Sophia

SOPHIA

Makar was nothing like I expected.

With Kogam's cryptic answers about who Makar was in the first place when I was first brought to him, coupled with him beating the absolute shit out of those blue jerks, it was safe to say the contrast between that and us making cupcakes together had been… strange.

Was I attracted to that?

My mind blowing orgasm seemed to want to convince me of as much. But how exactly was I supposed to stay here with a Vinduthi who was not only proficient at killing people with his bare hands, but could also light my body on fire with a single swipe of his finger over my skin?

He was too dangerous for me to stick around—which was exactly why I needed to get the fuck out of here and pronto.

I didn't exactly love my job dancing, but at least I knew what went on there. There were rules, routines.

Everything about Makar felt uncertain, like I was balancing on a tightrope without a net.

I couldn't exactly count on a Vinduthi assassin catching me.

I needed to get out of this place.

And quickly, while he was still occupied with meeting the terrifying Alkard.

Makar's room was full of a lot of things but in a rather minimalistic way that I absolutely hadn't expected from him. He had a large bed, a sitting area, a work station, a full-sized bathroom, and a walk-in closet—that upon further inspection, had some kind of weapon cache hidden in the back of it that absolutely made my heart beat right out of my chest.

But there were weirdly no personal touches to any of it. It all seemed so… sterile. Like he'd barely ever spent any time in here at all. Hell, the kitchen had more personal touches from him than this place.

Though… maybe that was saying something.

I shook my head. I didn't need to think about what that meant about Makar, or his personality. How had he already wound himself so thoroughly through my thoughts?

My hands pressed against my chest, trying to push the unfamiliar tightness away.

I needed to get back to what I knew, what I understood.

First step, getting out of here.

From Alkard and the door guards reaction, I wasn't the first playmate Makar brought up here.

So they must be used to them leaving as well.

But he told you to stay…

And I did what I was told, starting when?

Checking myself out in the mirror, I clicked my tongue. For such a wild experience in the kitchen, I looked far too put together.

Carefully, I smeared my makeup, misbuttoned my shirt, and snarled my hair.

Was it enough?

Frowning, I went back through the closet, looking for anything that might help my costume.

My hand paused on a beautiful gold and russet length of fabric. Probably nothing more than a scarf for the giant Vinduthi, but on me, it would be almost a shawl.

Not a bad idea.

I unbuttoned my shirt completely, crumpling the front until it looked like it was pulled off me roughly, then wrapped the fabric over my shoulders, clutching it tightly over my chest.

There. I looked like I'd been ravished, and had enjoyed myself in the process.

Finally ready, I headed out of Makar's chambers and peeked down the hall. There was no one pacing the marble floors, nor was there any sounds of footsteps heading down them.

Everything seemed clear of wandering eyes, which made me a little more nervous than I thought it would.

Quickly heading down the hall, I slipped through the now empty lobby looking area and into the lift.

Please let there not be a code, please …. I chanted the words under my breath, hoping that while security to get into this level would be tight, it'd be less of an issue getting out.

Not a chance.

I stood, staring at the panel, mind blank. Now what?

"Are you lost?"

I jumped, barely holding the shawl in front of myself as I whirled. Another Vinduthi, this one with teal markings, stood just behind me, his face a blank mask.

"Who did you come in with?"

"M- Makar," I managed. It was normal to be scared, right? Anyone would be.

Maybe that would be an acceptable excuse for the pounding of my heart that I was suddenly certain this person heard.

"And he left you like this?" The man tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowed.

Shit. He suspected something.

"Someone else wanted to meet with him," I blurted out. "Alkan, Alkad, maybe?"

His eyes widened as comprehension struck. "That would be a reason for him leaving you alone. Here."

He leaned over me to press his palm against the sensor plate and the doors to the lift immediately opened.

"Are you sure you're all right to get home on your own?"

I nodded, letting my hair fall over my face as I stepped inside.

"Hmm. Tell the guard at the door to get you a flitter."

Then he stepped back, and the lift descended.

I sank back against the wall, buried my face in my hands. One step down. Now to get out of the building, and back to…

Shit.

I couldn't go back to Modzrabe. Kogam would have a record of me being sold, either to Makar or those Maeux.

I needed to get into the Under, fade away for a while, get new paperwork. My stomach turned at how many credits I would need in order to pay for faked records.

I didn't have any skills, other than using my body.

The memory of Makar's arms enfolding me, his hands guiding mine as we baked, washed over me.

No one was going to hire me to make cupcakes, that was certain.

I lifted my chin. One step at a time.

And right now, I just needed to get out of here and back to familiar ground.

As the lift opened, I stumbled out, hands keeping the shawl tightly over my shoulders as I turned left.

Good. It was the same Dargun on watch. He'd remember me coming in with Makar.

"Can I get you a ride?" The voice was like gravel, but didn't seem to hold any harm.

"Pl--" I caught myself. If I told him where I was going, Makar would find me in no time.

I just needed to trace my way most of the way back to Modzrabe, and then I'd know how to get into the Under.

"No, thank you." I didn't look up, just hurried away. Buttoning up my shirt and tying the shawl, I headed back the way we'd come.

At least, that was the plan.

Three streets later, I still hadn't hit the Promenade, and the blocks looked rougher and rougher. Nothing looked familiar, but to be honest, I hadn't paid a lot of attention while following Makar.

Once again, I'd been too in my head, lost in thoughts of him.

"This is fine, Sophia," I told myself. "Just turn around and start over."

But when I turned back, a group of four Voleks in dingy, dark blue overalls stepped out from the shadows of one of the decaying buildings.

"Hey, missy," one said, the mandibles clicking as he spoke.

"I don't think we've seen you around here before." I froze as they stepped towards me.

I know it wasn't reasonable, but the brown, football-shaped heads with the clicking beaks always creeped me out, even more than the Zequinids.

It was probably speciesist of me, but I couldn't get over it.

"No, I'm just passing through."

I cringed at the quiver in my voice.

Way to go, Sophia. You don't sound terrified at all.

"That's a shame," another one said as the group ambled towards me, spreading out until I was pinned between them.

"Maybe we can help you get where you're going?"

"No need to worry about that, thank you," I said hastily. "I'm just heading back to the Under. No where in particular."

The leader clacked his beak as his three fingered hand slid back and forth against the side of his overalls, the sound of the fabric all I heard as the seconds stretched before me.

"Nowhere in particular?"

His gaze slid off of me.

"Then I guess no one particular is waiting for you."

He turned around.

"Get her. We were low on our last shipment. She'll make a nice start for the next one."

"Fuck off!" I twisted in the rough hold, managing to get my leg up just far enough to kick him in the chest.

A surprised grunt left him as he let go of me and toppled backwards from the force. As I fell, I turned slightly and hit the ground on my shoulder, my shoulder pinching sharply and stealing the breath from my lungs.

I gritted my teeth to keep from groaning out loud, not wanting any of them to hear that I was hurt. As I tried to push myself up from the ground, another pair of hands grabbed me by my shoulders, shaking me roughly until I was dizzy.

Tears stung my eyes.

Oh fuck. I'm so screwed.