“Cadmus!” called awell-dressed humanoid man with disturbing round yellow eyes and brownscaly skin like a reptile. He pushed through the crowd until he wasin front of them. “This one is quite a find. When you tire of her,I’ll buy her from you.” He stood uncomfortably close to be heardover the music. His eyes devoured Toemeka, then his tongue darted outand he licked her cheek. Toemeka gasped and jerked away.
Cadmus snorted. “That’s justCasesteel’s way of greeting women.” He glowered at Casesteel. “Idon’t think I’ll tire of this one.”
“It won’t matter if you did,I’m not for sale!” Toemeka said. “I’m not a slave.”
“Then when you tire of Cadmus’company, be sure to give me a call.”
“Find a different woman. She’smine,” Cadmus said with a glint in his eyes.
“Ah, she must be newlyacquired. You’re always possessive until the newness wears off. Ibelieve we have some business to discuss. I’ll be at the bar whenyou have a free moment.”
“Let’s dance, Toemeka.”Cadmus guided her onto the crowded dance floor.
“I can’t dance in thesestiletto heels.”
“Take them off.”
She removed her shoes, set themby the wall, then slid her small handbag into her skirt pocket.Cadmus took her in his arms and held her close as he began dancing tothe music. She didn’t know the steps, but followed without muchtrouble. During the second dance, a four-armed creature bumped intothem, knocking her into Cadmus’ chest.
“Watch it, you clumsy fool,”Cadmus growled, glaring at the man. Pressed against Cadmus, Toemekaslid her hand into his pocket and pull out the key fob.
“You bumped into me,” thecreature replied, its four arms waving wildly as Toemeka stepped awayfrom Cadmus.
Cadmus gritted his teeth. “You’remistaken.”
A handsome man with a purple scaracross one cheek hurried over. “No need to be so touchy, Putish. Itwas just an accident. Go have another drink.”
“I think I will.” Putishpushed his way through the crowd.
The man turned to Cadmus. “Ididn’t see you come in. I’m glad you could make it. Who’s yourlovely companion?”
“Toemeka.” Cadmus looked ather. “This is our host, Terrko.”
“Amazing party,” Toemekasaid, tightening her hand around the key fob.
“She’s enchanting,” Terrkosaid. “Where have you been hiding her, Cadmus?”
“I brought her here quiterecently.”
“That explains it.” Terrkoturned to Toemeka. “How do you like our city so far?”
“This is my first night out,”she said, beginning to sweat.
“You’ve been remiss, Cadmus.You shouldn’t hide away such beauty. Don’t forget our meeting.Casesteel is already waiting.” He turned away and greeted anotherguest.
“Terrko doesn’t like fightsat his parties,” Cadmus said. “Let’s sit down.”
He led Toemeka over to a curvedcouch. On a small table in front of them was a brass container withlong tubes coming out of it. The couple sitting on a cushion acrossfrom them smoked from two tubes and stared into space.
Having little exposure to thiskind of depravity, Toemeka had trouble remaining detached to all thatwas going on around her.
“I can’t stand Casesteel. Inever did trust anyone of his race.” Cadmus picked up a tube andinhaled deeply.
Toemeka uneasily watched thepeople in the room. The men were armed with an assortment oflethal-looking weapons and the women seemed to be in competition forthe most outrageous clothing. A woman with pink hair walked bywearing a multicolored shimmering dress with live butterflies sittingon her shoulders.
“You were right about my dress.It’s not out of place,” she said. “I’ve never seen suchunusual clothing and hairstyles.”
“One could even say your dressis conservative,” Cadmus replied. “Here, try this.” He handedher the tube.
“No, I−”
“I insist. You need to relaxand enjoy the party.” He put the tip between her lips and sheaccidently drew a breath. She started coughing, which made herfractured ribs hurt. Cadmus handed her a drink and she took a swallowto soothe her lungs before she realized it was alcohol.
“Drink it all,” Cadmus said,taking another puff on the tube. A woman came over and sat down nextto him on the opposite side of the couch from Toemeka.
“Hello, Cadmus.” She put herarms around his neck and started kissing him. He kissed her backwhile fondling her breasts.
Taking advantage of hisdistraction, Toemeka slid the key fob into her purse, then headedtoward the nearby restroom.
A burly man with a steel-coloredeyes stepped in front of her.
“All alone, baby?” he said.
“No, I’m here with CadmusRochambeau. Let me by.” Toemeka tried to push past him.
“You’re quite a sexy dish.”
Toemeka glanced toward Cadmus,wondering what to do. Now he had a woman on each side of him. Onekissed him while the other unbuttoned his shirt.
“Jealous?” the man asked.
“Of those women with Cadmus?”
“Yeah, it looks like he’spretty busy with them.”
“I don’t care.”
Another man walked up. “What’sup, Scrub?”
“Cadmus left his latestunguarded. I think we should sample the wares.” He grabbed thestrap of Toemeka’s dress and ripped it off. Toemeka tried to moveaway, but the other man blocked her retreat.
“Cadmus!” she called.
He looked up and immediately cameover. “Leave her alone,” he snarled.
“How about sharing her?”
“Get out of here, both of you.”
The two men walked off,grumbling.
“Why did you wander off?”Cadmus asked.
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Come back when you’re done.I’ll be watching the door.”
The marble floor of the bathroomfelt cold on her bare feet as she stepped inside and locked the door.The spacious room had a large mirror over a bowl sink, a toilet, aJacuzzi and a narrow window. Heart pounding, she pulled the key fobfrom her evening bag, slid the key into the ankle bracelet lock andturned it. As the bracelet snapped open, relief flooded through her.She kicked the bracelet behind the toilet and slipped the evening baginto her skirt pocket.
She glanced anxiously at thedoor, concerned that Cadmus might start pounding on it any second.She opened the window, which wasn’t more than a foot wide, hopingit would be just enough for her to squeeze through. Her stomachflipped as she looked out. The building was at least a hundredstories high.
The sky was completely dark now,but the city was lit well enough for her to see a six-inch ledgeoutside the window.
Standing on the toilet, shesqueezed through the window sideways until she stood on the narrowledge. She glanced up and saw a design etched in the building wallthat she could use for hand- and footholds. For the first time shewas glad her dress
