The Human Bearer
1.
Riordan watched dispassionately as his luggage was transferred on the conveyor belt and waited, trying hard to rein in the slight tremble in his fingers as he smoothened out the pockets of his old kaki jacket. A small glimpse in the mirror like surface of the bot handling the luggage could tell him he looked tired. He searched for the small vitamin infuser in his right pocket. A small puff had to be enough to bring back the shininess in his black eyes, and to make the small fine lines around them disappear. One day away from being 30, he wasn't old, but he was not the youngest of the batch of human bearers either.
He stole a few glances around him, as he used another puff for good measure. His face was attractive enough by human standards, but there was no way he could tell what a Xeno bitch like the one who had bought him would like. The smooth black hair reached his shoulder and he had spent a small fortune on hair care products to make it shine, too. The first impression counted, and while he could have spent more on new clothes, he wanted to capitalize on what he knew were his assets, aka his face. He just hoped his owner was not going to reject him. Maybe the Xeno wanted a baby faced youngster like many around him? He had sent his file ahead and he had been accepted, but that didn't mean Xenos could not change their minds. They were known as fickle creatures.
He sighed. At least, they were not going to make him return the initial fee he had been paid. The not so bright side was that he had already spent that on smelling nice and super vitamins to make him look younger without having to go under the knife and purchase artificial enhancements. Not that he had that kind of money anyway. Unlike other humans around him who looked almost 100% plastic.
It was not like he could afford to look down on the others. But nonetheless he showed teeth when a china doll with perfect symmetric features and eyes as blue as the sky grimaced after a quick look down his clothes. Whatever, they were all whores for hire anyway. They were all here for the pay.
The luggage felt heavy and real in his hand, after the interplanetary flight that had made him feel weightless. He was still not used to this type of travel.
Another bot stood in front of him, waiting. Unlike on Earth, where humans were obsessed with making bots look humanoid, here, on Xeno, robots were a dull affair, tall thin cylinders with a front panel for scanning information. Riordan showed the plastic tag inserted in his wrist and the bot blinked green and began moving away, Riordan on its tail.
The transportation device seemed comfortable despite its dubious design. Riordan had to lay in an almost flat position. Probably Xenos could care less about watching the scenery on the road to their destination. Riordan almost felt like sleeping, but now it was no time to treat things lightly.
***
He had no idea what he was expecting, maybe a small cavern, or a rigid environment made from nothing but squares and planes. Not the cozy, warmly lit interior. There was not a lot of furniture since Xenos had no particular pleasure in slithering their ways around unnecessary items. The bot had left him inside, and Riordan had no idea what he was supposed to do. So he began inspecting his surroundings, wondering where were all the doors, since the room seemed to be completely even on all sides.
"You must be Riordan."
He turned his head so fast he could feel the bones under his skull cracking. Where could that Xeno come from? He wanted to say something, but words died in his throat. The Xeno was tall, very tall, making Riordan throw his head back to look at the alien. The first thing that struck him were the amazing green eyes that were searching his face with interest. The rest of the Xeno's face was no less impressive, the skin so smooth and white that it seemed cut in marble. But the beautifully arched lips were full of life, not cold. When the slightly bifurcated tongue darted out, a small chill made him shudder.
This was it. The moment of truth. He looked down, as his craned neck was starting to hurt. He blinked in confusion when his eyes traveled down. The Xeno was wearing a deep cut blouse made from golden material that glued to the alien body like a second skin. There was no doubt. The supple muscles under the lean fabric were smooth and flat.
"Are you my owner?" Riordan eventually managed.
He didn't care if that sounded rude.
"Yes, Riordan, I am Xana Lei, your owner, if the term pleases you."
The creature blinked lasciviously, letting long lashes flutter slightly in unveiled seduction. A small flick of long platinum blond hair over one shoulder drew his attention and he shook his head. Xenos were known for their effective ways to hypnotize their prey before they struck.
"Are you male?" he asked, his mouth dry and his tongue heavy.
The Xeno laughed.
"Of course," he replied. "Wait, were you expecting a female owner?"
Riordan could feel the room growing smaller. The small sound of the Xeno moving, flexing the muscles of his long green tail was making him shudder in disgust.
"Yes," he managed with difficulty.
"Well," the Xeno moved closer, "is that a problem?"
Riordan took a step back. Where was that damn door?
"I will be going now," he said slowly. "It is a problem. I signed up for a female owner."
"Hm," the Xeno cooed and crowded Riordan more. "Could it be there was some mixup, then?"
The green eyes were encouraging him to speak, but there was a glint in them that was warning Riordan of ill intentions.
"Most probably." He licked his lips nervously. "I will have to go back, if you don't mind."
The Xeno's laugh was like a happy clink of small bells.
"I do mind. Because, my beautiful human bearer," the Xeno moved closer and pushed one strand of raven hair behind Riordan's ear, "I picked you from thousands."
The creature's touch was electric, sending small jolts of pleasure through his skin. It was so much, it was borderline painful. He moved away, trying to dodge his owner. It was not wise to turn his back on the snakelike creature, but there was no way he was going to find the door and get out. There was no time to waste with thinking about what he was going to do next, once he was out of the building.
The Xeno laughed and followed him, the sound of his long tail slithering along the walls making Riordan's hair stand on end. The human felt the smooth surface with his hands quickly, his breath becoming rugged, as he just began moving frantically around.
Strong hands grabbed and pushed him on a flat surface that felt soft and embraced Riordan in its dissuading embrace. He was forced to turn with his face up and stare at his owner. There was sweat gathering on his upper lip. The Xeno darted out his tongue and licked it.
"Delicious," the creature commented and moved his tongue slowly, to trace the contour of Riordan's lips.
The strange kiss was deceptively seductive and he trembled.
"Let me go," he whispered.
"Mmmm, I don't think that's possible, beautiful," the Xeno purred. "I have longed prepared my egg and I have no intention to let you go and go hunting for another bearer. It could take months."
"You're male," Riordan said accusingly.
"Yes," the Xeno hissed, pushing out his tongue to lick Riordan's neck.
