Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(32)

“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 tattoos 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.