AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Made a new friend lately?”
“I, uh.” I had to think fast.
“Talk, human!” His grip dug further into my shoulder, his claw-like fingers nearly piercing my skin with pressure.
“It’s nothing!” There was only one way out. Like pulling a tool from my toolkit, I knew I had to give him something. “He’s my new boss. He asked me out on a date. It wasn't like I could say no.”
It was time for the waterworks. In the past, I’d found the ‘ugly cry’ to be the most effective against numbskulls like Griff. As expected, the goon withered back in disgust.
“I didn’t know what to do! He was so gross and handsy!” Actually, nothing could've been further from the truth. There was something almost gentle to this man, once I had him to myself. My memory called up the way with which he devoured his Mondion roast, making me wonder if I was next, if the date lasted longer.
Griff backed away, looking confused. I guessed the new information potentially meant something to him. Finally, he made a decision. “Let’s get one thing straight, fleshling.”
I gulped as he jumped hot in my direction. I knew the role I needed to play here. Meek. Afraid. Breathless, if I could get the tone right.
“You belong to the Quilthar,” he said, matching my fear with delight in his eyes. “Don’t forget it. If you need reminding, I can make that possible.” He stepped over me, digging his hands into my skull. I gulped for real as his claws scratched deeper, closer to the bone.
“Ah!” I screamed, giving extra rise to my voice. Fuck these Quilthar. I don’t fully understand just how I got tangled up with them. Desperate times left me in a bind before I realized just how deep the hole was.
However it happened, I’ve regretted it every day since. I had nothing more to motivate me than the thought of Isa somewhere enduring the same. I was her only hope. So if this fucking goon needed me to scream, then I would scream.
“He’s my boss!” I finally pleaded to make him stop. Even I had my limits. “I have to do what he says, just like with you and Conii. But think about it. If he’s spending time with me, that’s one less Vinduthi to worry about.”
Griff thought the idea over, sitting back on his heels with his lizard-like tail flicking in time with his thoughts. It was my only angle. It had to work.
“Well, don’t get any funny ideas,” he said, trying to scare me with his voice as it growled out the words.
“That Vinduthi has a contract for my life,” I reminded him, feeling that maybe I had found my advantage. “He pretty much owns me.”
“Don’t forget who created that contract.” He stiffened as he stood up again. As he reclaimed the power dynamic in the room, I felt small all over again. “Conii is the only one who really owns you. She can take you off the board any time she likes.”
As I stood in his shadow, the next thought that came to mind was what would happen next. Griff had smuggled me into the supply holding. How did he plan to get me back out? I didn’t have to worry long, though, as he came up behind me and crept his hand around my mouth and an acrid smell filled my nostrils.
I woke up to the sensation of Griff dumping me hastily in an alley, bag and all.
I laid there for a moment, feeling worthless and defeated. What the hell could I even do? With so many players vested in me, each with their own spy game in mind, how could I ever expect to make it out alive and protect Isa?
I managed to sit up and pull the bag off my face. Thankfully, Griff had left me on a mid-level alley near the Promenade. I had no choice but to avoid the onlookers as I crawled into a standing position.
Walking back to the Under, I had to weigh my options, few as they were. I had to get Isa back, and although it was risky, it looked like Ryrik was the one person I could go to. I should’ve gone home and changed into something that would clear away that freshly kidnapped look. Instead, I changed course abruptly as my feet marched straight to the one place I felt I could find help.
As I sped into Black Star, I felt wild and deranged, like I just couldn't keep the lid on it any longer. The blinking slot machines and the cries of excited gamers were drowned out as my eyes flitted around for hope. All felt lost and out of control, and just as I felt tears, real tears, welling up under my eyeliner, I felt myself crash into a body as hard as a stack of bricks.
It was him. Ryrik. He caught me from falling back on my heels and replaced my dread with relief when he said my name. “Amber? Are you okay?”
I felt myself collapse into him as soon as his arms reached securely around me. I wanted to answer but couldn't speak.
“What happened? Who hurt you?”
My mouth felt dry, but I managed finally to get the words out. “He jumped me on my way home.”
He stared at me, his eyes getting dark and protective. “Who did?”
The boom in his voice nearly frightened me as much as my interaction with Griff, but then again, I knew that, for once, this anger was on my side.
“It was one of Conii’s men. A guy I’ve worked with before. He roughed me up a little, but I’m fine, really.”
I found myself drawn to the concern in Ryrik’s red, piercing eyes. Beneath his skin, green tracery swirled like pools of light. It was the closest we’d physically been. His arms were around me, and I was breathless with his bulging muscles holding me in.
