by E. R. Paskey
“Oh, goodie,” Anna said flatly. “Maybe we should have stuck around a little longer to see who else he’s gonna throw down here.”
“If it’s all the same to you, lass, I’d rather we didn’t.”
Despite herself, the fervent earnestness in his voice made the corners of Anna’s mouth kick up in a wry smile. “Been down here long enough, have you?”
Colin gently bumped her shoulder—on purpose. “I should think you already know the answer to that.”
A few minutes later, Anna inhaled deeply and felt her senses come alive with anticipation. “Do you smell that?”
“Smell what?” Colin sniffed experimentally
“The air smells fresher, don’t you think?” Excitement spurred her on; unthinking, Anna caught Colin’s hand in hers and dragged him along with her. “I think we’re getting close!”
The penlight bounced around the tunnel walls as they broke into a run, revealing something Anna hardly dared hope was an exit.
“Turn off the light,” Colin commanded abruptly, slowing his pace and holding her back.
In her desperation to get out of the caves, Anna almost asked him why, but realization crashed over her like a bucket of cold cave water. Freezing beside him, she clicked the penlight off. Suffocating black darkness drowned them; spots danced in front of her eyes. But after a moment, her eyes adjusted to the light and she saw it.
“There,” Colin said softly, his grip tightening on her hand.
“Thank God,” Anna breathed.
At the end of the tunnel, the darkness was a lighter shade of black.
Anna started toward it, but Colin held her back again. “Careful, lass. There may be someone waiting for use out there.”
“If anybody is out there, we’ve already given ourselves away.”
“Humor me.”
Anna rolled her eyes, but decided it was hardly worth fighting over. “Fine.”
Keeping his body angled between her and the cave opening, Colin started forward and drew her after him. Anna wanted to ask him what he thought he would do if they actually did run into someone lying in wait for them out there, but she refrained. Wait until we’re sure we’re not going to get killed.
When they reached the opening, they found it was larger than they had expected, but partially obscured by a fall of boulders. Letting go of her hand, Colin carefully picked his way up to the top, taking care to make as little sound as possible. The penlight Anna still clutched in her other hand would have come in very handy, but he was clearly taking no chances.
When he reached the top, he crouched there for a long moment, scanning their surroundings and listening for any sounds out of the ordinary.
Anna felt impatience begin to lick at her nerve endings; it was all she could do not to bounce from one foot to the next like an overeager child. I want to go home. She wanted the comfort of the Iliana, and a good sturdy hug from her brother, who would be equally devastated by Bear’s betrayal.
“I think we’re clear,” Colin called down to her, at long last.
Thank God. “I’m turning the light on,” she informed him. “The last thing I need is a broken leg—or worse.” She had seen enough of sick-bay to last her a lifetime. Not that he needed to know that.
“All right. Let me help—we need to make this quick.” Colin clambered out of the cave opening and turned around to give her a hand up.
Much as Anna hated to admit it at this particular point in time, it was nice to have Colin’s strong arm to hold her steady as she scrambled out of the cave. One of her boots slipped on a loose rock and she would have gone sprawling, if not for his grip. “Thank you,” she said when she finally reached the top and was able to stand on her own.
“You’re welcome, lass.” Colin nodded down at her penlight as he let go of her hand. “Might want to switch that off now.”
Anna looked out at the darkness surrounding them. Off to their right, she could just make out the glow of the City. “You don’t think we’ll need it?”
“Oh, aye, we might need it, but we’ll be better off without it giving our position away.”
Anna turned the penlight off, plunging them into darkness that was not quite as thick as in the cave, and slid the penlight back into her pocket. “You think Lobai is watching the cave to see if we come out?”
Or to see if both of us made it?
“You don’t?” Colin countered, before making a sound in the back of his throat. “I suppose that is a bit paranoid, but I frankly wouldn’t put it past the man.”
“Someone else might be watching too, I suppose. And after Bear … ” Anna shook her head. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Where is your brother’s ship berthed?”
“Outside the City, to the east.”
Colin sent her such a sharp look that she felt it in the darkness. “Outside the City?”
“Yes.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Yes.”
“ … you’re not going to tell me, lass?”
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
“I see.”
Anna lifted her chin. This would be where they parted ways. Colin would return to the City, to the spaceport and his own ship, and she would make her way across the dark terrain separating the cave system from her brother and the Iliana. Her fingers dropped to her empty holster. And Lobai took my gun.
“Well,” Colin said at last, “we might as well start moving. The sooner we can get you back to your ship, the better.” He began picking his way down the slope, but Anna stood frozen behind him.
“We?” She cringed as soon as the word left her mouth; it was a stupid thing to say.
Colin turned to face her; she could just make out the pale outline of his face. “You don’t honestly think I’d let you cross Plimus this late at night all that by yourself, do you?” His tone was sarcastic, tinged with more than a little impatience. “What kind of man do you take me for?”
Not what I was expecting, that’s for sure, Anna thought, but she could hardly tell him that. She settled for a shrug as she caught up to him. “I can take care of myself. Don’t you have to get back to your ship?”
“Oh, aye, eventually.” He shot her a suddenly roguish grin through the night. “But now you’ve got me curious about this ship and brother of yours.”
Anna felt her cheeks flush and was supremely grateful for the cover of night. “We’re really not that interesting.”
“The way I see it,” Colin continued quietly, “Lobai has wronged the both of us. We might do better joining forces to get back what he owes us.” He paused. “And I meant what I said about Plimus. It’s a provincial world, but there are enough unsavory elements here that it is unwise for anyone—man or woman—to go traipsing about this late at night.”
“Fine.” Best to humor him, Anna decided. Besides, Vik will probably want to meet him after he hears this story.
Chapter 5
IT TOOK THEM TWO HOURS to reach the edge of the City. Anna’s legs and feet were sore by the end of it, but she gritted her teeth and kept going. “I’ve got a little cash,” she said eventually. “We can hire a cab to take us to the spaceport.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” A thread of exhaustion underscored Colin’s voice. “I wouldn’t mind sitting down for a while.”
As late at night as it was, the City’s streets should have been fairly clear, but its nightlife was unusually strong. Provincial police in scooters and hovercars were patrolling the area in full force. Anna drew closer to Colin, a prickle of unease tickling the back of her neck. “Something’s wrong.”
She did not realize she had spoken aloud until Colin replied, “Aye.” He lazily scanned the streets—and then abruptly put an arm around her shoulders. She stiffened, but he whispered into her ear, “Relax, lass. If they’re looking for you, they’ll not expect to find you with me.”
Anna instantly melted into his side. After a second’s hesitation, she slung an
arm around his waist as well. Are they looking for me? She didn’t know why they would be, unless … “Lobai,” she murmured under her breath.
“Aye,” Colin replied, under the pretense of nuzzling her hair.
Something in Anna’s stomach fluttered; she willed it to stop.
At the crosswalk, Colin unexpectedly addressed another man waiting to cross the street. “What’s got the police all in a twist?”
“You ain’t heard?” The man snorted incredulously.
A slow, smug grin curled Colin’s face. “No, we’ve been…occupied.” His fingers tightened on Anna’s shoulder.
She looked down demurely; she didn’t have to fake the blush. That smile… Her cheeks burned hotter. Smiles like that ought to be illegal, she grumbled internally.
“Pirate freighter set down outside the City.” The man jerked his thumb toward the east. “Somebody reported ‘em, but they managed to get away.”
Anna’s heart nearly stopped in her chest.
“Why are the police still patrolling then, if they’re gone?” Colin asked.
“Supposedly, there’s a pirate on the loose—a one-handed woman.” The man snorted again. “They’ve got the spaceport shut down for the night in case she comes back lookin’ for her crew.”
A one-handed woman? Anna was barely breathing now; dread and horror coursed through her body.
Colin threw back his head and laughed. “D’ya hear that, darling?” He grinned down at Anna. In the harsh glow of the streetlight above them, she could see his eyes were blue. “They’ve shut down the spaceport for a female pirate.”
She tried to laugh, but it came out as a sick wheeze instead. Her stomach churned; the inside of her mouth watered. I’m going to throw up.
Colin noticed her distress. “Warned you about that last drink, lass.” He patted her back. “Breathe.” He glanced over at the man, who was moving away now that Anna looked like she was about to be sick. “Never trust a purple drink, I said, but did she listen? Said it was too pretty not to drink.”
The man shook his head sagely. “Ain’t that the truth? Straight whiskey man, myself.”
The light turned green and the stranger hurried away with a tip of his head in their direction. Anna and Colin remained standing on the street corner, with her practically in his arms. “Looks like we’ve had a change of plans,” Colin said lightly. “We’ll have to find a place to stay for the night.”
Anna nodded, unable to focus on much of anything besides the fact that her brother and the Iliana were gone.
“Come on, lass.”
She almost resisted, almost tried to straighten and show him—and herself, and her brother, and Bear, and Lobai—that she could take care of herself, thank you very much, but common sense prevailed. They’re looking for a one-handed pirate, idiot. Whatever they think that means, they won’t be looking for you if you’re with him.
Colin was right about that part. At least if he’s telling the truth about being a legitimate businessman.
Peeking up at Colin’s profile as he bundled her off down the street, Anna gulped nervously. She recognized the set of his jaw all too well—the look of a man who intended to get answers—though she’d never seen it on his face before. Mostly because we’ve spent the majority of the hours since we met stumbling through the dark, she thought sarcastically.
Mentally, she ran through a catalogue of her options—which, regrettably did not number more than a few. Of those few, only one was tenable in any way shape or form. Looks like I’m sticking with him for a while, she thought regretfully. Even if it means telling him more than I’d care to share.
She’d have to tell him something.
Colin abruptly brushed his lips against her ear, murmuring, “I’ve had an idea, just go with it,” and her skin broke out in goose bumps.
Anna had barely enough time to give him a wide-eyed look before he steered them into a small motel and flashed a bright, if weary, smile at the bored middle-aged woman manning the desk. “Evening. The missus and I would like a room for the night. Rather not deal with that mess over at the spaceport tonight.”
The woman gave them an once-over that made Anna want to stiffen and clench her hands into fists. “Sure. ID?”
“Ah … ” Colin’s face fell dramatically. “I’m afraid I left mine aboard our ship.” He looked down at Anna, still nestled in the crook of his arm. “Do you have yours on you, lass?”
Anna did, but she wasn’t about to show it to this night clerk. “No … ” she said slowly, doing her best to sound slightly intoxicated, “but I do have these!” She produced her remaining credits with her free hand, clutching them in a messy wad, and waving them at Colin with feigned delight.
He smiled at her, before turning back to the night clerk and nodding toward the spaceport. “Ship’s docked here in the spaceport. The Galaxy’s Way, registered to Captain Colin Dupree.”
The woman glanced from Colin and Anna to the cash in Anna’s hand. “It’ll cost extra.”
Of course it will, Anna thought, restraining a triumphant smile.
“How much extra?”
The woman paused. “Thirty credits.”
Colin raised a dark eyebrow. “That’s half the cost of the room.”
“Twenty.” The woman shrugged. “Take it or find another hotel.”
Colin looked from her to Anna—who was still clutching the cash but had rested her head against his shoulder and lowered her eyes—and back before sighing. “You drive a hard bargain. We’ll take it.”
Anna thought she heard the woman mutter, “Your funeral.”
Money exchanged hands and then the woman pushed a ledger across the grimy counter toward them. “Gotta sign in.”
Colin picked up the pen and signed Captain and Mrs. Colin Dupree with a flourish. He made to push the ledger back to the woman, but she shook her head. “Your…wife…has to sign too. Policy.”
Policy. Right. More like graft. Anna wanted to roll her eyes, but she pretended to perk up a little and wrote Anna Dupree out to the side.
“Done. You’re on the second floor.” Slamming the ledger shut, the woman pulled a room key from beneath the counter. “Congratulations. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you,” Anna said in a sing-song voice as Colin herded her out of the lobby and into the hall. They kept up the charade until they had made their way up to the second floor and located their room.
Locking the door behind them, Colin leaned wearily against it and looked down at her. “I think we’re safe.”
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then Anna came to her senses. Dropping her arm from his waist, she stepped away, and he allowed his arm to fall from her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said, for lack of anything better to say.
Colin shrugged one broad shoulder. “It’s your money too.” He quirked an eyebrow. “But I know what you mean, lass.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, Anna turned around to inspect their room. It wasn’t much. A ratty little table and chair set, rickety dresser, two nightstands—and a single bed, large enough for two, but only just barely. Through a narrow open door to her right, she glimpsed a tiny hygiene unit. Lovely, she thought, her mind skittering away from any further contemplation of the bed.
Better than a Plimus City jail cell, she reminded herself.
Guessing the general direction of her thoughts, Colin waved a hand to indicate the room. “I’ve seen worse.” He paused. “Can’t quite remember when, mind you, but I’ve definitely seen worse.”
“It’s fine.” Shaking her head, Anna moved to stand by the window and peek outside through the faded curtains. They had a clear view of the street below; in the distance, she saw the flickering lights of the vehicles the City’s finest were using to cordon off the spaceport. Her heart contracted in her chest. At least Viktor and the others got away.
After a stretch of silence, Colin shoved away from the door
and strode to the center of the room. “So, pirate, eh?” He gave her a knowing look. “I think you left a few things out of your story, lass.”
“My name is Anna,” she said shortly. “And I’m not a pirate. Not…really.”
“Oh, I see.” Colin cast about the room for a suitable place to rest his weary bones and settled gingerly into the chair. It creaked alarmingly beneath his weight, but it held. For the moment, anyway. His eyes dropped to her hands. “I must say, the bit about you being one-handed is an interesting touch.”
He would remember that part. Anna’s lips twisted into a foreboding frown. Bear. It had to have been—while it was possible Lobai had heard a rumor about the real reason Viktor had turned ‘pirate’, he couldn’t know the truth.
The metaphorical knife Berenger had shoved into her back twisted again; she absently curled her fingers into fists.
“And I can’t help but notice you aren’t denying it, darling.”
Her eyes snapped to Colin’s and she opened her mouth, but it was too late. Her hesitation—distraction—had cost her.
In the dim light cast by the room’s only working lamp on the far nightstand, they stared at each other. Colin did not move from his chair, but his blue eyes pinned her to the floor as effectively as a physical force. “Really? Out of all that, the one-handed bit is actually true?”
When she still did not answer, he waved languidly to the shabby room around them. “We’ve got all night, lass. Perhaps you can explain how you’re not really a pirate.” He frowned. “Or why they’re looking for a woman with one hand when you’ve clearly got two.”
“This coming from someone who was also dealing with Lobai,” Anna muttered under her breath, loud enough for him to hear.
“It was an honest job.” Colin rested his head against the back of the chair and regarded her through half-lidded eyes.
He looks as exhausted as I feel, Anna thought abruptly. She inhaled through her nose and let it out slowly before forcibly uncurling her fists and taking a tentative seat on one corner of the bed. “I don’t like talking about this, so I’m only going to tell you once.”