Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(23)

“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 like 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.

Riley was willing to give the Osivoire the benefit of the doubt, till she recalled people who knew the serial killer Ted Bundy, also called him a gentleman. The human tank in front of her bought the chance to have dinner with her. He undoubtedly wanted to see whether bidding for her was a good investment. In Riley’s book, that automatically meant he was no gentleman. Regardless, Riley was going to be sweet as pie, until she was given further reason not to.

“I am called Aculus. What is your name, tiny female?”

“Riley.”

“Riley,” his voice rolled the R, making it sound like a growl. “It’s a pleasure. What will you have?”

“I’m not familiar with the menu, or what I might be able to eat.”

“Permit me to order. I’ve been given a list of things that disagree with you.”

“By all means then,” Riley replied with a pleasant smile.

Aculus placed his order with a Verrater waitress. The woman was wearing a two-toned shiny mini dress that matched the décor. It was still bizarre seeing the evolved rodents. Riley turned back to Aculus when she felt his eyes boring into her.

“I’m guessing you’ve never seen a Verrater before you arrived at Distraho.”

“I’ve never seen an Osivoire, or most of the people here.”

“Where in the universe did you come from, unusual little Riley?”

Aculus panned her hair and tattoos. His expression was more curious than avaricious, so Riley didn’t tense up under his scrutiny.

“I couldn’t say, but I’m not from around here.”

Riley didn’t know the name of the galaxy where the human colony was located, and she wouldn’t tell him if she did. She doubted the Milky Way would mean much to Aculus either.

“Indeed, yet you don’t seem terribly disturbed by your circumstances,” Aculus replied.

“This isn’t my first abduction. Would you like to see tears? I can summon some if you’d like,” she said sarcastically.

Riley was afraid. She was sad for Exo. She was worried about June and Ion, and the colony. She was sick about what her brother might be up to. All of it was gnawing at her, and yet none of it changed a damn thing.

“No. I appreciate that your eyes aren’t watering. I also appreciate that you aren’t trembling in fear. It is a rare sight. Usually the Topus implant chattel with a mood moderator, to make them more pliant. Based on the way you fought your last handler, I would say they didn’t give you the same implant.”