Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Sonya’s eyes widened again and her voice dipped and wavered in a moment of weakness—something Davrik had never heard before. Usually she was completely unflappable—a consummate performer.
She’s scared to death! he thought and his fists clenched into knots of protective fury. He wanted to pound the fucking Trollox for even being there—for daring to look at his female and frightening the woman he loved!
Sonya’s voice faltered again and some of the males sitting at the small, round tables placed around the circular stage began to murmur. Davrik didn’t think she even knew that she was messing up the song. Her eyes seemed glued to the menacing creature in the corner of the room, as though she couldn’t look away.
He wished he could jump up and go sweep her off the stage to protect her from the menacing Trollox. If she had been his Sonya, he would have done exactly that. He was fiercely protective—as were all Kindred. He wouldn’t stand for anyone or anything frightening his female!
But she is NOT your Sonya, he reminded himself sternly. She doesn’t know you in this universe. You have to be subtle…move slowly.
Not knowing what else to do, Davrik began humming along with the song she was singing. First he hummed the melody, to bolster her faltering voice and then—when Sonya’s eyes widened and she finally jerked her gaze away from the Trollox—he hummed the harmony to compliment her lovely tones.
He saw her deep brown eyes darting over the audience but he was well hidden in the shadows and she didn’t seem to know where the humming was coming from. That was fine with Davrik—he was just glad he’d been able to pull her out of the horrified trance she’d fallen into and gotten her attention off the menacing Trollox, who was trying to stare a hole through her with its seven, beady yellow eyes.
With his subtle help, Sonya was able to finish the song.
“Someday if all my prayers are answered,
I’ll hear a footstep on the stair.
With anxious heart,
I’ll hurry to the door.
And, darling, you’ll be there!”
There was clapping and cheering as the final note faded. Sonya had finished strong and the audience seemed to have forgotten the few, faltering notes that had slightly marred her performance.
Davrik was glad he’d been able to help her and he was relieved when she bowed and thanked the audience sweetly.
“Thank you for coming to The Flower Lounge!” she said, giving them all a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It has been my privilege to perform for you. I’m here every day, twice a day to sing for your aural pleasure!”
Then she bowed gracefully and excited the stage, going through a black curtain which clearly led backstage.
Davrik remained at his seat, keeping an eye on the Trollox in the corner. The Sluggorn manager had promised to come back for him so he could introduce him to Sonya, so he was biding his time even though he was desperate to see her up close.
A few minutes later, the door to the Flower Lounge opened and the manager oozed in, his little cleaner bot following close behind. Davrik started to rise, but the Trollox reached out an extremely long arm and grabbed the Sluggorn by one slimy appendage. He dragged the manager over to his table and Davrik heard the two of them talking.
“I want her.” It was the middle head talking as it glared with all three of its yellow eyes at the Sluggorn manager. “I will buy her for my own.”
Davrik felt a rush of possessive Rage sweep through him as he realized the Trollox was talking about Sonya. His hands clenched into fists and he had to fight the urge to go kill the big bastard!
“I am afraid that our lovely Sonya is not for sale,” the manager protested.
“Then I will buy her time,” the Trollox insisted. “I want her now!”
“I’m afraid most of her time is already spoken for—she is booked for the entire next solar week with another patron,” the Sluggorn said smoothly. “But after that, she will be free.”
“No! Now!” The Trollox’s meaty hand squeezed tight around the slippery appendage but the Sluggorn manager simply slipped it up and out of the other male’s grip. Davrik supposed grimly that was one of the few benefits of being covered in slime.
“I am afraid, that’s just not possible, Sir Grox,” he said smoothly, as he slid away. “Contact me about next solar week, though—she should be free then.” He oozed up to Davrik’s table, his antennae vibrating slightly. “Sir Davrik, excuse that interruption. Would you like to come meet our lovely Sonya now? She’s waiting in her room for you.”
“Yes, thank you.” Davrik rose, looking at the Trollox as he did so. The creature was glaring at him with all three heads, its triple gaze filled with murderous jealousy. He stared back coolly, feeling a surge of relief that he’d been able to meet with the manager and book Sonya for an entire week before the Trollox had the same idea.