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)
At the conclusion of each demonstration, the hologram of the M’orphian chef would lean forward and offer a “taste” of the dish he, she, or ze—(the M’orphians had three sexes)—had prepared. If you opened your mouth, a small fan would blow scent and taste molecules into your face, allowing you to experience the M’orphian dish the holo-chef was holding out to you.
Davrik would have been much more interested in the display if he hadn’t been focused on getting Sonya out of the building without being caught. As it was, however, it offered an excellent distraction. Dozens of couples were scattered around the lobby all watching the dazzling knife work and cooking skills and opening their mouths to “taste” the cuisine.
“If you enjoy our culinary creations, please visit The Frosted Nutsac, located right here in The House of a Thousand Flowers,” one of the holo-chefs was saying with a broad, toothy grin. Since all M’orphians had teeth like the Earth animal called a shark, this part of the demonstration was more than a little startling.
“Oh!” a woman gasped as the holo-chef bared his mouth full of razor-sharp fangs in a toothy grin. At the same time, a new rush of people came into the lobby—it appeared to be a big group of Yonnite Masters, all talking and laughing with the females they owned on their arms. To Davrik, this looked like the perfect opportunity.
“Now!” he murmured and began walking briskly with Sonya hurrying to keep up at his side.
They made it all the way outside and were in sight of the broad alley where Davrik had his ship hovering in readiness when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder.
“I don’t think so, friend,” a rough voice grated in his ear.
Davrik let go of Sonya as someone spun him around and he found himself faced with two scaly Thorian guards, both glaring down at him. Behind them was Oozle, his antennae twitching angrily.
“Run, baby girl!” he shouted over his shoulder. But Sonya seemed stuck to the spot. She tried to take a step and then leaned down to grab at her ankle with an exclamation of pain.
“Did you really think you could get away with one of our most prized Flowers, Sir Davrik?” the Sluggorn demanded, oozing forward. “We implant a pain chip in each and every one of our girls the first night they’re with us which begins to hurt the moment they wander even a few steps from the building’s perimeter! But of course our lovely Songbird couldn’t tell you that, since we knock them out first.”
“You bastard!” Davrik growled. “Sonya is mine! I’ll never give her up!”
“I’m afraid you must, because your time with us here at The House of a Thousand Flowers is now ended,” Oozle burbled. He nodded at one of the guards. “You—take our lovely Sonya back up to her room. Her new owner will be coming to collect her shortly. And you—” He nodded at the other guard. “Make sure that Sir Davrik remains outside. He is no longer welcome on the premises.”
“No! Let me go!” Sonya gasped as the first Thorian grabbed her none-too-gently by the arm.
“I’d advise you to behave yourself and go quietly, my dear,” Oozle snapped at her. “You’re already in a great deal of trouble. If Sir Grox didn’t wish to collect you at once, you’d be spending the next several nights in The Box.”
Davrik moved to take Sonya away from the guard but suddenly the Thorian guard in front of him was pointing a blaster at his chest.
“Don’t think so,” the guard snarled. “Move along, just like the boss told you to.”
“Davrik!” Sonya was looking over her shoulder as the other guard dragged her away, back up the steps into The House of a Thousand Flowers.
“Don’t worry, baby girl—I’ll come for you!” he shouted. “Be watching for me!”
“Yeah right,” sneered the guard. “Don’t you know every fucking entrance and exit is guarded and monitored constantly?”
“He is correct—how do you think we saw you attempting to leave with our property in the first place?” Oozle sounded exceedingly smug—it made Davrik want to ram his fist right through the Sluggorn’s slimy face.
“You fucker,” he said thickly. “You don’t care if she dies as long as you get your position on the Sacred Eight. Do you really think the rest of the Council is going to let a spineless bag of pus like you make any of the decisions? They’re throwing you a bone because Grox paid them off. You’re just going to sit in the corner gathering dust like the useless invertebrate asshole you are!”
“That is enough!” The Sluggorn’s antennae waved angrily. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges against you for attempted theft! Get out of here before I change my mind and call the Peace Keepers!”
The guard put one scaly hand in the center of Davrik’s chest and shoved him—hard. He stumbled backwards, losing his balance, and fell to the ground with a bone-jarring thump.