They ran for a bit, then slowed, when the sounds of panic died down.
“You are safe,” a deep voice said.
Aculus? Riley pushed against the man’s chest, and felt Aculus’ bony armor.
“What are you doing? Let me out of here,” she demanded when he released her mouth.
Riley shoved at the coat shrouding her, but Aculus gripped her tighter.
“Wait. One of those males is exiting the washroom I was about to enter.”
Riley peeked through the gap in his coat to see Vintor, Cyprian’s friend, walking away from the bathroom. She didn’t know what Aculus was up to, if she should call out to Vintor, or not. In her hesitance, the moment passed. Aculus entered the washroom and shut the door, barring them in.
“What are you doing?” she hissed at the large bony man, when he set her on her feet.
“Rescuing you from servitude.”
“What?”
Riley was suddenly very confused.
“I’m not on Distraho to buy or sell anything,” Aculus said. “There was a very dangerous weapon in that room. I couldn’t let it go up for sale.”
A lump formed in Riley’s throat as she pictured Cyprian trapped in the middle of all that carnage.
“Oh Jesus. You caused all of that? Do you know how many people you hurt?”
“It was a very bad weapon. It has the ability to decimate countless lives.”
It was surprising learning the reason Aculus was at Distraho. He wasn’t a reprobate after all.
“Well, I hope you succeeded then.”
Aculus grimaced.
“You didn’t succeed?” Riley threw her hands up in exasperation. He’d created absolute carnage, only to fail.
“I did, in part,” Aculus replied.
“What does that mean?”
“I sabotaged the physical weapon, but it’s data chip was missing. It must be destroyed too. It holds the location of the defense systems for the Osivoire, their allies, and enemies. I bet the Overseer has the chip in his office.”
“Well that sucks. You need to take me back to Cyprian. If you’re caught with me, you’ll never get that chip.”
Riley grimaced at what came out of her mouth. She couldn’t believe she was giving up an opportunity at freedom.
But if I go with Aculus, I’ll never see June, or be able to tell Ion what happened to Exo.
That’s what she told herself. Riley wasn’t willing to admit that she had to see Cyprian again. Something she refused to name or dwell on, demanded she make sure he was safe. The sanguine feeling crept into dangerous territory, particularly considering the dynamics of their relationship. Riley already hated the fact the overbearing man rocked her world. It would be foolish to acknowledge the insidious sentiment rearing its head, or give it free reign of her thoughts.
As Riley shook her head at her own stupidity, she noticed blood on the floor.
“Aculus!” She pointed to the growing stain on the stone floor.
“Wait here,” Aculus insisted as he moved toward the cubicle at the end of the washroom. “It’s one of the red males,” he growled as he peered into the stall.
Riley looked past the parted curtain, and blanched. Adeoda, the scarred, long haired, creepy Cadi was laying on the floor with a gaping hole in his chest.
“I told you to wait by the door.”
“Don’t get bossy,” Riley shook loose of the horrific sight.
“The other male must’ve done this. Is this what you want me to take you back to?” Aculus asked, his red eyes assessing her sanity.
Why would Vintor kill Adeoda? He seemed the least smarmy of Cyprian’s companions. Maybe he was leaving to get help. No, Vintor was moving slow and calm as he left the bathroom. Riley’s mind turned over this new discovery. Cyprian said he doesn’t condone senseless killing, and he trusts Vintor. So, maybe there was a reason. That bastard, Adeoda seems like the type to attack his friends.
Riley weighed the risk to herself and stuck with her assuredly foolish decision.
“Aculus, I have to go back. I have friends on Cyprian’s planet. I have to tell one of them that her mate died trying to protect me.” The words caught in Riley’s throat as she thought about Ion.
“You mean the pale skinny male who was up for auction with you?”
“Yes.”
“I saw the Jurou Biljana leading you off the pale one’s unusual vessel. I’ve been following them. I believe the reptiles were planning to buy the weapon I destroyed. I’m worried the Overseer still plans to cut a deal with Jyk for the data chip.”
“Let me go then, and go get it back. I’ll only slow you down.”
Riley tried to head for the door, but Aculus stopped her.
“Wait.” Aculus grabbed something small from his pocket. “Take this. If you change your mind, or get into trouble, depress the sensor.”