Page 51 of Alien's Luck
Once the door closed, Carla waited until she heard the lock sliding into place. Alone and not likely to be disturbed, she searched the room for listening devices and cameras or anything electronic. There weren’t too many places in the sparse room to hide a bug.
Tech was tricky on Reazus Prime. Those with money had the latest and greatest, imported from the more stable parts ofthe galaxy. Everyone else made do by cobbling bits and pieces together and hoping for the best. Most everything from cars to phones and even buildings were Frankensteined monstrosities. A guy like Tavat had resources, but the cart was little more than a glorified golf cart. The canopy had rust spots in the joints, suggesting it might not get the upkeep it needed. Welding lines crisscrossed the body of the cart, telling Carla that panels had been salvaged from elsewhere. She’d bet good money that the engine had been pieced together the same way.
She was getting distracted. The room was likely bugged. Tavat might have splurged for a super-micro unit, but maybe not. Luck might be on Carla’s side. Lady Luck owed her one, after all.
As it happened, luck was on her side. She found a cluster of wires and circuits hidden among the leafy potted plants by the window. She fetched a glass of water from the bathroom, announced that the plants looked thirsty, and dropped the bug in the water.
Problem solved.
She cleaned up the bathroom, giving special attention to the scratches the fluffy little thief left on her shoulders and arms. The last thing she needed was some weird infection.
Opening the box revealed a sleeveless gray silk gown. It was exquisite, with a plunging neckline, daringly high thigh slit, and thin. Very, very thin.
Carla held the fabric up to the window. It glowed in the sunlight, and she had little doubt that everything would show with the right lighting.
Gross. Being objectified was not part of the plan, but adaptability was survivability, even if it was demeaning.
At least the gown was close to the right size. Buttons on the inside of the bodice allowed her to adjust the fit, and while the hem was long, it didn’t drag on the floor. She found a comb anddid her best with her hair. The nice thing about being on an alien planet was no one knew human beauty standards. Frizzy from the humidity? Pfft. Frizzy was in nowadays. All the cool kids had frizzy hair.
ARI
His wings were tied. Still half-asleep and hazy from a sedative, Ari experienced the overwhelming sensation of not being able to breathe. The binds holding his wings constricted around his chest, though his arms remained free. He thrashed and clawed at his chest.
“I advise not doing that,” a calm voice said. “The table is rather narrow, and you’ll fall off.”
“What—”
“My medic is cleaning your bite. It’s rather nasty. Now remain still.”
Ari turned his head in the direction of the speaker. The Nakkoni female from earlier stood over him, now wearing surgical garb. A mask covered her face. The voice did not belong to her. His mind worked frustratingly slowly. This was the medic. He was in a lab or a medical suite. He had been drugged.
Then nothing. Silence. He drifted in and out of consciousness.
He woke with sudden clarity, disoriented. He was in a new location, a small room without windows. His wings were unbound but his hands were tied, stretched above his head with a chain. He stood at the edge of a dark pit, his heels right at the edge. Cautiously, he shuffled forward as far as the chain would allow, but he remained precariously balanced.
Ari tugged at the chair, leaning back to add additional strain. It held. His hands shifted to stone, gaining a modicum more girth and density. The chain continued to hold.
A frustrated growl escaped his lips. This was not the plan. He was not meant to be separated from Carla so soon.
“It was rather foolish of you to assume I’d allow you to leave.” Tavat stepped through the door, looking remarkably bored.
“It was foolish of me to assume your invitation was given in good faith. I should have known better.”
Tavat crossed the room, avoiding the pit. “Yes, you should have, Lord Solivair. And you should also know better than to try to bait me into a monologue. I will not be distracted.”
Ari tugged at the chain, a futile gesture but necessary. He would not be intimidated. “Is this how you treat a guest?”
Tavat leaned in, his breath hot on Ari’s face. “No. This is how I treat those who steal from me.”
He released the chain. Before Ari could lunge forward, Tavat pushed.
Ari fell backward into darkness.
CARLA
A minion escorted Carla to dinner. She tried to memorize the route, but the minion must have received orders to make it as confusing as possible. It didn’t match up to the satellite images she’d studied with Ari. She’d need to create a distraction to slip away to figure out the lair’s layout.
The minion took her to an open lounge area with a massive circular window, the centerpiece. The aesthetic was more of the natural stone and poured concrete. The furnishing complimented the circular design with gentle curves. Round rugs. Round sofa. White globes hung from the stone ceiling like high-tech stalactites.
