“A lyingzhe’gash,” Drakkal grumbled. “You two are well matched.”
Murgen snorted; he didn’t so much as glance at Drakkal. “I hardly see how that benefits you. No Caldorian slave master would pay as much as I’ve agreed to in this case, and that doesn’t even take into account the expenses you would incur for transporting him all the way to Caldorius. It would be far easier for all of us for me to simply pay your fee and dispose of him as I see fit.”
“It benefits my reputation. I bring him back all the way from Arthos, and it’ll impress the right people back on Caldorius—people with powerful ties. That results in more work for me.” Vanya shifted her gaze to Shay and smirked; it was an arrogant, hateful expression filled with gloating. “I’m trying to think of the larger picture, Master Foltham. I consider it a long-term investment that will pay off very well over time.”
I am going to fuckingkillher.
Nostrus glared at Vanya before turning to face Murgen. “Sir, we have him here now. Just let me?—”
“Enough, Nostrus,” Murgen said. “I’m well aware of whatyou want, but I didn’t agree to pay that exorbitant amount just to fulfill your need for revenge. I agreed to fulfillmine.”
“And what better revenge than what I’m proposing?” asked Vanya. When Murgen tipped his head toward her, she continued. “He’ll go back to Caldorius and receive harsh punishment from his owner. When—if—he recovers from that, they’re going to throw him into the fighting pits or set him to some backbreaking labor. Either way, he’ll suffer until his very last breath, knowing all along thatyouwon, and that his…mateis here, part of your collection.”
Shay clenched her hands into fists.
Drakkal’s already furious expression darkened with Vanya’s every word, and the guards grunted, straining to hold the big azhera down as he swayed. With a growl, Drakkal got one of his feet beneath him and pushed up with his leg.
Stop, Drakkal. Please, just stop!
A third guard hurried over. It took all three to wrestle Drakkal back down; they forced him face-first onto the floor and knelt on his back to keep him pinned. His tail lashed stiffly.
Murgen thoughtfully tapped one of his tusks, taking in the display as though it were nothing important—and Shay didn’t doubt that he saw Drakkal as just another animal, no different in his eyes than Shay and Leah.
“He has cost me a significant sum through his actions. Buying the terran to begin with and then payingagainto retrieve her has been quite expensive,” Murgen muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Recovering a portion of it would be preferable, though the amount itself is not what’s important. And I must admit, the level of suffering you’ve described…well, it is certainly tempting…”
Nostrus’s jaw ticked as he glared at Drakkal, squeezing his fists at his sides.
A sudden, soft cry filled the garage.
Shay snapped her eyes toward Leah, who fidgeted and kicked as she woke, her cries growing louder. Shay’s heart pounded; she needed to go to her daughter, to hold her, to soothe her, needed to take her out of this goddamned place.
Murgen’s throat swelled again as he looked down at Leah. “What an unpleasant noise it makes.”
Drakkal growled and thrashed on the floor. One of the guards swore as he was nearly thrown off. Vanya calmly lifted her wrist and flicked a command, triggering Drakkal’s collar again. His growls took on an agonized tone as his body locked up, limbs straightening, for a second.
Stay still, Shay. Don’t move, don’t yell. There’s nothing you can do right now.
Though she knew that was the truth, seeing her proud, powerful mate brought so low and in so much pain wrecked her. Her body itched to move, to fight, but she knew it was a losing battle. She needed to bide her time. Gut reactions would get her nowhere.
“We in agreement or not?” Vanya asked.
Leah’s cries grew more frantic, her face reddening as tears streamed from her eyes.
Murgen frowned at the baby and slowly folded his hands over his gut. He nodded curtly. “Fine. You brought the youngling back unharmed, so we’ll consider that enough in lieu of the azhera. Nostrus, pay her the bounty for the terran. I want these two examined immediately. Have the medical team assembled.” He turned his head to look at Drakkal, and his lip curled. “Make sure he suffers. Profusely.”
Vanya grinned. “I’ll see to it.”
Nostrus strode forward, making no effort to mask his displeasure as he tossed a credit chip to Vanya. Her grin didn’t falter as she caught it. For a few seconds, they stood staring at each other, Nostrus brimming with cold fury, and Vanya withsmug triumph. The tension in the air between them was palpable; Nostrus seemed ready to reach for the blaster undoubtedly holstered under his jacket, and Shay wanted nothing more than to see it happen.
So long as the prick didn’t shoot Drakkal, too.
Vanya finally dropped her gaze to the controls on her holocom and tapped a selection. “Her manacles are open for you to interface with now.”
Nostrus produced a small remote control from his pocket. Still scowling, he held it up to Shay’s collar and pressed a button. The device beeped softly, and he tucked it away.
Vanya swung her attention to the guards restraining Drakkal. “Mind tossing him in back?”
Murgen motioned to the guard behind Shay and another beside Leah. “No more standing around. Get the terrans inside, and the rest of you get that beast into her vehicle so we can be rid of him.” As he turned and walked away, he grumbled, “And someone quiet down the youngling!”