These guys were intense. However, I was nosy and used to being around journalists. So I asked what I wanted to ask. “What’s with the fangs? Do you guys drink blood?”
Styx laughed. “You and my mate, Harper, would be fast friends. She is human like you.”
I arched a brow. “Well?”
He looked down at me. “We are not vampires. Harper has told me about your stories on Earth. About an ancient named Dracula and his need to drink blood to survive.”
I blanched, thinking of Lukabo. “You… you don’t drink blood?”
He grinned. “On the contrary, our bite gives life. Heals illness. Binds us to our mates.”
The idea of these two with someone like me, a human woman, between them, fucking them, biting her with some kind of super bonding juice? Whoa. And I thought Bahre was intense with how he took me up against the wall. “I’d like to meet Harper.”
Styx bowed at the waist. “Of course. You and your warlord are welcome in Styx Legion’s territory at any time.”
“I heard that.” The Prillon in charge, Dr. Helion, walked over and joined us. “I heard that, Styx. I will hold you to it.”
“I said Bahre and his mate were welcome, Helion. No one else. And do not forget, you will owe me a favor after this is done.”
“Yes. I am well aware of your demands.” Helion looked at me. “Are you ready? I have word from my people in the landing bay that Cerberus has arrived. He will be here in a few minutes.”
“Landing bay? He didn’t transport?” I asked.
“Never.” That was all Dr. Helion said in answer.
“Then I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” I looked at Bahre, who held my gaze just long enough to make me feel truly seen. He knew I needed to do this. He also seemed to be the only one who realized just how scared I was, how making small talk calmed me.
Helion looked to Rett. “Demand double Lukabo’s price.”
“I know the plan.”
Helion nodded; then to Styx and Blade he said, “Protest his arrival, but don’t drive him away. This is a business transaction. Nothing more.”
Styx crossed his arms over his chest, clearly annoyed, but said nothing.
Helion looked me over, inspecting everything from how I was secured to how I was dressed. “Perfect. You, Quinn of Earth, look perfect.”
“Helion.” Bahre’s warning fell on deaf ears as the wrist gadget on Helion’s black uniform pinged. He glanced down. “Five minutes. Everyone move. Now.”
The cargo room had been chosen specifically because of the large number of stacked crates, boxes, containers, and other goods. The aliens around me disappeared like shadows until only Rett and I remained out in the open, speaking to Styx and Blade as they negotiated my price.
My job was to look frightened and weak. Easy. Not one ounce of acting required knowing that Cerberus was coming. For me. I knew my Greek mythology. Knew that Cerberus was the three-headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld to keep the dead from leaving.
Oh shit, did this alien have three heads? That had me scared out of my wits and holding myself together only because I knew Bahre was watching. Right now. This very second. Watching over me. Protecting me.
Rett, Styx, and Blade were on my side as well. Still… three heads? No.
I glanced up and found Blade watching me. He winked and flashed his fangs.
Despite myself, I had to hide a grin. It helped. These were the good guys. These were the good guys. I had to put the words on repeat in my mind as those five minutes felt like five hours.
At last the door slid open just as Styx spoke. “I will kill you before I give you that many credits.”
I was on the news and knew when we were live. Styx had hit his mark perfectly.
Rett, who had appeared very kind, if a bit scary this whole time, was now a full-on monster. He moved so fast I couldn’t keep track, as if he were the vampire. Hunters were obviously fast. Like a blur. He had Styx by the throat, and it made me cry out in surprise. “That is the price if you want the female.”
“Hunter. Hunter.” A huge blue alien walked into the room with four others behind him. Four. Two were female. None had three heads. But blue. B.L.U.E. Was Cerberus blue? Holy shit, I had not been expecting that.
“Put Styx down,” the blue guy said. “He may not be willing to pay your price, but I am.” He looked me over, just as Helion had, and I felt… exposed. Violated. Dirty. He made Jeff Randall seem like a simple bully on the elementary school playground. I didn’t need to act afraid any longer. I was scared of this guy.
Rett’s smile looked like pure evil. How? How was he pulling this off? I had to assume it was pure hatred for the legion leader that was driving him. “Cerberus. I am glad to see you received my message.” He dropped Styx as if he were garbage.
“Oh, I received it loud and clear when you left Lukabo’s body where you knew we would find it,” Cerberus said.
“In my private quarters.” One of the females accompanying Ceberus spoke. She was huge, six feet tall at least, older than Cerberus, but she looked mean. Just nasty. I knew how to spot a bitch of the first order, and she qualified. “You need to learn some manners, Hunter.”
Now I knew what had happened to Lukabo.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Rett denied. “But I am glad you are here. I was just discussing the future of my guest.”
Cue the acting job. I looked from one blue alien to the next, then to Rett. “I’m not your guest. Take me home. You have to take me home.” I
