Playing The Alphas

Chapter 71: The Exchange

Korvus waited until the ship’s ramp had fully lowered before he stepped forward. Ketem stood at the top, his dark eyes watching, his arms crossed. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"You return," Ketem said. "I thought you had run off with my gold."

Korvus climbed the ramp. His claws clicked against the metal. "I did not run, my king."

Ketem smiled. "Then walk and deliver what you promised."

Korvus reached into his belt, his fingers closing around a small glass vial. He then pulled it out.

Ketem’s eyes fixed on the vial. "Is that it?"

Korvus held it up. "This is a sample of the blood. The same blood Kayden has been using. The same blood that keeps him young."

Ketem stepped closer, his hand reached out and Korvus pulled the vial back.

"Not yet," Korvus said. "First, we talk."

Ketem’s jaw tightened. "We already talked. I gave you gold."

"You gave me half. The rest will be delivered. I want to make sure the delivery happens."

"It will happen."

"I want to make sure you understand what you are buying."

Ketem crossed his arms. "Then explain."

"This blood came from the laboratory," Korvus said. "Kayden’s private laboratory. Where the scientist, Thess, works on the cure."

"You stole it?"

"I acquired it. There is a difference."

Ketem’s eyes narrowed. "How?"

Korvus smiled. "I have my ways."

"You are a snake, Korvus."

"I am a brave. There is a difference."

Ketem gestured to the vial. "And the girl? The one who supplied the blood?"

Korvus’s expression did not change. "She is dead."

Ketem raised an eyebrow. "Dead? You’re telling me two stories. First, you said it was Vera who supplied you the blood. Now, you’re saying the person that supplied the blood is dead? Which am I to believe?"

"The one Vera supplied is not as potent," Korvus lied. This lie was necessary to prevent Ketem from going on a hunt for Samantha. If Ketem went on a hunt for Samantha, Korvus would be fished out as a rat.

"Ignore me," Korvus lied again. "Sometimes I can be busy. This one blood, was captured from a village raid. Kayden extracted her blood over several weeks. The process was... harsh and her body could not handle it."

"So the blood is from a dead human?"

"The blood was extracted before she died. It is still fresh and potent."

Ketem studied Korvus’s face. "And Kayden used this same blood to maintain his human form?"

"He used it. Yes. The results speak for themselves. You saw him. He looked younger and healthier like a human girl. He looked more human than he has been in centuries."

Ketem nodded slowly. "And where is this girl now?"

"She is buried in the forest. Outside the camp."

"Are they no other samples? No other sources?"

Korvus shook his head. "This is all that remains. Kayden has been hoarding it. He has been using it sparingly. He does not want anyone to know."

Ketem reached for the vial again and Korvus pulled it back. freёwebnoѵel.com

"One more thing," Korvus said.

"What?"

"The blood is diluted. It is not as strong as the pure samples Kayden keeps for himself. But it is enough. Enough to give you a taste. Enough to show you what is possible."

Ketem’s eyes darkened. "Diluted?"

"I could not steal the pure samples. They are locked away and guarded. Thess watches them day and night."

"So you brought me leftovers."

"I brought you proof. Proof that the blood works. Proof that Kayden is hiding something valuable. Proof that you should invest in acquiring more."

Ketem was silent for a long moment. His dark eyes burned.

"Fine," he said. "Give me the vial."

Korvus handed it over.

"And the girl’s name?" Ketem asked, his brows raised in suspicion. "The dead one?"

Korvus shook his head. "I do not know. She was just a human."

Ketem tucked the vial into his coat. "You have done well, Korvus."

"I have done what needed to be done."

Ketem turned and walked deeper into the ship. Korvus watched him go.

*******

The cave was dark. Korvus lit a single torch to find Renn and Threx waiting.

"You are back," Renn said gleefully, his tail twitching. "We thought you had been caught."

Korvus set the gold bags on the floor. They clinked.

"I do not get caught," Korvus said.

Threx’s eyes widened. "Is that all of it?"

"Yes. Five bags of gold. As promised."

Renn knelt beside the bags, opening one. Gold coins spilled out and glittered in the torchlight.

"We are rich," Renn whispered.

"We are comfortable," Korvus corrected. "Rich attracts attention. Attention attracts enemies."

Threx picked up a coin. He held it to the light. "I have never seen so much gold in one place."

"Neither have I," Korvus admitted. He sat on a stone. His legs were tired. "But this is only the beginning."

Renn looked up. "The beginning of what?"

Korvus smiled. It was a slow smile. "The beginning of our freedom."

Threx set the coin down. "What do you mean?"

"I mean we no longer have to depend on Kayden. On his whims. His obsessions. His curse." Korvus gestured to the gold. "This is ours. We earned it. We risked our lives for it."

Renn nodded. "And there is more to come. Ketem promised the rest would be delivered."

"He will deliver," Korvus said. "He is many things, but he is not a cheat. He knows that keeping his word is good for business."

Threx sat on the floor. His back against the wall. "What will we do with it?"

Korvus shrugged. "We will buy land. A house. Somewhere far from here. Somewhere the wolves do not know us. Somewhere Kayden cannot find us."

Renn’s eyes glittered. "And women? Human women?"

"If that is what you want."

Threx shook his head. "You think too small. We should buy a ship. Travel to other lands. Other continents. Start a new life where no one knows we are lizards."

Korvus considered this. "A ship is not a bad idea. But ships attract attention. We need something discreet. Something hidden."

"A farm," Renn said. "A farm in the mountains. Something that is remote and Isolated. No one would bother us there."

Threx nodded slowly. "A farm could work. We could grow crops, raise animals andive simply."

Korvus laughed. "You two would last a month on a farm before you got bored."

Renn grinned. "Then we would sell the farm and buy something else."

"Like what?"

"A tavern. In a human village. We could serve drinks, listen to gossip and stay informed."

Threx shook his head. "A tavern is too public. Too many eyes will watch us and too many will question us. You forget that we are lizards."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Threx was silent for a moment. Then he said, "We do nothing. For now. We hide the gold. Wait and watch. And when the time is right, we make our move."

Korvus nodded. "That is wise. Patience is a weapon."

Renn sighed. "I am tired of patience. I want action. I want to spend."

"And you will," Korvus said. "Tomorrow, we will divide the gold and share it equally. Each of us will have enough to start a new life."

"And Kayden?" Threx asked. "What if he finds out?"

Korvus’s eyes hardened. "He will not find out because we will be careful. We will be smart. And we will never, ever mention this to anyone."