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After going through a couple of very run-down bars and trade houses, they received a lead that Gabe had been seen on the city’s outskirts with a bunch of very dangerous aliens. Kozien groaned as they left the establishment, pausing in the shadows to check out the crowds.
“What’s wrong?” Gianna asked.
Kozien sighed. “The good news is, I’m not likely to run into any Lorr guards out there. The bad news is, it’s one of the roughest places on the whole damn planet.”
“Oh,” she said softly. “Like, how rough?”
“Like, if you say, ‘your mother’ at the wrong time, you get your head cut off.”
“Oh, that bad?” she seemed horrified.
Kozien nodded grimly. “I pray your brother is good at delicate situations.”
Gianna winced. “Not especially. I just don’t understand why he would do this. I know he was into stealing and gambling, but he never played with the serious criminals.”
“Credits,” Kozien frowned. “It’s always credits or valuable goods. He must be looking for a big score.”
A knowing look crossed Gianna’s face. “Yes,” she groaned. “He would be.”
She seemed to want to say more on that subject, but Kozien didn’t wait to hear it. He took her by the hand and hurried into the crowds, which were only growing thicker as the day turned to late evening.
It looked like they might end up in one of the most dangerous places on Noxxa in the dead of night.
I wanted an adventure.
Kozien took a deep breath and held it. He’d wanted adventure, yes. The problem was this was starting to look like suicide.
Chapter 4
Theytookatransportthrough the city for a short while until the streets narrowed and looked rougher. The last bus stop was at a nasty looking bar, and the driver barely paused long enough for them to get out before turning and gunning it back to the city center.
Gianna wondered for a moment what sorts of transports Kozien was used to riding in. She doubted they looked anything like the bus that had just clunked away from them, coughing up black gusts of exhaust as it plowed awkwardly back up the narrow road.
He’s probably used to air cars and fully fitted luxury shuttles. I bet they even serve five-star meals.
Gianna’s stomach growled loudly, making Kozien look over at her in surprise. She laughed softly.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “I haven’t eaten in a while.”
“No problem.” Kozien shrugged. “We need to get a room anyway. It will be safer to lay low in an inn than try to travel further tonight.”
“Okay.” She paused, waiting for him to lead the way. “I’ll go along with whatever you have planned.”
He reached out and took her hand, his violet skin incredibly smooth against her own callused palm. She wondered how a prince had gotten so good at navigating the worst parts of town, but she decided it probably had a lot to do with hiding from the royal guard.
Maybe they don’t like traveling to the really violent areas of town, or they just assume he wouldn’t go there.
Gianna kept her eyes down and didn’t speak while Kozien bargained for a room at an inn. Finally, they reached an agreement, and he led her through the dusty stone corridors to a small room with a single bed.
Even though she gave the bed a sidelong glance, she didn’t mention it to Kozien. If it came down to an argument, he could have it. The floor would suit her just fine.
I’ve slept in worse places.
Kozien went out to get them some food while Gianna made herself as comfortable as she could in a soft chair. The entire inn was dark and grimy as if it had never been cleaned. The streets outside were noisy, the gruff voices of males grating harshly against feminine whines and the occasional shout of a child.
Sounds just like home.
The thought gave her no comfort. When Kozien returned with a few bowls of dumplings, meat sticks and rice, she tucked in, washing it down with cold sips of beer he’d managed to acquire.
