Liar's Game

by Kait Gamble

  Aurelia smiled wanly as she closed the door. It turned genuine when she saw Keys leaning against the wall opposite.

  He raised a brow. “So, what do you think of our little guest?”

  Auri could tell from his expression that he knew what was going to come out of her mouth. “That we should probably figure out what the hell’s going on and get her off this ship sooner rather than later.”

  “Agreed.”

  She strode past him and left it up to him to catch up.

  Keys let Aurelia walk away from the cabins. “I see getting any rest is off the agenda.”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “We should almost be ready to dock, unless Everhard had a change of heart and blasted us into the dark. We need to hide this crate and find somewhere to hole up until we can sort this debacle.”

  He caught up with her in a few short strides. “You don’t think it’ll be as easy as Miss Castleton making that call.”

  “I think that things don’t usually go so smoothly for us.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.” He patted her on the shoulder. “But there’s a first time for everything.”

  Aurelia looked at him and they both burst into laughter. “Not a chance.”

  They walked in companionable silence for a while, but Auri knew Keys wasn’t there just to stroll with her. “What’s the matter?”

  His lips slanted wryly and he didn’t bother to ease into it. “I saw your face when she announced her name. What do you know that we don’t?”

  She shrugged.

  His brows dropped together. “None of that. Tell me.”

  Auri was very familiar with that look. She wasn’t going to get away without telling him. “She’s not who she says she is. But until I get more out of her, I’m not sure what to do.”

  He knew something was up. “How do you know?”

  “You don’t think I wasn’t acquainted with the Castletons? It may have been a while ago, but I once attended those parties too. Not once did I see her.”

  “I gathered that.”

  “Then she lied again when I asked how she’d survived on that ship. She said she’d attended to their needs.”

  “As in, sexually?”

  “So she’d make me think. But you saw what they were like when they grabbed me. They couldn’t wait to get me naked.”

  “Like they hadn’t had sex in a while.” Keys’ jaw clenched. “Then what would she have to gain by lying?”

  “That’s what I want to find out.”

  “And just how are you going to do that?”

  Auri clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.” But first, she had to see what the diagnostic program she ran on the ship’s computer came up with.

  * * *

  It wasn’t until their fourth pass over the colony that they decided on taking refuge in a nearly completed construction site. Choice made, the details were left to Everhard, who went to work.

  It was awe inspiring how easy he made it look, getting the head of the construction team over to his side. The group scrutinized his performance as he finished working his magic.

  “Look, mate. I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but it’s a fact that we aren’t going to get paid.” He winked at his shipmates as he continued. “Well, they’re hardly going to call you up and tell you they haven’t got the money they owe you, are they? Right? They never think about the little man. It’s a good thing I called, isn’t it?” He gave them a double thumbs-up. “Yeah, I’d walk away too. That’ll teach them. Good on you, mate.” Everhard cut the communication and turned to them with a smug smirk. “And that’s how you do it.” He linked his fingers behind his head and kicked his feet up on the control console. “Now, we just sit back and wait.”

  He hit a button, and the building in question appeared on the screen. Within minutes construction ships started streaming from the building. It took no more than a quarter of an hour for the stream to trickle to a stop.

  Then it was all just a matter of cracking the docking code and securing the ship in an airlock. That proved to be child’s play for Keys. From start to finish, it took just shy of an hour to dock and venture into the quiet building.

  Auri could sense the excitement building in the group as they rode the elevator to the top of the tower.

  When the lift doors opened to the penthouse suite, Aurelia felt her breath catch with awe.

  The building must have been set to sense when people arrived from the way the lights turned on in succession throughout the cavernous suite. The only thing missing from the scene was a small army of domestic tik-toks greeting them at the door, waiting for their instructions.

  She was in mid-inhale of the clean, new apartment smell when the man next to her broke the reverent silence.

  “Now, this is how we should be living!” Everhard dropped his bags on the floor, creating a little dust cloud.

  Meri sniffed with distain. “Yes, and if you would like this place to remain such, I’d suggest you not do that.” His words went unheeded.

  “The Victoria Towers. Couldn’t they think of a better name? Every other building out there is named for the Queen. Just because there’ve been eleven Victorias doesn’t mean every one of Her Majesty’s colonies needs at least eleven buildings dedicated to them.” Everhard stuck his tongue out childishly as he made a slow round through the foyer. “I think I could get used to this.”

  The same sentiment echoed through Aurelia’s mind. It had been a long time since she’d lived any place outside a ship. The high ceilings and huge windows were a far cry from the cramped conditions on the Euchronia. She felt freer, breathed a little easier just being here. Well, as free as she could feel. She stared out at the simulated scenery and reminded herself that what she was longing for right now—a home, a family, roots—was as real as the blue sky she was looking at.

  Bam followed Kateryn into the room. “This is all right, eh?”

  Aurelia left the men to do whatever they wanted for the moment while she went on a self-guided tour of the suite. It was sumptuous, to say the least. She was immediately drawn up the winding stairs to the upper level.

  The men’s voices faded away as she climbed.

  The second floor was just as beautiful. Obviously meant to be the master suite, the room was open and featured floor-to-ceiling windows. Her mind mapped the perfect spot for a huge, space-dominating bed before she could shake it off. As it was, it would be perfect for them all to camp out on the floor. It was away from the main entrance, which would give them time to escape through the window that led to an enclosed balcony…

  “Already planning an escape route?”

  She hadn’t heard Keys follow up behind her.

  “It’s what I do.” She pointed at the floor. “There’s enough room for us all to sleep here. It’ll keep us away from the door in case something happens.”

  Keys’ lips tilted. “Always thinking. But it’s unnecessary. There are plenty of rooms.”

  “But—”

  “You’d rather share space with all of us? It’s hardly becoming of a young lady.” He chuckled. “Besides, one night in the same room with Bam would drive you insane. Or don’t you remember that night we were stuck in that crater?”

  Keys was right. After only a few hours of being trapped with Bam and his incessant clanking, she was ready to hurl herself at the feet of the enforcement officers pursuing them.

  “I suppose everyone has already chosen their rooms.”

  “You know them well enough. You tell me.”

  She choked back a snort. “And I suppose they’ve already started decorating.”

  He pulled her over to the window. “Relax. We’ll be fine here for a little while.”

  “I’m worried about how ‘little’ that will be.
”

  Keys shook his head. “Just breathe for a moment, will you?”

  “Can’t I do that while I worry?”

  “You were always one to multitask, my lady.”

  “Keys?”

  “Yes?”

  “Shut up.”

  “As you wish, miss.”

  “Stop that.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  “I mean it.” She caught his smiling reflection in the glass and returned it. “What’s Kateryn doing?”

  “She, Bam and Meri are trying to knock something together to contact her supposed father and call off the chase.”

  Aurelia sighed softly and slumped against the window. “Do you think there will ever be a day when we’ll be able to just stop running?” She gave him a feeble attempt at a smile. “When I was younger I thought I’d be living somewhere like this by the time I was this age. I’d be married to the perfect man, have the perfect home…” She tapped at the controls so the fake scenery disappeared, replaced by the vacuous blackness of the dark.

  He gnawed at the corner of his bottom lip, his voice dropping low and husky as he spoke. “For a fearless little maniac, you’re quite the romantic.”

  Aurelia gave him an unladylike snort. “Brainwashed, more like. I was told to want all those things. To expect them.” She tapped the scenery back into existence again.

  “And now?”

  “This will probably sound insane, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything differently.” She rubbed her cheek against the cool window.

  Keys chuckled and pulled her off the glass. “You’re going to catch a chill if you keep doing that.” He enfolded her in a loose hug.

  Auri barely had a chance to enjoy it before another voice piped up.

  “He’s right, miss, as always.” Everhard’s head appeared above the stairs. He leered knowingly when he saw Aurelia in Keys’ arms.

  Aurelia stepped away. “What is it?”

  “We’re receiving signals, but we can’t send anything at the moment.”

  “And you’re here telling us this because…”

  “You need to hear what we’re picking up.”

  His mysteriously amused expression had Aurelia and Keys trading a glance.

  * * *

  Auri shook her head. “That can’t be real. Play it again.”

  The recording crackled as it started for the third time.

  “Today, Captain Horatio Popkiss announced that he will be opening the Popkiss Memorial Prison in memory of his daughter, Aurelia Popkiss. Miss Popkiss was the victim of a prison riot that resulted in the destruction of the Mercurian Prison nearly six years ago. The prisoners rioted and took Miss Popkiss hostage while she and her father were visiting the prison. Reports confirmed, at the time, that Miss Popkiss was tragically killed—”

  Astonished, Aurelia pressed the button to stop the recording. She couldn’t believe what was broadcast. “Am I the only one hearing this?”

  “We knew you’d get a tickle out of it.”

  “‘Tickle’ isn’t quite the word I’d use.” Aurelia was so bewildered that no words came to mind. After what happened, her father was building a prison in her name? After what he did? Her vision became a blurry red haze. It quickly receded when Keys closed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  “Well, I guess this shows tha’ we got clean away.” Bam happily slammed his metal fist against the wall, satisfied with his conclusion.

  “I’m not so sure about that.” Meri gave Aurelia a deferential nod. “I’d think her father is toying with us, only there’s no way he knows we survived. On the other hand, I don’t see a few rumors pressing him into something so large and public.”

  The group contemplated the situation when Kateryn’s trembling voice broke the silence.

  “Wait a minute.” She stared, eyes darting between them, clearly confused by what she’d heard. “You’re Captain Popkiss’ daughter?”

  Damn. She’d forgotten the girl was there. Kateryn’s soft question caused the men around her to bristle. Despite herself, she felt a burst of warmth at their protective display. She pressed her hand against Keys’ bicep and he relaxed cell by cell. The rest followed suit.

  Kateryn’s reaction seemed genuine. She was an excellent actress. Auri saw an opportunity to lay the groundwork in building trust. The diagnostic had shown that someone had been remotely snooping through their files, with the most time spent on the prison records of the men. Kateryn probably used that little “transmitter” of hers. Which meant she knew who they were. Auri knew if she kept to the truth about their personal details, Kateryn would learn to trust her word. But too much truth would have the opposite effect.

  It was a fine line to walk.

  Taking a deep breath, Auri looked pointedly at the crew before turning back to Kateryn. “I am.”

  “But how? You were held hostage and killed by the inmates of the prison before it exploded.”

  “As you can see, I wasn’t. We escaped in time.”

  “We?” The implications of the tiny word sent her backward until a wall impeded further progress. “They’re…you’re…all criminals?”

  As amused as she was at the way the girl’s face paled, Aurelia didn’t think that leaving her terrified would be conducive to their situation. She waved at the group. “Do they seem like bad people?” She swung a hand at herself. “Do I?”

  Kateryn peeked over at the group and shook her head.

  “Then does it matter?”

  “I guess not.” Her expression told Auri that it mattered quite a bit.

  Auri was interested in finding out more about Kateryn. Well, not her as such. She wanted to delve into the girl’s mind. Figure out what she was thinking. What she thought she was doing. What better time than now? “Come on, let’s talk.”

  She herded Kateryn toward the stairs, giving Keys a pointed look. He dipped his head. No one would bother them, though she knew they’d be listening to find out what she was or wasn’t telling the girl. Auri trusted them to hold their own.

  They stopped in front of the window and stood, silently studying the projected landscape.

  Once Aurelia spotted the same bird circling for the fourth time, she had run out of patience. Kateryn wasn’t going to start talking first.

  She forced a smile and turned to the girl. “This is a lot to take in. I can’t imagine what’s going through your mind right now.”

  Kateryn shook her head. “No, you can’t.” Her voice was thick with tears when she turned to Aurelia. “How can you be associated with these…these criminals? You’re of the gentry. You’re better than this! Than them!”

  Auri’s spine straightened indignantly. “Am I? Are Earth’s so-called nobility so fine? These men are the ones who have protected me. They are the ones who patch me back together when I get injured. They have been with me through some tough times, and not once have I heard a complaint.” She forced herself to take a few calming breaths before continuing. “And do you truly think that after what we’ve done to survive out here, your beloved gentry will be so welcoming? Or do you think they might be the slightest bit biased in their opinion?”

  Auri caught the bloom of color on Kateryn’s cheeks as the girl wiped at the fat tears sliding over them. “I’m sorry. I’m just shocked. How did…how did this even happen?”

  Aurelia turned away from Kateryn to stare at the landscape. “I’d have to say it started with my noble father.”

  She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder as Kateryn leaned closer. “What do you mean?”

  Auri sighed; it came out louder than she intended. But then, memories always did weigh heavily. “What have you heard about Captain Popkiss?”

  Kateryn shrugged. “The same as everyone else, I guess. He’s a hero of the war. Highly decorated. He’s a brilliant s
trategist. He’s a family man. The queen thinks the world of him.” She waved her hand as though she was trying to draw more facts from her mind. “What else is there to tell?”

  Oh, so much. “I’m not surprised that’s all you know. He cultivates his public persona very carefully. I’m sure he’d be delighted.” Auri turned to face Kateryn. “He’s not my father.”

  Kateryn’s jaw dropped. “What?”

  She nodded. “Imagine you’re getting dressed for your seventh birthday party. Your mother is fussing with your hair, your dress. You’re brimming with excitement about your big day. And then the man you’ve looked up to your whole life walks into the room, drunk and staring at you like you are all that’s wrong in the world.”

  “That’s how you found out?” Kateryn attempted another hug but only got as far as an arm around Aurelia’s shoulders. “You poor thing!” Despite the right words, Auri could see the girl’s manner perked up at the gossip fodder she was now gathering.

  Auri remembered how she was cuffed a few times while he ranted drunkenly about her tainting the great Popkiss lineage. Her mother had painstakingly applied heavy makeup over the following weeks to cover the bruises. It became the first of more than a few attacks on herself and her mother. Not that she was going to tell Kateryn. “Skip forward a decade or so, and we find ourselves on Mercury. He dragged me along to a routine inspection of a prison.”

  “But why did he bring you? I don’t understand.”

  “I didn’t either. Not until I saw one of the inmates.” The memory pricked at her eyes until they started to well up. Just as she knew they would. She wanted the appearance of vulnerability, and this was the one thing that would produce tears on demand. Jaw clenched, she continued the tale. “I was very good friends with the son of my father’s horse breeder. We practically grew up together. He was smart and funny, handsome in his own way. We spent hours just talking, sometimes sneaking away from the chaperones.” Auri’s lips curved slightly at the images recollected. “He taught me how to handle a sword.”

  Kateryn shook her head. “Please don’t tell me…”