“These are the real prizes.” Murgen grasped the edges of the cab and pushed himself onto his feet; the cart wobbled with his efforts. The rear steps unfolded. “Animals that think themselves more than what they are. Smart enough to learn some language, perhaps even to reason on a rudimentary level”—he grunted as he stepped down—“but little removed from beasts, regardless.”
Nostrus turned his head to glare over his shoulder at Drakkal, but the azhera barely noticed.
There were people in these cells.People.
Powerful memories clawed their way to the forefront of Drakkal’s mind. It didn’t matter how long ago he’d earned his freedom—freedom that had been his all along—it felt like only yesterday that he’d been kept in a cage, that he’d been treated like an animal himself.
Only that smell, that sweet sundrinker fragrance, stronger here than before, kept him grounded and afforded him a modicum of self-control. He stood up and exited the vehicle, his movements slow and stiff.
“Of course, my interest in these creatures is largely based in scientific curiosity.” Murgen walked toward the nearest window without a backward glance at Drakkal. “I’ve always said I’d have become a scientist, were it a career that actually earned any money, and I’ve gone so far as to hire on a few researchers to help guide my pursuit of knowledge.”
This is just business. Endure it for the sake of business…
That thought only soured Drakkal’s stomach. Pressing his lips together, he forced himself forward, joining Murgen in front of the window. Nostrus’s footfalls were light as he moved to stand behind Drakkal.
The interior of this cell was plain compared to the others Drakkal had seen thus far, much closer to the quarters of a slave—or a prison cell. The walls were decorated with simple paintings depicting animals and people in basic shapes and lines. Two people were huddled together on the cot attached to the far wall, both with pale gray skin, long white hair, and dark claws. Drakkal knew their species only because of one of Arcanthus’s more memorable clients.
They looked lost. Afraid. And so young.
“Zenturi,” Murgen said. “Fascinating creatures. They’ve a venom they can deliver in their bite that is deadly to most other creatures. The few tests I’ve performed thus far have supported that. Quite strong and agile, as well—don’t let their appearances fool you. With proper training, I think they may prove exceptional guards and soldiers. Of course, my true ambition is to use these as a breeding pair once they’ve matured.”
Murgen turned and walked toward the next window. Drakkal’s gaze lingered on the zenturi for a few seconds before he numbly followed his host.
“I find the science around breeding and genetics to be engrossing subject matter. It’s been proven that the mutative compound administered by the Consortium has side effects on certain species that allow them to interbreed with unrelated species. Imagine the potential combinations!”
Drakkal grunted; he wasn’t sure if the sound came off as agreeable or not.
The next cell contained a lone alien. Drakkal wasn’t familiar with its species. It looked bigger than him—standing well over two meters tall—and had thick, powerful limbs,shaggy brown fur, and a bony crest sweeping up from its forehead that split into two large, curling black horns. The creature was pacing restlessly along the far wall of its cell.
“Another rare one, and just as primitive as the zenturi. It’s called a halthid, though no official name has yet been entered into the Consortium’s database. I’d imagine this species barely knows how to harness fire. Still, it’s been implanted with translators like all the rest, and they all seem capable of following simple instructions.”
Don’t be stupid, Drak. That’s a simple instruction.
Drakkal had the sense he’d not leave this place without violating that directive.
Murgen finally turned to look at Drakkal again. “Even if the scientific aspects of all this are beyond your comprehension, I’m sure the spectacle is well worth the extra time. You may be one of the lowly, but you have far more in common with me than you do these creatures.”
Drakkal drew in a deep breath.Don’t be stupid. Don’t respond. Just keep your mouth shut.But the words came anyway. “Only science I’ve studied is anatomy. Seem to have a mind for those facts.”
“Oh? I personally find alien anatomy fascinating. Do you have a particular species you’ve focused on?”
Drakkal kept his face toward the viewing window, but he wasn’t focused on the halthid inside. His attention was on a faint reflection in the glass—the ghostly blue face visible behind his own dark reflection. “I’m a generalist. Benefits me more. So I know things like how tralix have two hearts, and that one of them isn’t protected by their ribs. Or that the average volturian has six liters of blood—and can lose two-point-nine liters before succumbing to blood loss.”
There was a faint rustling of cloth behind Drakkal.Nostrus’s indistinct reflection shifted slightly but didn’t move any closer.
Murgen laughed that deep, booming laugh that inflated his jowls. “A practical individual, I see.”
“Yeah. You ready to finish this deal?”
Waving a hand dismissively, Murgen walked on. “One more to show you, azhera. Can’t let you go without gazing upon my most valuable prize. After you see this, you’ll be the most popular person in your, uh”—Murgen glanced back at Drakkal, features tightening—“in your…social circles.”
“And here I thought people liked me for my natural charm,” Drakkal muttered. He glanced at Nostrus; the volturian’s brows were low, and his eyes, for once, were no longer cold—they burned with anger.
Drakkal bared his fangs in an expression that would have been considered a smile only by someone with poor eyesight before following his host.
Murgen bypassed the next three cells, each of which contained one or two aliens of species with which Drakkal was unfamiliar. All of them had that gleam of intelligence in their eyes.
As he finally drew to a stop in front of the fourth cell, Murgen said, “An ertraxxan who used to live in the neighborhood had one of these creatures for several years. He used to parade it around the city. But I’ve done better. I’ve obtained two for the price of one.”