Days ago, the sight of these admittedly gorgeous women would have roused up a desperate desire to rut them, to find out if they were my fated mate...
But now? Now, I only notice them to make sure that Ashley’s friend is among them.
And she is. The female known as Danielle is attached to one of the Bullfrog’s wrists just like all the other girls.
I lean in to Ashley’s ear and murmur: “Don’t give anything away.”
Toads are shrewd negotiators and notorious swindlers. If you show your hand too early, they’ll use that information against you.
The leader of the Bullfrogs puffs his chest out until it strains against his gem-encrusted wetsuit. His arrogance and bluster hasn’t diminished changed since the auction.
“Damned Aurelians! You three stole our woman at the auction! And now you steal our time! You said you’d come to gamble – so, gamble! Don’t waste anymore of our time!”
Evander turns to face the four slimy Bullfrogs. His hand lowers towards where his weapon should have been hanging for a fraction of a second – until he remembers that it’s securely stowed in the back of our luxurious shuttlecraft.
Still, we’re almost equally lethal unarmed; and afraid of nothing.
The three of us size up our enemies.
Remarkably for any species in this universe, Bullfrogs actually stand at least a foot taller than us – when they use proper posture, that is. Added to which, the slimy brutes probably weigh a lot more, too - carrying around seven or eight-hundred pounds of muscle.
Don’t get me wrong – they’re slovenly and sloppy; but not to be judged by the same standards as their Toad brethren. Bullfrogs are the warrior elite of their species, and I’ve watched the combat logs. They’re a tough match, even for a trained Aurelian warrior wielding an Orb-Weapon.
There’s be much honor in defeating one bare-handed, and I get the sudden urge to test my mettle.
But in war, as in life, the first blow is often psychological – and instead of with my fists, I strike out with my words.
“What’s the greatest gamble you’ve ever made?”
My query is a challenge to the leader of the Bullfrogs.
He blusters, blowing air through his huge, blubbery lips.
“I once took five-thousand-credits off a man in a coin flip. I don’t fear an even chance.”
I feel my lips curl triumphantly. They’re hooked.
“We look around even, don’t you say? How about we square up in that fighting pit?”
The Bullfrog actually considers it for a moment. For a second, I realize he’s actually considering single combat against us.
As bloated and slovenly as they are, Bullfrogs aren’t like their pathetic, craven cousins, the Toads. Like Aurelians, they too enjoy the heat and glory of battle.
Then let us square up, I think to myself. I’ll prove once and for all I’m no coward. I’ll kill you all and take your women.
I sense from Evander a flicker of worry through the Bond. He steps forward – and although I can sense it, there’s no sign of doubt or hesitation in his voice when he growls: “You have four women. We have one. Why don’t we even that up?”
The Bullfrog leader chuckles.
“Feeling insecure, Aurelian? One whore to our three?” His blubbery lips quiver. “Very well – let us gamble on the fight below. You’re betting on Draven? I’ll take Daroo. If Daroo wins, I take your woman. If Draven wins, you pick one of mine.”
Evander stands there silently, considering this wager.
Finally, he growls: “The odds are ten to one, and you think I’ll take an even bet? I know you paid four-thousand for that one.” He’s pointing idly at one of the new slaves – one that is specifically not Ashley’s red-haired friend Danielle. “Let me wager four-thousand against her, then.”
The slightest smile flickers on the corner of his lips.
“Let’s see who is insecure now.”
A blubbery chuckle emerges from the Bullfrog’s distended gullet.
A voice also emerges from down in the fighting pit.
“A good wager, sir!” It’s the man with the rapier and the mustache. He looks up at us, and is clearly proud that we’ve chosen him as our champion. Despite my initial dislike for the man and his bravado, I’m starting to like him. There’s something to be said for a fighter who’ll square up against an undefeated champion.
Nevertheless, my instincts tell me he’s hopelessly outclassed. Evander must have a very good reason to be betting on the man.
Or maybe there’s more to Evander’s strategy than I realize. He’s not our leader for nothing – and has never steered us wrong so far. Not even when he had us flee that Scorp nest.
Perhaps Evander has a plan to lose the initial wager – just so the Bullfrogs think we’re the idiots they arrogantly treat us like. That’s why he’s gambled credits on one of the other women, instead of our intended target of Danielle.
Ashley stiffens. I can tell she wants to say something – but she keeps silent, thankfully.
All around us, the crowd is watching the negotiations between the Bullfrogs and our triad, knowing that the deathmatch down in the pit will not commence until the VIP betting has been completed.
The casino hosts steps forward. “We will, of course, guarantee the wager – for a modest 3.2% fee, of course. This is in accordance with local law.”
We ignore him. He’ll get his cut.
Instead, all three of us keep our eyes on the leader of the Bullfrogs.
The blubbery Bullfrog looks down at the prize we’re wagering over – the slave Evander pointed to. She’s a cute little blonde, who looks up at us with hopeful eyes. She’s as desperate to escape her fate as Ashley’s friend Danielle must be.
The Bullfrog’s fleshy face screws up into a shrewd look – his bulbous eyes narrowing.
“No,” the creature sneers. “Not her. This one.”
He’s pointing to a different slave – a curvaceous brunette. The sort of beauty who would once have inflamed the mating frenzy in me…
…but ever since I’ve met Ashley, even a woman
