Azul

AZUL

T he two Szarvas assassins lead Jenna away. My scales tighten, but I concentrate on the Helytelen, knowing I need to pretend losing my mate isn’t something I’m bothered by. I down the cocktail he gave me, using my venom to neutralize the contents. I peer at Rossz in a way which hopefully looks like the doctored drinks are having the effect he wants.

“Having fun is proving a difficult…thing.” I slur my words.

“You know I can show you a good time,” Rossz says, spreading himself over the luxurious furniture. “Good food, good drink, good company.”

“I can get all of those on Glycon,” I say dismissively, looking away from him and around the room as if searching for something more interesting. “I came to Luxus with my mate looking for…more.”

My disinterest piques him. For the first time, he leans forward. “I can provide you with more, if you wish.”

“A shooting gallery?” I huff out a haughty breath. “Might interest the bloodlust of my mate, but not me.”

Rossz smiles a predatory smile. “And what does interest a Glycon prince? Your warrior days are behind you, I presume?”

“Not all princes are warriors.” I respond in a half-embarrassed tone. “Some of us want to…forget.” Instantly, I rear up. “But you did not hear such a thing from me,” I say loudly, my eyes darting through the crowd. “Glycons are a proud species. Our warriors are the best in the galaxy.”

“Of course, of course, my prince. No one would think any different,” Rossz says soothingly and leans back once again. “But I might have something of interest for you. Something to help with any…memory issues.”

The predatory smile is back. I’ve done it. He has been reeled in like a space worm on a hook. He believes me, and if he’s done any digging into my background, he’ll have found out I left Glycon under less than ideal circumstances.

This type of mark will have done his background checks. Which is why he’s smiling at me like he is about to devour me.

I incline my head with interest. He motions over one of his guards.

“Come with me.” Rossz gets to his feet, and his Habosu guard lumbers over.

“Do we really need your protection ?” I say with obvious distaste.

Rossz gives me a quick searching glance, spots the shiny but impractical blaster on my belt, and then nods at the Habosu. “I can manage,” he says.

That’s what he thinks anyway. To me, the Habosu doesn’t pose a threat, but I don’t want anyone to be able to raise the alarm before I can get the criminal kingpin into my ship and off Luxus.

He proprietorially takes my arm and steers me through the crowd to a passageway which I know leads through to another suite of rooms. One side is a clear wall through which I can see Jenna and the two assassins.

“Your mate is perfectly safe. Although I worry for mine,” Rossz says with a rather unpleasant smile. “From what I’ve heard, the princess is formidable.”

I sigh. “She is.”

“Human, I believe. Rare,” he adds.

It’s all I can do to stop my hood rising and envenomating him on the spot.

“From what I’ve been told,” I reply with no emotion. “Our match was arranged by Starlight Brides to appease my sire and dam.”

Rossz shows me into a luxurious living area. To one side is a large stone sideboard, and it is covered in his merchandise.

He is supremely confident to be so blatant about his display.

“Here we have everything for discerning royalty,” he says with that evil smile. He gestures to the table. “Feel free to sample anything which takes your fancy. It’s all at your disposal, my prince.”

For the first time in a long time, the scales on the back of my neck prickle. Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all.