what we are.
I instructed my crew members to hide their birthmarks in order to avoid drawing attention, since it is well known we are a race that’s slowly heading toward extinction.
Correction: was.
Even though I am pleased that my people will strengthen our population with the human females, my main concern is for my faction, the Darkbloods. I may not find a mate, but I’m hoping some, if not most, of them will.
“Commander, up ahead is the lounge we will be stationed at until you retrieve the female.”
I give Volron the barest of nods, keeping my gaze forward. “The dark behemoth structure that’s further down is the brothel.”
“The Den of Depravity,” he says with a scoff. “At least it doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.”
“Unlike us.” I grin at him, but there’s an edge to it. “And who says depravity can’t be fun?”
“Well, try not to have too much fun in there,” Alrok says. “Instead of wasting them on an overused cunt, I, for one, would rather spend my credits on a new racer. And I’d get more mileage out of it too.”
“Speaking of credits…” I tap on the device secured around my wrist, confirming the amount available in my account. It has been a long while since I’ve paid for my pleasure, never having the need with females constantly crawling into my bed. But I believe what I have in my account should suffice for the task at hand. I’m only paying for a single night with a prostitute, not a harem of them.
I slow to a stop, as do my warriors, in an almost rehearsed fashion. We have fought side by side on many occasions, and it’s second nature to anticipate one another’s intentions.
“This is where I leave you,” I say, glancing at the building to my left.
A patron stumbles through the double doors, and the scents of food, psychotropic-infused smoke, and sweat waft into the street, combined with sounds of raucous laughter and shouting. I do not envy the entertainment my warriors’ will be subjected to this evening.
Alrok and Volron give me a curt nod, which I return before making my way to the brothel. Now that I’m alone, several of the local natives fasten their gazes to me and fail to conceal their devious thoughts. I cannot afford a delay, but I am not above spilling blood if necessary. In order to deter any foolishly brave souls, I slip my hand into one of the pockets lining the inside of my coat and withdraw the knife resting there. As I walk, I toss the weapon in the air and easily catch it as though it is a bauble and not an instrument of death. The rapacious gleams in the onlookers’ gazes quickly dim, ultimately saving their lives.
I return the knife to its place inside my coat and step over the threshold of the brothel, entering through automatic doors. They glide closed without a sound, and the quiet of the foyer is disrupted by the voice of a female.
“Good evening, sir,” she says. “Can I help you?”
“Most assuredly.”
After walking up to the counter and leaning on it, I fix her with a smile that usually ignites attraction and lowers a female’s inhibitions. She is no exception. The dark blue of her skin lightens considerably, and the antennae on her head ripple with movement.
I lean forward ever so slightly. “I’m here to sample your wares, and since my tastes are particular, I’d like to choose from a variety of females of different species.”
The creature bobs her head and blinks up at me with all seven of her eyes. “I can do that for you, but first I need to know if you’re here for a standard evening or the auction?”
I raise a single brow. “Auction?”
“Yes, sir. The madam has received some new and exotic creatures, which she is introducing for purchase.”
The female’s claw-tipped fingers fly across a series of symbols on the desk, and a hologram immediately appears. She swipes across the images, and I quickly scan each one, but none of them are the human female I’m looking for.
“So these are the ones for sale,” she says, pointing to five different pictures. “And the inspection period has just started, so you are more than welcome to participate.”
The moment I see Jade’s face, I stare at it as if I’ve never seen it before.
Her green eyes are full of fear, and her lips are parted like she’s about to call for help. Dark hair frames her cheeks and