Page 26 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

They finally broke through the densest part of the crowd, emerging near a ring of wide counters where the real bargaining began. Cozax and Vedd had already started discussions with local traders, datascreens flashing figures and inventory logs as they bartered for the best deals.

From just a glance, Lilas could tell they were in their element. Vedd leaned casually over one of the counters, relaxed as he listed out specifications in a language she didn’t recognize. Cozax, who was less flashy, spoke steadily, her tone calm but firm as an alien vendor gestured wildly in what Lilas assumed was frustration—or possibly just normal enthusiasm.

Razion exhaled, watching the transactions unfold. “This is where the real work happens,” he said. “Cozax and Vedd handle most of the bargaining. They know how to get the best value for what we bring in.”

Lilas nodded, trying to take it all in. She had never seen this much trade happening at once. Back at the settlement, bartering had been limited to farm goods and tools, and always under strict Axis supervision. Here, it was all chaos and negotiation, fast-talking vendors and traders scrutinizing every deal like their lives depended on it.

A shout rang out from one of the stalls as a scaly, reptilian merchant slammed his fist onto his table, growling in frustration. Across from him, Vedd just smirked, tapping on his datascreen like he had all the time in the world. Lilas turned to Razion. “Is he winning?”

Razion snorted. “Depends on how you define winning. The more pissed off the merchant gets, the better the deal Vedd’s about to land.”

Lilas raised a brow. “That’s a strategy?”

“One that works for him,” Razion said, tilting his head toward Cozax. “Cozax has a different style. Less flash, morenumbers. Traders don’t realize she’s bled them dry until after they’ve agreed to the terms.”

Lilas glanced back at the negotiations, watching as Cozax calmly gestured to something on the datascreen. The merchant she spoke with frowned, then sighed heavily and nodded. Moments later, a digital confirmation chimed, sealing the trade.

She let out a quiet whistle. “That was fast.”

Razion’s lips curved in approval. “She doesn’t waste time.”

Lilas absorbed that, watching the ebb and flow of the marketplace. She wasn’t sure what she expected coming here, but now that she was standing in the middle of it, she realized how little she understood about life beyond the settlement. Space stretched far beyond ships and captains and penal farms. Lives moved in a rhythm she had never been taught.

She exhaled, steadying herself. This was new. Big. A little terrifying.

But Razion had been right—he had her. And for now, that was enough.

As if sensing her thoughts, Razion turned, dragging his gaze over her face like he was making sure she was still with him. “Think you can handle a full cycle of this?” he asked.

Lilas straightened her spine and lifted her chin. “Yeah,” she said. “I can handle it.”

Razion smirked, something warm flickering in his storm-gray eyes, like he knew she wasn’t going to back down. “Good,” he said. “Because we’re not done yet.”

He led her away from the trading stalls, weaving through the thick crowds with the same easy confidence as before. His touch on her wrist remained loose, more of a guide than a restraint, but she didn’t let go. Not when the press of bodies still threatened to pull her off course.

They moved toward the far side of the trade hub, where docking platforms stretched beyond the main market. Here, themerchants were fewer, their stalls smaller, filled with heavier goods—ship parts, scrap metal, propulsion cores strapped to levitating pallets.

A lone vendor stood against a wide counter, his deep violet skin contrasting with the dark gray cloak draped over his thick shoulders. Twin tusks jutted upward from his lower jaw, his piercing golden eyes narrowing as they approached.

“I know that walk,” the vendor said, crossing his thick arms. His gravelly voice carried a hint of amusement beneath the gruffness. “Still riding that Darkslip of yours into trouble, Razion? Let me guess—you have another ill-gotten prize to offload.”

Lilas blinked in surprise, glancing at Razion, but he grinned, slow and sharp. “Call it what you want, Hurik,” he said easily. “I’m here to sell. That’s all that matters.”

Hurik let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, shaking his head. His gaze flicked to Lilas, and his thick brows dipped. “And this one?” His tusks parted slightly as he studied her with open curiosity. “Did you steal her too, or is she here by choice?”

“By choice,” Razion said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You know better than to ask such a thing.”

Hurik’s gaze lingered on Lilas for a moment before he snorted. “Well, it’s interesting. You normally don’t keep company.” He tapped his palm on the counter’s surface. “Come on, then. Let’s see what questionable goods you’ve brought me this time.”

Razion tapped a command into his wrist communicator, and a projection flickered to life between them. It was the schematics of Gribna’s vessel—sleek, expensive, and only slightly scorched from the raid.

The vendor narrowed his eyes at the projection, his broad fingers tapping against his armored forearm. “It’s in good shape,” he admitted. “But you lot aren’t exactly mechanics. Howdo I know you didn’t strip out all the vital systems in the process?”

Razion arched a brow. “Because we don’t touch the internal systems,” he said. “Repaired the hull breach, too.”

The vendor snorted. “That so? Because I bet there’s a round scar to show how your raiders got into it.” His golden eyes flicked to Lilas again, assessing. “You look like one of those Terians I’ve been hearing so much about.”

Lilas’ belly tightened at the vague reference to Terians. Hurik had to mean her friends. They were the only Terians taken away from their planet, that she knew of. “What have you been hearing?”

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