Read Online Heroic Abduction by Eve Langlais - Free Book Online Page B

bleak days behind. Now, she used her nimble fingers because of the rush and to pad her journey when she and Zista eventually parted ways. Which will happen soon if I want to continue to succeed with my personal agenda.
    How easy it was to fool some of these multi-limbed, weird-eyed, and often smelly aliens into thinking they could prey on her. Pretend weakness and they swarmed like sharks scenting blood. She soon taught them the error of their ways, and also made them pay for it. Which I’ll bet is driving my honorable escort nuts.
    When her unasked-for guard got waylaid by the Bretunian goliath, she should have slipped away and gone exploring. But, for some reason, instead, she stayed and watched. Then frowned as she tried to figure out Dyre’s angle.
    The guy could fight. She’d seen ample evidence on the planet he’d more or less rescued her from. So why then was he toying with the alien?
    Don’t tell me this is because of his stupid hero code. Judging by the occasional word she caught here and there, his skewed sense of honor was indeed the issue. Of bigger concern? He was drawing way too much attention, which, given he possessed a nice ship—a ship she coveted—wasn’t a great idea. The last thing he should do was appear weak before this gaggle of miscreants. Stealing the ship from one big purple dumbass was one thing, fighting to take it back from a horde of pirates another.
    With a sigh, she made the decision to rescue him. “Hey, smelly, walking carpet guy. Any idea where I can get some Bretunian fur sheets?”
    When the creature turned to bare his teeth at her, she was ready.
    One well-aimed combat boot to its jewels and a whack from the butt of her knife at the base of his skull when he bellowed and bent over, and down went the shaggy beast—a weak spot she recalled from her studies, a Zonian education that came in handy when she went exploring.
    Betty didn’t kill him. No need. As soon as the alien hit the floor, a bevy of Anturian centurions, with their eight legs and hard carapace bodies, swarmed. In a moment, they’d hoisted the beast’s shaggy frame and carted him off—probably to shave him if he was lucky or, if not, to skin him and turn him into a high price fashion accessory.
    And without even a squeak of thanks. The least they could have done was left me a coin for doing the hard work for them.
    “What was that?” Dyre’s incredulous query had her spinning around to face him.
    “Haven’t you ever seen Anturian centurions before?”
    “Not that. What you did?”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “But I didn’t thank you,” he sputtered.
    “I know. Would it kill you to show a little gratitude?” She smirked at his obvious agitation.
    “Gratitude? For your dishonorable act? You kicked him in his male parts.”
    “Yes. And?”
    “And you don’t do that. It’s not sporting.”
    “I do. On Earth, it’s the first thing they teach girls so they can defend themselves.”
    “It’s barbaric.”
    “I’d call it effective. Now, if we’re done discussing my technique, could we move along? We’re causing a disturbance, and I’d rather not have to ice some sore toes later having to defend you.”
    Before he could reply, she spun on her heel and strode away, but the prickling at her neck let her know he followed. Great, because it meant he could continue to harangue her.
    “I don’t require defending.”
    “Says the guy who couldn’t take down the big hairy monster.”
    “I was giving him a chance to walk away.”
    “Dumbass, you’re wearing one of his family members. No way was he walking away.”
    “I was kind of getting that impression,” he admitted reluctantly. “Ah well, at least those kind centurions removed him before he could get trampled.”
    She thought it best not to tell him what she suspected they wanted the Bretunian for. Chances were, Dyre would go haring off to save it. Him and his damned heroic principles. If they weren’t so misplaced in a place like this, she’d