Abducted: Alien Mate Index Book 1: (Alien Warrior BBW Science Fiction Paranormal Romance) (The Alien Mate Index) by Evangeline Anderson Page A

scowling. “There’s time to get something to eat while A.L. runs a diagnostic on the hydrogen scoop.”
    “The food prep area can simulate almost any human delicacy you desire,” Al put in helpfully. “I have been making a study of your Earth cuisine—though I could only devote a small portion of my processing algorithm to it. I hope you will find the results pleasing.”
    “Thank you, Al. You’re by far the most courteous person on this ship,” I said, staring at Sarden pointedly.
    Sarden frowned, ignoring my jibe. “Why do you call him that? His designation is A.L. which stands for artificial life form.”
    “As to that, Master Sarden, I have been meaning to ask you to call me by my new name,” Al told him.
    “What?” Sarden looked startled. “You have a name now? Who said you could have a name?”
    “Lady Zoe was kind enough to name me,” Al said promptly. “I am named Alfred but Al for short. Apparently it is a good butler name—a butler is one who serves on Earth. And the name still goes with my designation of A.L. Is it not fitting?”
    For a moment, Sarden looked like he was going to protest. Then he shook his head as though he just couldn’t deal with this right now. “Fine. Al is fine, if that’s what you want.”
    “It is. I find I enjoy having a name and not just a designation.” Al sounded happy again, in his proper butler way.
    “Great. Well…” Sarden looked at me. “Do you want to eat or not?”
    “That depends.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I thought I was going to be confined to my room.”
    “Confined to her room? Oh no—why would you refuse Lady Zoe the freedom of the ship?” Al now sounded properly horrified. I was liking the artificial life-form more and more all the time.
    Sarden didn’t answer, instead he glared at me.
    “I’ll give you one more chance to behave,” he growled. “Don’t pry into my life or my business and I’ll let you have the run of the ship. But one more incident and you’re going into your room and staying there until we get to Giedi Prime.”
    “Sounds like somewhere out of a Frank Herbert novel,” I said. “But fine. I’ll stay out of your room.” Which wasn’t exactly the same as not prying—I was still determined to do plenty of that. I had hit a nerve with his sister, I was certain. And he’d said she was the reason he’d taken me. I had to find out more about that—I had the feeling it was the key to my freedom. But for now, I would let it drop.
    For now.
    “Fine,” Sarden growled. “Then let’s eat.”
    He turned and left the room and I followed him, with Al whizzing along by my side, his lantern-eye blinking.
     
    Sarden
    I tried to control my irritation as I led Zoe down the corridor and into the food prep area. How dare she go snooping around my room, rifling through my private things? I was especially irritated by the fact that she’d gotten me to reveal my relationship with Sellah. It was none of her business, damn it! And she shouldn’t have touched my memory cube!
    Seeing the little Pure One handle the precious crystal cube I’d stored so carefully in my desk had nearly turned me feral. It was the best memory I had of my sister, although I hadn’t been able to bear to listen to it in a long time. But when I walked in my room, there Zoe was—playing it as though my most private, cherished memories were hers for the taking.
    But even worse than the invasion of my privacy was hearing Sellah’s voice. Her sweet tones were like a blade piercing my heart. My beloved, innocent little sister now lost, possibly forever…
    No! I shoved the thought aside. Sellah wasn’t lost forever—she couldn’t be. I was going to get her back, Gods damn it! No matter what depths I had to sink to in order to do it.
    But I couldn’t help feeling a flash of guilt when I remembered Zoe’s words. “What would your sister think of you now?” she’dasked. “What would she say if she knew what you were doing?”
    I had the