Creature Worlds: Solar Slick Read Free Page A

He’s all about self-preservation.”
    “We could leave together right now. Escape into the jungle and hide out until he tires of searching for us.”
    “He’ll never stop,” I said.
    “Minka, tell me why Clay wants you so badly.”
    I smiled grimly. “It’s not because he’s in love with me, I assure you.” The worst part was that a year ago, I was so in love with Clay I would have done anything for him. I thought he loved me too. What a fool I’d been.
    A loud pounding on the door interrupted our conversation. I gave Tigg a long, hard look before I started for the door. “Here we go,” I said.

Chapter 4
    Clay and his goons walked into my apartment when I opened up the door. “Come right in,” I said sarcastically. He walked into the living room and turned around to face us. The goons stayed at the front door—in case we decided to bolt, I guess.
    “You’re ready?” Clay asked.
    “Are you? It’s pretty wild outside the dome, I hope you’re prepared,” I said.
    Clay smiled. “I’m not going anywhere.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Not necessary. We’ll just slow you two down,” he said.
    “You want Minka and I to go alone?” Tigg confirmed, in a giddy voice, as though he couldn’t believe his good luck.
    Clay narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, but I’ll be waiting, so don’t get any dumb ideas. I’ll give you three days to fill this bag with menite.” He tossed a black canvas sack at me. “Any longer and I’ll make sure you’re a wanted felon, not only on Earth, but on Treox as well,” Clay said to me. “There’ll be no place for you to hide.”
    Tigg’s tongue hissed out, I could tell he was pissed.
    “I packed a bag this morning. I’m ready to go when you are,” I said to Tigg. He was glaring at Clay and looked ready to expose those cobra fangs again. “Come on,” I said, urging him along. “Do you need to get your stuff?” I’d noticed he’d walked in empty handed.
    Tigg looked at Clay as he drew a deadly looking eight-inch blade out of his tall leather work boot. “This is all I need.”
    Clay gulped visibly.
    “Let’s go then,” I said. When Tigg remained still, I reached out and took hold of his arm. “Help me with my bag?”
    “We’ll be back within three days with the menite. Then you will leave and not come back,” Tigg said to Clay.
    “Yeah, right,” Clay said, watching as Tigg replaced the knife.
    Tigg followed me as I hurried to my bedroom and grabbed my knapsack. “The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll get this over with,” I said to him as he leaned against my bedroom door. I tucked Clay’s sack into my bag and Tigg came in and swung it onto his shoulder. We passed by the goons on our way out the front door without a word and strode down the hall. I leaned against the elevator door when it closed, us safely inside.
    “Think we can pull this off?” I asked Tigg. He seemed relaxed and unconcerned while I was a bundle of nerves.
    “If I hear him threaten you again, the only thing getting stuffed in that bag will be him.”
    Yep, he was pissed.
    Since it was the weekend, and the work week on Treox was only four days long, and the weekend three, we wouldn’t be missed. As long as we made it back on schedule.
    There was a lineup to exit the dome, mostly other Lizords and a couple of blue guys who didn’t seem bothered much by the heat. It was a short line and we were soon outside. The hot air hit me in the face as soon as I stepped out and I sighed in misery. Tigg immediately took the lead. My thick hair was drenched and pasted to my head after just a few minutes.
    “How far do we have to go?” I asked, walking quickly to keep up with his long strides.
    “The first mine is only a few hours away. But it’s heavily guarded. The second one would be better.”
    “How far is that one?”
    “About a day’s walk.”
    The thought of spending three whole days and nights in this bug-infested sauna were almost enough to push me over the edge.
    “But we’re not