Sohut's Protection: A Sci-fi Alien Romance (Riv's Sanctuary Book 2) A.G. Wilde (best way to read an ebook TXT) 📖

he moved so he could see her face underneath the large, white hood.

“Oh no, no, no, no,” he began to say and at that moment, Wawa decided to pop his head out.

The green alien jumped back so fast, his limbs splayed against the alley wall. His mouth and eyes were as wide as planets in their own solar system as the color seemed to drain from his skin.

He looked petrified.

“A-A slizz!”

“Quiet!” Sohut plastered a palm over the alien’s mouth but even then she could hear him screaming behind Sohut’s hand.

Wawa seemed unperturbed as she pat his head and he went back into the depths of the hood.

“Listen, forget about the slizz. He’s a pet. We need your help.”

It felt like ages before Geblit was calm enough to speak.

When his eyes finally regained their usual size, Sohut removed his hand and a slew of words spilled from the alien’s mouth immediately.

“Nope. Can’t help. I am done with helping these humans and I am definitely not helping a slizz!”

Humans?

He’d helped other humans?

She opened her mouth to ask about that but Geblit was already speaking.

“And where did you find a human? To my knowledge, only the Tas—” His eyes widened again, this time in more shock than horror. “No. Tell me you didn’t.”

“I had no choice. You know what the Tasqals do to their slaves.”

Geblit took a step back, his wide eyes on her.

“If they catch you—”

“But they won’t catch us now will they. Not with your help.” Sohut paused. “I’ll owe you a favor.”

The way he said the word like it was the ultimate bargaining chip made her eyes dart back to the green alien beside them.

Geblit’s eyes darted from Sohut to her to Sohut then back again.

“Don’t tell me you have feelings for this ugly thing.”

Was…was he calling her ugly?

She’d have been hurt if she didn’t really care. She’d gotten used to the jungle Torians insulting her looks and she just wanted to get as far away from those Tasqals and gator-guards as possible. If Sohut thought this was the way, then so be it.

“A favor,” Sohut said again.

Geblit closed his eyes for a second, his shoulders slumping as he crossed his arms.

“Raxu, phekking qrakking Sohut,” Geblit muttered. “This is the last time I help you and your brother.”

Sohut smiled.

Geblit’s eyes darted to her again. “Follow me.”

33

Geblit led them through the back streets and as he did so, she had to glance at Sohut.

Laughter bubbled in her belly despite the fact they were running for their lives.

In front of them, Geblit was leading the way and he was literally creeping on tiptoes like he was up to no good.

Anyone looking at them would no doubt see that they were doing something illegal.

Now and then, he’d pause, his body going still and his eyes widening a little at whatever danger he saw, then he’d usher them forward.

It wasn’t long before they were in a tunnel and Geblit stopped in front of a wall.

Knocking the wall with a series of raps that sounded like a code, Geblit waited, his legs shaking.

Soon, the wall moved…or rather, the secret door in the wall moved and a tall alien dressed in armor stood on the other side.

Gripping Sohut’s hand, Cleo squeezed it a little and Sohut gave her a reassuring squeeze back.

“Ambassador,” the soldier said and for a moment she wondered who he was talking to before Geblit spoke up.

“Y-yes,” Geblit held his head high.

Oh.

She wouldn’t have guessed.

“I am here on official business with—” his eyes darted to her and Sohut “—friends. Official legal business.”

Goodness gracious.

It was so obviously a lie she felt like slapping her face into her palm.

The soldier wouldn’t buy it.

But with a creak of his armor, the soldier stepped to the side and Geblit almost jumped for joy.

As a matter of fact, it was obvious he tried to hide his glee and relief because all he did was flash them a smile before rushing through the door.

He led them through a series of corridors to a small, empty office and got to work, tapping his fingers on a metal desk. In front of him, the hologram of a data screen came to life in the space.

“You want to register her, right? For protection?”

Sohut nodded.

“Register me?”

Sohut glanced down at her. “So you’ll be protected by the Union.” He paused. “So you’ll be free.”

Free.

She never thought she’d feel so much hope in just one word.

“So you will be her sponsor?” Geblit asked, his finger still tapping the desk with amazing speed.

“Sponsor? I need a sponsor?”

Sohut nodded. “Yes, I’ll be her sponsor.”

Geblit glanced at him momentarily, his forehead skin moving as if he was thinking “you idiot” and didn’t care to hide it.

“Wait,” she pulled on Sohut’s arm. “What does being a sponsor mean?”

“It means he’s relinquishing half of his assets to the Union in good faith that you will be an upstanding citizen.” It was Geblit that answered.

Cleo’s heart skipped a beat.

“What?” Her gaze searched Sohut’s but he didn’t respond. “Is he speaking the truth?”

“Why would I lie?” Geblit’s head rose, his brow furrowed and the expression on his face was as if he was taken aback by her unsaid accusation.

“Geblit—” Sohut raised a hand, his gaze never leaving hers. “Yes, he’s right.”

Cleo gulped.

But why?

She didn’t realize she’d asked the question until Sohut began answering.

“Because you’re my gnora…” he said.

In the background, she was vaguely aware that Geblit was choking on air at that proclamation and Wawa took that moment to growl at him, halting the choking immediately.

Her entire focus was on Sohut.

He’d used that word again.

“What does that mean?” she asked.

Sohut didn’t miss a beat. “After all this is over, I promise I’ll show you.”

Geblit choked again and, this time, it was Sohut that glared his way.

Clearing his throat, Geblit reached in his desk and took out a flat, clear disk.

“Deposit your fluids here.”

Cleo frowned. “My what?”

“Spit on it.”

Oh.

“Why?”

“The union will need your biosignature as part of the registration process,” Sohut answered.

Oh.

She guessed it was a little like having