Hanna and the Hitman - Honey Phillips Page 0,14

off.

“Can’t we—” Hanna started as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Not now, pet,” he said abruptly, and she realized that they were approaching a giant set of doors at the rear of the courtyard. The doors stood open, but four guards surrounded the entrance. Once more, she and Aidon were examined and a few credits changed hands before they were allowed to enter.

This room resembled a garish casino, all bright lights and clashing colors. Multiple game tables were spread throughout the room but, just as in the outer courtyard, sex was equally on display. A fight broke out next to one of the tables, and this time a guard appeared immediately, grabbed the two combatants, and threw them back outside. Even over the noise of the room, she heard a sharp crack and an aborted cry.

“Is he here?” she asked softly, clutching Aidon’s cloak even more tightly.

“One more barrier,” he muttered, “but we don’t want to appear too eager.”

For the next thirty minutes, he wandered around the room with a deceptively casual air. She trailed behind him, almost tripping over his heels. Several of the males in the room eyed her speculatively, but they always backed off after a good look at Aidon. He lost a large handful of credits at a gaming table, won more on the outcome of a fight that was so brutal she had to close her eyes, and spent several minutes chatting with a bartender as he downed three drinks in rapid succession. When he stood up, he seemed to stagger, but she was quite sure that it was an act.

As they headed back over to one of the gambling tables, a guard appeared.

“Master Chotgor would like you to join him in his quarters.”

“Oh yeah?” Aidon said belligerently. “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

“Not at all,” the guard agreed. “He thinks the entertainment there might be more to your liking.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so? Come along, pet.”

They were one step closer to their goal, but as they turned to follow the guard, her stomach curled with dread.

Chapter Six

Hanna tried to keep from shaking as they followed the guard through two small antechambers. As they passed through the second doorway, a fine mist washed down over them. She shivered as the cool damp touched her skin, but Aidon ignored it, so she did as well.

The final set of doors opened to reveal a completely different interior than she had been expecting. Here the lights were soft and soothing, the colors muted, and the fabrics quietly luxurious. The center of the room consisted of an ornate fountain dancing with sparkling lights. The ceiling over the fountain appeared to be wide open to the darkening sky, but the room was far too warm to actually be uncovered. A number of raised daises surrounded the edges of the room, and on the highest one, directly in front of them, lounged an enormous alien with gleaming pale-blue scales, giant tusks, and brilliant gold eyes. Even reclining, his size was obvious, and she suspected that he was at least a head taller than Aidon. This must be Chotgor.

Aidon didn’t hesitate, heading for Chotgor with a slightly unsteady swagger. She followed meekly in his wake, keeping her eyes down, but she saw enough to realize that the surrounding platforms were also occupied by one or more big warriors and at least one female.

Chotgor’s presence was so overwhelming that it wasn’t until Aidon came to a halt in front of him that Hanna saw the white-furred female kneeling at his side. This had to be Zemma. Unlike the male Hothians, her short fur flowed sleekly over an obviously female body. A jeweled belt circled curvy hips, and more jewels cascaded from her neck. The tips of the fur on her head were tinted a shocking pink, and Hanna suddenly remembered that Njkall had indicated that she was very young.

“Welcome!” Chotgor’s voice boomed out. “I understand you’re looking for some entertainment.”

Hanna could hear the hint of irony in his words, and she knew that Aidon must be able to as well, but he grinned and took them at face value.

“Always looking for entertainment. Can’t say this godsforsaken planet has impressed me much so far.”

“Then why did you come here?” Chotgor’s voice was still smooth and casual.

“Eh. I was bored. Just picked up a new slave, and I heard I could see some good fights here.”

“Are you a fighter? Or just an observer?”

Hanna suspected the question bordered on insulting, but Aidon ignored it, baring