Page 52 of Alien's Luck
A Nakkoni man stood in front of the window with his back to the room. Carla recognized Tavat. A round dining table satnearby with a floral centerpiece and covered in golden treasure. Her treasure.
“It seems I invited a thief to my home,” Tavat said.
CHAPTER 16
CARLA
Ari’s treasure covered the table: necklaces, bracelets, arm bands, rings, ear cuffs, and even a tiara. Assorted other small items had been dumped on the surface, the original box discarded on the floor. The presentation was all very dramatic.
“Those were a gift,” Carla said, her voice steady and calm.
“Really? Is Lord Solivair aware?”
Tavat went to a sideboard and poured two drinks. He waved a hand toward the table, indicating that she should sit.
Carla accepted the glass of amber liquid, raising it to her lips, though she did not drink. “Lord Solivair knows my opinion of him and will understand my need for compensation.”
A brittle, rasping sound escaped Tavat. It took her a disturbingly long moment to realize that it was laughter. So unnerving, like an insect rubbing legs together.
Watching him, she realized what it was. His quills did not move. Poppy’s were expressive, broadcasting her mood to anyone who cared enough to look. Tavat’s remained still. Not even a twitch. It was flat and expressionless, like his eyes.
The laughter died abruptly. His face went blank.
He grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look up at him. “If you think to steal from me, reconsider,” he warned.
“I wouldn’t,” she said, stumbling over the words.
His tail moved lazily from side to side. “Is it not considered rude in your culture to not drink what your host gives you?”
Carla took a sip. The liquor had a strong, smoky flavor and knocked the breath out of her.
This demonstration mollified Tavat. He sat at the table. Servants arrived with their meal. While it was being served, Carla took the opportunity to study the room. The space was meant to impress with grand views and high vaulted ceilings. Lighted pedestals displayed twisting shapes of colored glass, presumably art pieces. Carla wasn’t an art expert, but she had an eye for expensive items, and those blobs of glass looked like expensive nonsense. Despite the natural stone and plants, the space was cold. Devoid of anything resembling comfort. Even the padding on the chairs was thin, making them uncomfortable.
Probably by design, she speculated.
“Where is Ari?” Carla asked once the meal had been served. It was some sort of sea creature, a giant bug with multiple claws by the looks of it, with a bright cerulean shell.
“Lord Solivair is occupied at the moment.” Tavat cracked the shell, separating the claw from the joint. Carla did her best not to flinch at the sound of snapping shells.
He missed an opportunity to say he’s tied up at the moment and do a villain laugh. Carla took a heavy silver instrument that resembled a nutcracker and did her best to crack open a claw. She’d do avillain laugh.
Instead, she said, “Did you know crabs evolved multiple times on Earth? It’s called crabification. Well, there’s a fancy term for it, not crabification. Essentially, evolution favors the crab.” She held up a claw to emphasize her point.
Tavat did not look intrigued. Shame. Ari would have been interested. Tavat looked bored, in fact, glancing down at a tablet.
“Tell me what your master hoped to gain by coming here,” he ordered, folding the tablet and putting it in a pocket.
Carla shrugged, doing her best not to react to the word master. “Ari doesn’t share his plans with me. If I had to guess, seeing as how he’s an art and antiques dealer, he wants to make a sale.”
“A sale,” Tavat repeated, sounding skeptical.
“He’s not that complicated.” She cracked into another claw. The meat was flavorless and not worth the effort, in her opinion. “That’s all I know. I’d tell you if he had some grand scheme. I’ve got no reason to keep the gargoyle’s secrets. I owe him no loyalty.”
Maybe she laid it on a bit thick, but Tavat seemed to be buying it.
“And what do you hope to gain from your visit here? Favor with your master?”
She forced a bland smile on her face. “I just want to keep Ari happy.”
