She winced internally, but the two in question had decided that if they could just show her how much fun she’d have, she’d warm to the idea. “Sir, if I had let them do what they wanted to do, I’d be no good to you as a bodyguard. The last thing you need is a bunch of guards drooling over who gets to screw me next.”
The screw comment had him tilting his head. It wasn’t lingo often used in this realm. Like much of her colorful language, it was a holdover from her mentors’ work with other species. Finally, he nodded. “Point taken. Next time, just try to keep them out of the infirmary.” His desk sported the usual squirming bowl of tatties.
Aria grimaced as he grabbed three eight-inch worms and crunched them between his teeth. “Yes sir.”
He eyed her as he chewed and swallowed. “You look ravishing. The crystal dust discount I’m providing you must be adequate.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed. “It is.” Crystal dust permeated every cell of her body; it was as essential to her as breathing. Why was he reminding her about the discount? Even with it, she’d never get to peak levels, and the furry dirtbag had to know it. Only the wealthiest underworld Dragons, and the Empire’s pampered subjects, managed that.
His beady little eyes blinked once. “A perk of this employment, I would think.”
If she lost this job, she’d be in trouble, and Udo knew it. What was he up to? But all she said was, “Yes, sir.”
“Excellent.” The nonexistent chin jutted. “I would like to tap into your special assets tonight. My sources indicate this new client is secretive.”
The “special assets” comment only increased her unease. “Did he vet?” They hadn’t had much time to do so, but Udo’s intel network was extensive and efficient.
“As well as he can be. He is Torshin, a species that is almost extinct now. They use crystals to focus their power.”
Her stomach twisted into a knot. “What is he requesting?”
“He wants to determine the quality of our product. If he is satisfied, he promises to be a steady, as well as profitable, customer.” Udo’s beady little eyes were the truest indication of the cold, ruthless mind hidden within, and now they bored into her. “My status as a supplier is vital to this equation. And you can help me with that.”
She stiffened, but managed a respectful nod. “Do you want a show of force?” Nothing said that like a Dragon looming over the proceedings.
Udo shook his head. “Considering that your people wiped his out a thousand years ago, he isn’t likely to appreciate you in Dragon form.” He stroked his furred chin as he perused her. “I want you to pose as my concubine. Seeing a powerful Dragon subdued will send the appropriate message.”
She stared at him. Her first reaction was,No sharding way.But she already had a reputation for being difficult, and Udo’s reach was extensive—if she told him to go suck an egg, her days of working as a bodyguard would likely be over.
Those that couldn’t find work ended up as bottom feeders. And for a Dragon, that meant no access to crystal. She’d seen what happened to those individuals. It wasn’t pretty.
Her mentors’ voices echoed through her head, telling her to swallow her temper. “So you want me to be there? Unarmed?”
“Yes. You will be acting as a slave.” His gaze slid over her neck-to-toes scale covering. “And I will need you to dress for the part.”
A quiver ran through her. She should tell him to shove it. There were other jobs, in other realms.
But Mervok would tell her that a mercenary who didn’t follow orders was destined to starve, and this was a blow to her pride more than anything else. Aria squelched her uneasiness. She could do this.
“I want my tail spike in reach, just in case.”
“Of course,” Udo almost purred.
Aria sighed. She’d be sending drooling guards to the infirmary for months afterward. She regarded Udo through narrowed eyes. “You’ll have sufficient assets in place? This could be dangerous.”
“Believe me, my safety is paramount.” He bent to open a drawer in his desk, emerging with a bright-silver band with intricate carvings on its surface. It curved, as though designed to fasten around something.
To fasten around aneck. It was a collar commonly worn by slaves.
Her gut twisted as she eyed it. “No effing way I’m wearing that. I won’t be able to shift.”
“It is removable in an instant—I need you to take on your Dragon form if necessary.” Udo clicked it shut and showed her the button on the back. When pressed, it popped open immediately. He handed it to her.
Her fingers caressed the smooth metal—eerily, it warmed beneath them. She pushed it closed and opened it again. The mechanism operated smoothly.
She hid her uneasiness by meeting Udo’s gaze with a glower. He stared back, unperturbed. “The meeting is scheduled for midnight,” he said. “But you’ll need to be ready and down here an hour beforehand.”
Aria nodded before turning and heading for the stairs. No way she was going to put this collar on and tweak her scales in front of these idiots. She’d do it in the privacy of her quarters, before she braved the ogling glances of guards destined to bleed.
