“Well, we do seem to cause trouble everywhere we go.”
They both ran at the door, trying to force the lock, but to no effect.
“Oh, get outta the way,” Poppy told them as she grabbed a piece of paper and metal clip from Pos’s desk and walked over to the door. She slid the paper underneath it, then straightened and pushed the clip into the door until there was a clink of the key falling, then she carefully pulled the paper back out, onto which the key had fallen, and picked this up. She used the key to open the door and, impressed, Reese followed her out, Nick by his side.
“There!” Nick said, pointing to the fleeing woman.
They raced after her, slipping and sliding on the ice-covered streets. She was heading south, which would take her to the sea and be a dead-end, Nick thought and managed a burst of extra speed, gradually closing the distance between him and the killer. He got to the pier no more than twenty standard seconds after Groa but he was still too late: an engine roared and he caught a glimpse of her standing on the deck of a sea ship before it took off into the wreathing waves.
Chapter Forty-Nine
NICK COULD feel the pain of a stitch in his side as they raced back to The Prince. There was no way they were letting the murderer escape when they were so close to ending the case. They had one chance.
They got to the edge of the town and ran onto the snow-covered field, the layer of snow slowing them down as they ran over to the ship. The shuttle he had first used to get to the planet had been retrieved before The Prince landed here and was sitting in the docking bay, small and squat, with only just enough space for the three of them. Gasping for air, he pressed the door pad and it slid open. They hurried up the steps, Poppy heading to the front to throw herself down into the pilot’s chair.
Nick closed the door and he and Reese took seats behind her, both of them still breathing heavily from running such a distance. Nick pulled off his gloves and leaned round Reese to press the button that made a safety belt slide across his lap and chest, then he saw to his own seat belt. They had barely done this when Poppy got the shuttle gliding along the inside of the ship before it reached the open bay door and hurtled unsteadily upwards.
Trying to ignore the sweat dripping from his hair down his neck, Nick turned towards the window to see outside and Reese leaned against his back to do the same, both of them watching as Poppy took them towards the ocean. Groa’s boat had distinctive orange markings on it and Nick peered down at the expanse of blue, scanning for it.
“There!” Reese said and Nick saw it at once.
Their shuttle zoomed downwards, giving Nick the sensation of leaving his stomach somewhere above them. He and Reese watched avidly as they got nearer to the ship and Groa came into view, looking over her shoulder at them before swerving the ship to the right.
Nick heard Poppy swear before the shuttle made a lurching movement and pursued, so close to the surface that spray flew up over the window he was looking out of, blurring the scene. He hoped Poppy’s view was clearer as she tried to land the shuttle on the boat, which swerved away at the last moment.
The shuttle lurched again – it was one Prince had got cheap, as was most of what he bought for them, so it wasn’t made for these types of manoeuvres. It turned slowly and whizzed off after Groa, her ship getting larger in the window again.
Poppy brought the shuttle down too quickly this time for Groa to get out of the way, the vehicle landing with a heavy clunk and threatening to capsize the boat, which rocked dangerously from side to side as Nick and Reese undid the seatbelts and scrambled to the door, Poppy just behind them.
They walked out onto the deck, cold wind buffeting Nick as he looked round for their quarry. Groa had cut the ship’s engine by now and Nick caught sight of her just before she dived off the side into the churning water. “Really?” he asked the universe as he reluctantly followed, taking a deep breath and jumping in after her.
The frigid temperature of the water was so intense that he couldn’t breathe or think and he saw Groa floundering beside him, her lips turning blue. Barely able to focus with that gnawing cold freezing his insides, he managed to reach out and grab her and she hung onto him just as a hand caught hold of his shoulder and tugged.
He lifted his free hand and it connected with that of Reese, who dragged them both upwards. Poppy was also reaching for him and helped him and Groa clamber back aboard the vessel.
“Groa whatever-your-surname-is, I’m arresting you for two counts of murder,” Poppy said with satisfaction to the shivering, bedraggled woman while Nick sank into Reese’s warm embrace.
Chapter Fifty
BOP DIDN’T waste any time once he was released. He and Mung Sen Zhan were married the next day in a civil ceremony at the Mung palace. The crew of The Prince had been invited along, presumably out of politeness or gratitude over the correct killer finally being locked away. Looking round, Nick saw that every surviving member of both families was there, so the opposition to their relationship had clearly been overcome. The two grooms gazed adoringly at each other as they made their vows and made a handsome couple. Everyone else seemed to be in a cheerful mood, perhaps relieved at the chance to put grief and past difficulties behind them.
The service was followed by a reception and Arwyl made a speech about her brother, standing in front of a good-sized crowd of people. When she came to an end and applause burst out Prince headed towards her and, always taking the most enjoyment from being the centre of attention, he jumped onto the raised stage and took the microphone from Arwyl. “I have solved the murders!”
Standing beside Nick near the back of the group, Poppy made a noise of disgust while Reese nudged Nick and smiled at him, clearly acknowledging him for all he had done to prove Bop’s innocence and capturing Groa.
“I have now arrested Groa for the crimes,” the captain was announcing and someone near Nick asked, “Who?” while, beside Prince, Mer rolled her eyes at Arwyl, clearly recognising a fake when she heard one. Oblivious, the captain went on, “It was a complex case but I pride myself that there is nothing I cannot solve if I put my mind to it.”
“Who is that?” someone else asked.
Poppy told her, “No one important.”
“So the du Lissin company will be all right now?” the woman checked. “We’ll all keep our jobs?”
“It’ll be fine,” Nick reassured her.
“It all began with the murder of Ember du Lissin which, by itself, seemed inexplicable. I only really started to make sense of everything...” There was a crashing sound and the ground shuddered violently, causing the captain to break off his speech and look wildly about. People grabbed hold of their children to stop them falling down but, oddly, there were also a few more cheers.
The ground reverberated again and Nick had a sudden feeling of déjà vu that made him ask the woman they had just spoken to, “The sea monster wouldn’t happen to be a guest of honour at the reception, would it?”
“Yes, of course,” she said brightly, nodding.
Reese put his arms round Nick and Poppy just as the ground shuddered under another giant footstep. “Now might be a good time for us to return to the ship.”
“Good idea,” Nick said.
They hurried away from the crashing sounds as a plaintive voice asked over the microphone, “What’s going on?”
* * *
“Cheers!” Nick said, clinking glasses with his crewmates. Poppy had bought them a couple of bottles of wine from someone selling them on the street and it was nice to celebrate their victory, even if Prince did take all the credit for it.
The captain hadn’t yet returned, which put everyone in a good mood, the rest of the crew willing to join in with the impromptu party and in better spirits than usual with each other.
“To Nick!” Reese said with a grin, clinking Nick’s glass.
“To the sea monster!” Siglinde said and others echoed the bizarre toast.
“So will we be leaving now?”
“Who’
s that?” Reese asked Nick, who followed his glance to the woman who had spoken, who was dwarfed by Lyro, the bodyguard, next to her.
“That’s Tanya, Prince’s wife, poor woman.” She was plain, quiet and middle-aged – not the captain’s type at all, judging by the three people Prince had chosen to get involved with. Nick was sure there had never been any affection between them, just some kind of business merger.
He saw Reese look at her with curiosity before returning his warm gaze to Nick, who swayed closer. The look in Reese’s eyes grew more intent and he leaned forward... only to have Dee nudge him and ask, “Will you return now home?”
Reese’s translator seemed to have no trouble with the alien language. “No. I want to stay.”
Nick smiled as he listened to the exchange.
“You family see?”
“No,” Reese said. “I don’t have any.”
Nick stared at him. For a second he doubted his own sanity because he had a clear memory of Reese telling him shortly after they met that he wanted his parents to be proud of him. Why had he lied over something like that? A wave of doubt came over him – like feeling the ground give way under his feet – at the possibility that, after all they had been through together, Reese might inexplicably be deceiving him.
Chapter Fifty-One
EVERYTHING WAS going well, Reese thought as The Prince shot up through the sky, leaving Ocean – with its snow and its sea monster – behind them. He would be free, until the next official case came up, to smile and make friends and wonder which of his companions had murdered Baltid Athens.
Also, Nick would be here with him and Reese had decided his computer avatar was right about him needing to finally trust someone. Reese would break off his relationship with the captain today and would tell Nick everything when he found the murderer, before anyone else knew. If Reese had a chance to explain, he was sure he could make Nick understand why he hadn’t been completely honest with him. They could still be close friends. It was a crazy thought but he might even be able to persuade Nick to leave The Prince with him.
Reese should get in touch with his boss as well, as soon as he got a moment alone, to let Jolly know that the situation was progressing the way they had planned and that he would be devoting some time to the Baltid Athens case.
He glanced round at the sound of footsteps, eyebrows rising as the rest of the ship’s crew trooped one after the other into the control room, everyone except the captain and Lyn, who was busy flying the ship. “What’s going on?” he asked Nick, wondering if this usual.
The man gave him an odd questioning look. “I’ve no clue.”
Tanya Prince walked past the people, equipment and computers and turned to speak to the group. “I have to announce the sad death of my husband to you all,” she said.
Reese stared at her, thinking she must be making an odd joke.
“But he was heading into the waste room a second ago,” Siglinde said.
“Oh, just a moment.” Tanya turned and pressed a button. As she moved to face the group again there was a faint scream that cut off abruptly. “As I was saying, my poor husband was just accidentally ejected into space.”
Everyone in the room froze and Reese’s mouth fell open. What the hell?
“The captain has powerful friends,” Poppy said warily to the woman who was wearing a dress with fluffy bunnies dancing across it.
“Not anymore. By an unusual coincidence, I’ve just now learnt that Britain is no longer in the hands of the wealthy minority. My allies in the Democrat Rebels have just staged a coup and taken over the running of the country.”
Reese stood silently as everyone digested the fact that there was no one who would now care about the captain’s death and this unassuming woman must have been plotting his downfall for years.
“The captain’s dead?” Siglinde checked, not sounding sorry over the fact. In fact, aside from Keith’s wide-eyed look of horror, most of the crew had hopeful expressions on their faces, so they probably wouldn’t be looking for retribution either.
“That’s right,” Tanya said, placing her hand on the back of the chair where her husband usually sat to make command decisions, “so, from this moment on, I’m taking over as your new captain.”
Reese swallowed as he felt all his plans disintegrating around him. Tanya had no possible reason to keep him aboard. She might not even continue to run the detective agency. Reese would fail in the mission his boss had given him and he might never see Nick again, which was about the worst thing he could imagine.
He looked again towards Tanya Prince, who was sitting down and making herself comfortable, a woman as unassuming as Groa had been. She caught his eye and smiled and, if she’d heard who he was and what his relationship had been with her husband, that couldn’t be good.
Reese’s translator apparently felt the need to comment on the situation and muttered into his ear: “This is an unexpected complication, don’t you think?”
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If you enjoyed “No One Likes Humans” then you might like to try my other two m/m series, The Other Human Species urban fantasy series and the Human Hybrids science-fiction series, both previewed below. The prequel Human Hybrids novella and book guide, as well as a guide to The Other Human Species series, are free when you join my e-mail newsletter here. Please note, though, that the Human Hybrids series has adult levels of violence and sex scenes and isn’t suitable for anyone under eighteen years old.
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“The Source of Magic (The Other Human Species 1)”
Two boys. Two forms of magic. One powerful combination.
When Elliot Rivers, a Homo Sapiens, becomes friends with Barve, a Nean (Neanderthal) on their first day at university he has no idea of the conflict and fury it will cause among the students and staff, as well as within his family. To make matters more difficult, Barve’s argumentative brother, Farlden, hates Elliot.
Elliot and Farlden both possess the rare gift of magic. The discovery that it becomes stronger when they combine their abilities creates a connection between them and, against their will, it draws them closer together, slowly changing animosity to something far more dangerous.
The Nean brothers are keeping an extraordinary secret, though, one that could shatter their complex relationships with Elliot and change all their lives.
This YA magic fantasy series will appeal to fans of "Harry Potter", Cassandra Clare's books and Rainbow Rowell's novel, "Carry On".
“The Nature of Time (The Other Human Species 2)”
Elliot and Farlden work to help the Nean race, but they have enemies all around, plotting against them. As the teenagers enjoy their new romantic relationship and learn about Izients, they visit a whole new reality and their magical abilities grow stronger than ever. The Magic Control Department is watching them, though, and getting closer to discovering the secrets that could get Elliot and Farlden killed.
Forced to go on the run, timing is everything. Will it run out before their magic can save the Nean race? Failure will doom them and everyone around them to slavery or death, but the price of success could prove just as deadly.
“A New Reality (The Other Human Species 3)”
Elliot and Farlden have succeeded in changing reality but for Elliot this new world is a living nightmare. He is the only person who remembers the past timeline, all his previous experiences are meaningless and his boyfriend is dating someone else.
When ghosts start appearing and hurting people it looks as if his magic went horribly wrong and now he must find a way to fix it. He will have to risk not just his sanity but also his life and communicate with Time itself to search for a solution.
“Coexistence: Book 1 of the Human Hybrids Series”
This is the
first novel in a fast-paced M/M science-fiction trilogy with a paranormal twist.
Scientists have genetically engineered five human-hybrid races known as werewolves, vampires, dragons, sensers and wendigoes. The first four races coexist with humans in relative peace. The fifth one wants to butcher the others and they are getting stronger.
Jaspal ‘Pal’ Khatri is living peacefully with his werewolf pack until a mob of vicious anti-hybrid rioters, led by the Oxford HyCO (Hybrid Control Organisation), attacks and kills most of them. He flees to the Highlands of Scotland and meets the dangerously handsome Brand, a werewolf still grieving after the murder of his lover, Kye, a year before. He and Brand discover a dead vampire and Pal faces the nightmare of being falsely accused of the murder. Brand works for another branch of HyCO so, to prove his innocence, Pal must join the organisation he hates and try to ignore his growing attraction to Brand as they hunt for the real killer. Can they solve the case while battling danger within the HyCO or, with more than one killer on the loose, will they become prey?
“Blood and Choice: Book 2 of the Human Hybrids Series”
Years ago Liam faced the destruction of his village in Ireland by wendigoes who murdered nearly everyone in his life. Now, working in Invercade HyCO and still tormented by the past, the only person he has left is his best friend, Tig. The two of them kill a wendigo who has been living and working in the city for years and begin to unravel a plot by the creatures that could be more dangerous than anything they have experienced so far.
When Tig starts dating someone else Liam realises he is in love with him and his jealousy causes their friendship to start falling apart. Liam thinks his life can’t get much worse but wendigoes always find a way to prove him wrong and before long both their lives are in mortal danger.
No One Likes Humans Page 17