“You need to step back,” the handler insisted.
“And you need to loosen your grip on the female,” he rumbled.
The amphibian reached for her weapon.
“I’m fine. Thank you,” Riley said with a wane smile.
The pair went about their way leaving Cyprian standing in the middle of the esplanade. He watched them head toward the viewing gallery, then glanced the opposite direction, where Adeoda had gone.
“Son of a metcor,” Cyprian growled as he followed Riley, instead of going after Adeoda.
Cyprian knew he had a duty to uphold, but couldn’t bear to let Riley out of his sight, not after witnessing her change in demeanor. The auction was in a few hours. He would purchase Riley, then get back to the rest of his mission.
Don’t worry little Manx, you’ll be safe soon.
As Cyprian stalked behind Riley and her handler, he noticed someone else was on a similar course. It was the large bony male with red eyes. The male’s armored head tilted in silent question when he saw the general. Cyprian’s brow rose. The bony male scowled, then continued toward the viewing gallery.
So, this is my competition, Cyprian thought. Keep dreaming, he silently challenged.
Cyprian payed the admission to get into the gallery, then worked his way to the edge of the stage occupied by Riley. The bony male took up a similar spot on the opposite side.
Cyprian’s handheld pinged.
“Vintor,” Cyprian answered.
“Still no luck finding the Miran Sona vessel,” Vintor growled in frustration. “This damn place has too many concourses.”
“I put a hold on going after Adeoda. I’m at the viewing gallery.”
“It’s a little early for the auction.”
“Yes, I know. I saw Riley. Something is wrong.”
“I think I may know what’s wrong. I looked at the catalog again and Exo is no longer listed.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know. His profile’s no longer there,” Vintor replied.
“This isn’t good.”
“When you buy Riley, we can find out if she knows what happened to him.”
Something occurred to Cyprian that he hadn’t thought of before. Once he rescued Riley, he’d still be posing as a smuggler. With all that was at risk, he wouldn’t be able to tell Riley his true mission. It was difficult enough for he and Vintor to maintain the charade.
“I don’t know if that will be possible,” Cyprian replied. “We can’t risk the mission falling apart till we get the information we need.”
“She’s going to be terrified thinking she’s a slave to some giant scarred warrior.” Vintor frowned into the handheld.
“I don’t like it any more than you do. But I doubt Riley is practiced at subterfuge. All it would take is one slip. I don’t know if she can bear the added burden on top of what she’s already suffered. Riley looks like she’s hanging on by a thread as it is.”
“I understand,” Vintor sighed. “Did you learn anything else?”
“Not really, but I have a strong suspicion the traitor is another regent.”
“Do you want me to handle Adeoda?” Vintor asked.
“Possibly. He’s wandering the main esplanade.”
“Alright,” Vintor said then cut off the transmission.
Riley danced with less verve than she had before. She was obviously sad. Cyprian wished he could do something to reassure her. As he was debating what he could do, a shadow fell across his shoulder.
“I thought I’d find you here.”
Cyprian turned to see Mave. He nodded to the reprobate, while attempting not to scowl.
“Checking out the goods one last time before you seal the deal?” Mave stared at Riley with a twisted grin.
“You could say that,” Cyprian replied.
The bastard had impeccable timing. There wasn’t much Cyprian could do to cheer Riley up with Mave present. Not if he wanted to maintain his heinous façade. A thought occurred to Cyprian as he watched Riley sway to the music. The time he’d spent around the three humans on Cadi had taught him a few things.
“Your screeching music sounds like some pathetic creature’s being skinned alive,” Cyprian taunted loud enough for Riley to hear when she got close.
Riley glanced at Cyprian, her brow furrowed in confusion, then she moved on. He didn’t blame her for being puzzled. Cyprian just attempted to aid her, now he was showing his tail.
“It is strident. I’ve never heard anything like it,” Mave agreed.
It was no better or worse than any other foreign music Cyprian had heard. If anything, he worried about how the auction house obtained the human music.
Perhaps Exo only had time to delete vital data when he was attacked. That’s what Cyprian hoped. One problem at a time.
The general watched Riley as she circled the stage. He hoped antagonizing Riley would raise her ire. It wasn’t quite the affect he was going for, but a spirited Riley was better than the morose one. He didn’t seem to have trouble riling the other human females, but his first attempt hadn’t hit the mark.
“You call that dancing? It looks more like a seizure,” Cyprian barked when Riley neared.
This time she stopped and approached him.
“No one’s forcing you to stick around, asshole. Why don’t you just fuck off?” She yelled at him wearing a scowl.
Several patrons, including Mave, laughed. Cyprian couldn’t help but smile at her perturbed expression. There was fire in her eyes as she pursed her lips.
“Is that any way to talk to your future master?” Cyprian goaded her further.
“If you’re looking for a sweet submissive slave, don’t waste your money. I’ll sooner stick my boot up your ass than bow down to a dickhead,” Riley sneered.
There’s the little manx I was looking for.
“What’s a dick?” Mave asked.
“She’s referring to my shaft,” Cyprian replied.
“Or the lack thereof,” Riley replied sarcastically, her mouth twisted in a belittling smile.
Cyprian winked at Riley, then repressed a chuckle when her mouth dropped open in confusion.
The duo’s back and forth was entertaining the nearby patrons, but it had also attracted the bony male on the other side of the stage. The armored male was circling the stage, his red eyes flashing menacingly.
“Here comes a disgruntled admirer,” Mave commented.
“I noticed.”
Riley saw the bony male, and moved to intercept him. Cyprian tensed up as she got close to the foreigner.
“What do you think you’re going to do, Aculus?” Riley asked.
How does she know the male?
Cyprian frowned. He didn’t like that Riley was on a first name basis with this male, when he was a virtual stranger by comparison. A new and unpleasant emotion reared its head before Cyprian could shove it back down. He’d never given in to jealousy and wasn’t about to start.
“I’m going to show him the door,” Aculus growled.
“I’d like to see him try,” Mave stated loud enough Aculus heard.
“What’s going on?” Adeoda asked, as he arrived with the other three smugglers.
“That bony male doesn’t like our friend talking to the human.”
Cyprian’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Aculus. He wasn’t supposed to antagonize any other species, and yet this male had him bristling for a fight. In a different setting, a male coming to the aid of a female would’ve gained his respect. But in this case, it pissed him off that this strange male somehow thought it was his duty to protect Riley.
Chapter 5. Competition
Riley
Spawn appeared out of nowhere. Riley and Hoda nearly ran right into him, as they headed back to the viewing gallery.
Oh Jesus.
Riley had forgotten how huge the blood red demon was. She felt short by comparison, coming eye level with his chest. Spawn stood so close she could practically reach out and trace the swirling tatt
oos covering his torso. Riley craned her neck to look up at him. She’d also forgotten how ruggedly attractive he was. Except, at the moment, he looked pissed. His strong jaw was clenched, the muscles flexing as he grit his teeth.
“You need to step back,” Hoda demanded.
Riley wasn’t sure her insistence was wise. A subtle menacing rumble was reverberating from Spawn’s chest.
“And you need to loosen your grip on the female,” Spawn growled.
Riley’s eyes widened when she noticed his fangs. She didn’t know why that surprised her. The man was a predator in every way imaginable.
Of course, the demon has fangs. Why wouldn’t he?
Riley attempted to ignore his daunting façade, concentrating instead on the fact that he’d come to her defense. Hoda was gripping her arm rather tight.
Maybe there’s still hope that he’ll bid on me. She might still have a chance to see June and Ion again.
Riley noticed Hoda lick her lips as she reached for the unusual gun strapped to her belt. Riley was instantly worried. If Hoda let her long slimy tongue loose, it was a death sentence for the demon.
“I’m fine. Thank you,” Riley interjected, before the unexpected confrontation escalated.
She smiled nervously at Spawn, hoping he believed her, then sighed in relief when he backed up and let Hoda pass.
The strange interlude only distracted Riley for a moment, as she mounted the stage and started dancing again. Staying brave was wearing on her. And the morose love song, Just Like Heaven, wasn’t helping. Riley wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and sob. Instead she was forced to dance with a less than enthusiastic smile pasted to her face.
Riley made her rounds on the stage, ignoring most of the eager patrons. She noticed Spawn at the edge with another Cadi. Spawn pinned her with his gaze.
“Your screeching music sounds like some pathetic creature’s being skinned alive,” Spawn commented when she was close enough to hear.
Okay, Riley frowned. The Cure’s not that bad.
As she moved on, Riley tried to memorize the reminder of home. Now that she’d destroyed her thumb drive, this was the last time she’d hear her favorite songs. Each one was attached to a memory. The Cure reminded her of her first love, Adam. She smiled wistfully as she remembered the awkward way he’d taken her virginity in an abandoned parking lot, after they ditched the lame high school dance. She could almost feel the seatbelt of the rusted-out Escort, digging into her hip, as she swayed to the beat.
“You call that dancing? It looks more like a seizure.”
Spawn’s snide comment pulled Riley from her thoughts. She didn’t know what crawled up his ass and died, between here and the grand hall, but she was in no mood to be fucked with. It wasn’t enough that she was stuck in this living Hell, but now she was supposed to put up with some douchebag heckler.
“No one’s forcing you to stick around, asshole. Why don’t you just fuck off?” Riley snarled.
“Is that any way to talk to your future master?” he replied.
Of all the cocky…
“If you’re looking for a sweet submissive slave, don’t waste your money. I’ll sooner stick my boot up your ass than bow down to a dickhead,” Riley bit out.
Spawn’s full lips, with one corner quirked up, pissed Riley off and pulled her in at the same time. His compelling jet-black eyes were lit with amusement. Riley hated that she found Spawn attractive, even as he antagonized her. If he’d been closer, she would’ve wiped the arrogant smirk off his face with the heel of her boot.
“What’s a dick?” Spawn’s friend asked.
“She’s referring to my shaft.”
“Or the lack thereof.” Riley cast Spawn a saccharine sweet smile.
Instead of getting mad that she insulted his manhood, Spawn had the nerve to wink at her.
He’s intentionally baiting me. Riley shook her head.
To add to the weirdness, Aculus decided he was going to teach Spawn some manners. Riley watched him circle the stage toward Spawn and his posturing friends. If the men started a brawl, she wasn’t certain who would come out on top. Based on the scars Spawn sported, he was no stranger to conflict. And Riley doubted Aculus came from a peace-loving people. Not with his bony built-in-armor.
What the hell is going on? I’m surrounded by cavemen!
Riley couldn’t believe the dick swinging contest she was witnessing. It was all such bullshit.
“Don’t fool yourselves. None of you are gentlemen. Look around. Where the fuck do you think we are?” Riley snarled at the men. “Sit down and shut-up, before I have Hoda kick both of you out.”
I’m so ready for this damn auction to be over with.
Riley danced, ignoring the idiotic men. She was still aggravated when the music suddenly stopped and Hoda mounted the stage.
“Is it time for dinner already?” Riley asked.
“No, it’s time.”
“Oh.” It’s time.
“Welcome honored guests of Distraho,” Cuttles’ voice echoed through the vaulted room, capturing everyone’s attention. “I know many of you have eagerly awaited the auction of the exotic human. However, due to the interest she has drawn, there has been a change of plans, that we think you will find entertaining.”
“What change of plans?” Riley asked with mounting concern, but Hoda didn’t reply.
“Tonight, instead of bidding on the female you will bid on one of several spots. The winners of those spots will have the honor of hunting the female in our coliseum,” Cuttles continued.
Hunt?
“What the fuck?” Riley bellowed.
Hoda gripped Riley tighter, to keep her from going after the greedy, son of a bitch Overseer. Riley’s eyes widened as she glanced up at the projected map of the arena, hovering overhead.
“I must warn you this is a death match. Of the competitors that enter the first round, less than half will earn the right to proceed to the next level,” Cuttles explained, as snippets of past competitions flashed in front of the crowd.
Riley stood in shock as she watched the gruesome outtakes. This was the kind of thing you saw in movies, not real life. But the roar in the gallery, and the avaricious expressions worn by the aliens pushing toward the stage, hammered home that this was very real.
“To become her new owner, the successful competitor must not only find the exotic female in the lower tunnels, but must also claim her as you see fit, before your competition arrives.”
“What does he mean by claim?” Riley demanded of Hoda.
“They must mount you, or kill you.”
Riley’s mouth hung open as she attempted to process the bomb Hoda dropped.
“What’s the point of owning my dead body?” Riley screamed when she found her voice.
“You will make an impressive trophy,” Hoda replied with a grimace.
Riley nearly passed out as a flood of fear and anger swamped her. She wanted to curse and rant, but nothing came out of her stunned mouth.
“For those of you who aren’t interested in bidding on this opportunity, you can witness the sport live. Hurry, the coliseum will fill fast. Let’s start the bidding.”
Riley was numb as Cuttles auctioned off the spots. It was over far too soon and Hoda led her out of the gallery. Her legs felt like lead as she was escorted through the back halls toward her fate. Riley feared becoming someone’s slave, but this was unimaginable.
“There’s a wager among the guards,” Hoda said. “I’m betting that you’ll live. I think you have it in you.”
Riley nodded, though she was barely listening. They took an elevator down several levels then stopped in front of an ominous metal door.
“Take off your coverings.”
Hoda shook Riley to get her to turn her wild eyes away from the door.
“What?”
“Either you take them off, or I’ll be forced to do it for you.”
Riley was certain she misheard. She looked to the trio of whiskered thugs behind
Hoda, desperate for a way out. Every time she thought she’d already hit bottom, the floor dropped out beneath her.
“Do you believe in an afterlife, where people get what they deserve?” Riley asked. “I do. We call it Hell. It’s a place where you get to relive every awful thing you’ve subjected others to. Think on that.”
“I’m following orders,” Hoda replied as if that was an acceptable excuse.
“Said the Nazis.”
Riley didn’t have any options with the guards on one side, and the door to her own version of Hell on the other. She peeled off her dress with shaking fingers, then looked down at herself. Her lacy purple bra hid absolutely nothing, and her panties hid even less.
Why the fuck wasn’t I wearing granny panties when I was abducted?
“Please tell me I can keep these,” Riley gritted between clenched teeth.
“Yes. You can also keep the boots.”
Well aren’t you kind.
“Listen to me.” Hoda shook Riley again. “There should be a few weapons from the last competition. I suggest you find one.”
With that final advice, Hoda opened the door. Riley looked into the dimly lit corridor. It was a good thing Hoda held her arm, because Riley’s heart was beating so fast she felt faint.
So, this is it. Riley refused to beg or plead. There was no reason to even try. She knew it wouldn’t work. If today’s my day to die, I’ll be damned if I’m going to face it crying like a bitch.
Riley squared her shoulders and stepped over the threshold. She tried to not jump when the door clattered shut, locking her in the poorly lit nightmare. Riley stood stock still and just listened for things that might be lurking ahead, but heard nothing.
She peered down the stone hall when her eyes finally adjusted to the dim light. The passage was carved into the depths of the asteroid. Riley ran her hand along the cold rock wall. There were no crevices to squeeze into, just smooth, dull, gray stone.
Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4) Page 9