Page 64 of Baited

“I need my mate,” I rasp, grasping at the guards. “Please don’t take me from her,” I slur as my tongue ceases functioning.

“There’s only one place you’re going, Gryn,” one of them retorts. “And that’s somewhere you can sleep this off and cause no more trouble until we get to Sartak, where you won’t be our problem any longer.”

IZZY

Isit on Riklinn’s bed feeling numb and staring at the floor.

“Here,” A cup of hot joh is pushed into my hands. “I took some Haalux whisky from behind the bar and added it. Don’t tell Madame,” Riklinn says, sitting down next to me.

“You know I won’t tell her anything,” I say dully, sipping the drink. The large shot of alcohol almost overwhelms the taste and burns as I swallow.

“He did offer to set you up somewhere while you wait for him, didn’t he?”

I raise my head and look at the wall. Being hustled out of the dome by a couple of Zarvu after Blayn left was the least of my problems.

“He’s indentured, Riklinn. He already owes far more than he can ever pay back. I wouldn’t want him to pay for me even if he could. Anyway, I’ve made a few credits here, so I’ll just use those, see if I can find a job and somewhere to live until he comes back.”

Riklinn puts her arm around me. “You’ve really fallen for him, haven’t you?”

“First rule of the pleasure house,” I say, doing my best impression of the madame. “The clients are here for pleasure,not mates.” I choke out a harsh laugh. “I never understood what she meant by that.

“You won’t be the first pleasure worker to fall for a client,” Riklinn says. “Or the last. And who says it doesn’t ever work out?” She dips her head. “Not the reason I came here or anything.”

“You came here looking for love?” I burst out. With the strong alcohol working its way into my system, my filters are falling away, just like Blayn.

Riklinn looks embarrassed and I feel terrible.

“I mean, that’s fine, honestly,” I add with a hand on her arm.

“It’s silly, I know. But you found it.”

“And look where it’s got me.” I sigh. “I’ve lost my job, my home…”

“But you negotiated a great deal with Madame, didn’t you?” Riklinn interrupts my maudlin monologue.

“Yes…but…”

“Then that’s what he left you with. I’m sure Madame will give you your old job back if you ask.”

Pride and embarrassment bloom in my chest.

“I couldn’t ask her,” I mutter. “And I’m not sure I could stay here.” I swallow down a sob.

Stupid as it may be, I don’t want to be reminded of the time Blayn and I had in the pleasure house. And my silly pride, which is pointless for a fragile human on this planet in this galaxy, is not going to allow me to ask Madame for anything.

“Let’s check your credit balance,” Riklinn says with purpose. “And we can also see what accommodation is available.”

“Thank you.” Tears hover in my eyes. “I don’t want to keep you from your duties or get the madame mad at you.”

Riklinn purses her lips and flaps her hand at me. “It’s been exciting here while you were living it up in the dome. Madame found out Yelii had been offering herself for additional credits toclients to take knots and she kicked her out, but not before Yelii had stolen her entire client list and left with threats of setting up on her own.” Riklinn imparts the gossip with sparkles in her eyes. “Madame has temporarily closed while she sorts out the damage. I don’t have anywhere to be today.”

“Wow,” I reply. “Not like I wouldn’t have expected something like that from Yelii, but I never quite got the no knots rule.”

Riklinn snorts into her hand, the whisky having an effect on her too.

“Because there’s a greater chance our birth control won’t work, especially if we go with a compatible client.”

The alcohol in my system vaporizes.

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