Page 16 of Dark Space

My Prince frowned at the small wash station and the narrow cot. The female was sitting on it, apparently examining her hands. ‘I don’t like this,’ he muttered.

‘Do you have any better ideas?’

He sighed. ‘No. May the dread gods keep us.’

I touched between my horns for luck, then pressed the control screen on the wall.

The glass went transparent.

The female jumped at the change; I imagined it would be a surprise to see two horned figures suddenly appear, watching you, and I resolved to be less unnerving. ExactlyhowI was going to manage that, I wasn’t sure.

‘What an honour,’ the starling drawled, as we walked inside.

‘Hullo, Vesper,’ Alcide answered levelly. ‘How’s the ankle?’

The starling reached down to touch his leg. ‘A bit uncomfortable, actually. Do you happen to have the key? A short walk would do me a galaxy of good.’

‘I don’t have it on me, no,’ Alcide answered, straight-faced. ‘Perhaps next time.’

‘Perhaps,’ Vesper echoed. He gestured at the female. ‘Well, go on then. She’s curious as to what you plan to do with her. I let her know about the breeding rooms and the generalities of the Roth. She’s understandably interested about where she might fit in.’

‘I’m sure you were extremely helpful,’ I said.

The starling grinned; his eyes danced. ‘Iliveto be helpful. Now, I’m sure you can speak to her yourself, so I’ll just pretend I’m not here.’ He closed his eyes; the room dimmed.

I gave a wordless snarl, then immediately regretted it as the female trembled. Our translators didn’t include human languages, which the starling likely knew.

‘We would be most grateful for your assistance, Vesper,’ Alcide said politely. ‘Unless you have something better to do.’

The starling opened his eyes; the human female blinked against the sudden light. ‘Are you sure you trust me, Prince?’

‘Of course I don’t trust you,’ Alcide said. ‘You already know I’m not stupid.’

Vesper snorted. ‘What you are, Prince, islucky.’ He glanced at the female. ‘But I don’t have anything better to do, actually, so I might as well.’

I offered the female the covered food, keeping my body well back.

She sniffed the air and took it a few moments later, clearly cautious, and careful not to touch my fingers. She lifted the lid; her eyes widened.

She looked to Vesper and made a series of noises.

The starling laughed. ‘Oh, that’s too good.What the heck is this, she said.’

‘Chicken?’ Alcide said, confused.

Vesper apparently relayed this; she looked horrified.

‘She doesn’t like it?’ Alcide worried.

‘She said it’s like someone heard of chicken second-hand and then tried to make it themselves.’

Alcide flushed. ‘Roth food is different,’ he said defensively. ‘We didn’t think she’d like it. We tried to make Earth food with the generator.’

Vesper shook his head. ‘Bring her Roth food next time, Prince. She’s not as fragile as she looks.’

She poked at the vegetables, and lifted one long tube of green, nibbling tentatively on the end. Her face brightened; she spoke excitedly to Vesper.

I watched her mouth, entranced. I would have given a lot in that moment to know what she was saying.