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I brushed at non-existent lint on the short skirt of my skin-tight, leather dress. Funnily enough, one might have thought Anton and I had consulted with each other for our outfits; he wore black leather pants and a form-fitting dark grey t-shirt.
“What does that entail?” I asked.
“You would cover your markings, stay at the clan’s compound, and be escorted wherever you need to go.”
“Fuck. That.”
“Which part? Your markings, the escort, or the compound?” Anton asked.
“All of the above?”
“Ravena…” Anton said with a stern look in his eyes and a ‘be reasonable’ tone of voice.
In that instant, I could almost see my father addressing me in a similar fashion. My chest tightened with the familiar pain of loss. Even after nearly six years, I still mourned my father.
“I refuse to hide my nature anymore. I’ve been hidden my whole life. Enough is enough. Regarding the compound, I have to stay at my brother’s place on Braxia. It will be faster if I can work around the clock. As for an escort, I’m not there on a sightseeing tour.” I clasped my hands in front of me and lifted my chin somewhat defiantly. “If I need to move, my butt gets on a hoverbike. Good luck to anyone trying to keep up with me.”
I loved speed and had even done a bit of racing, to my father’s great displeasure. But more importantly, I’d had enough of being shackled and ‘protected’ from everyone and everything.
Anton pursed his lips, pondering.
“Listen, I don’t mean to be difficult. I know you’re trying to help, but isn’t there some way I can be afforded some wiggle room?” I asked, almost pleadingly. He was doing me a huge favor simply by listening to me. I didn’t want to come across as ungrateful or precious. “Would it help if we made it publicly known that I am under the protection of the Tuureans?”
“Everyone is aware that Tuureans will hunt down anyone who threatens a Veredian, but that threat would hold more weight if you had a Tuurean with you. It’s a long ride from the Western Quadrant for them to get here to rescue you. By the time they arrive, your buyer will be long gone.”
It was my turn to purse my lips. I had Tuurean armor, courtesy of my sister, but that didn’t solve my ‘you need a chaperon’ problem.
“In other words, I’m fucked.”
Anton gave me a commiserating smile. “If you allow my father to introduce you in the Magnar’s Great Hall as his guest and agree to have one of the clansmen accompany you when you move around the city, I believe it will be enough.”
“But I get to stay in my brother’s residence?”
Although reluctant, Anton nodded.
“As long as you allow the clansmen to verify the security of his house.”
“Fine,” I said, scrunching my face.
Anton chuckled. “Good. Then it is settled.” He rose to his feet, and I followed suit. “You must stay with us. We’ve already had one of the guest rooms prepared for you. My Grace has been looking forward to your arrival. She would love some company and to hear news of the Western Quadrant.”
“You honor me,” I said, surprised by the unexpected invitation.
“The Magnar is scheduled to arrive in a few hours. If you’re up for it, Grace and I will take you both out to sample some of the wonders of Venus Hive.”
Now,thatsounded like a plan.
“You’re on,” I said with a grin.
Chapter 3
Ravik
“Their expectations are unrealistic,” Anton said with a frown.
“And yet, they expect me to have answers for them,” I said with a discouraged sigh.
I stepped up to the tall window of Anton’s living area. It overlooked the main walkway of the VIP section of Venus Hive. The clever layout of the buildings and the décor gave the impression of looking at a landscaped plaza with muted colors and unobstrusive business signs barely visible from this viewpoint.
