Page 135

“Then why did you let me wear this dress?” she countered as they emerged from the underground tunnel that led from the Sanctuary to the holding cells.

“Because I wanted to have a good reason to tell you to say back.” He nodded to the guard on duty and they entered the cell.

Her gaze was drawn to Jyk. The bastard no longer had his disguise and he was one ugly son of a bitch, with scaly green skin, the color of bile. His clawed hands were manacled along with his long tail. His yellow eyes stared at them menacingly, threatening death, despite the fact he was chained to the wall.

Aculus was worried about her so she leaned against the back wall and let him do his thing. The last thing he needed was her all up in his business, especially if things got messy. Aculus nodded to her, his lips tipped up in a slight smile. The expression on his face then turned deadly serious, a sight she rarely witnessed.

“You wanted to speak to me,” Aculus said, his voice stern, no hint of the jovial man she knew.

“You’ve been marked and not just by my pit. Kill me, but others will come,” Jyk hissed.

“So, we’ve attracted the attention of the entire Jurou Biljana collective. How did the Osivoire earn that honor above the Munir, Telor, Gaban, Ensifera, Tramdin, Vonly, and the list of races that oppose you goes on?” Aculus asked somewhat sarcastically.

“Distraho,” Jyk spat the name of the disreputable auction.

“I heard that put a damper on the alliance between you and the Topus.” Aculus shrugged.

“I was tipped because of you.” Jyk lunged, tugging his chains tight, rage and humiliation swimming in his yellow eyes.

As the angry reptile attempted to lash his tail, she noticed the end of it had been chopped off at some point.

“And clearly your tail is growing back,” Aculus scoffed as he paced in front of Jyk. “But I promise you, if you don’t start talking about what you’ve done with the rift drive you stole, I’ll remove parts that won’t grow back.”

In her anger at what the nasty reptile had done to Aculus, her sister and friends, she forgot the Jurou Biljana had stolen technology that would make it possible to pass through the wormhole and reach Earth. It was the whole reason she’d met Aculus in the first place.

“You think I fear your threats when worse would become of me if I talk?” Jyk hissed.

Aculus casually turned away from Jyk, and she saw a flicker of frustration cross his face. He squelched it again before turning back to the reptile. He obviously couldn’t let Jyk see his agitation. They had to get this information from Jyk.

But how, if the bastard doesn’t fear the threat of torture and death?

Her gaze narrowed as Jyk continued staring at his tail.

“Aculus.” She waved him over.

“It’s all right if you need to leave,” he said with concern as he joined her at the far wall.

“No. Thanks.” She smiled at how damn sweet he was, then got serious again. “I have an idea on how to get him to talk,” she whispered.

Aculus’ eyes widened in surprise, then shook his head incredulously as he looked her up and down.

“I shouldn’t be surprised. Every human female I’ve met is surprisingly aggressive and you come from a military family,” he conceded.

“I guess we are kind of violent.” That wasn’t really something she wanted to dwell on or be proud of. She shook off her idealism and focused on the present. She couldn’t be squeamish with lives on the line. “So, here’s what I was thinking…”

“No.” Aculus halted her. “You question Jyk. I have a feeling it will be far more affective. But stay back.”

She nodded and put her game face on as Aculus traded places with her leaning on the wall.

“Jyk, Jyk, Jyk,” she said as she strolled up to him. “You tortured and tried to sell my sister. You probably don’t even remember her, the red-haired woman.”

“I have tortured and enslaved many,” Jyk laughed, unremorseful.

Fucking sick bastard!She took a deep breath and repressed her emotions.

“Yes. I imagine you have. My people have committed all sorts of atrocities to extract information or just get their revenge. For example, I could shove spikes under your claws or pull them out. I could have our medics open your chest and pull out your heart while you are fully conscious and watching, feeling everything. Then again, maybe I’ll cut a slit in your gut, reach in and pull out your intestines inch by inch. Or better yet let some hungry parasite nest inside your belly.”

“Pick one,” Jyk goaded her.