Justin Nesbit, soldier turned prospector, crash lands on a planet in a star system that doesn't exist on any map. He's taken prisoner by the natives, and finds himself thrust into a strange new culture, a strange new language ... and strange new feelings. From the start, Sajah, the alien leading the natives, is intensely interested in him.<br><br>Sajah is a big and strange alien, unlike anyone Justin has ever encountered in his life. Fumbling through cultural and language barriers, they become friends. But one crucial moment of misunderstanding changes Justin's entire situation and leads him down a path to a choice he never imagined in his wildest dreams.

Captive

Justin grunted as his captor stood and rolled the carcass off of him. Sajah panted harshly above him, a strange white shimmer overlaying the dark fur at his shoulder. It concerned Justin for a second until Sajah was reached down to him.


He didn’t bother to make a run for it and instead offered up the blade for Sajah to reclaim. A look of amusement, at least Justin thought it was amusement, sparkled in Sarah’s silver eyes and twitched at the corners of his mouth. The massive hand passed by the knife to grip Justin’s forearm gently and firmly to tug him to his feet. Justin let him, eyes locked and some of the wariness left him. He offered Sajah the knife again once he was steady and this time it was taken.


Chapter 8