Page 19

What could I possibly say?

That it won’t be so bad to be put over the lap of a seven-foot-tall warrior beast and disciplined until you sob and moan?

She winces, and I jump up from the bottom bunk and give her a firm gaze, not breaking eye contact. She stares back with resolution that gives me strength. “Tasha, remember—you’re doing this for your crew. If Chris and those lugs don’t respect you for it afterward? Screw them. They’ve got no idea what being a true captain is all about—and you should stop worrying about their sorry asses. Next time those jackasses earn themselves twenty lashes, let the bastards take them.”

Tasha tries to smile back, but it’s weak. I reach out and touch her arm as gently as I can. “Listen, Tasha. A captain is someone who can put the crew before themselves—and that makes you a fine captain.”

Her smile gets stronger, and I know I’m doing my job as first mate. She takes a big breath and jumps down from the top bunk, nimble as a cat, and strides to the iron doors to press the button. I watch carefully, and note that they were unlocked so they can be opened from the inside.

There’s an AI system that controls the doors, even on such an old hulk of iron. Keep that in mind. It could be useful later.

There’s a hiss as the doors open. I shudder at the man on the other side. It’s a huge beast of an Aurelian with a big, fresh red scar on his shoulder. He was one of the men who risked his life on the moon fighting the Scorp that threatened the mining camp.

Iunia. Tasha told me about him. He’s one of Aelon’s triad, and I can see why they intimidate her.

If she’s scared, she doesn’t show it. “So. It’syouwho’ll punish me.”

Iunia doesn’t blink. “It’s not I who have earned that pleasure.” His voice is cool and controlled.

“So, you admit it. It’s not a punishment, it’s apleasure.”

If Tasha didn’t know the first thing about Aurelians, now she does. “It’s both,” growls out the alien warrior. “Now come with me.” He stares over Tasha’s shoulder and gives me a nod, cocking his head for me to follow.

Tasha tries to keep her head up but there’s a slump in her shoulders. She walks like a prisoner to the gallows.

I try to get a mental map in my mind. We’re being marched towards where Kit and his triad searched the mining crew. We take a turn, going down a hallway that I guess must lead towards the general prisoner population.

Iunia stops at a junction. “The captain’s orders are that your crew watches.”

My skin crawls. Poor Tasha. She doesn’t deserve this. She snorts, staring up at the huge alien warrior without fear in her eyes. “The captain only orders that because he wants to humiliate me.”

Iunia’s eyes narrow. “You tried to do the same to him. Don’t pretend you’re innocent,CaptainTasha.” There’s an edge of derision, like he wants to humiliate her, as if she’s not a true captain like Aelon. “Aelon told us both about your little ploy. You put him to the test in front of his men—demanding to take the lashes for your men and then choosing the airlock rather than the punishment that was due to you.”

“I was only following the statute of law,” she retorts, and inwardly I cringe. I wish I’d had time to warn Tasha about how Aurelians operate. Challenging their masculinity results in only one thing.

Punishment.

“You wereabusingthe statute of law,” Iunia responds coldly. “You know full well that if Captain Aelon had backed down and hadn’t meted out a punishment, he’d lose the respect of his men. If he’d refused to allow you to accept the punishment your men deserved, he’d have demonstrated that he didn’t respect the honor of command.” Then, Iunia’s eyes narrow. “When you challenged him, you chose to play a game. Now, you must claim the prize.”

Tasha opens her mouth to answer but nothing comes out. I lean forward and squeeze her shoulder, showing my support.

“It’ll be okay, Tash.” I turn to the towering Aurelian, to get his attention off my captain. “So, I seeyou’rethe smart one of the triad. In which case, why do you follow a man like Aelon?”

He stares me down, unblinking, and just shrugs. I see the hint of a grimace as his fresh scar moves with the movement, but he hides it well. “It’s my fate.”

This one will be a tough nut to crack. He’s nothing like the fiery-tempered captain. Without another word, he strides down the hallway, and we have to follow.

Tasha’s eyes dart back and forth. I focus to see what she’s looking at. The hallway is full of flickering lights. There’s random sears and tears on the walls, like they were the setting for an Orb-Blade duel between triads.

The Instigatoris held together by sheer will alone. The bulk of the beast is strong, but the pieces are falling apart. I just hope this information is going to get us out of here alive.

At the end of the corridor is a massive set of steel doors that could delay a boarding party while triads rush from every side to defend the ship. The steel doors are pristine and clean. Aelon doesn’t scrimp on defense, he just doesn’t care if it looks pretty. Iunia’s bicep flexes as he scans his wrist against a button, and the huge doors hiss open to a wall of sound.

We walk into the front of what must be the ship’s mess hall.

Rows of tables are packed with Aurelian soldiers fresh from battle enjoying the calm after their fight against the Scorp. Some still have blood and mud on their armor, like they didn’t even bother to shower or change before coming here to drink and feast.

They’re waiting for the show—and the entertainment has arrived.