Senaer pulled out a digital file and projected the hologram in the air for them both to look at. “I haven’t looked this over in a long time.”
“Maybe there’s something here we can use.”
“Now you sound like a Charro,” Senaer chuckled.
The two of them went over the contract, and Erzo looked for something that he could use to break it. However, it was hard to focus, because the yelling got louder between Tellis and Arik.
Erzo turned to see his brother standing in the hallway outside his father’s offices, yelling back inside.
“You stubborn old lizard! You know who I am, and what I bring!”
He didn’t hear exactly what his father said back, but the tone indicated his father’s favorite answer—I am the head of this clan, and I make the rules.
Or some variation of that, Erzo was sure.
Tellis stormed off, pausing near the main entrance. He paused at the door to check his communications, and a hologram popped up.
From the distance, Erzo couldn’t make out who it was, but from here, the skin had the purple tones of a Xianan, like Phares. It wasn’t Phares, because what would Phares want with Tellis, anyway?
But it sure looked like Tellis had some friends who were Xianan.
Interesting.
Just as he wondered about that, Senaer cleared his throat.
“What?” He turned to see Senaer looking at a chronometer on the nearby table.
“It’s time, Erzo.”
He saw the hour.
Damn.
“And there’s no way to get out of this?”
“There you are,” Arik said, coming out of his office. “We need to get down to the Pit.”
Erzo nodded. “And I cannot convince you this is a stupid idea, Father?”
“Now he calls me Father,” Arik said, glancing at Senaer. “Have not heard that in a while.”
“I try what I can to soften you up.”
“Let’s get this over with. Breal is going to make browling meat out of that girl.” They started heading out of the residence and down the stairs to the area known as the Pit, Senaer behind Arik and Erzo.
Erzo tried to convince his stubborn father. “You can’t do this to her. To me.”
“What’s wrong with Breal?”
“Nothing,” Erzo said. “It’s not Breal. It’s Polly.”
“What, did you go and invest emotions in this transaction?” Arik asked.
Erzo met his gaze.
“You did. You invested emotions.” Arik shook his head. “I told you not to lead with emotions. Ever. They’re dangerous and stupid and get you into trouble. And look where you are now!”
“Honestly, I would have been celebrating my mating if you hadn’t abducted the two of us.”
