Warrior's Pain (Cadi Warriors Book 4)(95)

“Daimio’s mate is human,” Cyprian explained to Aculus. “Kagan, don’t pull my tail about those rowdy females. Their heroics are enough to send me to an early rest.”

“True,” Kagan agreed with a knowing smirk.

“So, Riley was dancing on a stage?” Tytus inquired. “Is this customary at this sale?”

“When Riley was first paraded in front of the patrons, she reacted badly to being shown nude on the display screen. She fought her handler and was hauled out. That was when Exo tried to protect her and was killed,” Cyprian began.

“Riley told me she wanted to tell her friend, Ion, how her mate died,” Aculus commented with a nod, confirming Cyprian’s story.

“From what I understand,” Cyprian continued. “Riley convinced the auction house overseer that she could drive up her own price by dancing. In exchange, she wanted her necklace back, and she would tell the Jurou Biljana, Exo’s death was natural.”

“Is that the memory chip you mentioned?” Tytus asked.

“Yes. Exo hid his star chart amongst Riley’s music on the memory chip, then deleted the ship’s database.”

“As Ion expected. I sympathize with why Exo hid the chart. The Miran Sona vessel was attacked far enough from Cadi, that without the coordinates for the colony, they would’ve been adrift, if they survived the Jurou Biljana attack,” Tytus shook his head at the dilemma Exo and Riley faced.

“I’ll say it again, the Osivoire matrons would adore that female. I remember how proud Riley looked when she got the data back. I was shocked when the Overseer sent her a gift while we were having dinner. It was unprecedented,” Aculus said proudly with a bit of awe.

“What dinner?” Cyprian demanded.

“I bid on the right to have a meal with Riley. That was another idea of hers.”

Cyprian gritted his teeth. He didn’t know Riley sat down and had a private meal with Aculus.

“That was very shrewd of her,” Kagan replied.

“At some point, she destroyed the chip in her pendant, then learned the Overseer had located the file, and was decrypting it,” Cyprian explained. “She also learned Aculus’ people were planning to destroy the asteroid.”

“My mission to Distraho was to destroy a particularly vile weapon. It could destroy a continent on your planet with no problem. I successfully destroyed the weapon, but like Riley, I learned the Overseer recorded the data from the control chip. It contained the locations of our allies and enemies,” Aculus grumbled.

“So, your people were willing to take out the entire asteroid to protect this information,” Kagan summarized.

“Yes. It couldn’t reach the wrong hands.”

“Riley bargained with Aculus to let her destroy Distraho’s data center,” Cyprian growled, still not happy that his female had been put in that horrible position.

“She coerced me into agreeing,” Aculus smirked. “But Riley did successfully blow up the data center.”

“That’s a relief, but wow,” Tytus exclaimed.

“I received a report from Vintor and Ashtoret. They were able to claim the Toufik and the smugglers, as well as the Miran Sona ship. From what I understand the Overseer was happy to be rid of them, as he sorts through all the damage to his establishment. Vintor asked me to relay that the Overseer is clueless to who caused the explosions.”

Cyprian was relieved hearing the news.

“Good. I’m not worried about retaliation, but it’s still easier if the Overseer remains ignorant,” Aculus said, also sounding pleased.

“The warriors still aren’t having any luck getting Mave to admit who the traitor is,” Kagan growled.

“Vintor couldn’t get Adeoda to talk either. The male took his own life when he was cornered,” Cyprian reported in frustration.

“He told me.” Kagan shook his head in frustration.

“I wasn’t able to decrypt who sent the last message to Mave. This traitor must be using a technology I’m not familiar with, yet.” Tytus took it personally that he couldn’t tease out the data.

“I’m betting the traitor has a specially encrypted communicator that he got from the Jurou Biljana. That would explain how Mave learned about our mission,” Cyprian attempted to mollify his friend.

“Anything you can imagine is up for auction at Distraho. A simple communicator wouldn’t be a problem,” Aculus added.

Cyprian noted Tytus’ frustrated smirk. The male was doing his best to drag Cadi up to speed with its technology, but he had limited resources.

“Only the council of regents knew your and Vintor’s identity. Based on how Mave attempted to bribe you, then learned your identity, the traitor must be a member of the council. Frustratingly, that’s all we have to go on,” Kagan snarled.