Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(56)

Fascinating.

Cyprian gripped Riley’s shoulders and pulled away.

“We need to get going,” he groaned. “Remember to stick by my side.”

Riley nodded with a blissful sigh, as Cyprian led her out of the bedroom.

“The others left already,” Vintor said as he got off the sofa.

“It took longer to get ready than I expected,” Cyprian replied.

Both men glanced at Riley.

“Don’t look at me. I blame my tailor and personal stylist,” Riley declared as she flamboyantly flipped her hair over her shoulder.

“You should probably find a new tailor.” Vintor eyed her shortened robe.

“Hey,” Cyprian declared in mock offence, making Riley giggle. Everything about their interaction was unexpected.

The three of them left the suite, heading for the crowded esplanade. Riley appreciated that the men walked at a pace she could manage, with her shorter stride. She smiled while admiring the various shops and restaurants they passed. It looked like all manner of clothes, gadgets, and what-not could be purchased from the numerous vendors.

In one store, Riley noticed a humanoid being coated in an iridescent blue pigment. When the person turned, the color shifted to a red, then green hue. It was amazing.

That’s quite a spray tan.

At another establishment, people sat smoking out of bizarre hookahs. The yellow smoke hung heavy in the air. Riley coughed as the cloying vapor worked its way into her lungs, and made her eyes water. Cyprian and Vintor crossed the grand hall to avoid the worst of it.

“Watch this.” Vintor paused and pointed to a shop. “I noticed this place yesterday.”

Riley watched a tan man strap on a silver bracelet. Her eyes widened when the bracelet gripped his wrist, the bands burrowing into his skin. The man opened his hand, and out from his nails extended long metallic projectiles. The man aimed for a target at the rear of the store, and fired off the freaky darts.

“I’ll take it,” the shopper said to the vendor.

“Do you think he could take it off, if he didn’t like it?” Riley asked.

“I don’t know,” Cyprian replied, looking equally disturbed by the parasitic weaponized jewelry.

Eventually they arrived at a viewing gallery, much like the one she danced in. There were tables and chairs, with food and drink being served. But instead of slaves, equipment was on view. The patrons could examine the merchandise, as a Verrater employee demonstrated its features and functions.

“You are just in time. The item we’re interested in should be up for preview soon,” one of the Cadi said as they approached the table with the five men.

Cyprian sat and pulled Riley into his lap, since there were only enough chairs to accommodate the men.

“Mave, did you contact your partner?” Cyprian asked the man that greeted them.

“No. With your conquest yesterday, time got away from me. I’ll check out the weapon, then contact him, if I’m impressed.”

“I’m surprised to see the female is able to move around today,” one of the other men at the table commented as he stared at her.

Cyprian stiffened at her back.

“Since you didn’t completely wear her out, are you planning on letting any of us have a go?” the man with stringy long-hair asked.

He was the one who touched her last night. Of all the Cadi men, he creeped her out the most.

“I’ll let you know when I’m done with her, Adeoda,” Cyprian bit out.

Riley frowned at the general’s response.

Cyprian insisted he was the only one allowed to touch me. Apparently, that was a load of bullshit.

Now he was talking about passing her off to the grossest man in the group, when he got sick of her. Riley’s heart sank, as every warm thought she’d been having about Cyprian fled.

“Well why wait. I bet I can take at least three of you at once,” Riley snapped sarcastically as she attempted to get off Cyprian’s lap.

Cyprian steely arm banded around Riley, and pulled her tight against his chest.

“Do not tease these males,” he snarled low, into her ear.

“Oh, I’m not. Since you plan on loaning me to your friends, I wanted to assure everyone they won’t get left out. The more the merrier,” she hissed.

“Does she have more than one slit?” the younger man asked.

“No, fool. She’s talking about her rear and mouth,” another Cadi smacked the first in the back of the head.

“Oh. I didn’t know that was possible,” the man replied, while eyeing Riley with shock and intrigue.

“All of you shut your bone box. The female’s just riling you,” Mave barked. “I checked on our Toufik slaves. There’s already been interest from an offsite buyer.”