Page 13 of Bound

Right now, he strikes me as the least likely bodyguard in the whole of Tatatunga.

“Of course I did.” He bristles, straightening, his hand falling away. “And I was one of the best.”

RYCH

I would like Chrissie to believe in me, but my reaction to the bot has to have put a doubt in her mind. I’ve always hated the things since the day I woke up in the amphitheater and had a sword thrust into my hand. Before then, I have no memory.

None of us have much in the way of memories before the dome. And, as Sylas found out, what memories we do retain could be false anyway.

I’ve never let it bother me until now. I was good at being a gladiator. I carved out enough of a life for myself while in the dome. But I am no longer a gladiator. I don’t know what I am.

With an effort which I didn’t think it would take, I drag myself away from Chrissie and descend to check out the transport Fenek has arranged.

Why I lied to her about my experience I don’t know. It’s not a particularly impressive start.

The information he has provided to me seems ordinary enough. Plus, I spent some time in Artalen when we were hired out to do a set of traveling games. This should be easy.

I place my weapons into the transport and wait for Chrissie and her foul bot luggage. Sure enough, it trundles out ahead of her, and I have to do my best to keep cool. The thing hops intothe transport on its own, and I gesture to Chrissie to enter ahead of me, inhaling her scent as she does.

She is perfection, wearing a long coat which sweeps the floor like my wings. The thing is even a similar dark gray. Pants hug her lower form, and I’m pleased to see she wears a set of comfortable looking boots edged with fur. A figure hugging top completes her outfit, and I have to give my cocks a good talking to in order to make them behave.

“What’s the itinerary?” she asks as I shove my wings into the transport and she spots my vid-screen.

“We pick up air transport at the hub. It’s an overnight flight to Artalen. You’ll have some down time once we arrive, and you’ll be singing for his associates in the evening. Then we return the following nova-day,” I read from my screen.

Chrissie sighs. “He’s dragging me halfway across Trefa to sing for one night. Typical Fenek.”

I study my screen once again. “He has some interesting associates.”

“He’s a crook, Rych.” She glares at me. “A criminal. All this”—she waves her hand around vaguely—“is him trying to look legitimate.”

“I’m working for a criminal?” I gasp, putting my hand on my chest.

Chrissie narrows her eyes at me. “You knew that when he employed you. You’re not stupid.”

“Thank you for noticing.” I give her a slightly squashed bow. “It doesn’t make me a criminal too.”

Although when I think of the maimed Habosu in the bar, that sentiment might be premature, even if I had no intent.

“I never said it did.”

“I know what Fenek is. I encountered enough of his kind in the dome as punters. The ones who were always trying to get their rivals into trouble, to make a quick credit or two, and notcaring who they hurt in the process. I’m only surprised it’s taken him until now to need any form of security.” I fold my arms and incline my head. “Other than his beloved bots.”

Chrissie is impassive, looking out of the window at the outskirts of Tatatunga as we travel through.

“Do you think there was an assassin?” she asks, eyes still averted.

“There was something. Something testing his automated security systems,” I respond, not wanting to scare my little spark. “The why is probably related to someone he vrexed off. I suspect he’s vrexed plenty of people off before.”

Chrissie shrugs. “I’ve only been with him for a short time. I knew what he was the moment he found me. But I didn’t have any choice.”

I roar internally, wanting to take hold of her, wrap her up in my wings, and take her far away from Fenek and this life. Chrissie has to be the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, and protecting her is my only desire.

A desire I have to tamp back down, hard.

“Do you always do that?” Chrissie asks, looking at my hand.

I follow her gaze. My claws are buried in the seat of the transport.

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