Cyprian de Praefectus
Cyprian awoke suddenly, when he heard a strange sound in his room. He pulled the blade from beneath his pillow, prepared to do battle, then relaxed when he realized it was only Riley. He wasn’t used to waking up with company.
Son of a metcor, Cyprian cursed as he recalled the night before. Guilt over what he’d done to Riley, quickly followed.
Even while training under his sire, doing things he was certain tread the honorable line, never once had he lost control. Then he met Riley, and in minutes, she stripped away the barrier he’d erected around the beast within.
“Five years,” Riley mumbled. She was talking in her sleep. “I can’t go to jail for five years,” she sobbed louder.
Cyprian’s eyes widened at what Riley had unconsciously revealed. He knew she was willful, but he never expected the little human was a criminal.
What could a female do to have her liberties removed for five years?
His eyes narrowed as he stared at Riley. Whatever she’d done had to be serious. Cyprian closed his eyes as he shook his head. Now, not only was he tied to an obstinate human, but he found one who was a criminal among her own kind.
Are you surprised?
Riley wasn’t afraid to fight, and she was prone to twisting the truth. Add that she didn’t seem to mind pain, to her contentious nature, and it was a volatile cocktail. Who knew what the wild, fearless female was capable of?
I’ll have to keep a closer eye on her.
“Exo, hurry,” Riley begged, capturing his attention.
Cyprian leaned in closer to hear her mumbled words.
“I know. I’ll keep it safe. The scaly dudes can’t know the location of New Earth,” Riley cried softly.
She’s hiding the location of the colony from the Jurou Biljana. How?
The acrid scent of Riley’s fear distracted Cyprian from his question. He looked at her to see tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Exo, don’t leave me,” Riley sobbed as she curled into a shuddering ball.
The sight of her gripped him. Whatever Riley had done on her home-world didn’t matter, not when faced with how much pain she was in. She was still delicate and vulnerable, despite her outward bravado. Cyprian couldn’t bear the sight of her this way. His arms automatically encircled Riley, pulling her small prone form against him.
“Riley,” he whispered soothingly as he stroked her trembling back.
A shuddering sigh escaped Riley, as she snuggled into him. Her small hand smoothed over his chest as she looked up at him with big sad eyes.
“They killed him,” Riley choked out. “I know you probably don’t care, but they killed my friend.”
Cyprian grimaced at the hopelessness in Riley’s voice.
“Just because I’m your master, doesn’t mean I agree with senseless murder.”
In this case, he cared deeply. Exo was dead. Ion will be devastated. This was a terrible blow.
That’s why Exo was pulled from the auction.
“Do you own a lot of slaves?” Riley asked, a frown twisting her face.
Cyprian stiffened, his hand freezing on her back. He didn’t know how to respond. Cyprian felt lower than trash with the way she looked at him, when she asked the question. The truth was, he had once owned slaves. He’d never been cruel to the Toufik, but that was no excuse.
“Never mind, I don’t want to know?” Riley let him off the hook with a shake of her head.
“How did your friend die?”
“My first handler lost his temper, when I attacked him. The Verrater hit me. Exo intervened when the furry bastard tried to hit me again. It killed him.”
Cyprian saw red. The thought of someone laying hands on Riley instantly twisted him into a rage.
“Where were you hit, and where is the male that did it?” he vehemently demanded.
“It doesn’t matter.” Riley’s hand subconsciously drifted to her cheek. “I’m fine, but Exo’s not.” The tears welled up in her eyes again. Her lips then pressed together into a thin frown. “If I had just controlled my temper,” she bit out.
She blames herself. Cyprian despised the Verrater even more. Riley didn’t deserve to shoulder this burden. He wanted to take the Verrater apart, slowly. Cyprian grabbed Riley’s shoulders and turned her toward him.
“Where is the male?” he snarled.
Riley’s eyes widened in fear as she stared at Cyprian. He froze seeing her terrified expression. Cyprian realized he was the cause, and instantly loosened his grip.
“He’s dead. Hoda licked him with her poisonous, slimy tongue.”
Cyprian was glad the male was dead, he just wished he’d been the one to do it.
Riley pulled away from Cyprian, her eyes suddenly flashing in anger.