Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(57)

“So, you’re not just here to buy me and weapons, but you’re selling people too. You’re a real class act, General,” Riley snarled.

“I don’t want to hear another word from you,” Cyprian rumbled menacingly in her ear as he clamped a hand over her mouth.

Riley huffed angrily through her nose. She was about to bite Cyprian’s hand, till she recalled he liked it when she did that. She pinched her arm instead, letting the sting of her nails distract her from her anger.

There went minding my smart mouth.

“She’s a handful. You really should’ve seen how she seduced the Ubi. She pretended to like him. Acted like he was her savior, to put him at ease, and draw him close. Then she severed his organ,” Mave chuckled in amusement, then turned serious. “Remember that my friend, and count the blades in your holster.”

“From the looks of it, the general’s got her in hand,” Adeoda taunted while staring at Riley.

Riley glared back, but he just smiled wider. Cyprian didn’t comment. Instead he released her mouth. Riley kept her mouth shut, so she didn’t dig her hole deeper.

“Great, food’s here?” Vintor said, changing the subject.

Her stomach grumbled as she stared at Cyprian’s plate. It was piled high with hunks of meat and vegetables, all drizzled with a creamy orange sauce. It smelled spicy and rich. Riley didn’t realize how hungry she was.

Well, the last time you ate was lunch, yesterday, her mouth salivated.

Riley was startled when Cyprian speared a morsel and brought it to her lips. With the way he’d been acting, she was surprised he bothered.

“There it is.” Mave pointed.

Riley looked toward the stage, where a new weapon was on display.

“Here we have an exciting offering from the ever creative Wyna. The spaera recognizes as many operators as you program into it. You can input any number of targets using facial recognition, scent, sound, or whichever you choose. Today the yellow target on stage is our offender,” the Verrater stated for the patrons.

The employee pressed his hand against some type of controller sending the dozen tiny drones into the air. He made the little orbs whip back and forth, demonstrating their agility. Riley’s eyes widened when they shimmered, then turned into a flock of alien birds. The Verrater flew the drones into the lights overhead, and adjusted their appearance again to mimic their surroundings.

“The controller has a thousand-hectare range, and the individual spheres are accurate from five hundred yards, with a clear line of sight.”

Suddenly, a dozen bursts of light erupted from the camouflaged orbs, sending laser blasts toward the target, obliterating it in an instant.

Jesus, Riley jumped in surprise.

“Even if the controller is destroyed, the spaera will continue on the last programmed assignment. The spaera can be called back at any point by speaking the ancient Wyna word for stop, cosc a chur, into the console.”

Riley snickered at the odd phrase.

“Wow. It’s a small army all by itself,” Nomino stated in awe.

“They are rather impressive. I think my friend is going to be very interested in this. I suppose I better hail him after first meal,” Mave commented.

Great. Riley shuddered at the thought of these men having such a vile weapon. I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore. They’re demonic warlords.

Riley shook her head. There wasn’t much she could do, so she concentrated on her food, ignoring the piss poor company.

Let them kill each other. What do I care.



Cyprian de Praefectus

Riley contentedly eating, made Cyprian smile. She was angry with him again, so he was glad she wasn’t refusing food. The only thing keeping him from enjoying the meal, was the disturbing weapon, and the knowledge Mave would soon be contacting his mysterious friend. He hoped Tytus was successful in intercepting it.

Cyprian glanced at Vintor between bites. With a single pointed look, Vintor communicated he would go ahead with the plan they discussed. Given what they just witnessed it couldn’t be averted.

“Hey Adeoda,” Vintor said, when he finished eating. “I saw a vendor who was selling this unusual vambrace, that shoots arrows.”

“I was thinking about getting something to add to my collection,” Adeoda replied as he stood. “Show me.”

Cyprian silently wished his partner luck, as Vintor and Adeoda headed out of the gallery. He should’ve been the one to question Adeoda, but with Riley by his side it was a little difficult. A part of Cyprian questioned that excuse. Was he avoiding resurrecting the past because of his conviction that it was wrong, or because he feared becoming like his sire?

A question for another time, he groaned.