Page 60 of Baited

“Fine.” I take a step back from him. “Satisfied?”

The captain shakes his big head and continues at the same slow pace until a familiar scent hits me.

“Eregri,”I growl under my breath.

A door slides open, and all I can smell is her, my beautiful mate. The captain blocks my way initially, but then he relents and allows me into the box. I’m across it in two strides and have her in my arms, my head buried in her neck, sucking in her essence as if I’ve never scented her before.

“Izzy,” I rasp, because her name is the only word I want on my lips.

“I’m so pleased you’re safe,” she says in my ear. “I was so worried.”

“You did not need to worry. No one was going to touch me today, not when I have you to come back to.” My mouth takes hers and I’m lost in our ky-ss.

At least until someone clears their throat loudly.

With a snarl, I release her and face the procurator.

“You have done well today, Blayn,” he says. “The parade and your performance in the dome—you have made me very happy.”

I glare at him. Making the procurator happy is not something I care for.

“He placed a large bet on you,” Izzy says quietly.

I snort out a breath, turning back to her.

“And as a reward,” he says, piquing my interest slightly, “I’m allowing you an opportunity of a lifetime.”

“He’s sending you away, to Sartak.” Izzy’s voice is only just audible.

“You will go to Sartak to be my prize attraction in the new dome,” the procurator announces.

There is a scatter of approving noises throughout the procurator’s hospitality box.

“You do wish to go, don’t you, Blayn? It is an honor to be chosen for this venture,” the procurator says.

I look down at Izzy. Her face is taut, her eyes sliding away from me.

“If I go, my mate goes.”

“Not possible,” the procurator says. “Sartak is no place for a fragile creature like her. She would be in danger every nova-second, and you would be distracted. She will remain here as an…incentive..for you to do well. And you will do well, given you are indentured to me.”

I’ve never wanted to destroy another creature more than at this moment. The captain has his hand on his stun stick, and the Zarvu guards posted inside the box have pulsars at the ready.

This entire place will erupt if I do.

The dark and the light, they have forsaken me. My world spins around my Izzy. She is my center, she is myeverything.

I don’t want to lose her, I can’t lose her, but I can’t put her in danger either.

“And if I do what you want?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Then you will get your reward.” The procurator grins.

“Which is?”

“First, you do as I ask. All will be revealed later,” he replies, turning his back on me as a dismissal.

Of all the creatures I’ve ended, I’ve never wanted to end anything as much as I want to end him.

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