Page 53 of Bound

From my hiding place, I can see the shining metal cabinets and the door reflected in them. I pull back into the shadow of the couch as the door swings open and a creature enters. It looks so like Fenek, I nearly give myself away, only from the scar across one cheek, I see it is not him and stay put. His lips lift as he sees the hydrator, revealing pointed teeth.

“She’s been here,” he says, opening up the machine and sniffing at the contents. “No doubt she is still here.”

He’s joined by a second reptilian who inspects the ration tray.

“What if she’s here with the Gryn?” it says.

“Have you seen any sign of the feathered gakker?” the first one spits. “Anyway, he’s needed too. The boss wants a bodyguard, and Gryn take so well to memory alteration.”

He drops the tray on the floor and the food scatters. “Tear this place apart. Find her,” he orders.

From outside there’s the sound of destruction. For several long seconds, I hold in place, covering my ears, not wanting to think what they might be doing to the beautiful library or what they might do to Rych or me, when I feel the couch tipped away, and I know all is lost.

At least the sounds of smashing have stopped as I’m hauled to my feet with a cry of pain.

“Is this her?” I’m twisted from side to side. “Funny looking thing.”

The original scarred reptile inspects me, his breath hot and foul on my face.

“Humans are ugly creatures. But they make excellent vessels. Bring her. The boss is going to be happy for once.”

The reptile who caught me binds my hands together with a flexible metal band. It bites into my flesh as he drags me behind him out into the library.

A library now filled with reptile creatures.

Pages flutter down from above. At least one stack has been tipped over, but otherwise the library remains mostly intact.

“What do we do with this place?” One of them asks the scarred leader.

He looks around. “It’s useless, outdated rubbish. Burn it.” He sneers. “Burn it all.”

RYCH

I’d rather not give the procurator the satisfaction of coming when called, but the desire to be close enough to end the Loxzian is too much. I unfurl my wings and swing high over the party and the dome floor, making sure my weapons are clearly visible before I land with a flourish.

The Zarvu move to protect the procurator, but he waves them away.

“Rych, I have someone who wishes to meet you.” He gestures to the reptile standing next to him.

“This is Felia, chief scientist to the Drahon.”

The female, her skin a slightly darker tone than the males behind her, gives me a sharp-toothed smile. One side of her face seems burnt, the scales heavier.

“These Gryn are impressive,” she says in honeyed tones to the procurator. “How long did you say you’d had them?”

“This one was with the dome for the last ten nova-years. Only circumstances meant his contract came to an end,” the procurator says with not a little chagrin. “The others have been with the dome for longer. Maxym and Klynn have life sentences. They belong to me.”

“But you had more?” Felia’s eyes haven’t left me for a second.

“Alas, their contracts were also…ended,” the procurator says, “and they have left Trefa.”

“Yet this one is at a loose end.” Felia finishes appraising me. “And he has returned.”

I see the Loxzian move out of the corner of my eye, and in a whirl of feathers and blades, I attempt to stop him, but his body twists into something unrecognizable. A thin line shoots over my head which seems innocent enough, until the thing splits and wraps itself around my wings, around my body. I fight it, but it’s like fighting air, and instead I topple forward, hitting the ground with enough force to expel the breath from my body.

On the dusty floor of the arena I struggle against the net, but it’s wrapped tight enough I can’t move much.

Loxzians cannot fight. They’re supposed to kill.

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