The first week of Paige’s life on Halos followed a pattern. By day, she learned a new language, by night she was enamored of Jamen’s sexual skills. That summary of her days, which she never presented to her parents in the first missive she transmitted, was perhaps too simplistic, because Jamen was also happy to hold her in his arms and sleep with her. She’d not had much need for her solitary bedroom since that first night.
The sex was also formulaic—lasting usually an hour or two, after their evening meal, and followed by bathing and sleep. The hours of his work were long and left little time for anything else. There were no designated rest days, no weekends or holidays. The amount of energy and endurance required to maintain the life of a Vendu was substantial.
She completed day six’s lesson—the Vendu calendar wasn’t fussed about the names of the days, only how they related to solar cycle—thanked Leesa, whom she now considered a trustworthy ally, and left the small room to rejoin Jamen. Halfway down the corridor, a door opened and she nearly bumped into Elga and another woman.
On this occasion, Elga was dressed, as was her companion, in formal attire that reminded Paige of power dressing on Earth: gray smooth fabric aligned to the contours of their waist and hips and rising to high ruffs under their chins. The tubular skirts hung around their knees while the long sleeves ended just below their elbows. They tottered on their heels for a second, their conversation halting midsentence.
Elga greeted the tiny bow of their heads with one of her own. There was an awkward pause. Paige decided to test out her new language skills.
“Hello,” she said tentatively. “I am Paige,” she said to Elga’s companion.
“I am Sava.” Another little exchange of bows. “I am Conner’s hanjin.”
Conner and Lapak were neighboring senators of Jamen’s. She’d learned that much during one of their mealtime conversations.
“I work for Jamen.” So far, they’d understood each other.
“You are very pretty,” Sava said abruptly. “Are all humans pretty?”
Paige thought for a second how to answer. “To their mothers and fathers. And men are handsome,” she added.
The two women giggled, hiding their mouths behind their hands.
Paige could feel her ears turning pink. They were laughing at her, not with her. She frowned.
“You said men are lumpy,” Elga explained as they calmed down.
“Oh.” Paige deflated. “Dammit,” she added in English.
“They are very similar sounds,” Sava comforted. She repeated each word in turn for Paige, who copied her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I need to practice.”
“We can help you,” Sava said. “Join us one evening at a Yulta.”
Paige screwed her face up, racking her mind, but she couldn’t translate the last word.
“The Yulta is a place of relaxation. We swim. Arrange our hair. Talk.” Elga held out her fingers. “I had my nails shaped last time.”
Her nails were more like long talons and covered in a shimmering violet lacquer. “Pretty,” admired Paige. The Yulta resembled a health spa on Earth she once been to with Katie—they had saved up to visit the expensive establishment and fritted away their money on a lengthy massage and pedicure.
“We can take you,” Sava suggested.
“When?” Paige wondered if she needed Jamen’s permission. Then, decided she didn’t. She wasn’t a prisoner on Halos and she was supposed to be exploring Vendu culture. Going to something like a Yulta was hardly spying.
“In six days. I will call and collect you after dark.”
After dark was quite late. But, what the hell, she had to get out of the senate house. She’d been cooped up in it too long.
“Good,” Paige said.
Elga produced an insipid version of a smile. As yet, Paige wasn’t convinced Elga liked her and if it wasn’t for Sava, she doubted the offer of visiting the Yulta would have been made.
Sava bowed again and the pair of them walked away. Paige watched, hesitating with her own path back to Jamen’s office. Just as they reached the far end, Elga turned and stared at Paige. She wasn’t smiling now.
Jamen wasn’t alone. When Paige opened the door, she discovered he had the company of two men—one a head taller than Jamen, the other slightly smaller and wide around the belly.
They turned, bowed, as she did in reply, feeling awkward that she didn’t know who the men were.