Cyprian’s fist clinched. He had to repress the urge to grab his disrupter. It would be so easy to finish off Jyk and Mave, here and now.
“I will speak to my friend,” Mave gritted his teeth.
“Excuse me. I have other matters to attend to,” Jyk stated, then got up and left with his cohorts.
The general waited for the Jurou Biljana to leave, before turning to Mave.
“It sounds like this partner, you’re so tight lipped about, has dragged our tails into a snarl,” Cyprian bristled.
“The Jurou Biljana are merchants. They have things we need, and we have assets to trade. Cadi is behind every species in our sector. Do you honestly think the other traders we’ll meet are going to be any less distasteful? Look around,” Mave snarled.
“Agreed, but your partner has become beholden to the Jurou Biljana. Do you truly trust your supposed friend? I can tell you for a fact I don’t trust people I’ve never met. What’s more, how do you expect to compensate me for the use of my cruiser, and my lost Toufik, when all the auction proceeds are spoken for?” Cyprian demanded.
“The male I’m working with is well connected. He will see that you’re compensated. He can also extend other benefits when he carries out his plan.”
“It sounds to me like your partner is making a play for the Daimio’s seat,” Cyprian growled as he surged to his feet. The smugglers at the table quickly stood as well. “I’m not interested in participating in a venture like that, based on your assurances alone. You want me to trust you, but you’re not willing to extend me the same courtesy. I don’t think so.” Cyprian turned, and stalked away.
“Let me talk with him,” Cyprian heard Vintor say to the others, as he made his way toward the bar.
A moment later, Vintor joined him at the counter.
“Nice touch sympathizing with Mave’s crew. You’d make my sire proud with your skillful manipulation,” Cyprian’s lip quirked up, along with his brow.
“I’ve had the chance to observe the best. Besides, us Scelus Cadi have to stick together, when it comes to you Vidya Cadi,” Vintor replied.
Cyprian chuckled. Vintor was really using the old patriotism to its fullest.
“I’m sending a message to Kagan. This situation has turned to shit,” Cyprian rumbled.
“Those morons are going to lead Cadi straight into the metcor’s lair.” Vintor shook his head. “How high up do you think this well-connected individual is?”
“High enough for him to think he might be successful at taking Kagan out, and replacing him.”
Cyprian and Vintor looked at each other. If Kagan died before his heir came of age, Dagaa would become the Daimio.
“You don’t think?” Vintor asked.
“No. Dagaa would never,” Cyprian replied.
“Are you sure? You know him better than I do. Since Kagan’s current heir is a hybrid female, and his son is adopted, I doubt anyone would balk if Dagaa kept the seat of power.”
“It’s not Dagaa. He would never betray Kagan. They’re like brothers,” he growled.
“Look, I don’t want to believe it either. I like Dagaa. But if not him, then who?” Vintor asked.
“Who would supersede Dagaa, if Kagan were dead?” Cyprian mused out loud.
Kagan didn’t have any close relatives, that Cyprian knew of.
“Or, I hate to say it, what if someone kills both Dagaa and Kagan? That leaves the seat entirely open.”
“Then the position would be left to the regents,” Cyprian replied.
“Considering this stunt, this mysterious partner has to be an utter fool. He’s likely using the Jurou Biljana to arm up for a total coup.”
“Then that leaves countless suspects. This is a lot to send in an encrypted message.”
Cyprian started tapping away on his handheld, while Vintor ordered a couple drinks. The chatter in the room suddenly grew in volume, and Cyprian looked to see a crowd gathering around the nearby stage.
The most bizarre music he’d ever heard, began to blare through the audio system. A frantic thrumming electric melody drowned out everything in the gallery. It was joined by the sounds of sirens and an unhinged battle cry. Blue lights focused on the darks stage to reveal Riley. Her voice joined the singer as she screamed to the ceiling. She started to gyrate with the rapid beat of the drum.
“Welcome to the jungle,” the music roared.
The singer joined the violent rhythm, screaming of death and oppression. Riley raged along with it, as she strut around the stage. Riley undulated her hips and rolled her shoulders, whipping her hair as she threw back her head and sang her war cry. Her moves were aggressive, like the music. Yet her dance was beckoning and compelling.
This time, when Riley worked her way around the stage, luring the audience with snaking arms and hypnotic hips, her expression wasn’t furious. Her dark rimmed eyes, shuttered by long lashes looked down on the people with something best described as carnal disdain.
As Cyprian watched Riley’s seduction he felt like he was staring at the delicate venin come to life. The blooms might be gorgeous, but its thorns were sharp and poisonous. Like the flower, Riley would reel you in with her mysterious smile, only to bite when you got too close.
Holy mother of Kali, what is that female doing?
Cyprian was certain the Topus had coerced her into this performance, but Riley seemed to throw herself into her erotic dance. She was working her audience into an impassioned frenzy. Cyprian was certain a brawl would break out at any moment, as patrons jostled near the stage. Part of Riley’s allure came from the fact that she was diminutive and spritely. But rather than cowering in fear, like one expected from someone in her position, she was a ball of fire.
Cyprian’s lip quirked as he watched Riley captivate the crowd. He knew the nature of human females, only too well. The human females on Cadi had been instrumental in ending the war and liberating the Toufik. They were the picture of femininity, soft and pliant, till their brash demeanor reared its head. Then they were a tiny force to be reckoned with, contentious and brazen. They used their wiles in ways a Cadi female never would, and most males never expected. In short human females were trouble. And Riley appeared to be at the top of her class.
Wily manx.
Cyprian wasn’t fooled, and yet he found himself amused and just as enthralled as the rest of the crowd. He admired the very things, that were also disconcerting about the female. Riley didn’t collapse in a distraught puddle. Somehow, she owned the situation instead. Being combative hadn’t worked earlier, so now she was being alluring instead. Cyprian wasn’t sure what the female hoped to accomplish, but he didn’t doubt she had a plan. That intrigued and disturbed him in the same breath.
“You might have more competition than we expected, come auction time,” Vintor commented over the loud music.
Cyprian’s plan to purchase Riley and Exo was starting to look ambitious. The interest Riley was attracting, was driving her price up by the minute.
Riley’s eyes pinned his, as the song changed. Cyprian’s eyes widened. He thought her dancing was seductive before. He was wrong. Not even in the privacy of the bedchamber had he witnessed a female do the things Riley was doing now.
Riley
“There are a few species you need to avoid,” Hoda said as she led Riley toward the stage. “See that soft bodied species.”
Hoda pointed to a giant worm that looked like a pale, skinny version of Jabba the Hutt. It had tiny arms and a ton of wavy little cilia that moved it across the floor.
“I see it.”
“The Ubi, are parasites. See how everyone steers clear of it. Their long, hooked tongue will latch onto you, pump you full of a paralytic that liquifies your guts. Then it’ll suck you dry.”
“Thanks,” Riley replied.
“Also, don’t get too close to the Cimex. They aren’t as nasty as the Ubi, but their pincer automatically closes on anything in their grasp, and their spiked tails are poisonous. “
Riley glanc
ed at the humanoid scorpion.
“Why are you being so kind to me?” Riley asked suspiciously.
“I make a percentage of the commission you earn,” Hoda replied.
Ah, so it’s not out of the goodness of your slimy heart.
“What about that dude over there?”
“Which one?”
“The giant mother fucker with his bones on the outside of his skin.” Riley pointed.
The armor-plated behemoth looked like a tank. He was as large as the red demons and looked just as fierce.
“He’s an Osivoire. They’re a fierce species, but we don’t see them much here. He shouldn’t cause you any trouble.”
“And them.”
Riley nodded to the red demons at one of the tables. Since Hoda was being so forth coming with information, she decided to take the opportunity to learn about Spawn. Riley didn’t like the idea that Ion and June, were on a planet full of demons, who frequented slave auctions.
“This is their first time on Distraho. So, I couldn’t say. The report says they are Cadi. They brought chattel for one of the auctions,” Hoda commented.
It may be their first time here, but they’re just as despicable as the rest of this lot.
Riley’s temper started to rise to a dangerous level, as she thought about what might be happening to her friends. She quickly had to push down her anger, before she did something foolish to ruin her arrangement. She felt like Jekyll and Hyde with the way her emotions vacillated.
Damn implant.
They reached the foot of the stage, and Riley was about to head up the steps when Hoda stopped her. Riley looked at the hand on her arm, resisting the urge to tug free.
“The Overseer is intrigued with you,” Hoda said. “So much so, he delayed my reprimand, for allowing harm to come to your companion. Now go see if you can make enough credits for him to forget it entirely.”
Uh, okay. Riley nodded. She wasn’t sure, but it sounded like Hoda was thanking her, in some backhanded way. You’re welcome, I guess.
Riley enjoyed dancing at the clubs back home, but she’d never intentionally been the center of attention. She didn’t mind being stared at. Her hair, piercings and tattoos tended to attract attention, though that’ not why she got them. Now she just had to channel those years of garnering unintended attention, into her performance. It was imperative that she succeed. The Overseer, Cuttles, had yet to give her back her necklace. He wanted to see proof that her scheme would work first.
Riley put on her game face as she jumped onto the stage and began dancing to some old school GNR. The song seemed appropriate. She was trapped like an animal, in an alien jungle, where anything could be had for a price. She let Slash’s strident guitar fuel her fervor as she strutted in front of the patrons.
Her eyes landed on one of the red demons, leaning against the nearby bar. It was Spawn. He was smirking at her, with one brow arced, and his massive tattooed arms folded over his bare chest.
As much as Riley hated the thought of being auctioned off to the highest bidder, the despicable red demons seemed like her best bet. Perhaps she’d see Ion and June again. Maybe the Miran Sona would send a ship to the barbaric planet to rescue them. That was the only bright spot Riley could conceive of. She needed to attract Spawn’s attention. Although he watched her, he wasn’t crowded against the stage, like the other patrons. She’d have to turn up her slutty charm.
When Nine Inch Nails’ Closer started to play, Riley dropped to all fours and crawled toward the edge of the stage. Each time the lewd chorus played, Riley arched her back and ground her hips against the lit platform. She rolled onto her back, letting her hair drag the stage, as she thrust her breasts into the air. Riley kicked one leather clad heel up, then the other, certain she was giving everyone a great shot of her panties.
Tiffany would be so proud. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Riley gratefully thought of the stripper friend, she met while working at the adult bookstore. When Tiffany opened a pole dance fitness studio, Riley attended a few classes to fill the ranks, till the business took off. She was adamant the moves she learned would never see the light of day.
Jokes on you Riley. Ugh.
Focusing on Spawn, made it easier to work her illicit magic. He was a scumbag, profiting from the misery of others, but he was the sexiest man in the place. He exuded a dark savagery, making it hard to look away.
You’ve always picked some winners, but this wicked bastard takes the cake. What is it with you and bad boys? Riley berated herself, for being attracted to the man.
No matter what Riley did, Spawn leaned casually against the bar, his piercing gaze following her. She was driving everyone else wild, but he stood unaffected. It drove Riley insane instead. When the slutty song was over, he stalked off with his companions, rather than stay to watch. Riley huffed, feeling more dejected by his rebuff than she expected.
Bleachers’ I Wanna Get Better started to play and Riley’s mood turned even darker. The song always reminded her of Jay. The thought of him dead, or locked away for life, made her vision blur. Riley pushed back her tears. She wanted to stay angry with him, but never could. Before Pépère took custody of them, Jay always stood between her and their mother, during her booze fueled fits. Yet no matter what Riley tried, she couldn’t help Jay with his demons. She couldn’t even sway the very real demon in her own life - Spawn.
Riley shook her head, flailing her hair, as she screamed the words to the song. She stalked across the stage, pantomiming the soul crushing pain she felt. The crowd didn’t seem to care that she was losing her mind. They thought her fit was another performance. Riley threw her hands in the air as she stared at the ceiling.
Please give me strength, she prayed.
Riley approached Hoda, when the song finished. The fact that she was starving, wasn’t helping her sour disposition.
“I’m hungry. I can’t keep dancing on an empty stomach,” she informed the woman.
Hoda mounted the stage, and the crowd quieted.
“Tonight, we have an unusual treat up for auction. The opportunity to share a private meal with this exotic female goes to the highest bidder. Let’s start the bidding at a thousand credits,” Hoda announced.
Riley listened as Hoda called out the steadily rising numbers. When bidding finally stopped, she couldn’t tell who the winner was.
Jesus, I hope the overgrown porcupine didn’t win. Riley stared at the prickly creature eagerly standing at the edge of the platform. The spines protruding from his head and back looked unpleasant.
“Wow,” Hoda remarked as she escorted Riley offstage. “You’re going to have dinner in one of our nicer establishments.”
Hoda’s broad thin-lipped mouth gaped in a smile. The amphibian was pleased. That was good. She must have succeeded in earning a tidy little sum for the Overseer.
“I expect what was promised to me,” Riley replied.
“The longer I know you, little exotic creature, the more I find myself amused. You are rather brave. If the situation were different you’d fit in well here. I must warn you though, don’t get too full of yourself. The Overseer won’t be manipulated.”
Riley didn’t need the warning. She was already starting to wonder if Cuttles was going to honor their bargain, or just steel her idea.
“No, I’m sure he won’t,” Riley bit out. She closed her eyes as she pushed down her frustration. “Please tell my host dinner won’t go well if I don’t have my necklace before the first course. It means nothing to him, and it’s the only thing I have that reminds me of home. It’s a small price to pay, but it’s the difference between the profitable, sweet, agreeable angel I can be, or the devil herself.”
“And what do you plan to do?” Hoda looked at her sideways.
“That’s for me to know and the Overseer to find out.” Riley smiled sweetly.
“As I said, amusing,” Hoda burbled, her disturbing laugh.
Riley was led to a Mod restaurant. Everything looked lik
e it was made of sleek glass, down to the barrel chairs at the pedestal tables. The white walls glowed in contrast to the black ceiling and floor. There was a stark difference between the restaurant and where she’d been served her last meal.
Hopefully this time I can eat what’s shows up. Fuck, don’t think about that poor creature, she blanched.
The view at the back of the restaurant caught Riley’s attention. The bank of windows extended from floor to ceiling. Her mouth hung open as she looked at the craggy surface and the starry sky beyond. Distant twin suns were setting over the edge of the rock. There were no plants or animals outside the confines of the building, just inhospitable rock and vast open space. Riley assumed the auction house was on a planet, not a remote and hostile asteroid.
Even if I manage to escape, where would I go? In the back of her mind, Riley still reserved hope that she’d find a way out of her nightmare, but this hammered the coffin nail home.
“It is good to meet you in a less raucous environment,” a guttural voice spoke, snapping her attention from the view outside.
Riley turned to see the giant Osivoire standing in front of a table in a secluded alcove. The bony armored behemoth held his hand toward the table in a welcoming gesture. Hoda said this species wasn’t nearly as bad as some. Hopefully that was true, and he wouldn’t try anything crazy. Riley smiled pleasantly at him, then turned to Hoda.
“Please pass my message on to Cuttles.”
Hoda’s bulging eyes widened, hearing the nickname, but she turned and retreated to the other side of the restaurant without another word. Riley nodded to the Osivoire as she took a seat in the chair he pulled out.
At least he has manners.
That was surprising considering his appearance. The man had bony plates covering nearly every inch of his body. A knotty ridge ran along his armored forearms and up his biceps. Similar ridges extended from his temples, up and over his bald skull. That, along with his red eyes, made him an imposing figure.
Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4) Page 6