Chasing Cthulhu (Urf Oomons #2)
: Chapter 26

Tiny is frustrated with me for the whole shuttle ride down to Salhuteck’s residence. She keeps insisting that she should go alone, but she has no good arguments for that. On Earth, it made sense because that is her home and her government. She would know best. But I’ve known Salhuteck longer than she has. I have many years of experience as a trader dealing with dishonest, unethical types. Tiny is just too pure for this business. Where does all of her blind trust and unwavering optimism spring from? Maybe it is a human trait, but you should not just operate under the assumption that people are telling you the truth. Especially not people like Salhuteck.

It only took Salhuteck an hour to agree to our demands. He could not conceal his greed and excitement as Tiny alluded to a whole shipment of earth products created by many different artisans. It was a sight when he completely lost composure at the news of the sanction.

Oh, he was furious.

‘How can I trade with a being who kidnaps and holds humans hostage?’ She shook her head in mock-dejection. ‘Sal, I have valued you as trade partner and I don’t pretend to understand your culture. I just can’t—’ Then she made a sobbing noise and turned away from the com screen.

Then Seven took over negotiations, berating Sal for upsetting his mate, snarling, and growling, and then saying in no uncertain terms that we would not be trading with him until Tiny meets with Gloria in person and is assured of her well-being.

Sal blustered, complained, wheedled, and finally threatened. He would report us to the guild, the federation, and on and on.

Seven ended the comm.

Sal called back to arrange the meeting and end Tiny’s sanctions before this ‘misunderstanding goes any further’.

And Tiny thought she would go alone to this hostile negotiation with a slaver, a human-thief who had already tricked her once?

Seven, Ken, and I all felt that any one of us would be safer representing our cause than her.

Finally, we came to an agreement. Seven would stay with the babies. Ken would man the ship and I would accompany Tiny to meet with Gloria.

If it comes to violence and threats, I am experienced with such things now. I am willing to meet violence with violence if it gets Gloria safely home.

How is Tiny planning to accomplish this goal? Just flash her blunt human teeth and toss her mane around?

She grumbles and complains the whole shuttle ride.

Why she always wants to go it alone, I cannot say. It will not be allowed in this situation though.

We are greeted as honored guests when we arrive, then shown into a comfortable room and offered refreshments.

Tiny goes to actually drink what is offered to her and I have to snatch it out of her grasp.

‘Do not trust these people,’ I warn her.

‘Oh, right. You’re right.’

I set the drink on a nearby table.

Salhuteck enters the room. He is bedecked in silver jewelry that adorns every visible limb and his neck as well. His green scales are polished to a shine, and he holds his head high as if he is not the lowest sort of criminal.

Behind him is a naked human, his beloved Shawn, who he bought from Seereechees more than a year ago. He treats Shawn like a favored concubine more than a slave, pampering him and spoiling him. The male is an especially striking human. I can understand why Sal is enamored of him. Shawn has had many opportunities to leave Salhuteck’s care, but he has never taken advantage of any.

Is it possible that Gloria is also happy in his care? I do not want to consider it, but—

She enters the room at Shawn’s side, unabashedly naked, her arm entwined with his, holding on for dear life as though she would hate to be separated from him.

All of my tentacles still as my hearts stutter and a cold dread clenches inside of me.

This is the truth. It was not a trick. Gloria really does not want me. Why would she when she has this adorable human man and this opulent residence where she will be spoiled and catered to?

Of course, she would not pick me when she has a choice.

It is a stabbing, physical pain through my hearts and I just cannot— I do not need to be here for this. I should never have come.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! I berate myself as I instinctually camouflage and flee the room as soon as the path is clear.

This is why Tiny kept insisting she should come alone. She knew or at least suspected this outcome.

Perhaps Gloria did not see me? Hopefully, she does not realize what a desperate, lovesick idiot I am to have chased her all the way to this awful planet.

She really just left me. After being intimate with me, making me feel like— She found the first opportunity on that space station and left me. She has been living happily with this male the whole time.

How could I have been so mistaken?

How ridiculous to think of us as a couple? Me, so monstrous and alien to her and her this perfect, beautiful…

I presumed so much. Just assumed that she would feel with the same intensity when all it ever was…

I cannot get this void-sent door open! I have made it all the way to the main entrance of the house, but it is locked. Of all the blasted indignities.

‘Hey!’ I feel a sharp tug on one of my tentacles. I shake it off and try to open the door by force, shoving myself against it. I will not be kept here.

‘Lu! Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?’

It is her. In a final humiliation, she has chased me down before I could make an escape.