Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(18)

“Very true, human. I agree to your terms.” Cuttles’ beak gaped in an odd way.

Jesus, is that a smile? That’s awful.



Cyprian de Praefectus

Cyprian found a quiet alcove outside the boisterous viewing gallery and hailed his Daimio.

“Cyprian, I’m glad to hear from you,” Kagan instantly answered. “Let me connect with Ashtoret and Tytus.”

The image of all three Cadi warriors appeared on Cyprian’s handheld communicator.

“Alright, report,” the Daimio requested.

“We are at the auction. Ashtoret should have the coordinates of the asteroid,” Cyprian started.

“I do. I’d like to be stationed closer, but I don’t want the Jurou Biljana or smugglers to detect us,” Ashtoret replied.

“You are right. It’s best that you stay back. Let me show you what I’m up against.” Cyprian held out his handheld and panned the massive vestibule, pausing on the numerous guards. “This is nothing like what I expected, and the security is top notch. I think we’re going to have to bid on the Toufik, Miran Sona and human. I should have enough credits to acquire Riley and Exo, but not all of them.”

Cyprian brought a hefty sum, just in case it was necessary. He was now glad he had the credits. It was going to be difficult bidding on Exo, without Mave noticing, but he’d find a way.

“So, you’ve seen them?” Daimio Kagan asked.

“I’ve seen Riley and Exo in person, and the Toufik are listed in the catalog.”

“I concur with your assessment. You and Vintor can’t take on the entire establishment, and I don’t want to make an enemy of any new species. It would be best to buy everyone, then crackdown on any Cadi that think to profit from this auction in the future,” Kagan instructed. “Cyprian, I thought you’d like to know, we captured the smugglers that remained at the Bremin landing strip. Most of them know nothing. And the ones who do, aren’t talking. I wish you were here to question them.”

Cyprian remained silent when Kagan alluded to his past. His sire had been the Vidya Cadi interrogator, serving Kagan’s father. Yenor’s skills were passed down from sire to son for generations. Cyprian learned the family trade well, but it stopped with him. He chose a different path, joining the Anzac Guard instead.

This mission could be swiftly resolved if Cyprian took up the old ways. He’d considered it more than once already. Except, that was a side of himself he didn’t want to feed. Cyprian preferred hand to hand combat, where both opponents were on equal footing. You killed, or were killed. Then it was done. That was the honorable way. No mind games.

“Have you discovered who’s working as Mave’s silent partner or partners yet?” Kagan continued.

Based on the cruiser, equipment, and the number of smugglers being paid, Mave was backed by someone who had serious credits. Whoever it was also had the ability to contact the Jurou Biljana.

“No. Mave is as tight lipped as the ones you apprehended.” Cyprian shook his head. “I’m starting to wonder if the male even knows himself.”

“I suppose I can’t come to the auction and bid on our people, without blowing your cover?” Ashtoret asked.

“No,” Cyprian replied. “There is a way to communicate bids to the auction house. I’ll have Vintor forward you the information. You’ll need plenty of hard currency.”

“We have some palladium, but we’ll need more to buy all the Toufik. That’s going to take a few days to get here. When are the actual sales?” Ashtoret asked with a frown.

“Riley and Exo are being auctioned off as exotic species starting tomorrow evening. Then the Toufik should sell a few days from now, amidst more common species.”

“Have you found the Miran Sona ship?” Tytus asked.

“No, but Vintor will continue to look.”

“I will see if Ion has any more information about their vessel,” Tytus replied.

“Do that. I should probably go.”

“Alright. Try to check in tomorrow,” Kagan requested then signed off.

Cyprian headed back into the viewing gallery. He paused as he came face to face with a creature that was as tall as himself. The odd male looked like his bones were on the outside. The plates covering his arms, legs, and skull, had knotty ridges. The bony beast wore a tight suit and crisscrossing belts equipped with numerous weapons, like most of the patrons. The male’s red eyes looked Cyprian up and down, assessing if he was a threat or not.

Kagan didn’t want to turn any foreign species against Cadi. That meant Cyprian had to be cautious not to offend. One never knew, with foreign customs, what someone might read as a challenge.