A flash of color captured Cyprian’s attention. He turned and growled when he saw the garish Overseer approaching their table. He was in no mood to deal with the over bloated bastard.
“Good day, Cadi Warriors,” the tentacled male greeted them. “See anything onstage that you want a better look at?”
Cyprian repressed a growl when the unctuous male took the seat next to him.
“These are rather pathetic, even for a slave,” the Overseer commented as one tentacle brushed Riley’s robe. “We have many shop with clothing for females.”
Cyprian’s lip curled in distaste, and he shifted Riley away from the creature. He didn’t appreciate the Overseer’s critical comment, or that he dared to touch Riley.
“There are some rather impressive armaments up for auction,” Mave commented. “I have my eye on the small drones.”
“Ah, yes.”
The Overseer was cut off by a deafening eruption coming from behind the stage. A blinding light and shockwave followed, making Cyprian’s ears pop. A second eruption rocked the gallery, as screams filled the air. People started fleeing in mass. It was pandemonium.
“Get down,” Cyprian roared, and pushed Riley to the floor.
“Guards. Order,” the Overseer yelled, but couldn’t be heard above the din.
“Mave, the tables.”
Cyprian and the smugglers flipped several tables over, to hold off the fleeing crowd that threatened to crush them. A hail of disrupter fire rang out, as they ducked behind the makeshift barrier. Cyprian peered over the tables, attempting to get a look at the situation.
“I can’t see what’s going on. Is it a malfunction, terrorism?” Cyprian yelled.
“I’m looking into it,” the Overseer replied, while several tentacles frantically ran over a large handheld.
“We need to know, now,” Cyprian barked.
I can’t plan an exit strategy without information, he growled under his breath.
Cyprian turned to pull Riley in closer to the table, then froze.
“Riley,” he looked around frantically.
Cyprian stood, ignoring the danger, and scanned the fleeing mob, to see if Riley got swept up somehow.
“She was just here,” he snarled in rage, when he couldn’t pick her out in the crowd.
Someone had Riley. Otherwise, her trampled body would be lying on the floor, with several unfortunate patrons.
“I’ll have my people keep an eye out for your female,” the Overseer yelled to him.
Cyprian burned with rage and fear for Riley, as he turned and looked at the doors. They were all inundated. Only the employee exits were relatively clear.
“We can make it out over there.” Cyprian pointed to the side door.
He needed to get ahead of whoever took Riley.
“I have an access band, but I,” the Overseer paused as he looked at the panicked crowd in concern.
Cyprian studied the tentacled male. He wouldn’t be able to slither fast enough on his own.
Mother of Kali, Cyprian groaned.
The last thing he wanted to do was help the Overseer.
“Hold onto my back,” Cyprian growled. “Come on,” he said to the other Cadi.
As they ran for the exit, Cyprian kept an eye out for Riley. They had to push past several patrons, while avoiding the stray disrupter fire coming from the stage. As they made it to the exit, several patrons noticed, and tried to swarm the door. Mave fired on them indiscriminately.
“Son of a metcor,” Cyprian growled. The smuggler didn’t have to use the highest setting, wracking carnage on the frightened guests. “Get that door open,” Cyprian urged the Overseer toward the door.
They entered the hall and sealed the exit.
“What’s the quickest way to the grand hall?” Cyprian insisted.
“Down the corridor. The blue door on the right,” the Overseer said. “And, thank you.”
Cyprian ran, not caring if Mave and his crew followed or not. His only focus was finding Riley. Duty and honor demanded he find her. But his instincts also drove him. Cyprian focused his rage into hunting her down.
He burst through the exit into the esplanade, and turned left automatically. It felt like the right direction. Riley’s subtle scent seemed stronger as he sprinted, while panning the crowd.
“Where are you, Little Manx?”
Chapter 9. Stolen
Riley
Riley’s scream of distress didn’t make it out of her mouth, as she was plucked from behind Cyprian. The gloved hand wrapped around her mouth, then suddenly she found herself tucked into a large coat.
What the hell?
Riley struggled but could get free. She could feel and hear the press of screaming people all around, as her abductor ran. Riley stopped struggling when she realized she’d be crushed if her assailant dropped her in the middle of the melee.