“Look at their soft features and that weird skin color. So alluring and delicate.” He reaches to touch Sandra’s cheek, but Dracoth moves like a streak of red murder, clutching his wrist in an iron grip.
“Hands off,” Dracoth’s growl reverberates like thunder, his crimson gaze boring into the Clown-dathian.
“Ah... wait!” The Clown-dathian winces as he tries to pull free, but Dracoth doesn’t let go until he wants to. The alien stumbles back, crashing into the wall when Dracoth finally releases him.
“I merely admire your females, great warrior.” He straightens slowly, dusting himself off before rising with placating hands, wearing a smile that doesn’t touch his wide, shifting eyes. “I’ve never seen their like before. Truly stunning... Where do they hail from?”
“Earth,” I answer, a grin spreading across my face.Finally, some appreciation! My stomach flutters with a mix of excitement and pride.
“Earth?” he echoes, a frown creasing his weathered features. “I’ve heard talk of this place. There are many warriors keen to travel there.” His eyes travel up and down Sandra with a smirk. “Now I understand why... How much do you want for them?” He turns to Dracoth.
The rude prick!My eyes narrow, and I jab a finger toward him. “We’re not for sale, youfuckingsex trafficker!” I snap.
“Fuckingsex trafficker!” Demon Egg-Head repeats, cackling uselessly behind Dracoth.
The Clown-dathian’s grin falters as he glances between us, confusion clouding his face. “But... with the chains?”
“What? Did you think he was taking us to the market, or maybe the zoo?” I glare at him, my lips squeezed tight.
“Zoo?” he scoffs, waving a dismissive hand at me, confirming he is, in fact, a rude prick. Then he leans in closer to Dracoth, lowering his voice. “I know slavery’s been outlawed, so you’re playing a coy game. Smart. But we’re all friends here.” He nods between Demon Egg-Head and Dracoth. “Twenty thousand credits... each!” He holds up two fingers.
My breath catches in my throat, not helped by Dracoth standing like a giant bore, giving no hint of his thoughts.
Oh, crap, he’s not considering it? Is he?Is twenty thousand credits a lot? It better be! I mean, look at us—if Sandra and I actually had proper clothes and a nice glow-up, they couldn’t afford us with all the credits in the universe.
“They’re not for sale,merchant,” Dracoth spits the last word like it’s a jelly stick, his eyes never leaving the Clown-dathian as he beckons for us to keep moving. “They belong to me.”
“Yeah, you prick! Wait...” I blurt, my cheeks flushing hot with embarrassment, wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
The gray-green-haired Clown-dathian gives a curt nod as we resume our pace.
“Forty thousand credits... a tempting amount,” Demon Egg-Head sighs. “It’s a pity that black crag you call a heart doesn’t beat for your bonded female yet, young Dracoth.” He glances over his shoulder at me, his black lips curling into a smirk, and I brace for the inevitable insult. “If we got her weight in credit chits... well, we’d be set for years!” He titters like he’s actually funny.
My chest and jaw tighten, shaking to unleash a torrent of abuse at him.
No!That’s what he wants, I remind myself. Instead, I pointedly avert my gaze, refusing to give the annoying creep the satisfaction of my attention.
“Oh? Nothing to say?” Demon Egg-Head presses, leaning closer. “No stream of fascinating insults? No threats? Noquivering rage?” He sighs dramatically, his tone thick with mockery. “How dull. I fear she’s taking after you,boy.”
“Good. I won’t have to endure your prattling,” Dracoth grumbles, and I almost smirk—my brilliant plan working flawlessly.
“Prattle you call it?” Demon Egg-Head scoffs, “Boy, you’d be lost without my guidance, rushing off to your death at every opportunity. Would that you heeded my warnings regarding Zyraxis and his foolish attack on Krogoth. Now you carry an all-consuming shame that threatens—”
“Silence!” Dracoth roars, stifling my back with his sudden intensity. “What use is dredging up the past, you old fool?” He stops to face Demon Egg-Head, his eyes glowing red. “Nothing! Only the future matters—my future when I crush the throat of the traitor Krogoth.”
He resumes his long strides, forcing Sandra and me to jog to keep up. A smile crosses my face, relishing the sight of Demon Egg-Head getting put in his place.
“Oopsie. Maybe you do talk too much,” I laugh as I pass him, unable to resist the satisfaction of getting revenge.
“Lexie...” Sandra whispers with a faint shake of her head.
“What?” I shoot back, my expression shifting to disbelief. “He’s always on my case. Screw him!”
I’m no one’s victim!
Chapter 25
Alexandra
