Leaning forward, I got close to a flower whose petals were blue and shot through with red streaks. I inhaled its scent deeply and smile. It wasn't exactly, but it reminded me of lavender – one of my mother's favorite scents.
“What a picture that would make,” came the voice I'd been expecting to hear. “The big, bad Pirate Queen stopping to smell the flowers.”
I turned with a smile on my face. “How are you, Kysos?”
He stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace. I wasn't a hugging kind of girl usually, but I let Kysos get away with it. He was a good man who'd helped me quite a bit in my quest – at no small risk to himself.
“It's good to see you, Gemma.”
“You too.”
He turned and walked along a path and I fell into step beside him. I glanced around nervously, knowing he couldn't afford to be seen with me. We stopped in front of a picturesque pond, ringed with bright blue and yellow flowers, and had a waterfall at the far end. The place just radiated tranquility. I could definitely use a place like that on the Umbra.
“You realize you're taking a big risk meeting me here in public,” I said. “In broad daylight, no less.”
He shrugged. “I had my staff shut the gardens down for an hour. I do that from time to time,” he said. “I like to come here to get away from all of the politics and just clear my head. So, it's not unusual and won't raise any suspicions. We're alone and can speak freely here.”
“You sure about that?”
Kysos cocked an eyebrow at me and smirked. “As much as I would like to say it doesn't matter, the reality is that I must worry about appearances,” he said. “As much as it pains me to say, I can't afford to be seen with... ”
His voice trailed off, but I didn't need him to finish the sentence to know what he was going to say. I went ahead and finished it for him.
“You can't afford to be seen with a terrorist,” I said. “It's okay. You don't have to sugarcoat things, Kysos. You're not going to hurt my feelings.”
A wry grin touched his lips. “That's not my word,” he said. “That's Boygan's people working hard to make people afraid of you.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
I didn't like that Kysos felt bad about not being able to be seen with me in public. I understood the position he was in and was more than grateful that he helped me in any capacity. He was sticking his neck out for me. Especially now. Especially with my new image and persona – an image and persona crafted by Boygan and his minions.
“In a way though, you should be flattered,” he said. “That he's going to so much effort to discredit you means that you've gotten under his skin.”
“I'd like to do a whole lot more than get under his skin.”
Kysos laughed. “I know you would,” he said. “And I'd love nothing more than for you to get the satisfaction you want.”
“I appreciate it, Kysos,” I said. “I appreciate everything you've done for me.”
“I'm afraid I haven't done much. I've not yet found where Boygan is holed up,” he said. “I honestly wish I could do more.”
I smiled at him. “The fact that you do as much as you do while you're running an entire planet is more than I even have a right to ask of you, Kysos,” I said. “And don't worry, it's not just you. Nobody seems to know where Boygan is.”
His lips compressed into a tight smile, clearly frustrated. “You would think that with the resources at my disposal, I'd be able to come up with something.”
I shrugged. “It's like you told me a while back, if Boygan doesn't want to be found, he's not going to be found. He's good,” I said. “I'm keeping the faith that he'll stick his head out of his hole at some point. And when he does, I'll be ready.”
“So, your strategy remains the same,” he said.
I nodded. “Keep bleeding him until he gets to the point that he has to come at me head on.”
“It's a dangerous play, Gemma,” he said, a note of genuine concern in his voice. “Boygan is a very dangerous man.”
“It's the only play I have.”
Kysos looked out at the pond, seeming to be lost in thought. He looked somewhat troubled. Bothered by something. I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with my situation, or if it was just the stresses of his job weighing him down. But, there was definitely something not right with him.
“You okay?” I asked. “You seem – distracted.”
He turned and looked at me, his eyes boring into mine, and a look of intensity on his face. He was usually pretty carefree and easy going. So, this sudden change in him was a little disconcerting.
“Kysos... ”
But, then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. And when he opened them again, much of the intensity had faded and he looked closer to the man I'd gotten to know. Calm and centered. And while not quite as carefree as usual, he wasn't the grim, brooding man I'd just seen.
“My sources have heard some chatter recently...”
I could tell by the way he said it that I wasn't going to like what he had to say next.
“You've really gotten under Boygan's skin,” he said. “And from everything I've managed to gather to this point, he's hiring assassins, Gemma.”
I shrugged. “That's not surprising at all.”
“No, I suppose not,” he said. “But, it's still more than a little troubling. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt. Or worse.”
I gave him a small smile. “I knew that was a risk I was running when I set off on this little quest of mine,” I said. “After what he did to my mom – I just can't let that pass.”
His expression was rueful. “And I don't expect you to,” he said. “You took a blood oath to avenge your mother and I understand that. I respect that.”
“But... ” I said, feeling like there was more to that sentence.
Kysos stepped forward, took me by the shoulders, and kissed me. It was shocking, to say the least, and at first, I didn't know how to react. But, as he pressed his body to mine and deepened our kiss, I couldn't say I didn't enjoy it.
Kysos was an attractive man, I wasn't going to lie. But, because we were friends – and quite frankly, my head wasn't close to being in the right space to even consider any sort of a relationship – I'd never even stopped to consider that maybe, he'd developed feelings for me.
Or, for that matter, consider what my feelings for him were.
Eventually, Kysos pulled away, breaking our kiss, and looked at me with wide eyes and a stricken expression on his face. He lowered his hands and took a couple of steps back.
“I – I'm sorry, Gemma,” he said. “That was – inappropriate. I don't know what got into me. I just – ”
I gave him a smile. “Do you see me getting upset at you?”
He cocked his head. “Actually, no,” he said. “I halfway expected you to punch me for that.”
“I'm still considering it,” I replied.
“Well, I'm glad that it wasn't your first reaction.”
“Yeah,” I said, still stunned by it all. “Me too.”
I put my fingertips to my lips. They still seemed to be tingling with the energy from his kiss and a warming sensation I'd never experienced before spread out through my belly. I looked up at him, a million different thoughts and emotions running through me all at the same time.
“I have to be honest – ”
Kysos held up a hand to stop me. “It's okay,” he said. “I know you may not feel – ”
“If you interrupt me again, I very well may punch you after all,” I said and laughed.
A wry grin touched his lips and he inclined his head, giving me a small bow. “Apologies,” he said.
“What I was going to say, was that I have to be honest and that I'm not in the frame of mind to consider something like a relationship right now,” I said. “But, that's not to say it's something I'd rule out entirely. I just – I have to end this thing with Boygan before I can even think about it.”
He gave me a
small nod and a smile to match. “I understand,” he said. “Perhaps, once this is done, we can revisit the issue.”
I looked into his eyes, my emotions swirling around in my head. “I think I'd like that.”
Kysos cleared his throat and turned back to the pond. “In that vein, I will keep working to find out what I can about Boygan's assassins,” he said. “And alert you if I learn anything.”
“I appreciate that.”
I stared at the still surface of the water. Not a ripple marred it and the reflection of the flowers around it and the sky above were as clear as a photograph. But, as I stared at it and thought about Kysos, a thought occurred to me. One that sent a lance of fear through my heart.
“Boygan knows we're close,” I said. “Are you in danger, Kysos? Have there been any threats made against you?”
He shrugged. “Nothing credible to this point,” he said. “And nothing I can specifically tie to Boygan, anyway. When you're a politician, threats come with the job.”
I didn't know how he did it, but he seemed to calm about it. Knowing that Boygan was sending paid killers after me, honestly speaking, scared the crap out of me. But, I knew I had to keep myself together. It was the only way I was going to be able to function.
“I have ample security staff who can and will head off any threats to my safety,” Kysos said. “My concern is for you. You're out there on your own, Gemma. You have no protection.”
A rueful smile crossed my face. “When you're the Scourge of Deep Space,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt, “threats come with the job.”
Kysos laughed and nodded. “Touché.”
We were silent for a moment and then he turned back to me. “I don't suppose there's any way I can persuade you to lay low for a little bit? Give me a little time to gather more information that can help you?”
“By lay low, you mean, hide,” I said.
He shrugged. “I wouldn't use that word, but maybe letting things cool down for a little while wouldn't be such a bad idea.”
I shook my head. “I feel like I've got that asshole back on his heels, Kysos,” I said. “I feel like I'm making some real progress now. If I let up, if I stop attacking his ships and allow him time to regroup, I may be setting myself back.”
“I somehow knew you were going to say that.”
“There is one thing you can help me with though,” I said. “The latest ship we hit, an Etrosian cargo hauler called the Star Queen, was outfitted with some really high grade toys. We almost didn't make it out of that one.”
His eyes widened slightly and though he tried to cover it, I heard him suck in a fearful breath. He seemed genuinely concerned for my safety and well being. Maybe, his feelings for me ran deeper than I thought.
Kysos cleared his throat. “And you need me to find out who's outfitting those ship,” he said.
“Right.”
“I'm on it,” he said. “I'll contact you once I have some information for you.”
“Thank you, Kysos.”
He took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Always,” he said.
We stood there, my hand in his, our eyes locked for a long moment. It was a moment filled with an awkward tension and a sense of expectation that hadn't existed between us before that kiss.
“I should go,” I said. “Weapons to steal, ships to blow up, and evil bastards to shoot out the airlock, you know.”
Kysos' smile was small, but warm. “Be safe,” he said. “And come back to me, Pirate Queen. I look forward to revisiting this issue between us.”
“Me too,” I said, surprised that I actually meant it.
Chapter Seven
“What in the hell have you done to my ship?” he almost shouted to me.
Monda was a Zhakan mechanic we'd first encountered on a planet named Javis. When the Umbra was damaged, he'd done an amazing job of fixing her up – and sneaking on a few secret modifications. He'd supplied us with the means to fight Boygan, and had provided us with some information we'd been able to use to devastating effect.
When he was getting worried that his situation was growing more tenuous and feared for the safety of his family, we'd plucked him off that remote world and had squirreled him away on Acrov. Ever since then, he'd been my faithful mechanic, banging out the dents and helping keep the Umbra in the air.
He'd also grown very protective of my ship. I guess that happened when you worked on something and put as much care into it as Monda did.
“You mean my ship, don't you?” I asked, unable to suppress my smile as he huffed about.
“You may fly her, but I pour my blood, sweat, and tears into her,” he said. “I've developed a bond with her. Which makes her more my ship than yours.”
“Okay, that's not creepy or anything,” I say. “Does your wife know about your special bond with my ship?”
He turned his eyes – all of them to me – a scandalized look on his face. I laughed and shook my head at him. But, as I looked up at my ship, my laughter tapered off. She'd taken a beating on our last trip out and I could see why Monda was a little upset. There were a lot of dents and dings on the hull – the asteroids had done a number on us. Not to mention the bullet holes that had been punched into the outer skin of the Umbra.
He had a lot of work to do.
“I forget, you humans have a – quirky – sense of humor,” he grumbled.
“But, at least we have one,” I said.
“That's debatable,” he said.
“The good news,” I said, “is that I'll be able to pay you for your labors.”
His eyes grew a little wider at my announcement. “Oh?” he asked. “Well, that's a rare treat indeed.”
“Hey,” I snapped. “It's not that rare.”
Monda rolled all of his eyes. “We apparently have different definitions of the word rare, Gemma.”
“Gemma,” Xavix called from the hatch. “We've received word from your contact. He is sending a crew to pick up the cargo.”
I nodded. “That's good news,” I said, turning to Monda. “How long do you think repairs are going to take.”
He sighed dramatically. “Luckily, most of the damage is superficial,” he said. “But those holes in the outer skin are going to need to be patched. It's going to be a little while.”
“Can you be more specific?” I asked.
He huffed. “Depends,” he said. “Do you want it done fast? Or do you want it done right, so the hull of my ship doesn't rupture out there?”
“Any way it can be both?” I asked.
He stared at me for a long moment before turning and walking way, grumbling under his breath.
“Xavix,” I said, “Oversee the transfer of the cargo and take payment. One hundred thousand and not a penny less.”
“One hundred thousand,” he said. “Where are you going?”
“Out,” I said. “I need some food.”
~ooo000ooo~
The Old Town marketplace was crowded – as it usually was. People from planets far and wide jostled with one another for spaces at the vendor stalls as barkers stood out front, urging more shoppers to get in line. The aroma of a thousand different cooking foods saturated the air, somehow blending together to create a mouth watering symphony.
The marketplace in Old Town was much different than the one in the capitol city. That place was quiet, staid, and in my opinion, boring. Everything was sanitized and orderly. It didn't have the energy or vibrancy that the Old Town market did.
I wasn't much for big crowds normally, but I enjoyed the marketplace. There was always something to see. Something to do. And something to buy.
As I passed by stalls selling fabrics from distant worlds, I recalled my very first visit to Acrov. That had been after the job on Cromia fell through and I'd been hired by Boygan to kill Kysos. Back then, I'd barely had enough money to get something to eat. I certainly hadn't had enough money to spend on luxury items.
Back then, I avoided doing anything illegal for profit.
I was not a fan of the criminal element. To say the least. But like everything else in my life, my views on things had changed. They'd been turned upside down, really. And I found myself doing and thinking things that would have been abhorrent to me not all that long ago.
Now, I was the Pirate Queen. And as much as I hated to say it, a life of crime paid pretty damn well.
I stopped at a booth that had a delicious smelling noodle dish, my stomach growling in anticipation. I looked at the menu and at the items they had on display. I was probably hungry enough to eat them all. But, I figured I'd regret it eventually.
“A bowl of the noodles, please,” I said and then pointed at two vaguely egg roll shaped things. “And, two of those.”
The man with yellow reptilian-scaled skin nodded and dished up my food. I paid for it and walked over to a sitting area. A couple was getting up as I walked in, so I quickly slid myself down at the table. I looked down at my food, mouth watering, and dug in. My eyes rolled back in my head and I'm sure I made all kinds of inappropriate sounds as the food hit my taste buds. It was delicious.
As I ate, I found myself thinking back to the kiss I'd shared with Kysos. And I couldn't suppress the smile that touched my lips as I thought about it. It was so unexpected and surprising. And when I thought about Kysos having feelings for me – it let loose a swarm of butterflies in my stomach.
The feelings it stirred in me were unlike anything I'd ever felt before. I'd never had a serious relationship with anybody before and I wasn't sure how to react to it all.
But then, I realized that it was something I couldn't afford to let myself react to in that moment. I couldn't afford to have my thoughts or feelings all over the place. I needed to be clear and focused for the fight at hand. Which meant, I had to stifle it. I couldn't afford to let myself get entangled with anybody romantically. Not until my war against Boygan was finished.
I'd been so caught up in my own head that I almost didn't notice the pair of men standing near one of the booths about twenty yards away. I wouldn't have noticed them had they not been staring at me and talking to themselves.
Vengeance (Celestial Empires Book 3) Page 4