Page 143 of Sohut's Protection

Gripping Sohut’s hand, Cleo squeezed it a little and Sohut gave her a reassuring squeeze back.

“Ambassador,” the soldier said and for a moment she wondered who he was talking to before Geblit spoke up.

“Y-yes,” Geblit held his head high.

Oh.

She wouldn’t have guessed.

“I am here on official business with—” his eyes darted to her and Sohut “—friends. Official legal business.”

Goodness gracious.

It was so obviously a lie she felt like slapping her face into her palm.

The soldier wouldn’t buy it.

But with a creak of his armor, the soldier stepped to the side and Geblit almost jumped for joy.

As a matter of fact, it was obvious he tried to hide his glee and relief because all he did was flash them a smile before rushing through the door.

He led them through a series of corridors to a small, empty office and got to work, tapping his fingers on a metal desk. In front of him, the hologram of a data screen came to life in the space.

“You want to register her, right? For protection?”

Sohut nodded.

“Register me?”

Sohut glanced down at her. “So you’ll be protected by the Union.” He paused. “So you’ll be free.”

Free.

She never thought she’d feel so much hope in just one word.

“So you will be her sponsor?” Geblit asked, his finger still tapping the desk with amazing speed.

“Sponsor? I need a sponsor?”

Sohut nodded. “Yes, I’ll be her sponsor.”

Geblit glanced at him momentarily, his forehead skin moving as if he was thinking “you idiot” and didn’t care to hide it.

“Wait,” she pulled on Sohut’s arm. “What does being a sponsor mean?”

“It means he’s relinquishing half of his assets to the Union in good faith that you will be an upstanding citizen.” It was Geblit that answered.

Cleo’s heart skipped a beat.

“What?” Her gaze searched Sohut’s but he didn’t respond. “Is he speaking the truth?”

“Why would I lie?” Geblit’s head rose, his brow furrowed and the expression on his face was as if he was taken aback by her unsaid accusation.

“Geblit—” Sohut raised a hand, his gaze never leaving hers. “Yes, he’s right.”

Cleo gulped.

But why?

---