Page 78 of Riv's Sanctuary

The human didn't like the idea, either, for she took a step backward, her soft features scrunching up as she looked at the males.

"Very soft," one of the other males murmured as his gaze traveled over the human. "I can give you good credits for a being like this."

The cock-jerker was the most forward of the two. His arm shot out and he grasped the human, who reacted immediately, jerking her arm as if trying to dislodge it so she could attack the male suddenly holding on to her.

But Riv reacted before she could do so, his hand closing over the male’s arm as he took a step forward.

"Don't touch what doesn't belong to you."

The male paused and looked down at Riv’s hand gripping his arm.

The air suddenly changed and Riv’s ears pricked from the sides of his head.

Through the corner of his eye, he could see the other two males place their hands over their hip blasters.

Grot’s low boom behind him told him the tevsi also felt the change in the air.

Riv sighed, his shoulders lifting and falling dramatically.

He was getting too old for this.

“I’ll say it again and only once,” he said, not bothering to hide the threatening tone that had come into his voice. “Let. The female. Go.”

The first Zedrurian, who he supposed was the leader of the trio, stepped forward slightly.

“Or what?” said the leader. “Far as I see it, it’s one of you and three of us.”

Riv brought his free hand up and used a finger to massage the center of his brow where the line of raised frilli that ran up his nose dissected.

This is why he hated most beings.

They were always so phekking selfish.

So self-centered.

So phekking entitled.

“Fine,” Riv breathed, his eyes still on the male holding on to La-rehn and he felt her stiffen beside him even more.

He let go of the male’s arm and the male glanced at his companions, a smug look on his face.

Fool.

That’s why he didn’t see it coming.

As Riv’s palm loosened from around the male’s arm, without warning he reached out and clasped the male by the throat.

His other hand had already retrieved his small blade from his pocket while the males had been too busy not paying attention.

The male choked, his mandibles swaying as he released the female and grabbed on to Riv’s hand, which was slowly restricting his airway.

His companions drew their weapons and when Riv heard the boom behind him, he almost smiled.

Grot was a blur as he launched into the air, landing on the male to his far right.

The male went down easily under the weight of the tevsi, his weapon flying across the space and out of reach as he shouted in surprise.

The leader raised his blaster to Riv’s head.

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