Page 25 of Riv's Sanctuary

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Well, she probably would, but most likely not by her own hands but by the hands of some merciless alien.

If it came to that, though, she would fight till the final moment. Even if she had to use her teeth as her only weapons.

She would bite her enemies then run.

Riv paused, his head angled in the direction of the box once more.

"Why is the box closed?"

Geblit's four eyes darted from the box to Riv and back. He was so bad at lying.

"I didn't want to risk it escaping. It is not a very intelligent species."

Remind her to throttle the skinny alien whenever she had a chance to.

Despite Geblit’s pleading, Riv began to walk off. "Take it back to wherever you got it from."

At this point, a wail pierced the air, pulling her gaze away from the tall, blue alien to Geblit.

Geblit’s mouth was in the shape of a long oval as another of the horrible wails left his lips.

Was he...was he crying?

Lauren's face scrunched up as she watched the alien. He really was a sight when he got hysterical.

It wasn't she alone who was affected by Geblit's sudden emotional outburst. Even the big, blue male seemed to shift uncomfortably, his brows rising over his shades.

"What is it?" Riv's voice reflected annoyance and mild frustration.

"I can't bring it back. I was bested, Riv! No returns!" Geblit wailed. "My Cargga will be most unhappy."

Riv let out a sound like a groan.

"You have to help me, Riv. I call on that favor you owe me."

Again with that. She was starting to wonder what this favor was.

There was a silence that hung heavily in the air as they both waited for Riv's next words.

"Fine," he finally said. As he walked toward Geblit, his towering frame was even more noticeable beside the lesser male.

“But that means we’re even now. You helped me after I left the mines. I help you with this.” He moved over to her side of the hovercar and placed his blaster on top of the box. “Debt paid.”

Without even a grunt of exertion, he lifted the box against his chest and proceeded to move away from the hovercar. The movement was so sudden, she almost yelped.

Fastening her hand over her mouth, she looked through the slits, her eyes focusing on Geblit.

He was watching the box with such relief in his eyes, she didn’t know how to feel.

"Tell me," Riv's voice boomed close to the box. "What did you buy this thing for?"

"Cargga wanted a new bedmate to make things more exciting."

Riv's groan of disgust mimicked her feelings. He paused just on the other side of the barrier as the particles activated once more, locking Geblit on the other side.

"You were going to phek an ooga?" His disgust seemed to grow as he said the words.