Page 10 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas
“No?”
“No. You are not stealing a Vipri.”
“I know! I just said, it’snotstealing. Slavery is wrong, no matter the galaxy. Way more wrong than stealing. We’re saving him.”
“No!” He repeated at a roar, because it seemed like the word was not processing. He’d never bellowed at one of his owners before, but then this was the first time he’d ever been owned by a lunatic. “You will not go back to that town again, woman. It is a miracle from the gods that you survived the first trip.”
She frowned at his volume and hesitantly edged back from him.
Xane took a deep breath, willing himself to stay calm. The female was a fraction of his size, without claws or horns to defend herself. It made perfect sense that she would be wary of him.Everyonewas wary of him, and he liked it that way.
But he didn’t like her retreat.
“If you are truly alone, then I am the only thing standing between you and certain death.” He warned. “I would not move far afield of me, if I were you.”
She didn’t look convinced. “Why would you stand between me and certain death?”
“Because, for the moment, you are standing between me and the blue salt mines.” That was the reason he preferred to focus on. Everything else was asking for trouble.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry.” She waved away his logic with a graceful sweep of her small hand. Possibly because she had never encountered logic before. She seemed oblivious to reality. “You’re never going into those mines. You’re free.”
He didn’t believe her. “Am I?” He mocked, raising his bound wrists.
“Yeah, about that…” She cleared her throat. “See, you’re totally free. …But, I’mslightlyworried that you’re going to attack me, as soon as I unlock you.”
“If I wanted you dead, I’d kill you no matter the obstacles.”
“That isn’t making me feel better.”
He lifted a shoulder, because his words were true. He could not help how they affected her. Gods, his head hurt. He widened his stance, concerned he might disgrace himself and fall to the ground. Everything was swimming.
“I mean, you can’t blame me for being a little cautious of you.” She persisted. “You ripped off some guy’s leg, a couple hours ago.”
“I did?”
“Yes! The auctioneer alien.”
He grunted, barely remembering. The man had been insignificant, and the drugs made everything hazy. “Well, the chains were on my hands when I defeated him, then. Why would you assume the restraints keep you safe now?”
The woman was quiet for a moment. It made no sense, but the silence made his headache worse. Her colorful voice soothed him. Gods knew why.
“You’re right.” She finally said and mauled at her lower lip some more. “Also, it’s morally wrong to keep you chained. I feel terrible about it.”
“So, release me.” He challenged, not believing for a moment that she’d actually do it.
She hesitated. “Youpromisenot to hurt me?”
“I promise nothing.”
“Seriously!?” She lifted her hands in an exasperated gesture.
Xane gave another shrug. Rtaharions let their actions speak for them, not empty words.
His perplexing little owner sighed. “I have no idea why I bid on you.” She dug in the pockets of her robe. Coming up with a key, she moved closer to him. “There were way nicer aliens up for sale. I’m sure of it.”
“Half of them would have eaten you by now. The other half would’ve done worse.” He glowered down at the top of her head. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to figure out how intergalactic handcuffs work.”
