping his gaze locked onto mine. “This female is contaminated and is not allowed in the medical bay.”
“Stand down,” the emerald male growled.
“I don’t care who she is. She isn’t coming near my patient until she cleans off,” Zyxel hissed.
Throwing my hands in the air, I gave up. Even something as simple as a reunion with my alien boyfriend had gone wrong.
“Fine,” I barked. “Take me to a shower, or whatever you call it, so I can clean myself and return to my mate.”
Zyxel led me to one of the spare cabins connected to the infirmary, which he told me were reserved for friends or family that wanted to stay close to a patient.
After washing up and dressing in a long blue tunic that was left outside my door, I still was no closer to understanding why I was on this ship and what was going to happen to me.
Zyxel led me back to the infirmary, and I was surprised to see no familiar faces in the room. Where had my males gone?
“Follow me, Star Queen,” Zyxel said, noticing my hesitation as I searched for Celyze. “They have moved your mate to your shared cabin so you may talk in a more comfortable location. They are waiting there for you now.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, shocked by his sudden forwardness.
He only nodded, and he led me to my new room.
Staring at his tail, I studied how it slithered as he moved. I got so lost in my thoughts about the future that I didn’t notice he’d stopped until it was too late. I accidentally stepped on his tail fibers. He hissed and whipped his head around with fangs bared.
Yelping, I jumped back with my hands raised in surrender. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
“We’re here,” he ground out, pointing to one of many closed metal doors. “The crew already recorded your handprints when you walked through the quarantine scanner to board the ship. You can use your palms to open your newly assigned cabin.”
Glancing down at my hands, I flipped them back and forth, surprised they’d gotten my scans without me even feeling it. What else was this crew capable of?
“Thank you,” I said, smiling sheepishly. “Sorry about earlier.”
“I understand how it feels to be in your shoes.” He gave me a quick smirk. “I have something to give you that will help you communicate with your new mates,” he said, leaning closer with a pin-like object in his hand.
“Oh yeah? Wha—”
I screamed. Something sharp stabbed me behind one of my ears. Instantly, I shot my hand up to touch the spot, only for my wrist to be caught.
“I just implanted a translator in your head, so you’ll be able to communicate with everyone you come across.” He pulled away, scanning my body with his pen before tucking it within his vest. “It looks like you’re having no allergic reaction to it. With that, my job is done.”
I watched in shock as he left me standing alone in the hallway without another word.
I slammed my hand on the scanner, and the metallic door slid open. I stormed inside to find the three males with whom I’d spent the last week sitting around a circular display table, together with the two twins who had saved us.
“I just want you to know, Zyxel has the poorest bedside manner I’ve ever experienced,” I growled, pointing at my ear. “He stabbed me with a translator without any warning!”
My males flinched as the two twins chuckled at my outburst.
“You’re a fiery one, aren’t you?” The cyan twin teased, shooting a glance at my stunned boyfriends. “Good luck with her. You’ll need it.”
“What the hell does that mean?” I demanded, searching the five males’ faces for answers.
“I’m sorry about Zyxel. He’s one of the best medics we have, but he’s not very social. He treats all strangers that way, I’m afraid,” the emerald male explained sheepishly. He stood and offered me his hand with a kind smile. “How about we start with introductions, and then we have an offer to extend to you.”
I eyed his tattooed hand, admiring the intricate design. It seemed to flicker as if the runes themselves were somehow alive. Some of Celyze’s abilities revolved around