Perhaps a partial truth would ease her, lull her into a false sense of security.An invalid path to garner her cooperation.
“I wanted to speak to you again.”
“Most men would ask for a date,” she said, her tone dry.“Or buzz my com-circle.”
“A date?”Some of her expressions confused him.
“They would court me,” she stated, her big green eyes full of shrewdness.
He broke their visual connection, unable to lie to her face.In lieu, he scanned the controls and checked their course.He made a slight alteration—one they didn’t require.
“Ransom?”
“I don’t have time for courtship.I intend to join the warrior monks and must arrive before the sign-up window closes.”
She frowned.“I’ve never heard of warrior monks.”
Not surprising since he’d conjured them from his imagination.If he survived this quest, he’d hunt for a warrior faction.He’d heard of monks who gave their lives in service to right wrongs.It was a better life than he deserved, and with his brother Gryffnn at the helm, his clan would continue to prosper.
“I’ll tell you about them later,” he lied.“We’ll make a list of the supplies and go from there.”
“You’re under the assumption I will follow your plan for me,” she said in a sweet voice.
“Ah, didn’t I tell you?Their kingdom was known for its wealth, and in particular, a unique, precious jewel that glowed with many colors.I’m hoping to locate these jewels because rumor says they possess stunning clarity.Not many jewelers have worked with these rare stones.”
One quick scan of her visage told Ransom he’d hooked her with his promise of rare jewels.Her nod of acceptance was a brutal kick to the gut, and remorse almost took him out at the knees.He was leading her toward a life of imprisonment, a life of fear, a life where her beautiful spirit would get crushed.
He was driving her to a living death.
2.An Introduction to Mind Control
Ransom’sfatigueclungoncethey’d landed on Dalcon.His shoulders slumped, and he shuffled with an old-person gait as they left their ship in a docking bay.Outside, Scarlett took control.With a shrill whistle, she summoned a flymo, one of the chubby utility vehicles used on most planets in the sector.Flymos were the donkeys of this region, with the locals using them as taxis or couriers to ship goods around the city.
A trio of Red Mumber males swaggered past her, their red skin and tentacle hair distinctive, their fit, bulky bodies, honesty, and no-nonsense attitude perfect for the security jobs most of them worked.
One, she blew a cheeky kiss.She’d sold Guam a necklace for his first wife the previous month.No doubt, he’d be back to purchase one for his second wife soon.The Red Mumber and their polygamy lifestyle were great for business.
Beside her, Ransom growled deep in his throat, and she turned to him in surprise.Jealousy.How cute.
“Guam is a friend.Where to first?”
Her mind continued to prickle.Ransom had told her only part of the story.She was of two minds whether to ditch him in the market—easy enough with so many friends amongst the hawkers—or tag along because she’d love to discover a precious stone to gain a competitive edge.With her upper-class contacts, she’d sell anything unusual fast.The highborn welcomed anything of beauty and uniqueness.
And did she admit this sudden change in routine was exhilarating?Even better, no one could accuse her of impulsiveness since Ransom had abducted her.
“Ransom,” she prompted when it appeared he’d zoned out.“Where do we go first?”
“The market for supplies.Food and equipment.”He wavered on his feet.His color had shifted from his normal golden tones to an ashen gray.
Scarlett dithered as she mentally listed pros and cons.Should she offer her strength to keep him upright, ditch him, or forge ahead?The prickles in her mind gave way to a shiny display case, spotlit to highlight the beautiful jewelry contained within.
Simple.Stunning.Gorgeous samples of her best work.
Scarlett hid her smile.No contest really since none of this was her fault.A quest lay in her future.
“I know a great place to eat.”She’d get a message to Saber, and Ransom would never know.“There’s a place here, and a decent hotel near the market we could stay tonight.You look as if you might collapse.I’d hate to waste my energy dragging you around.A full tummy always boosts my reserves.”
His faint nod of compliance suggested he felt worse than he looked.
