Page 16 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
My shoulders rose. “That is the plan. Do you find fault?”
He chuckled again. “Oh hell, that makes it almost worth it.”
He asked about the incentives and asked for my word. Once he had it, he cupped his hand. Before I could shake it, he spat it in with a ‘puh’ sound.
I felt my face twist into a grimace, “You’re quite serious?”
“Absolutely, it’s what we do back home where we give our word.”
“Volardi don’t… require body fluids for this. Our word is our bond. Nothing more is needed.”
“I ain’t Volardi.”
I kept my face neutral and squeezed his wet palm. “Temporary mates?” I whispered.
“In name only,” he drawled.
Most handshakes would be over and yet we stood there holding each other’s hand. Having his warm spittle squeeze between my fingers wasn’t pleasant however, we stayed there as if it were adhesive. Only the arriving silver orbs broke our attention and the handshake.
I turned around and saw the three most important people in my life. My father was in the lead along the silver pathway. The sun reflected off his smooth head with every quick step. Older muscles that killed the reptilian Gloom in the great war tightened as he looked toward the older ship and Caan.
Behind him was Balo. There was no wind, but with his speed, the long dark hair trailed behind him. Rodion followed and kept several strides worth of distance.
My father’s voice was quick. “Explain this!” Rodion raised his red eyebrows as to apologize. He couldn’t disable the security net, nor would I want him to. However, he could delay notifying the others. My father leaned forward and sniffed the air. “Omega?”
“First Father,” I said and pointed to the smirking man in ripped clothing. “I have a surprise. Meet Caan of New Texas; my intended mate.”
***
Chapter Ten
CAAN
“Howdy,” I drawled long. “I guessy’allsfolksismy in-laws?” It was over-the-top, and I made sure my New Texas accent was loud. Although my voice is regular, their crisp ‘my shit don’t stink’ tone were the weird ones.
The old nearly bald guy had a decent set of muscles and reminded me of the farmers I saw back home. Although the thought of him ever getting his hands dirty, didn’t seem likely.Just someone that works out. His frown was something else I saw back on my planet. Usually near the cows when the scent would waft over, and you get a quick reminder of how many animals are nearby.
“I am Delius.Kingof this kingdom. What are you?” he said. “You smell like an Omega, but different.”
“You go around sniffing Omegas?” I asked.
Instead of answering my question, he breathed heavily. “Something isn’t right. You reek of copper, blood.” His neck muscles stiffened while his expression fell. “You smell of death.”
“Yeah, that’s what happens when you kill people.”
It’s not that I was trying to leave the agreement or get thrown off the planet. I was in this for the long haul and going meant no enticements. If I had to lose, this deal wasn’t so bad. I assumed somebody would get a lucky shot, or I’d look to the left when I should’ve glanced to the right and get a knife in my back. Compared to that possible future, a one-year ‘vacation’ wasn’t the worst. I didn’t need to tell them everything about me but getting some of this out in the open prevented anyone from using it later.
Metallic thumps approached from behind, and I saw Nate with Tiny in his grip.
Should have left him inside.Tiny was my back-up. Graden’s people had him deactivated, but people tend to forget about someone the size of your hand.
The silver orbs rose while they pulsed with purple light. “Warning. Stay where you are. You are a known enemy of Augo citizens.” Nate’s arms went up, and Tiny flopped over in his right hand. King Delius’ eyes lidded as did the guy in the back with the long dark hair. I’m guessing it was his brother. Both raised their eyebrows, and I presumed the implant gave them our identities.
“What isthatdoing here?” asked Graden’s father as he pointed to Nate.
Graden inhaled then sighed. “He’s Caan’s father. I offered them both ‘Persona Non-Exista.’”
“What? I would have expected this from Balo, but not you.”
