Hands on my hips, I sauntered forward and then shoved a finger in his chest. “No. Way.”
“Kerra,” he began.
“No. Fuck. Off.”
Motok snarled and picked me up, walking off into the trees before he set me down. “It’s far too dangerous and risky. What if the slavers find you? What if you’re snatched from my side?”
“What if a giant shark swims up and eats me? Or I’m struck by alien lightning?” Yeah, I was being sarcastic on purpose. “I’m going and you can’t stop me.”
“This isn’t a negotiation.”
“You’re right, so let’s stop wasting time.”
Scowling, he must have known I wasn’t backing down. Motok’s hand gripped mine firmly as we joined the others. “Give me an extra cloak.”
Rexnor pulled something from his pack and slapped the material into his brother’s hand with a wicked grin. Motok ignored him as he wrapped the dark cloth around my shoulders and raised the hood. I was dwarfed by the fabric but totally in disguise.
“She’s completely covered and entirely too exposed. Many will wonder why such a small being is protected this way. I think it will cause more trouble than we are equipped to handle.” Valtus was probably right, even if he slightly whined when he said it. Kind of funny considering he was such a serious, disciplined warrior.
“Maybe I should take it off.”
Motok grabbed my hands before I could remove the cloak. A loud rumbling roar filled his chest. “No. It stays.”
No one argued further.
Valtus and I waited outside each bar as the guys entered and bought alcohol in search of any available ships. We made it to the last one without success. I shifted anxiously from foot to foot next to Valtus who was fast losing his patience.
“Stop squirming so much.”
I flipped him off with my middle finger and delighted in his confused frown.Study that, grumpy.
The building next to us was loud and I had grown bored. Valtus didn’t notice when I gradually moved farther away and tiptoed to the windows. Rising up high enough to peek above the window’s ledge, I gasped when I saw dozens of alien women chained together and paraded across a main stage. They were nude. Different body sizes and figures but all with breasts – some multiples – and the obvious curves.
From this distance, it was hard to tell what was being said but one was unlatched from the others and shoved to the front as some kind of bidding war ensued. Long minutes dragged by until there was an obvious winner. He slapped payment to the slimy looking alien in charge and picked up his prize, fondling and shoving his fingers into the poor woman’s crotch in front of everyone. Disgusted, I felt like I was going to hurl the contents of my stomach on the ground.
How could such a horrible thing happen?
A hand clamped down on my mouth and I fought against the strong arm that wrapped around my middle.
“Shhh, Kerra. Don’t draw attention to us.”
I let Motok pull me into the shadows as I sagged against his chest. Tears filled my eyes and overflowed. “Those women,” I whispered, “it’s awful.”
“Yes,” he agreed, rubbing my back in soothing circles. “It is the fate of all females who are captured by slavers. A deplorable practice indeed.”
“Why doesn’t anyone stop them?”
“Because no one wants to stop earning the credits,” Valtus answered, his voice low and menacing. “I know from experience.”
Turning away from Motok, my eyes widened. “Valtus, no,” I wailed and lunged forward to hug his stiff torso. “I’m so sorry.”
His hand lowered to my back for a brief moment. “It is the past. Come. I think I found us passage.”
Valtus found a ship? I never even saw him leave.
The bar we entered was reminiscent of the cantina scene from Star Wars, A New Hope complete with an alien band playing flute-like instruments, a barkeeper with entirely too much dark hair on his body, and drinks glowing with various colors. I saw every type of alien creature I could imagine and then others I would never hope to meet. The atmosphere was warm and hazy from the smoke that rose into the air and I was reminded of marijuana. The smell was similar except I couldn’t tell if all the aliens were high, drunk, or just having a good time. Maybe it was all of the above. Bodies were gathered around the bar and overflowed the tables while others sat and played at holographic games or cards. Everyone was armed, their weapons proudly on display.
“Isn’t this a little too much like Star Wars and Han Solo? All we need is Greedo.”
