Page 75 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
“Your desk, your chair, and that front door—they’re all impressive,” I reply honestly.
“You’re not just flattering me,” he says, sounding pleased. “You really mean it.”
“Of course. The door alone, with all those intricate carvings, is a work of art. It must’ve taken ages to make. And it looks ancient.”
“It is,” he says. “It came from your planet. So did the desk and the chair. When the oceans swallowed most of your lands, humans traded away their heritage for food or shelter. This piece came from an old place of worship—‘Notre-Dame de Paris,’ I believe. I don’t know much more. I’ve never studied your world’s history. But I’ll admit—your artists, sculptors, musicians… they had real skill. I’d trade everything here for a seat in the Coalition, like the one the seller claimed. If I hadn’t taken these pieces for myself, they would’ve rotted away under the mud and ice.”
“I’m glad you saved them,” I say, trying to sound sincere.
Noviosk rises slowly from his chair, stretching to his full height.
I swallow hard. He’s massive—easily over eight feet tall—and intimidating. His lips curl slightly, revealing sharp canines.
“I can smell dishonesty,” he says. “And fear. Yours has a certain… flavor.”
Beside me, Prax tenses, his mane bristling.
“Relax, kitten,” Noviosk says with a mocking grin. “I’m not planning to damage her. Though the thought is tempting. But one of our buyers has already placed a claim, and I’m curious to see how that plays out. So you’d better decide quickly.”
“But… the auction hasn’t even started,” Prax protests.
“True,” Noviosk replies. “But you won’t be the one buying her. I can guarantee that. Take heart, kitten. With what you’ll earn from this sale, you could afford a companion of your own. Maybe even two. We’ve got a few Sadjim females available, if you’ve noticed. And even…”
“Incoming call,” interrupts the AI embedded in Noviosk’s desk.
“Duty calls,” the wolf-man says with a grin. “Tusco, take them back.”
Prax and I follow the guard, Tusco, toward the exit. As the heavy wooden doors close behind us, I catch Noviosk’s voice continuing his conversation.
“The Unshakable! Good morning. The auction’s tomorrow at the Grand Market. Just wait at my place—I’ll meet you there after. Then we can talk about those schematics you stole from the Confed for me. I love getting my hands on their latest tech before they even finish testing it.”
I walk in silence, Prax just behind me. I’ve heard enough to know something’s wrong. Noviosk has a contact inside the Confederation—someone with access to sensitive data, willing to sell it to the Coalition.
Pherebos’s face flashes in my mind. He’s the only one I know who moves easily between both sides. If he’s the one talking to Noviosk, this is bigger than I thought. Selling me would be the least of it—leaking tech to the Coalition could have devastating consequences. I hope I’m wrong. But I doubt it.
“I’m sorry,” Prax says quietly, his voice low and rough. “It looks like there’s no way I can get you out.”
“Yeah,” I reply, trying not to sound too bitter. “Seems like my fate’s already sealed. But… thank you. For trying.”
“Thanks for playing along with Noviosk,” he adds. “It meant something to me. Even if it didn’t change anything.”
“There’s definitely a connection between us,” I say. “If things had been different, maybe we could’ve been friends.”
“Definitely,” he says with a small smile. “Though I’ll admit, if I’d been able to buy you, I wouldn’t have said no to something more. Spending time with you… it’s shown me you’re someone I’d want in my life.”
He laughs softly, but I can tell he means it. My feline guardian definitely has a soft spot for me.
When we reach my cell, I sit back down on the cold floor. He gives me a nod, then turns and walks away.
And just like that, I’m back where I started—alone, in a damp, grimy cell, waiting to be sold to someone who might be even worse than Noviosk.
No doubt about it. The fairy who was supposed to bless my cradle must’ve skipped BN-35 entirely.
Chapter 21.
Pherebos.
This is it. The plan’s in place—well, everythingexceptfor the inevitable chaos that’s bound to hit the moment things go live.
