“Riley,” Spawn growled sounding incredibly pissed.
Okay, so apparently, I am making them chase me in a circle.
Riley wasn’t sure what she hoped to accomplish with this game of cat and mouse. It wasn’t well thought out.
Riley was expecting the bend in the hall and jogged around it. It wasn’t much of an obstacle, but it was enough to slow her pursuers.
“Dammit these boots weren’t made for running,” she huffed.
Once Riley reached the room at the end of the hall, she knew exactly where she was, and headed left. Riley skidded to a halt when she arrived at the room with the four entries. The metal door at the end of the corridor was open. She could see Hoda’s rotund silhouette standing in the opening.
Riley heard a scuffle behind her and glanced over her shoulder. Aculus and Spawn were grappling in the neighboring room.
“You boys want to keep playing grab ass, or do you wanna get out of here?” she hollered.
When they both looked up, Riley took off for the open door. She didn’t expect to find her freedom on the other side, but it would hopefully bring an end to this harrowing chapter.
Chapter 7. Master Mine
Cyprian de Praefectus
Cyprian elbowed Aculus in the eye. It was one of the few weak spots on the armored male. It didn’t put the warrior down, but it was enough for Cyprian to wrench free. He ran toward the hall Riley disappeared down. Cyprian had to reach Riley. He didn’t trust the auction house to honor the rules of the competition if she made it out alone.
Riley was almost to the door when Cyprian overtook her, and scooped her up in his arms. He didn’t slow his stride till he crossed the threshold. They were met by Riley’s amphibian handler, a dozen Verrater guards, and the tentacled Overseer himself.
“Very impressive. I have never seen someone evade the golo the way you did. The beasts are rather nasty unless you learn their weakness. You certainly earned your prize,” the Overseer beamed as he scuttled toward Cyprian.
Cyprian heard Aculus come to a halt behind him. He cradled Riley tight against his chest as he turned to face his opponent. Even with the guards present, he didn’t want that bony male at his back.
“Someone, please show the Osivoire to a complimentary suite, so he may clean up.”
“I am fine,” Aculus growled.
Cyprian wasn’t concerned by Aculus’ menacing glare. It was the male’s parting glance at Riley, that set his teeth on edge.
“Very well. And you, Sir, would you like upgraded accommodations? You have more than earned them,” the Overseer inquired.
“No. Thank you,” Cyprian replied.
He wasn’t interested in anymore of the Overseer’s hospitality.
“Very well. It has been a pleasure. I hope that we have the opportunity to do business with Cadi in the future.”
Cyprian wondered if the only reason the Overseer willingly turned Riley over to him, was because he was betting on future profit.
“My people have already expressed an interest in Distraho,” Cyprian replied, while attempting to smile.
He told the tentacled male what he wanted to hear. It wasn’t a total fabrication. Daimio Kagan was very interested in learning more about Distraho. Specifically, he wanted to identify all the disreputable characters that frequented the auction house, so they never set foot on Cadi.
The tentacled Overseer departed, while happily chatting with his guard about how many credits the spectacle earned him. Cyprian felt disgusted for the part he played in the fiasco.
“Place your mark here, so we can register your claim. Then we will leave you with your prize,” the amphibian handler insisted, as she passed a tablet to Cyprian.
Cyprian set Riley on her feet, took the stylo, and placed his swirling mark on the tablet. He was ready to be done with this nonsense. Before he realized what was happening, the amphibian pointed the tablet at Riley, and a beam shot out, striking her above the right breast.
“Son of a bitch,” Riley cursed as she clutched her chest.
“What did you do?” Cyprian growled as he swung Riley into his arms. “Let me see.”
Cyprian pried her hand away, and was shocked to see his name singed into her delicate skin.
“This guarantees that no one will question your claim. It is a service we provide for all the patrons of our exotic auction. Let me escort you to the main esplanade.”
“Thanks, Hoda. You’re a real peach,” Riley bit out sarcastically.
“You didn’t disappoint, Riley. I doubled my credits when you fended off the Ubi,” Hoda said, as she led them out of the maze of back halls. “Here you are. Enjoy the rest of your stay on Distraho.”
Cyprian stepped through the door, and was instantly inundated by a crowd of patrons. He clutched Riley close, while the eager guests congratulated him. Cyprian nodded, as he pushed through the throng, heading to his suite. The sooner he got Riley to his room the better. As far as the auction house was concerned, Riley’s safety was now his problem. She might bear his name on her chest, but he doubted that would stop anyone from taking off with her.