“Oh, my goodness. Come on. You need to be more persistent if he hasn’t figured it out. I have a friend who’s into computers. If your friend is anything like her, you’ll have to hit him over the head before he gets a clue.”
“Zi is rather focused on his work. Okay, let’s go, but don’t say anything.”
Riley zipped her lips with a nod, as they entered the elevator.
Thank you, Jesus.
The ride down felt like it took forever. When they exited the cubicle, Riley stared at the giant cylinders with the fluorescent blue lights radiating from their cores. As Hoda and Nequam approached the windowed room filled with computers, Riley lagged behind, veering closer to the nearest power generator. While their backs were turned, Riley pulled out the second explosive. She casually ran her hand over the generator, while looking for a place to tuck the explosive.
“Zi’s not working today. Let’s go.”
Riley jumped when she heard Hoda’s voice, and pulled her hand away from the generator. Her heart thudded in her chest.
Fuck me! Riley didn’t have a chance to plant the device yet. I need to stall.
“What are these big things?” Riley asked, attempting to sound curious instead of guilty.
“They power Distraho,” Nequam replied.
“Oh, like giant batteries. We don’t have anything like this on my home-world.”
Riley circled to the front of the generator, ahead of her two companions.
Just put the damn disk somewhere before they come around the corner.
Riley noticed a giant cable snaking from the generator, leading to the next unit. She bent down and swiftly tucked the explosive medallion behind the conduit.
“I can’t believe you convinced me to come down here,” Hoda said indignantly.
Riley froze.
Oh, shit. Did she see me?
Riley pretended to fiddle with the buckle on her boot.
“I have no idea what I would’ve said to Zi if he was here,” Hoda added.
Riley relaxed, and straightened up. She wiped a hand across her forehead, hoping no one noticed the sheen of sweat on her brow.
“You would’ve asked him to dinner with the excuse I was coming along to meet new people. But of course, I’d have to work,” Riley replied, with a forced smile.
Hoda clearly didn’t have much experience trying to get a date. Maybe if she spent less time roughing up slaves, she’d have better social skills.
“I’ll remember that when we see him next.” Hoda gave Riley a toothless grin. “Let’s go out this way, and head to the main vestibule. I know of a shop near this concourse that might have clothes that suit you.”
Riley nodded and followed Hoda out, with Nequam bringing up the rear.
Cyprian de Praefectus
Cyprian snarled in rage, as he flung himself at the flickering barrier, imprisoning him in the dank cell. The contact instantly sent an electric shock coursing through Cyprian, making every muscle in his body seize and cramp. He dropped to his knees on the hard-stone floor, when the jolt shorted his nervous system. As bad as the pain was, it wasn’t nearly as crippling as the knowledge that Riley was at Mave’s mercy.
“You keep doing that, and you’re going to singe your tail off,” Vintor grumbled.
Cyprian glanced at his friend. He was glad to see the warrior was finally coming around. That was at least one positive in this giant fuck-up.
“They have my bonded,” Cyprian bit out in between the involuntary muscle spasms.
“Sorry.”
Vintor grimaced. His split lip started bleeding again, when he spoke. Cyprian was surprised his friend could see and speak at all, with how swollen his face was. It looked like the smugglers beat him long after he was unconscious.
“Where are we?” Vintor asked.
“Slave’s quarters of the auction house. We’re to be sold.”
“Son of a metcor,” Vintor coughed, then held his side and closed his eyes in pain. “I guess Ashtoret has a few more slaves to buy,” he joked.
Cyprian grunted. The situation wasn’t amusing in the least, but Cyprian understood what was behind his friend’s attempt at levity. Cyprian had been losing his mind from the moment he awoke from the drugged haze. He needed to get his act together, and figure a way out of this cell, instead of beating his head against the wall. Riley needed him. Cyprian closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to calm the raging beast within.
Get yourself under control.
It wasn’t his own captivity that was testing his limits. Cyprian had been captured by the enemy before. He wasn’t only trained as an interrogator, but had also been taught how to maintain his wits under duress. However, there was no way his sire could prepare Cyprian for a situation like this. No amount of training prepared a male for the blinding rage and devastation that struck when your female was in danger. He pictured a dozen different horrific scenarios that threatened his tenuous control.