“That’s better.”
“… at the usual terms, of course.”
I knew I was being suckered. Knew it, mind you. But I had to ask anyway.
“What terms?”
“If Pidge doesn’t reclaim her in two weeks, I sell her into slavery for enough money to cover her father’s losses.”
Check and mate.
I looked at Markie. She was still holding the Geek’s hand, listening solemnly while we argued out her fate.
As our eyes met, she said her first words since she had entered the room.
“Are you going to be my new daddy?”
I swallowed hard.
“No, I’m not your daddy, Markie. I just…”
“Oh, I know. It’s just that every time my real daddy leaves me with someone, he tells me that they’re going to be my pretend daddy for a while. I’m supposed to mind them and do what they tell me just as if they were my real daddy until my real daddy comes to get me. I just wanted to know if you were going to be my new pretend daddy?”
“Ummm…”
“I hope so. You’re nice. Not like some of the scumbags he’s left me with. Will you be my new daddy?”
With that, she reached out and took hold of my hand.
A small thrill ran through me like an autumn shiver. She was so vulnerable, so trusting. I had been on my own for a long time, first alone, then apprenticed to Garkin, and finally teamed with Aahz. In all that time, I had never really been responsible for another person. It was a funny feeling, scary and warming at the same time.
I tore my eyes away from her and glared at the Geek again.
“Slavery’s outlawed here at the Bazaar.”
The Deveel shrugged. “There are other dimensions. As a matter of fact, I’ve had a standing offer for her for several years. That’s why I’ve been willing to accept her as collateral. I could make enough to cover the bet, the cost of the food she’s eaten over the years, and still turn a tidy profit.”