Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
Lila
Idebated what to wear but decided to go with my Galaxy Circus uniform. You can’t hide that big of a ship docked at the station, and the cloth is supposed to be pretty resistant to weapons. If only I had known that when I had been practicing the cat whip, I would have worn it then.
Unlike the others who Xavier teleported where they need to be, I have to disembark the traditional way.
There’s an alien waiting at the end of the walkway, and he demands that I sign a waiver before I go any farther.
I was already nervous to begin with, but when I read that it’s a waiver that says they can’t be held liable for the injury, dismemberment, or sudden death, my nerves really kick into overdrive.
I quickly sign it, but my hand hovers over my laser gun in my holster.
I didn’t have to hand it over, but the alien did say I was responsible for any damage to the space station caused by me firing my weapon.
He then moved on to the next waiting ship, and I went on my way.
Once I leave the space port and walk down a narrow hallway, the sounds and smells get louder and more offensive the farther I go.
When I step out onto the main platform, I stop and stare in surprise.
I’m not sure why I’m surprised. I was warned, but there is a brawl going on in front of me, and it seems to involve anyone in the vicinity.
I shuffle backward and put my back to the wall, protecting it as I watch on in wide-eyed horror as people stab, shoot, punch, and kick, not caring at all about the bodies littering the floor.
I’m not sure if they are dead or just bleeding except for the four-armed being that is missing a head.
I’m almost certain he’s seen his last fight, but then again, I could be wrong. Maybe his head can regrow.
My stomach rolls, and I fight to keep my recently drank coffee from reappearing.
Suddenly, an alarm blares and short, barrel-chested blue security officers appear from another hallway.
They seem to have stun weapons, because they point them at all the participants, and they drop to the ground and start to twitch.
I watch in awe as they then proceed to grab a foot in each hand and drag them all away.
“Are you okay, miss?” one of them asks me through a mouthful of gnarly teeth. His face is bumpy with ridges and dips, but despite his terrifying appearance, his eyes are kind.
“Ah, yeah, I just arrived and kind of walked into it.”
“You weren’t hurt?” he asks, looking me up and down, and his eyes widen when they stop on the Galaxy Circus logo on my uniform. “The circus is here? We’re not your usual stop,” he says, starting to look a little suspicious.
“Oh, no, the circus is on hiatus. I’m here on personal business. The uniform has protective qualities, so that’s why I wore it.”
The suspicion clears. “Good thinking. You can’t be too careful of the rascals and rogues on this station.
Well, my name’s Glup. If you need any help, just ask for me at the security phones located at any of the establishments.
I know any of us would be happy to escort you in exchange for a couple of tickets to the show. ”
I chuckle under my breath. Of course he’s not being altruistic. “Thank you, I’m fine. I’m meeting someone at the Poison Hideaway,” I tell him. “But if you could show me how to get there, then I’m sure I can have a few tickets made available to the hard-working security of Z68.”
He beams at me, his yellow teeth sharp, but I don’t feel particularly threatened. “Right this way, madam. Oh, wait until I tell the boys. They will be so excited. The Galaxy Circus is always sold out, and it’s pretty expensive for a guard.”
“Really? I’ve only just joined, so I don’t really know anything about the pricing. I’ll talk to my grandpas about it. It might be something we need to look at so we can help the average space person be able to go too. Maybe we can have discount nights.”
He stops and looks at me. “What did you say your name was?”
“Oh, sorry, Glup, I’m Lila Adams,” I tell him, holding out my hand.
He stares at it in surprise before his eyes narrow slightly, and I can practically see the wheels turning in his mind. Fuck, did I do something wrong?
Instead of shaking it, he kind of does this bow curtsy thing.
“The Adams brothers’ granddaughter and a mimic.
It is my honor to meet you,” he murmurs before straightening.
“I have heard so many things about you. The galaxy is riddled with gossip regarding the new Skarrian mimic that has appeared. If you’ll just follow me, I will personally escort you to the Poison Hideaway. ”
Shit, maybe I should have lied about who I was, but I hadn’t expected any rumors or knowledge of my existence, let alone my powers, would have traveled this far so fast.
“Why don’t you have an escort? This is no place for a lone woman, a beautiful and powerful one at that. Someone with your powers is worth a gold mine to the wrong people.”
I grimace and shrug. “I’m not actually that powerful.
I can only take a couple of extra forms. Every time I try another, I get sick.
I guess being a whisperer as well has canceled out the mimic abilities,” I lie out of my ass as we make our way through the station.
It’s not as chaotic as the original brawl I stumbled upon, but still eye-opening.
We pass a group of men gathered at some sort of cage and watch as they place bets on the animals fighting inside it.
When pink, viscous liquid flies in an arc, I avert my eyes.
“Really? Even more reason for someone to escort you.”
“Well, between you and me…” I lean in like I’m confiding in him, and his eyes sparkle with excitement. “I’m meeting someone, and I was told that I had to come alone, or the meeting would be off. I need the information this being has.”
He tuts and shakes his head. “Still, you make sure you’re careful.
How about I stay just outside the establishment and watch your back from there?
I’m station security, so I could just say I was doing my job,” he offers, and I smile, but I’m guessing he has ulterior motives, so I’m going to beat him to the punch, even though I don’t need him because my guys are undercover, and I can quite easily defend myself.
He doesn’t know that, though, and not accepting his help may seem suspicious.
“Would you? That would be wonderful,” I gush, patting the little man on the shoulder. “I’m sure I could arrange for you to receive a lifetime ticket to the circus.” I don’t even know if there is such a thing, but the greedy little man seems convinced as he rubs his hands together.
“Oh yes, make it a double pass, and you have a deal,” he counters, and I almost roll my eyes. What an idiot. He was the one who offered in the first place.
The rest of our trek through the station is spent dodging fights and ignoring catcalls and propositions, each one more disgusting than the last. I feel dirty and gross when we finally make it to my destination.
“This is one of the better establishments, but it’s still not great.
You should be able to have a drink without getting ill, but I would avoid the food,” he tells me, waving an arm.
“I’ll just be out here if you need me. Once you’re done, I can escort you back to your ship,” he promises and moves to the side, making himself comfortable against the wall.
“Thank you, Glup. Hopefully I won’t be too long,” I tell him as I walk into the bar.
Some of the bars and restaurants we passed on the way were gross and kind of scary.
I didn’t regret having Glup with me because people seemed to take one look at him and avert their gazes.
No matter Glup’s motivations, I’m kind of grateful to have him with me.
This place looks like a little old English pub with low lighting and wooden decor.
I stop just inside the entrance and look around.
There’s a rowdy group of shifters in the corner, whom I recognize as my guys in glamour.
I let my eyes slide past them, not wanting to look too suspicious.
There is a hooded individual in another booth on the opposite side of the bar from where my guys are.
I can’t make out any features, but he looks to be quite tall and bulky if the shape of the hooded cape lends any clue.
Nope, that isn’t one of my guys. I wonder if it’s my contact.
Link didn’t give me any clues. I see the head lift to look at me, but when he shows no movement in my direction, I dismiss him.
If he was waiting for me, I’m sure he would call out or wave.
I move on to a couple snuggling in a booth just past the entrance, but when I peer a little closer through the dark, it’s not actually a couple, but a vampire with his fangs in his partner.
The partner’s head is tossed back in ecstasy, and I can see the vamp stroking him through his pants.
Holy shit, Saxon and Link are really selling their disguise.
I kind of want to hurry over to the booth and sink my own fangs into the other side of Link’s neck, or better yet, ride him to completion while Saxon continues to feed.
A customer entering behind me gives me a shove, shaking me from lust-filled stupor.
“Out of the way,” they growl and take a seat at the bar, calling for the bartender’s attention.
I think that was Brannock, but I didn’t get a good look as he went past. Someone at a table in the back stands up and shouts, waving his hand.
I start to move toward him, but the man who shoved me out of the way calls back and gestures that he’s just getting a drink.
“Bring the pretty lady with you. I bet she smells like sunshine.” The leering man at the table has an eye patch and a scar, and he waggles his forked tongue at me. Xavier is such a freaking ham.