Page 27 of Warrior's Captive
He told himself these lies to stymy the flood of images and thoughts that spiraled into the darkest waking nightmares of what might have happened to his mate and child had they not been rescued. What might yet happen to them if Tai’ri failed.
He’d slit his own wrists before he allowed them to be recaptured. He’d prefer to slit the enemy’s, though.
Tai’ri realized Evvek’s silence was odd. “What?”
Evvek cleared his throat, then spoke quietly. “The offer is for a young, gravid human female. Class B.”
Class B. Perfect health, above average attractiveness and above average intelligence, deemed able to perform a multitude of common tasks and of biddable temperament. The only better classification was A, and that was reserved for rare or dangerous to acquire species. Humans weren’t especially dangerous to obtain, and their attractiveness often hit and miss.
“How much?” Tai’ri forced himself to ask.
“They’re willing to split the infant from the mother. Price depends on the package.”
Tai’ri whirled, grabbing the back of a chair. When he realized he was in danger of splintering the wood, he let go and closed his eyes, and began the chant.
It took ten minutes, but he regained his calm. Maybe Vykhan was right.
“You good?” Evvek asked. He leaned back in his seat, studying Tai’ri. “Listen, no one blames you if you need to sit this one out. It’s close to home. They’re targeting your mate, and that vakshit would drive me crazy, and I’m the sanest person here. Only Vykhan has that Silence mastered. The rest of us are normal.”
“No.” Tai’ri pushed the breath to utter cogent words out of constricting lungs. How did people survive with this much rage bottled up, for long periods of time? “We identify this broker, use him to identify his suppliers. I will destroy them all. Slowly. I will see this through until their ashes decorate my mantle.”
“Macabre, but if that’s what soothes you. You memorized your cover?”
Tai’ri stared at him.
Evvek rolled his eyes. “Just asking. Alright, take a seat in the booth, I’m loading backgrounds now. Ordering audio/visual prelim.”
Tai’ri slipped into the narrow booth in the corner, outfitted with tech that allowed Evvek to project any impenetrable background image he chose. Tai’ri, recalling the brief, would be lounging on a divan in a half open robe, the picture of a successful, indolent male bored with what legal and morally acceptable avenues of entertainment had to offer.
Tai’ri sprawled in the cold seat, and waited for the comm line to open. The screen remained black, but a voice sounded.
“Greetings, CityNightLord. I received your request for a viewing.” Not a Yadeshi voice, but accented with something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Yet, anyway.
Tai’ri jerked a shoulder, expression bored, and let his gaze wander. He spoke in a high, slightly nasal tenor. “I prefer to know who I am dealing with. I prefer long-term relationships. Only brokers who understand the value of my attention will receive my business.”
“We pride ourselves on flawless service. I understand you are inquiring about our latest acquisition.”
“If it meets with my quality standards. I refuse to waste my time on inferior merchandise.”
“We cater to clients with refined palates.”
Tai’ri lifted a brow. “We’ll see, I suppose. The last time a broker promised me superior service I was delivered a hag. I had to fumigate after it died. Do you have any idea how expensive it is to replace genuine Lonorian silks? They absorbanyscent. I’m still recovering.” He shuddered, tilting his head back in despair to stare at the ceiling.
“We have a guarantee,” was the smooth reply. “If you are unhappy with any of our merchandise, we offer a replacement of even higher value, no questions asked.”
Tai’ri lowered his head, allowing distaste and anger to show on his face. “Fine. But I won’t pay full offer on the first transaction. You will have to prove yourselves.”
“I’m confident we can come to an arrangement.”
The smooth, oiled voice grated on Tai’ri’s nerves. His hand tightened. “When will you have your next showing?”
“I can arrange a showing at your convenience. However, the alien you were interested in is still in processing. We spend several weeks training, grooming, and ensuring our merchandise is in the best health and fully understands its new role.”
“Very well. If you don’t have that one ready, in the meantime I will go to—”
“We can arrange for the showing early, CityNightLord. We’re impressed with your credentials and are eager to serve you.”
Which meant the trafficker had managed to hack into the fake persona Evvek had created, and was salivating. To them, Tai’ri was a rich mark, willing to spend recklessly and aggrieved at the lack of quality on the market at present. Also someone with an impeccable public record, low profile but influential in certain circles.
