The Bounty Hunter's Honour (Renegades Book 5)

by L P Peace

  As Ronin reached the door, it opened, allowing him entry.

  ‘Not a great security system,’ Sophia said.

  ‘The house senses biological makeup. Only approved household members are allowed automatic entry.’

  They stepped inside into a large, cool hallway that countered the exhausting heat from outside. The floors looked like they were covered in glazed pale yellow clay tiles. The walls were painted in dove greys, and olive green wooden tables stood against walls showcasing Kerisian pottery with Kerisian art hanging over them.

  It was, at once, wholly familiar and strangely alien.

  Ronin led the way out through a small courtyard. Here more plants grew around a central fountain. Sophia stared. This was increasingly like a Moorish home.

  They walked into a dining room with more of the olive green wood. Through a set of doors, Sophia could see a kitchen.

  ‘Sit.’ Ronin pointed to a chair. ‘I’ll cook some food.’

  ‘I can help.’ Sophia moved towards the kitchen.

  ‘Ronin?’ A female of Ronin’s species walked out of the kitchen. She was smaller than Ronin, a little over six feet tall, which made her only a few inches taller than Sophia’s five-foot-eleven inches. Unlike Ronin, she didn’t have any tendrils on her head. It was completely smooth.

  Her yellow-green eyes took Ronin in, and a delighted smile appeared on her face. ‘Ronin.’ She swept across the floor in a rustle of wispy chiffon-like material and wrapped her arms around him. Ronin flashed a look at Sophia then returned the hug. She turned a moment later, taking in Sophia with a surprised, curious look. There were lines around her eyes and mouth and looked older, more fragile.

  ‘You must be Ronin’s sister,’ Sophia said, beaming a smile at her.

  The female chuckled and stepped out of Ronin’s arms, walking towards Sophia.

  ‘I am Vernaya, Ronin’s mother. You’re human?’

  Sophia stuck a hand up. ‘Guilty. I’m Sophia.’

  'I've never actually seen a human before, though I've seen Surilan and been told you're very similar. You are. You're adorable.'

  Sophia waggled her eyebrows at Ronin. 'That seems to be the consensus.’ There was mock humility in her voice.

  Vernaya turned towards her son. 'Please tell me this means you're settling down.'

  'I didn't think you'd be here.' he said. 'I thought you'd be at the cabin.'

  'We're leaving tomorrow, I would love it if you could join us, but it’s just your father and me this time. Next time?' she turned to Sophia.

  ‘Oh, we’d love to. But I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible.’ Sophia looked at Ronin, who stared at her, seemingly as reluctant to talk as she was.

  ‘Ronin, what’s happening?’ Vernaya looked from Ronin to Sophia. ‘And why is Sophia wearing classified Kerisian tech?’ Vernaya’s eyes took in Ronin’s suit.

  ‘Ah, forgot about that,’ Sophia said, smoothing her hand over her abdomen as though fixing clothes in front of her boyfriend’s disapproving mother.

  ‘My mother has one of the highest security clearances on Keris,’ Ronin said, looking at Sophia. ‘We should tell her.’

  Sophia gritted her teeth. She and Ronin hadn’t spoken yet about everything going on. It went against everything she was taught to share information. But she needed help, and just because they told Vernaya some things didn’t mean she had to tell her everything.

  ‘Okay, but I’m not saying a thing unless it’s understood nothing leaves this room.’ Sophia crossed her arms, hoping the action translated.

  ‘Come into the kitchen. We can cook while we talk.’ Vernaya disappeared through the same door she’d used to enter. Sophia glared at Ronin, before following.

  ‘Ronin, shut the doors,’ Vernaya said and moved over to the large stove. ‘Sophia, anything you say in this room, I will treat with utmost confidence.’

  Ronin went around the room and shut three sets of doors, including one to another courtyard.

  ‘So,’ Sophia went over to a barstool style seat across the counter from Vernaya, ‘Ronin named his ship after you then?’

  A smile spread across Vernaya’s face, and she chuckled. ‘Waves, no! He had an appointment when we were registering the ship so he left it to me. He wanted to call it something awful like The Dominator!—’

  ‘I wanted to call it Hunter’s Tide,’ Ronin called. He closed another window.

  Vernaya waved his words away. ‘Not as terrible, but still. I named it after myself so that he’d remember to come home occasionally.’

  Sophia laughed, looking from mother to son.

  ‘As though I’d forget. And you named it after yourself because you’re a vain female,’ Ronin grumbled.

  ‘I am.’ She winked at Sophia, grinning. ‘Now,’ Vernaya’s tone turned serious, ‘tell me everything.’

  The last month spun through Sophia’s thoughts. Quickly, it was followed by everything she had to do and the potential outcomes should she fail. For a moment, she felt the full weight of her task. She looked from Ronin, who was settling into a seat next to her, to his mother. If Tara were here, she’d look them both up and down and be able to break down the kind of people they were, knowing whether or not she could trust them in a few moments.

  Sophia had watched her do it dozens of times. She tried to fathom how she could figure people out so accurately, but she’d never been able to replicate the process. Zoe had a tendency to trust people quickly, and it often saw her hurt. Sophia trusted few people by default. She’d found it was the safest way to be, only letting people in to see her true self once she’d had a long time to assess them. But she didn’t have that luxury here. She’d spent very little time with Ronin, and if him tackling the Bentari hadn’t been enough to prove himself, then nothing would, and this was the woman who’d raised that male. His mother had helped make Ronin the male he was, and if that wasn’t enough to give her the benefit of the doubt, nothing was.

  Still, it was hard. Sophia forced herself to swallow her fear.

  For the next few minutes, she and Ronin told Vernaya what had happened. Sophia told her about Endurance and its mission. It was well known anyway, thanks to the quartex. Then she told her about The Crucible attack.

  When Sophia was done, Ronin’s mother put down the utensil she was using to flip a pancake-like food. She walked around the counter that separated them and took Sophia into her arms.

  ‘Such a task,’ she said quietly. ‘Ronin, you must do everything to help her see it done.’

  ‘I am,’ Ronin said, his voice slightly hoarse.

  ‘So strange,’ Vernaya said, ‘that The Crucible should come across you like that. Such a horrible coincidence.’

  ‘I don’t believe it was a coincidence,’ Ronin said. ‘I believe there is a concerted effort between the Fedhith and the Bentari to stop the humans reaching the IGC.’

  Vernaya went still for a moment before continuing to flip the pancakes. ‘If humans were members of the IGC, that would stop the legal trade of human slaves.’ Vernaya glanced at Sophia, a grimace on her face.

  ‘That’s the plan,’ Sophia confirmed.

  ‘But would they go to these lengths? It’s illegal to interfere in a race’s application process. From the moment the ship is launched, it’s on a diplomatic mission, which is protected under IGC law and ratified by all member nations.’

  Sophia sighed. ‘We have allies,’ she admitted. ‘We’re not doing this alone, and we have information that the Bentari and Fedhith were planning something. We just didn’t know what it was. We were being escorted by a Halidan warship, but they abandoned us right before the attack took place.’

  Sophia could still see Tara and Pyri fall to the ground. The dazed, scared look on Zoe’s face. Addison yelling at her to get to the bay. She closed her eyes against the assault of images. Running through the halls to the flight deck. Pilots shouting at the flight deck engineers to get their Raptors readied quicker for flight. Getting into her flight suit and the cockpit. Being launche
d into space as dozens of alien pods attached to the hull.

  Captain Durrani’s voice. ‘Alice. Rabbit hole, and good luck, Lieutenant.’

  As Sophia calculated her jump, something hit the ship. Now she knew it was the damn alien device that hadn’t managed to hit the power exchange, but its mere presence was enough to screw up her engine and throw her off course.

  ‘Sophia?’

  Sophia opened her eyes and saw Ronin and Vernaya watching her, concern on their faces. Letting out the shaky breath she’d been holding, she smiled at them, feeling it was weak and unconvincing. ‘I’m okay. Just taking stock.’

  ‘Taking stock?’ Vernaya said. Realisation dawned on her face, followed by a smile. ‘Oh, what interesting phrases your people have. Well, if there is anything I can do to help you with this, just ask.’ Vernaya’s expression became serious. ‘I have a great many contacts and will aid you in any way I can.’

  ‘I could do with another suit,’ Ronin said. ‘I don’t want to leave Sophia without one.’

  Vernaya took in Sophia and the suit, her lips pursed, and she nodded. ‘Agreed. I’ll get one.’

  ‘And can you pay for it?’ Ronin said.

  ‘What happened to your funds?’

  Sophia waited, looking at Ronin.

  ‘Well, I was hired to find information by Hekalion Dar—’

  ‘Which is how you became involved?’

  Ronin nodded in confirmation before continuing. ‘I found Sophia instead and, well—’

  ‘He locked me up in a cell and treated me like a bounty. So I ejected him in the escape pod, stole his ship, sold it, and was about to get in a transport to the IGC when he arrested me again.’ Sophia figured it was like ripping off a plaster, better to get it all done at once.

  Vernaya froze for a moment, her eyes moving side to side as she reviewed the information Sophia had just dumped on her.

  ‘I had to repurchase my ship.’

  When she started laughing, Ronin groaned. Vernaya doubled over, disappearing behind the stove.

  ‘If you could just get me a suit,’ Ronin grumbled. ‘Vrok!’

  ‘Ronin Dosh’Ventis,’ Vernaya reappeared, ‘don’t you swear in this home.’

  Ronin’s face turned thunderous. ‘I am sorry,’ he said between gritted teeth.

  ‘Good. I’ll get you the suit. Is there anything else?’

  ‘Yes. We could do with information about what’s happening in the IGC. What are the various races saying about this?’

  ‘Ah. Talina Kilahdi is the representative for our world. I can have some friends contact her office and see what whispers are echoing down the halls of the central sphere. To what purpose?’

  ‘I want to know it’s safe to go there. We need to get there safely, but secretly. Either secretly or with a big enough escort that no one will be brave enough to attack us.’

  ‘I will find out what I can.’ Vernaya looked from Ronin to Sophia and smiled at her. ‘We’ll get you there, safely.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Now it’s time to join the rest of the family outside.’

  Vernaya took the pancake things she’d been making and piled them up on a platter before leading the way to the doors. Sophia rushed ahead and opened them, stepping aside to let Vernaya continue in front of her.

  Ronin watched her, a small smile on his lips. Sophia froze, feeling temporarily pinned in place before smiling back. Ronin ushered her to go out to the courtyard in front of him.

  Moving through the doors, Sophia walked out into the courtyard to a cacophony of voices, seemingly competing for dominance.

  ‘You’re cutting the chovra wrong. Here, let me.’

  ‘I can do it!’

  ‘I have the veanna,’ Vernaya called. ‘And Ronin and his human friend, Sophia.’

  ‘A human!’ It was the same voice that had complained about the chovra.

  Sophia saw a Kerisian female stand, a look of wonder on her face. ‘Oh, you are human. I’m Calla.’ The female stepped out from the group of four Kerisians, all female, and ran over to Sophia. She was only a hair or two taller than Sophia and seemed young. ‘I’m so happy to meet you. Sophia?’

  Sophia nodded. ‘Yeah. Hi, Calla.’

  ‘I’m Ronin’s little sister. I don’t see him enough. He used to be here all the time after getting kicked out of his old job, but the last few cycles I haven’t seen him. I’m so happy you’re here, Ronin, and to meet you, Sophia. I can’t believe there’s an actual human here. Oh, wait, Ronin, you’re not buying slaves, are you? Because if you are, I’ll never talk to you again. Unless you’re freeing her? Oh! Did Ronin free you? Is he a hero? Do you love her? Do you love my brother? Are you joining the family? Do you have any idea—’

  ‘Calla!’ Ronin called, moving over to his sister and pulling her into a hug. There was an annoyed look on his face, but at the same time amusement lit his eyes and tugged at his lips.

  ‘Erm, okay. No, I’m not a slave. I’ve always been a free human. Ronin did kind of save me. We only met a few days ago.’ She looked up at Ronin, who was shaking his head at her.

  ‘If you answer her questions, she’ll keep asking them.’

  Calla slapped her brother. ‘I’ll keep, ah…’

  ‘Your insults are terrible,’ Ronin said before pulling his sister into a tighter hug and pulling her towards the circle of Kerisians who were sitting around preparing food at a round table. Calla was sat back down in her chair before Ronin pulled another one out, he looked back at Sophia. He gestured for her to take the chair while pulling out another for himself.

  Tension stirred inside Sophia. She should be getting on with her mission, not sitting around some alien’s home chatting and eating. Her planet was on the line. At the same time, she’d looked at the quartex before they left the ship and there was still no news about them arriving. It was unlikely they would make it to the station without being intercepted by Dar’s bounty hunter. The best thing they could do now was lie low and plan, and they’d already decided that they would begin doing that in the morning.

  Ronin saw the hesitation on her face; he smiled encouragingly and nodded at the seat. Sophia felt her heart speed up. How was this male, this alien so utterly different from her, so damn sexy? It shouldn’t be allowed.

  A smile broke out on her own face before she could stop it, and almost immediately, she felt her cheeks aching. She forced herself to tone the smile down and took the seat.

  ‘This is my mother, Corintea,’ Vernaya said, pointing at an elderly Kerisian female with light turquoise eyes. ‘This is my eldest child, Adiette. My little sister, Catielle, and you’ve met my youngest daughter, Calla.’

  ‘She’s the quiet one,’ Corintea said. Everyone at the table chuckled as Calla’s face became darker, taking on an almost blue tint as she ducked her head down, her face disappearing from view. Corintea, sitting next to her, reached over, pulled her under one arm, and pecked a kiss to her head. She whispered something in the young girl's ear, and Calla’s face grew a darker shade, a shy smile appearing on her face.

  ‘I must attend to some work,’ Vernaya said, placing the platter on the table. ‘I will be back in a few metri.’

  Corintea divided up some vegetables and passed them to Ronin along with two knives. ‘Show your human friend there how to cut vegetables.’ Sophia looked at the woman, who winked at her, an almost friendly smile on her face.

  It occurred to Sophia that she was sitting with people much like her own family. It wasn’t just the house, or the group of women sat around preparing food and chatting; it was their attitudes as well. Sophia grinned at Corintea. She knew this dynamic; she was born in to and had lived this dynamic her whole life. As intimidated as she felt, sitting around a table of aliens, they were also women of a close family, a unit. She was an interloper, and it was her job to show them she could fit in and contribute. Spanish women had no time for women who didn’t contribute to the unit. Sophia had never been one to shirk her family responsibilities.


  ‘Okay, show me,’ she said, pulling her seat closer to the table and watching as Ronin picked up a vegetable and cut a latticework into the peel.

  ‘Chovra needs the peel to cook. All of the nutrition is in the peel, but it’s also too fibrous to eat, and too dense to let the water in. So we cut the skin. The nutrition will leach into the vegetable's flesh as it cooks, and then we can peel it after.’

  ‘Okay,’ Sophia said, picking up a vegetable and knife as she watched Ronin cut one, then two, then a third of the vegetables with quick, incisive, and expert cuts. She picked one up and inspected it, then carefully replicated the cuts.

  ‘How’s this?’ she asked when she was done.

  Corintea reached over, and Sophia handed the vegetable off. The matron inspected it, a thoughtful look on her face before she handed it back to Sophia. ‘Good. Try starting at the root next time.’

  ‘I will. Thank you.’ Sophia placed it in a basket in the middle of the table and got to work on the next one. After she’d worked on a few more, she realised the table had gone silent. Sophia looked up and saw the table staring at her, vegetables forgotten. At some point, Vernaya had re-joined them.

  ‘Am I preparing dinner on my own here?’ Sophia gestured to the basket of uncut chovra.

  Vernaya laughed and pointed to the dish she’d brought out from the kitchen. ‘Have some veanna and tell us about yourself,’ she said, reaching over to a carafe and pouring out drinks.

  ‘What would you like to know?’ Sophia asked, accepting a towel from Adiette. Adiette’s eyes were the same colour as Ronin’s. She smiled easily at Sophia.

  ‘Like how you stole my son's ship and sold it?’