Page 27 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

“Causing quite a stir. Why?” The vendor let out a dry laugh, leaning forward. “What’s the information worth to you?”

“Tell us what you know,” Lilas said before she could stop herself.

Hurik shot her a dry look. “I could, but information, like raided starships, is bought with credits.”

Lilas stiffened, but Razion’s hand brushed against the small of her back, a grounding weight. “I’ll fully charge the power cells rather than draining them off,” Razion said with a shrug as he gestured toward the projection of Gribna’s ship. “Other than the previous owner’s poor taste, the ship is tight and the specs are accurate. You have my word. We’ve done business before, Hurik.”

The vendor grunted. “The moment I take this off your hands, everyone will know it was raided. Can’t sell a ship like that without questions. Especially not to buyers who care about maintenance records.”

“You’re not looking to sell it to someone who asks too many questions,” Razion said smoothly. “But we need you to answer ours about the Terians.” He glanced quickly at Lilas. “Do I have a problem on my hands, Hurik?”

Lilas watched, fascinated. She’d never seen negotiations like this before and she was suddenly very, very invested in the outcome.

Hurik crossed his arms. “You say the ship’s in good condition. I say it’s questionable. I could take it off your hands for…forty thousand credits. Thirty-five with the information you want.”

Razion let out a short laugh. “Try again.”

Hurik tapped his fingers on the counter, unimpressed. “Forty-five.”

Razion shook his head. “Eighty.”

“Sixty, you smug bastard.”

“Seventy-two.”

“Sixty-five.”

Razion considered. Lilas held her breath, but then he shrugged. “Seventy, final offer.”

The vendor grumbled under his breath, but something flickered in his golden eyes. Then he exhaled through his nose and extended his hand. “Seventy.”

Razion took his hand, gripping firm as they sealed the deal. The vendor grumbled some more, clearly displeased that he hadn’t managed to argue Razion down further, but he didn’t press his luck. He tapped a few commands into the datapad at his station, and a transaction confirmation appeared on Razion’s wrist communicator. The deal was done.

Lilas exhaled slowly, realizing she’d been holding her breath. That had been…intense. Watching Razion work, seeing the sharpness in his negotiations, the way he never backed down, had been riveting.

“Some Terian females were sold off at the Falmic-5 auction.” Hurik lowered his voice and moved his sharp gaze over Lilas. “Figure you know this. Figure you came from there yourself.”

She glanced at Razion, who wore a keen expression. “Get to the part we don’t know.”

Hurik’s eyes narrowed and his gaze flicked around the room, as if to see if they were being observed. “Axis agents have had trouble with them. They just lost a penal colony due to revolt, the Slarik Arena was destroyed and there was some talk about a brothel closing down.”

Razion blinked at Hurik. “Terians did these things?”

“They were involved with each incident,” Hurik replied, then paused and rubbed his chin. “Zaruxians, too. At least, beings thatlookedlike your species, Razion. Big, scaled, winged. Although these males could turn into full-fledged dragon creatures that shot fire from their mouths.” He shook his head. “I don’t know if that part is true. Sounds like overblown gossip.”

Lilas watched the expression on Razion’s face change from calm to something that looked like barely concealed shock. His lips parted on a silent harsh breath. “I see. That will do. Thank you.”

Hurik studied them for a beat longer, lips pressing into a thin line, like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Finally, he grumbled, “Try not to get yourself killed out there, Captain.”

“Until next time, Hurik.” He took Lilas’ wrist again and moved away from the counter, pulling her with him.

“But—” Lilas said, not ready to leave. Surely Hurik had more information thanthat. Who were the Terians? What did they look like? And what penal colony was lost? It could be hers.Fekkingstars, it could be hers.

Razion looked downright alarmed as they moved quickly through the merchants and traders. He caught her gaze and tilted his head slightly. “We need to get back to the ship.”

“He could have told us more,” she protested. “You know he had more to say.”

“Sometimes more information isn’t good information.” Razion tapped a few commands into his display and turned to her with an intensity that made her stomach flip in ways she didn’t want to think about. “Pull your hood up over your hair.”

---