Page 9

He pulls me out of the change room even as I slap at his body, shouting: “Stop! Get your fucking handsoffme!”

I plant my feet and I use a twisting maneuver I’d learned – one intended to get out of a much stronger opponent’s grip. It’s a clever move that targets the weak point of somebody’s hold – and itworks.

To Obbit’s shock, I suddenly wrench myself away from his hand.

For a moment, I’m impressed – but I make it one, single step when suddenly Obbit’s hand swings and hits mehardacross the face.

I’m knocked against the wall – stunned.

That would be bad enough, but then Obbit lurches forward and pins me against the wall.

Suddenly, the Aurelians are the least of my worries. I’m being crushed against the wall by a massive, slimy creature that’s wanted me ever since the first time he saw me. His beady eyes morph into narrow slits as he pins me against the wall. Sweaty slime drips down his cheek. Obbit’s huge tongue slithers out from between his bulbous lips, lapping up his own salty sweat as he forces me back against the wall.

“You listen, you fucking bitch,” the Toad warns. “I know you think you’re better than everyone else around here – but you’re going to go into that room whether you like it or not – and you’re going todance. After that, if they want your body, you’re going to give it them; for a price.”

Obbit’s eyes narrowed.

“Otherwise, I won’t fire you… I’ll take you up to the fucking roof and throw you off myself. You understand? Nod if you do!”

Terror fills me. I nod silently. Obbit is capable of doing exactly what he threatens.

I think to my storage locker just two blocks away, back by my apartment. I’ve got everything I need for a quick getaway stowed there: A fake passport – one that I could have used to get work, but I’d kept hidden instead, in case I needed to get off this fucking planet when the shit hit the fan. Eight-hundred credits – enough to book interstellar travel. There’s also a loaded combustion pistol – just like they used back on Old-Earth.

I put every cent I had into that getaway kit – but now, the two blocks away might as well be a thousand miles.

I’m trembling. I don’t think of myself as weak, but when you’re pressed against the wall by five-hundred pounds of Toad-flesh, you realize just how small you are.

“I’ll do it,” I stammer, disgusted with myself for how quickly I folded.

“Good.” Obbit pulls me forward, but his grip is no longer so tight it hurts.

Oh, Gods… Maybe it had only been a matter of time in any case. Up until now, I’ve been able to avoid the private room – ever since I got here a year ago.

I’ve had men ask me, of course – but I was always able to get out of it, leading them towards other strippers like Brienne who were more than happy to take the credits I could have earned.

But now, the door stands in front of me. Obbit yanks it open, and my stomach drops.

I see exactly what I’d been afraid of: Aurelians.

The three, huge aliens are sitting down in massive wooden chairs – furniture that must have been brought in specially to suit their massive frames. If I’d thought Obbit was big, he’s nothing compared to any of these three Aurelians warriors.

“Let her go,” growls the leader of the three, his eyes flashing angrily as he sees Obbit manhandling me. The Aurelian stands to his full height. He barely fits in the room – his head practically brushes the ceiling.

Obbit’s hand instantly releases my arm. I can instantly sense the change in the Toad’s demeanor. He’s used to being the biggest, strongest creature in the club. Now he’s faced with the three Aurelian warriors, his bullying bravado wilts away.

“Of course, Sir Daccia,” Obbit nods, a stammer in his voice.

Daccia. I’ve got a piece of information, at least. The leader is called Daccia.

Obbit learns over to me and hisses: “Do good – or Spur will have your ass,literally.”

He catches my eye to make sure I heard and understood him – and then Obbit scurries away.

I step forward, into the room.

I’m barefoot, and wearing only my bra and a short skirt with a thin thong underneath. Obbit didn’t even give me the time to change into something more appropriate than the outfit these three Aurelians had seen me in on stage. Mind you, maybe that was smart. As soon as he’d told me what was expected of me, he probably anticipated that I’d take any chance to get away.

I gulp, and try to fake some of the bravado that helps me when I’m on stage.