I palm a clear ball from the drawer next, wondering how this little orb was going to get me off.
I’m sure I could convince Raf’ere to show me, if it came to that.
How much can I blame these feelings on the stupid idea that I’m asserting my dominance?
I tap at the crystal sphere, trying to distract myself from the thought of Duke Fuckface using his toys on me. As soon as my finger touches the ball with any force, it sends out a purple electric shock.
“Shit!” I yelp before tossing the clear ball into the drawer and slamming it shut.
Maybe I need another shower.
CHAPTER20
?THE LITTLE BEAST?
?RAF’ERE
I stand lookingat the hideous little creature as it swims behind the tank glass. Its whip-like tail pivots its body in tight little circles.
“This is the most popular companion? Are you sure?” I ask the salesperson, a young fi’len women.
“It is indeed, Your Grace. In fact, we have a waitlist for any new kahne’ah that arrive. It is considerably long.” She looks at me as though she’s slightly starstruck. I guess I’ve never frequented the companion parlor. “But for you, Your Grace, there is no waitlist,” she tacks on.
I lean in close to the glass, as the small blue creature pulls itself clumsily onto the fake outcropping of rocks resting just above the surface of the water. It spies me and presses its flat snout against the glass in an attempt to smell me, which splays the two antennas coming from his wide forehead.
Would Marta like something this ugly?Its flat face is accented by huge black orbs for eyes. His short snout mostly consisted of an underbite. I worry about those predatory teeth that poke out of his bottom lip. In the water, he looked to have skin similar to my own, but blue. Now on dry land I can see that it’s actually short, thick fur. It puffs up along his back as he investigates me.
“Would you like to hold him? To see if maybe this kahne’ah is a good fit for you?” She’s already unlocking the top of its enclosure.
“He won’t bite, will he?” I ask, dubious of those teeth.
“I mean, not if you’re true of heart.” She smiles like she’s joking, but when I don’t respond she course corrects. “No, they aren’t usually aggressive unless their owner is threatened.”
Well, that’s a pro. At least it could protect Marta if need be.
She reaches in and the thing scrambles for her hand, almost crawling to her bicep before she even has her arm out of the enclosure.
“Who’s a handsome boy?” she coos in its face as it licks her chin. “Such a pretty thing, be nice and meet His Grace, the duke.”
It’s still licking her neck as she pulls it free and faces it to me. Her hands are under his armpits as his back legs dangle in the air.
“Hello,” I tell the blue lump, holding out my hand. He sniffs my knuckles, and I’m taken aback as the tips of his antennas light up. The blue light casts strange shadows on the creature’s face.
“Oh! I think he likes you!” the shop attendant says enthusiastically. The little beast reaches for me, and she presses him into my hand until I’m forced to pick him up. He scrambles up my suit jacket and plants a wet kiss on my cheek.
“He doesn’t need to likeme,” I say, pulling him just far enough back to be out of the reach of his tongue. “I’d like to purchase him for someone.” He gets free of my grip and jumps on my shoulder. I’m left holding him like a youngling that needs burped.
Maybe I’m not an animal companion person, but I wince as it snorts in my ear.
“Of course! I have no doubt that Your Grace will find the perfect owner for this sweetie. Shall I ring you out?” she asks, eager to make a sale.
“Yes, and please include any of its necessaries with the bill as well.”
Her grin broadens as she grabs the kahne’ah off me. She slips him into a blue plastic crate and heads to the register.
“And who shall I register as the owner?” Her hands hover over the data pad expectantly.
“Just…Just put me as the owner.”
