Alkard

ALKARD

My heart pounded hard in my chest, pumping fire through my entire body. I stood looking at the mostly naked Tessi, a tiny trail of blood trickled from the bite I had left on her neck.

It wasn't…quite…a claiming bite. I hadn't felt she was ready for such a thing. Then I wondered why I cared so much what Tessi wanted.

"I would imagine," I said, my voice sounding strangely loud to my ears. "That you have people you would like to say goodbye to."

Tessi's glossy gaze remained transfixed on me. Her mouth opened. Full, red lips trembled but uttered no sound. She offered a nod, still unable to tear her gaze away from mine.

"Then go. I have things to do as well."

She went to leave, but my hand darted out as if of its own accord, closing around her bicep. Tessi froze, her body touching mine as we stood side by side, looking in different directions.

I don't want to let her go. What's wrong with me?

Carefully, I wrapped the blanket around her, tying it at her waist. "Do not tarry," I said at length, because it seemed as if I should say something. "I expect you to be at the Fallen Star in an hour."

Anything to break the spell, because otherwise I would throw her back on the bed and ravish her all night long.

I forced myself to let her go. I turned and watched as she retreated from the VIP room and disappeared down the hallway.

A low growl escaped my throat, and I fought the urge to go after her. I got myself under control, relying on decades of hard won discipline. I wasn't the head of the family for nothing.

I left the back area and returned to the thudding bass and flashing lights of the main club floor. Banek stood over at the bar, wearing a puzzled frown as I approached.

"That was fast," Banek said as I joined him at the bar. "Even for you, when you're, ah, worked up."

I snorted.

"I guess she wasn't worth the fight after all?" Banek asked.

I waved him off, pushing away the unexpected urge to hit him.

"No, I simply decided to take my time with this one. She is…a rare delicacy."

He smirked.

"And you've already sampled her, I see."

I cocked an eyebrow.

"Your mouth," Banek said, gesturing to the corner of his own lips. "You've got a little red there."

I took a napkin from the glass box and dabbed the blood away. I had been sorely tempted to lick it away, but that would have confirmed Banek's suspicions.

"I'm surprised at you, Alkard," Banek said, breaking my concentration. "Playing with your food and all."

I stared over the crowd before turning back. "How amusing. If your club ever goes under, you have a career waiting for you as a comedian."

Banek smirked on cue at the old joke and gestured back at the bar.

"Xuron Ale? A whole cask just matured, and let me tell you, I got the taste perfect this time."

I perked up.

"Of course, it's not Tessi's blood," Banek said as he got a thick glass bottle filled with amber fluid from the bar. He hooked two clawed fingers into a pair of short glasses on his way back to me.

He put the glasses down with an audible thunk, then thrust the cork between his teeth, careful not to bite too hard, and uncorked the bottle.

My nostrils flared as Banek filled his glass. The smoky aroma of the ale combined with my already heightened senses made me feel flush with sensual pleasures.

Banek poured himself a glass as well, and then glanced up at me.

"The humans have a rather endearing tradition before drinking."

"A toast," I said with a nod. "I approve of this tradition. What should we toast?"

"Hmm." Banek rubbed his chin with his free hand. "How about to life and all of its many pleasures?"

I let out a bark of laughter, my heart warmed by my friend's words and company. Everyone thought me to be coldhearted, and that was certainly a reasonable assumption given my demeanor and reputation.

The truth was, I had lost too many close friends during the war to risk liking anyone anymore. I allowed myself to like Banek, though. Partly because when we had met during the war, the two of us hated each other's guts and even came to blows on several occasions.

Then the battle of Bauxelle happened, and I learned a lot of things. About myself, Banek, and the Mondian people in general. Now Banek and I were fast friends.

Which meant I could ask for help.

We clicked our glasses together, and I sipped the ale. The flavor mingled with the lingering taste of Tessi's blood in a way that I found pleasing.

"Tessi told me that a friend of hers went missing."

"Tragic," Banek said with a casual shrug that said he really didn't care all that much. "But humans go missing from the station all the time. Especially the women. It is what it is."

"Well, this particular human woman worked for you at this very club," I said. "Do you remember a woman named Mera Lashley? Reddish-golden hair?"

"Oh, Mera?" Banek's eyes softened, a rarity. "Yeah, I remember her. Sweet girl. The exact opposite of the one you just bought from me."

"Do you know what happened to her?" I asked.

"I don't have a clue." Banek shrugged. "One day she just stopped showing up for her shifts. No one's seen or heard from her since."

"You own her contract, do you not?"

"Of course I do," Banek said. "But it doesn't do me much good if she's gone."

"No, that's not what I mean." I sighed with frustration. "I mean, didn't you look for her? You're out a lot of credits if your dancers just don't show up."

"To be honest," Banek admitted, "I didn't look all that hard."

"Why not?"

Banek looked uncomfortable. He took a long drink from his glass, emptying it, then cracked the glass down with more vehemence than necessary.

"Don't tell me you had something to do with her disappearance?" I asked.

"No, I didn't," Banek said quickly. "You know I'm not like that. I try to take care of my indentures, for practical reasons, of course."

"Then why didn't you look for her harder?"

Banek grumbled under his breath and poured himself another glass of ale.

"Damn it all, Alkard. You're going to make me say it, aren't you? I didn't look for her because I wanted her to escape."

I was taken aback.

"What?"

"I figured that when she disappeared, Mera had run off. Found a way off the station maybe, I don't know. Maybe she found a protector. I thought if I filed a formal complaint to station security, it would cause a big mess."

"You were afraid they wouldn't find her?"

"No. I was afraid they would. Mera was too sweet tempered for the life of a dancer. She cared more about others than herself. I…was going to eat the loss of her contract."

I cackled and sipped my own ale.

"Now who's gone sentimental?"

"Oh please, I'd shoot any of these girls in the head if it got me a few light years down the road."

I smirked.

"Fuck you," Banek snapped, confirming my suspicions. "Look, if you want, I can make some inquiries and see what I can find out about Mera."

I perked up.

"I'll compensate you generously for your time and effort," I said, pulling out my percomm.

"I don't want your credits, Alkard."

I glanced up at Banek. His eyes were shining, and a slight smile stretched his lips.

"Then what do you want?"

"Hmm…" Banek stroked his chin. "I think I'd like to just have you owe me a favor."

I gritted my teeth as a flash of anger came over me. I hated, absolutely hated, owing people vague favors.

You never knew when they would call in their marker, or what they would demand in return for it.

"I don't have to make those inquiries," Banek said with a shrug. "No scales off my snout."

"No," I said, forcing myself into a semblance of composure. "I'd like you to make them after all. Just don't expect a moon for a handful of dust."

Banek laughed, clearly enjoying himself.

"Oh, I like this. You owing me a favor, I mean. Perhaps I'll ask for your help on something, or maybe I'll just have you dress up like a milkmaid for my amusement."

"Fuck off, Banek," I said, putting the glass down.

I'd considered waiting for Tessi, but now I was in no mood to be gentle.

She shouldn't see me like this.

And I wasn't going to spend any time wondering why I thought that.

"Thanks for the ale. Send my new girl my way when she's dressed."

"Where are you going?" Banek asked as I turned to leave.

"To deal with some unfinished business from earlier," I snapped.

Fortunately, I knew just the way to work off my anger.

Namely, interrogating the sole Fanaith survivor from the ambush.