Chapter 1 #3
“Zenturi,” Murgen said. “Fascinating creatures. They’ve a venom they can deliver in their bite that is deadly to most other creatures.
The few tests I’ve performed thus far have supported that.
Quite strong and agile, as well—don’t let their appearances fool you.
With proper training, I think they may prove exceptional guards and soldiers.
Of course, my true ambition is to use these as a breeding pair once they’ve matured. ”
Murgen turned and walked toward the next window. Drakkal’s gaze lingered on the zenturi for a few seconds before he numbly followed his host.
“I find the science around breeding and genetics to be engrossing subject matter. It’s been proven that the mutative compound administered by the Consortium has side effects on certain species that allow them to interbreed with unrelated species. Imagine the potential combinations!”
Drakkal grunted; he wasn’t sure if the sound came off as agreeable or not.
The next cell contained a lone alien. Drakkal wasn’t familiar with its species.
It looked bigger than him—standing well over two meters tall—and had thick, powerful limbs, shaggy brown fur, and a bony crest sweeping up from its forehead that split into two large, curling black horns.
The creature was pacing restlessly along the far wall of its cell.
“Another rare one, and just as primitive as the zenturi. It’s called a halthid, though no official name has yet been entered into the Consortium’s database.
I’d imagine this species barely knows how to harness fire.
Still, it’s been implanted with translators like all the rest, and they all seem capable of following simple instructions. ”
Don’t be stupid, Drak. That’s a simple instruction.
Drakkal had the sense he’d not leave this place without violating that directive.
Murgen finally turned to look at Drakkal again. “Even if the scientific aspects of all this are beyond your comprehension, I’m sure the spectacle is well worth the extra time. You may be one of the lowly, but you have far more in common with me than you do these creatures.”
Drakkal drew in a deep breath. Don’t be stupid. Don’t respond. Just keep your mouth shut. But the words came anyway. “Only science I’ve studied is anatomy. Seem to have a mind for those facts.”
“Oh? I personally find alien anatomy fascinating. Do you have a particular species you’ve focused on?”
Drakkal kept his face toward the viewing window, but he wasn’t focused on the halthid inside.
His attention was on a faint reflection in the glass—the ghostly blue face visible behind his own dark reflection.
“I’m a generalist. Benefits me more. So I know things like how tralix have two hearts, and that one of them isn’t protected by their ribs.
Or that the average volturian has six liters of blood—and can lose two-point-nine liters before succumbing to blood loss. ”
There was a faint rustling of cloth behind Drakkal. Nostrus’s indistinct reflection shifted slightly but didn’t move any closer.
Murgen laughed that deep, booming laugh that inflated his jowls. “A practical individual, I see.”
“Yeah. You ready to finish this deal?”
Waving a hand dismissively, Murgen walked on. “One more to show you, azhera. Can’t let you go without gazing upon my most valuable prize. After you see this, you’ll be the most popular person in your, uh”—Murgen glanced back at Drakkal, features tightening—“in your…social circles.”
“And here I thought people liked me for my natural charm,” Drakkal muttered. He glanced at Nostrus; the volturian’s brows were low, and his eyes, for once, were no longer cold—they burned with anger.
Drakkal bared his fangs in an expression that would have been considered a smile only by someone with poor eyesight before following his host.
Murgen bypassed the next three cells, each of which contained one or two aliens of species with which Drakkal was unfamiliar. All of them had that gleam of intelligence in their eyes.
As he finally drew to a stop in front of the fourth cell, Murgen said, “An ertraxxan who used to live in the neighborhood had one of these creatures for several years. He used to parade it around the city. But I’ve done better. I’ve obtained two for the price of one.”
The unease within Drakkal built to a sense of dread.
He’d known this delivery would be an unpleasant experience the moment Arcanthus had given him the details, but he’d not realized just how unpleasant it would be.
He didn’t care how much Murgen Foltham was willing to pay, Arc would no longer be conducting business with this durgan.
Drawing in a deep breath, Drakkal moved to stand beside Murgen and turned toward the cell.
His eyes fell upon the female inside—the female terran—and widened. He’d never seen her before, he was certain of it, but she seemed familiar all the same—and she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
She was sitting in the corner, legs bent with her arms draped around them.
Long golden hair hung over her pale, bare shoulders concealing her breasts.
Shapely brows arched over bright, piercing blue eyes, angled toward a small, narrow nose, and her full, pink lips were downturned.
She looked so small, so delicate. She was… stunning.
She was also clearly with cub.