Chapter Twenty-Two

"We've got all our weapons. The doors are locked, and our shields are up," Ardela said. She bent over to slip a thin dagger into the hidden compartment of her boot. "Eden, how are you doing over there? Are you ready?"

Eden shifted her hood delicately over an elaborate cinnamon-roll braid on the back of her head. A fresh breeze blew past the open flaps of her cloak, chilling the exposed parts of her body, which was almost everything. Her cleavage, stomach, and legs were visible and slathered with golden glitter. She felt ridiculous in a metal bikini top, studded with a spiral pattern of colorful jewels and precious stones.

She self-consciously started fixing her clothing. Eden tightened the knot around a matching sarong wrapped around her hips, adjusted a dangling triangular amulet on her neck, and pulled her cloak tightly around her.

She took a deep breath and held out her arms in front of her. Eden couldn't postpone this moment any longer. Ardela removed a set of handcuffs fastened to her belt and slapped them onto Eden's wrists. A soft whizzing noise emitted from the handcuffs as the teeth automatically screwed into the key holes. Ardela had Eden tightly restrained.

"Yup. I think I'm ready to go."

"We'll be back soon," Thiago called out to the window. Hercules whimpered, pawing at the door from the opposite side. "Sit tight, buddy."

"That's sweet," said Eden. Her body awkwardly moved as Thiago led her away from the ship. He held the handle of the leash to her shackles. "Poor Hercules can't stand being away from Thiago."

"Thiago and that thing are inseparable," Ardela concurred. She flashed them a sheepish grin. "Bless his heart."

"I rarely go on a mission without Herc by my side," said Thiago, cutting through the Glop city square and moving toward a secluded alley. "He'll need to stay behind this time or we'll risk blowing our cover."

As they dragged Eden through the alleyway, she found she had to start jogging to keep up with Thiago's driven pace. She glanced around at the jarring crimson color illuminating the long, narrow stretch of the Glop red light district. Shadowy entrances to strip clubs and seedy love motels advertised with neon signs lined the lane. Although the signs were overwhelming at first, careful inspection revealed their age. Some were missing multiple LEDs, and others had electronic marquees that only scrolled halfway through the screens.

Wedged between the esteemed gentlemen clubs were tall, clear booths with glass tinted in different shades of red and pink. Eden's jaw dropped wide open as she openly ogled the unusual features of the female representatives of the Glop race. All sense and good manners flew right out the window.

The alien women were six feet tall, at least. They wore fancy brassieres, nipple pasties, and skimpy thongs. They had surprisingly human-like skin tones and looked like overgrown sumo wrestlers. Rings covered bewitchingly loose bodies, reminding Eden of the Michelin tire mascot. She watched with a combination of revulsion and fascination as the Glop women danced to thumping music blaring out their speakers. Thankfully, only a few flashed them, seductively rubbing their pumpkin-sized breasts against the glass.

"Well, we're here," Thiago whispered, stopping at an old, three-story establishment tucked away at the end of the alley. He tugged on Eden's shackles, drawing her close to him. "Whatever you do, don't say anything. If you do as they tell you, and stick to the plan, you'll be fine."

"You'll be more than fine," Ardela reassured her, squeezing her once on the elbow. "You're going to be great."

Eden looked anxious as Thiago knocked twice with the back of his knuckles on a dark wooden door. The door swung open, revealing a striking Noxx madam at the threshold. She had neatly pulled back the crown of white feathers around her head. Black rings outlined her hypnotically amber eyes. A plum, floor-length gown complete with a lace-trimmed train covered the white scales on the bottom half of her body. As the Madam's intense eyes settled on Eden, she felt intimidated and dropped her inquisitive gaze to the ground.

"Madam Cecilia?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name is Ardela, and this is my associate, Thiago. We contacted you last night about the potential bride we would like to offer your esteemed establishment. We've brought her here, as per our discussion, to see if she will meet your requirements. May we come in?"

Eden squealed in surprise as Madam Cecilia's cold fingers curled around her wrist and forced her forward. She was so frightened she couldn't move. Eden's shoulders became tense as the Madam slid the cloak off her shoulders. Eden's body was not her own any longer. She was twirled around for an inspection, and she was helpless.

The Noxx leaned closer and sniffed her like she was a slab of meat. Next, the madam cupped one hand around Eden's butt and the other on a breast. The stranger squeezed freely, handling Eden's private areas like she was an animal.

Eden had to resist the urge to retaliate for the blatant sexual harassment. Madam Cecilia stepped back and lifted her nose into the air. Her wrinkled lips pressed together. She didn't say anything, but went to the front door and held it open for the group. The trio walked in single file through the doorway.

The heart of the brothel was a blunt contrast to the dismal facade, which looked similar to a drug den when one looked at it from the outside. The interior was spotless and extravagant. Classic gothic furniture filled it, which gave it a regal atmosphere. A carpeted winding staircase led to a series of soundproof rooms. Green and red lights fixed to the doors indicated if the rooms were vacant or occupied.

Paintings featuring generic nature scenes adorned the walls, complementing the romantic floral backdrop of the wallpapers. Soft jazz played from the overhanging speakers. There was even a receptionist behind a counter, complete with a silver bell and a sophisticated centerpiece on the desktop. If it weren't for the interracial mix of alien women in frilly dresses and lingerie lounging around as they waited for the next customer, the building would look like a perfectly quaint bed and breakfast.

"How much are you looking for?" Madam Cecilia inquired coldly, stroking her chin.

"How much do you think she's worth?"

"She's a little bony, but our supply of natural redheads is running low. Forty thousand? Sixty if her hymen's intact."

Eden felt conflicted. On one hand, the casual sex slave bidding war in front of her was revolting. On the other, she was offended that she wasn't even worth six figures.

"We're willing to negotiate. Why don't we have someone test her out first, free of charge," Ardela offered. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "You know some of your regulars are willing to pay excessive amounts for just an hour with a freshly captured human bride. If the client is fully satisfied, you'll have to cough up eighty. If anything goes wrong, and there's the slightest complaint, we'll hand her over for twenty."

"Are you proposing a bet? I do like to play games," Madam Cecilia drawled. She grabbed hold of Eden's chin and forcibly tilted her head upward, tracing her bejeweled four-inch-long stiletto nail along the human woman's quivering flesh. "There's no sign of age lines on her neck. She's a young one." Madam Cecilia looked off into the distance. "I believe she'll fit quite nicely here."

"What about him?" said Thiago, gesturing to a Glop checking in at the counter.

It was Katakee. The unsightly alien leaned against the countertop as he attempted to chat up the cowering receptionist. With a short, pencil-thin mustache, an oily orange comb-over, and a baby-blue suit emblazoned with half-naked alien women custom made to fit his hulking figure, the cocky fugitive was a peculiar marriage of creepy and weird.

"I believe I've won this bet already. You may be out of luck. That gentleman is one of our best customers. He's also one of our pickiest," said Madam Cecilia, cackling darkly. "Very well, I'll go ahead and make the arrangements."

The train of the Madam's dress trailed after her like a sea of purple snakes. The trio observed carefully from a distance as the Noxx woman exchanged hugs with Katakee. Madam Cecilia and Katakee said quick pleasantries before the madam leaned in close to the Glop fugitive, speaking in hushed tones.

"Are you okay, Eden? You look a little green," said Thiago softly, glancing sideways at her. "Are you sure you can do this?"

"Of course. I'm all right," insisted Eden with false conviction. She fought to keep her voice from trembling. The handcuffs suddenly seemed too tight on her wrists.

"Don't worry," said Ardela, lowering the volume of her voice as Katakee and Madam Cecilia started to head back in their direction. "We'll be right outside the door. It will be just like we practiced."

"Okay."

Katakee grabbed the handle of Eden's leash from Thiago's hands. Madam Cecilia led the way up, ushering Eden and the client towards a suite on the second floor. As Ardela and Thiago began following them up the flight of steps, Katakee grunted disapprovingly, snarling at the madam.

Madam Cecilia got the message. "The client wants you to wait for him downstairs."

"Not a chance," said Thiago immediately. "We need to stand guard by the door to ensure the goods aren't damaged. If we can't protect our investment, the deal is off."

Katakee clucked his tongue indignantly. He ultimately relented. As they reached a room located at the far end of the hallway, the Glop swept Eden off the ground by the waist and slammed the door shut in their faces. Ardela and Thiago nodded at each other briefly, moving to the side of the twin doors as Madam Cecilia sauntered away from them.

Eden gagged as the stench of an overflowing dumpster on a hot summer's day emerged from Katakee's puckered lips. Removing the hood over her head, he wrapped his chubby, brawny arms around her waist. His cold tongue flopped lazily along the contours of her cleavage. Eden tried not to move, but she couldn't help attempting to escape. Katakee quickly grew tired of her squirming and writhing. He shoved her onto a king-sized double bed.

Eden rolled onto her side. She silently watched as Katakee turned his back to her and prepared to disrobe. He laid his concealed weapons down on the coffee table before stripping off his clothes. She clenched her lips and didn't make a sound. Eden focused and lifted her shackled hands to the amulet around her neck. When she gave a small button concealed in the back of the pendant a hard jab, an antique key ejected from a triangle in the center of the necklace. She caught the tiny key with the tips of her fingers and gently fit it into the keyhole in her handcuffs. When Katakee had removed his clothes and turned back around to face her, Eden was already free from the restraints. She bent over to retrieve a laser tucked inside her boot.

Their eyes met across the room, widening simultaneously. Katakee's eyes were frightened, but Eden's eyes were full of anticipation.

"Now," she shouted.

Thiago and Ardela burst through the doors on cue, fully armed and ready for destruction. The startled Katakee whirled around with his hands up in surrender and his boxers halfway down his knees. Eden never got the laser out of her shoe; it refused to budge. She rolled off the bed and crashed onto the floor, making sure to keep herself out of the line of fire.

Eden struck her head against the post on the foot of the bed. As her sight began to blur, she saw Katakee's shadowy figure freeze solid like an awkwardly-posed mannequin and topple forward to the floor with a loud thud.