The Moon's Fangs | 1
17 | the black market

They came in fast and aggressive. Five men who all looked to have seen their equal share of fights over the course of their lives closed in on us, gradually pinning us to the edge of the available ground.

In that split second, I should have been scared, but I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact Reks planned to fight them off with a broken step from the ladder.

That is, until he tossed it to me. “Here, just in case,” he said in that same calm tone, like there was nothing wrong in the world.

I fumbled the thing and didn’t have a chance to argue before the thugs were on him.

“Who knew a big payday could look so scrawny—gwahh!” the thug’s snicker turned to an outcry as Reks abruptly gripped the man’s hair and drove his skull straight into his rising knee.

Blood sprayed from the thug’s nostrils as Reks wrenched the man to the ground, where he laid motionless and out cold.

A couple of the others cursed, but their words were lost before I could make any sense of it. Two of the four left went to grab him. One snagged Reks’ arm and tried to twist it behind his back.

My heart leaped in fear. But Reks shoved his weight against his restrainer and booted the other man straight off the edge of the district. The force of the blow was so strong, the man twisting Reks’ arm fell backward.

By the time the other thug made a loud splash in the bay, Reks had already freed himself and knocked out another one.

Reks moved so fast, I struggled to keep up. The last two were closing in on him, and they looked furious about what he did to their friends - vengeful, even.

To make matters worse, someone else emerged from the shadows behind Reks. This newcomer was built like a giant bodybuilder on steroids. He might've been part bear, part viking. His muscles had muscles! Accompanying him was his complete opposite in size; the mousy girl with pink hair who led us into this mess. A couple more thugs moved to join the fight.

The scary-looking bodybuilder cracked his knuckles, heading right towards Reks with a fist the size of the teenage girl’s head.

Fear mounted inside of my body - mind racing back to the monsters attacking Blaire, Nolan, and I.

Reks had his hands full fighting the other thugs to notice the giant newcomer stalking up in his blind spot.

Desperation kicked in.

Something innate suddenly sparked through my veins as I reeled my arm back to throw the broken plank. Like a white-hot power fueled by an intense need of not wanting anyone I knew to get hurt. Not again.

“Behind you!” I screamed, chunking the broken step at the grizzly.

Somehow with crazy luck, it bonked him square in the face. Splintered side hitting flesh. He grunted from the surprise, squeezing both eyes shut upon impact while Pinky gasped out loud. A small trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his eye like a scary tear. His mean mug shifted towards me. He aggressively stroked his thick peppered black beard.

I stared back, petrified of what I had just done. His crooked nose curled up in a sneer, and he jerked his bald, tattooed head to one side, initiating a row of cracks down his thick neck.

If looks could kill, I’d be a gonner.

He nodded toward me, and the pink-haired girl took that as an order. She pushed herself in gear, quickly closing the gap between us.

My eyes widened. Reks had three men attacking him at once, and now this girl came after me.

She was a tiny thing, but she definitely meant business.

Crap, crap, crap! What was I supposed to do now? Throw down? There’s no way.

“Stay back!” I yelled, backing away. “Don’t come any closer-”

My knees suddenly collapsed outwards as they collided against a crate, sending my butt directly into the crate of plants. I yelped, feet flying up, both arms hitting the sides and hitting one of my funny bones in the process.

Several things happened at once.

The big grizzly man bellowed, “Nooooo!” his widely horrified expression now trained on me.

Reks banged two goons’ heads together, knocking them both unconscious.

Pinky’s dirty hands rushed up to her mouth with a horrified gasp.

Simultaneously, the big man barreled toward me. Fear sealed my movement, like a small bunny too scared to run from a hostile bear.

Every new step he made was like thunder crashing down on the surface.

~Get up!~ Nox hissed in my mind. ~Amelia, please - I don’t want to die from being trampled on!~

At a stroke, Reks pounced on the grizzly’s back. A blue tendril surged from his wrist, and he grabbed the opposite end before reeling back on the man’s thick neck. He leveraged himself at an upward angle, booting the man’s back to rend the tendril up at the top of his neck.

“Gwaccckkk-!” the grizzly’s roar choked off. Veins protruded up his neck from the strain, eyes bulging with rage, desperation, and lack of air. “My - ack- plants! Kh-kh- get off-!”

Reks forced the big man to the ground, but his reddening eyes bore into me. It was like his sheer will refused to blackout.

Heart racing, I pushed myself out of the crate.

The second I did, the grizzly tapped frantically on Reks’ arm. “I- I give in!” he wheezed out. Blood outlined the tendril cutting off his circulation.

Pinky, now driven by a new purpose, rushed to the crate of plants. She dropped to her knees, hunkered over the top. A holographic oculus materialized over her left eye while tenderly checking on the crumpled life inside.

The grizzly man hacked and coughed when Reks released the tendril from his neck. “Shion, are they okay? Tell me it’s salvageable!” Tears welled up in his eyes. Even his bottom lip jutted out and quivered in distress.

“I… I’m sorry, boss.” she shook her head.

In that moment, our attacker took on the persona of a little kid whose toy snapped in two right in front of his eyes.

He jumbled over to Shion and hovered over the crate, which only caused his eyes to well up further. “The hearthbulbs… she… s-smooshed…” he struggled to say. He was too fixated on the plants rather than the harsh injury across his neck. Blood dirtied the underside of his thick beard.

I hustled towards Reks amidst the distraction. He met me in the middle, pulling me behind him with an arm. He held me there behind his back, which felt oddly comforting. Not including the step ladder incident, this guy managed to save me multiple times in one day. All without a single injury. All, besides the self-inflicted reopening of the scars on his wrists.

“This might get messy-”

Reks was cut off when the big man’s voice broke, releasing a wave of fury. “It never had a chance to bloom!” he whirled to face us. Each ragged huff he exuded was like an angered bull preparing to charge a red piece of cloth.

Even still, my curiosity piqued over this plant that caused such an uproar of emotion from such a scary-looking man.

Nox, what’s the big deal with this plant? I mentally asked.

~Hearthbulbs once flourished across southern Orlaith before the Fall. When at full bloom, the red bulb heats a circumference of ten feet. It is hard to get your hands on nowadays and appears to be a popular market item among citizens living in the lower districts of Asylum, what with how chilly it is here.~

“Wait! If we collect the bounty they’re bound to put on the masked guy’s head, we might make a profit still!” Shion jumped to her feet. She pointed at Reks, then shot the accusing little thing at me. “And I bet she’s worth somethin’ too, boss! The General’s son wants her. I heard it with my own ears! It’s all under the table and stuff. And her eyes were glowin’ when I first saw her.”

Glowing.

My blood ran cold at her accusation. I was instantly reminded of the same thing happening when I saw my reflection during that flash of lightning after waking in the middle of the storm. I thought it could have been a trick of the light. But now?

I felt the assassin’s eyes on me, but I didn’t look up to meet his stare. Fear of what I would see held me prisoner.

The grizzly man sneered. “Oh yeah? What’d you two do to piss off the high-ups? Or’s this some kind’ve damsel in distress thing?”

If they would’ve asked that same question right after Reks interrogated me, or when he went berserk in the abandoned greenhouse, I may have answered differently. But now… despite the rough start, I felt safest with Reks.

Well, much better off rather than taking any chances with all these other hooligan aliens. At least I knew this guy wasn’t going to kill me. I mean, if he wanted to, he would have already… right?

~You have a tendency to fall deep down the rabbit hole, I see.~ Nox quietly inferred. ~Reks Arlen is a wise, dutiful master who—~

Shh.

Reks appeared relaxed, but that wolfish edge he tended to get when facing an obstacle emerged. He looked at it like a demon facing an armed mouse. Casually superior and mildly amused by the armed mouse’s attempt.

Reks was dangerous, and he knew it. His opponent's size didn't matter.

“So, this is because of a supposed bounty?” Reks asked, sounding bored. “One that hasn’t even been made official. You’re passing judgment before you understand the situation.”

“I saw them chasing after you in the market.” Shion argued. “They were settin’ up roadblocks and everything in the first two districts! They don’t go ’round doing that unless it’s serious.”

The big man nodded, agreeing with his pink lackey. “Yup. I’ve an eye for these things. If that Rhosyn boy's willing to do all that, then I bet my good rep he’d pay a pretty sum for the duo. Them high-ups like their prize and their revenge.”

My brow arched at what he implied.

Reks’ weight subtly shifted. “You haven’t taken me into account yet. How far do you think I’m willing to go to get what I want? What is the great Baze of the Black Market willing to lose over an undefined and currently nonexistent bounty?”

The question came off so casually deadly, it made my skin crawl. And I wondered about the answer myself. Not so much what this so-called Baze would do, but how far Reks would push to get what he wanted. I might feel safest with him, but that couldn't be said for anyone who dared to cross him.

Baze’s sneer turned into a peeved frown when hearing his name roll from his target's mouth. “You’re walking a fine line, boy. You may’ve gotten the best of some of my men, but as far as I can see, you’re an unranked dweller. Stripped. Bottom of the barrel. And you’ve not only got the General’s son on yer ass, but you and that girly there also achieved to piss me off too.” He took a step forward, reaching for a circular weapon attached to his widely adorned tactical belt, about the size of a frisbee. “Now I don’ want to resort to this, but I will if you make trouble. The way I see it, the two of ya owe me a lofty debt for ruinin’ my product. Took us a month to score it. Month of work wasted now.”

“Do so and I won’t hold back this time.”

Baze moved towards unlatching his weapon, and Reks’ arms curved slightly - palms turning out. My eyes flashed, catching his scarred wrists beginning to reopen as a faint sliver of blue crested the surface. What did he mean? Did not holding back mean he would crush Baze the way he did to Nolan’s weapon? Would Reks kill him?

“Wait,” I swiftly crossed an arm over his as the orleizen language flowed from my lips. “What if we can come to an understanding? We could probably help each other out somehow. I mean, you only want to help the people living here. That’s why you needed that plant, right? To provide warmth and comfort.”

Reks stiffened, but didn’t intervene.

Baze’s hand paused, hovering over the circular weapon at his hip. “Put all that together, did ya…” he straightened, crossing his dense, heavily tatted arms across his chest. “Not to say I’m not open to negotiations… but what could a pair of runaway dwellers offer me that’d be worthwhile?”

Then Baze and Shion shared a knowing look, both equally heinous. “Bet he’d fetch a pretty coin in the Cage.” She suggested.

“Or be bloody humbled in one round with you-know-who.”

The two laughed conspiratorially.

My shoulders closed in, not liking the sound of that. Not what I had in mind, not what I thought they’d suggest.

Reks stretched his arm in lazy indifference. “Why would I go through all that trouble if it would be so easy for me to wipe you both out here and now? That’s why you’re stalling for time, isn’t it? You think if you call all your guys waiting for your signal from the shadows to take me on all at once, you may actually get the upper hand here. Please, keep stalling. Keep allowing more to show. But if you do, you’ll wind up out of business. The only reason I didn’t kill those who already stood in my way is because I didn’t feel like dealing with the damn mess.”

My blood froze over, suddenly remembering the man I just described as a demon among mice stood close enough to reach out and touch.

Baze paled. “How’d y-”

“Here’s how this is going to work,” Reks interrupted. “Your partner did us a favor. But before we could return that favor, you attacked us.” Shion tried to argue, but Reks kept going. “However, I did take out a few of your guys, and my… associate here ruined your merchandise. We’d be willing to bring back some hearthbulbs, or something of equal or better value if you’re willing to cut us a deal as new, top-priority customers. Am I wrong to assume you peddle tech gear, forged credentials, and other unusual goods?”

Baze’s frown deepened. His weight shifted to steadily tap one of his boots against the cold stone. “Huh. What’d you say you did for work again?”

“Never did.”

He grumbled. “Not a bad compromise… if you can pull it off.”

Shion’s eyes jerked between us and her boss. “But Baze! How can we trust they’ll follow through with their end?”

“Time’ll tell.” Baze turned to walk away, but turned back to us to say one last thing before leaving. “Ask for me by name at the Cage. If we don’t hear from ya in a week, the deal’s off.”

Frustrated with the outcome, Shion huffed and rolled her eyes before following her boss. Some thugs slid out of the shadows to gather their knocked-out coworkers before disappearing back into the darkness.

When they were long out of sight, I let out a relieved breath. “I think we handled that pretty well.”

He crossed his arm, tossing me a scolding look. “You’re a beacon for trouble, Outlander.”

“What do you mean? They ganged up on both of us.”

“You threw a broken peg at the giant.” he retorted.

“Yeah,” I argued. “Because you gave it to me.”

“Not to throw at a giant.” his eyes widened in what might have been humor.

“What I think I’m hearing from you is a sincere thank you… so, you’re welcome.” I arched a brow, crossing my arms to mimic his stance.

Reks scoffed, shaking his head. “Your aim was good. Had him crying bloody tears.”

My cheeks reddened from the compliment. “Really? I actually felt something weird when throwing it at him. I… don’t really know how to explain it. It was like an electrifying feeling.”

“Your Guide.” Reks explained. “That feeling was Nox assisting both your aim and strength behind your throw, maximizing the results.” He nodded for us to walk in the opposite direction the black-market dealers disappeared down.

Sheesh. Who knew the little alien snake could turn me into a semi-badass.

“I have a question,” I said after a quiet moment passed. “Did you… mean what you said back there? About killing those guys.”

His dark eyes looked over at me, which were impossible to read with how dark our surroundings were. “Unless it's a direct order, I don’t needlessly kill. But sometimes handing out threats like that is the only way to get some people to listen or take you seriously. Violence tends to respond to violence.” he sighed. “It helped you brought up something else they were interested in. Having the Black Market supply us with some things would work greatly in our favor.”

I refrained from asking what would have happened if they called his bluff, or decided to proceed with the ambush. Would he have followed through with his threat?

I clasped my hands together in front of me, fighting off the chills this district brought. “So, getting them a hearthbulb plant is like our way in.”

“It’s favorable for us if we can find a hearthbulb, or something equally valuable. And with these badlands now inhabiting the main area of growth for the plant, our odds aren’t looking good.”

“Well… what if we check out that greenhouse I found you in? We might be able to find some salvageable seeds. You were hidden there for a long time, so there might be some seeds they'd consider rare.”

“Not a bad idea.” he shot me a fleeting glance. “We’ll try there first. It’ll be easy to get there since Sorren’s gate ring is already set to that location. I can have my Guide copy its coordinates.”

He led the way through the dark and sketchy district, making sure we avoided any large structures or constructs someone could easily hide behind for another ambush.

I couldn’t help but notice he intentionally kept his gaze from lingering on me for longer than a second any time he looked my way. But he mostly avoided the action overall.

Every time he did it, it made me question my choice of following him. The question I was too afraid to ask him out loud tracked my mind: What did he want, and how far was he willing to go to get it?

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