Sunny, helping her the last few steps up to where we have the rough, wooden platform surrounding the pier he’s tied to.
“Acquisition… captive… I’m loath to do more than discuss your crossing of the low dwellers, but my… mate has concerns.” Dropping his bag at my feet in front of us, I open the top and pull out the canteen. “My mate claims this belongs to one of her friends. How did it come into your possession?”
The convict licks his lips slowly, glancing between us before his eyes settle on Sunny. “I’ll tell you anything you’d like, as long as you give me water as we speak.”
Spinning in a small circle, I confirm that the guards have pushed back the crowd and given us the perimeter privacy that I was hoping for. Passing the water flask to Sunny, I motion to him. Better that she’s the one appearing to be weak to everyone watching, rather than me. “Go ahead.”
I notice her hands are shaking slightly as she unscrews the top, letting the cap slip to the side where it dangles next to the opening of the bottle. Taking a step closer to me, she asks quietly, “Go ahead and give him some water? Or go ahead and ask him my questions?”
Chuckling slightly, I gesture to him. “Why don’t you give him a drink, and maybe he’ll answer my question first.”
Nodding, she moves closer to him, and I watch vigilantly as she tilts the water flask up to his lips. A stab of irrational jealousy shoots through me as I watch his eyes lock with hers and he begins to drink. It makes no sense, so I walk around the pier, studying the ties on his ankles and hands. Still as secure as I’d expect from my guards. I stop just to the left of Sunny as she’s lowering the flask.
His eyes leave her and meet mine as I say, “Tell us, then. How did you come into possession of this canteen…” I crouch down and pull out one of the small wrapped meal bars my mate’s bag was full of, holding it up. “… and these?”
“I think you know.” When he doesn’t elaborate, only licking his lips, I’m not surprised when my mate adds her pleas to my command.
“What does that mean?” She straightens, a puzzled look on her face as she glances to me before pinning him with her gaze again. “Where is she? What have you done to her?”
Teasing her, I comment, “That too.”
When she gives me a dirty look, our captive smiles tightly. “I haven’t done anything to her. She’s safe and sound where I left her, waiting for my return.”
I’m not surprised. If he came into possession of another female that smells half as enticing as Sunny, I wouldn’t be shocked if she’s holed up somewhere to keep her to himself. Unfortunately, he didn’t stay there. Not a wise decision considering he’s wanted. With the bounty that’s on his head, there won’t be anyone not willing to turn him in.
“She’s okay?” My mate's soft heart has me almost groaning out loud. We’d be wise to lead him to believe that we’re not that interested. I’m surprised he’s being so forthcoming.
“No, she’s fine. I saw her small spacecraft come down from the sky, exactly where I believed it would. Once we’d gotten to know each other better, she was more inclined to trust me. But I’ve been waiting for you to come talk to me.”
My mate’s eyes open wider while my own narrow in suspicion. There’s no way he could’ve known that she would come to talk to him. I’ve only just decided to allow it.
What game is this he’s playing?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
- Sunny
I CAN’T BELIEVE the way they have this guy tied to a tree trunk! The tree is probably almost as big around as a telephone pole, and they placed his back against it, while he kneels with a leg on each side so they could strap his ankles together. They put his hands behind his back behind it too. It has to be as uncomfortable as hell.
I can’t explain the sense of relief I feel when he says, “I haven’t done anything to her. She’s safe and sound where I left her, waiting for my return.”
Looking over the strange man, I note all the same animal-like characteristics of his face that resemble Kaneer’s. The heavy brow, the small nose, and the deep-set eyes. He’s handsome and has the same darker purple skin like Kaneer too.