Page 167 of Pets in Space 10

“You need to set the beacon. And have a hand free for the rifle.”

Grinding his back teeth, he nodded. She was right, as much as he disliked it. “Lace, Samson, we will not be long.”

Navigating the rocky slope in the dark took all his attention. In the limited light of the slender moon, he tested each steppingstone for stability before moving to the next. His ears were attuned to the slightest stumble from Adele, following him down the trail.

As soon as they reached the beach, Rogue took off, fading into the dark. Lochan steadied the rifle. “Did he hear danger?”

“I think he went hunting.”

“I suspect there are a lot of small mammals around the lake at night.” He relaxed his grip on the rifle but did not release it. “And a few large ones.”

Despite his comment, the night was quiet except for the gentle wash of the water against pebbles. With his free hand, he reached for her, pleased when she slipped her fingers into his grasp.

Her voice held strain as well as weariness when she said, “Thank you for saving me from the despoilers.”

“You killed two despoilers. You had as much to do with our escape.” He thought about his words. “Does it distress you to have slain them?”

He felt her stumble, her grip tightening. “They murdered Miles and Thyme. I would kill them again.”

She had a warrior’s heart. “As would I. And not only for Miles and Thyme but to protect you.”

She inhaled and slowly exhaled. “That is what I meant about saving me. When we were captured. I was frozen in terror, and you came up with that story about ransom.” Her fingers tightened on his. “It would never have occurred to me to invent such a fable.”

“You were quick enough with an invented background.”

“Not invented. Borrowed from Revel Keong, the managing principal and majority owner of Zero-Grav.”

He recalled this. “You were retained by Zero-Grav upon completion of advanced studies. Revel was one of your first customers. I doubt she would object to you borrowing her history.”

Adele laughed. “She would be horrified.”

“For what cause?”

Adele shrugged. “She reveres her lineage as much as any warrior. Would you be pleased if I pretended to be a Margovian?”

“To thwart the despoilers, you could pretend to be Monsignor Horatio’s favorite daughter, and I would support you.”

She halted in midstride, turning to examine his face. There was wonder in her voice, “I believe you.”

For a moment, he was offended that she doubted his word, but then realized that was not the source of her wonder. “You exited Zero-Grav because Revel would not advance a commoner.”

“It is a common enough tale.”

He raised her fingers to his lips. “Not as much as it was.”

She appeared dubious but did not argue, squeezing his fingers as they continued toward the water. For truth, he could think of several warriors who would be eager for an alliance with a woman as attractive as Adele, with a commerce foothold in the Thirteenth System. Possibly even Declan Red-Eagle.

Attempting to sound casual, he asked, “How do you know Declan Red-Eagle?”

The handsome warrior was wealthier, better connected, and younger than Lochan.

“I met him during the Vortex contract negotiations. There were rumors of a consort alliance before we left Fortuna. His was the first name that came to me.” She laughed softly. “I feel rather badly that we maligned him so.”

“How so?”

“Suggesting he would cast aside a consort who suffered assault. Like you, he is a warrior of true honor.”

At her words, Lochan felt his chest swell with pride. If setting the beacon was not so urgent, he would claim another of those fiery kisses. As it was, he hastened his step, eager to set the beacon and return Adele to the relative safety of the shelter.

***

Releasing Lochan’s hand, Adele made her way to the edge of the lake.

She was tempted to retain her boots and simply wade in, but she would regret it within the bell if she did.

With movements made clumsy by weariness, she worked the boots free, pulled off her socks, and rolled her coveralls to the knees.

The first icy touch shocked her system and dissipated some of the grogginess.

In moments, she had the vials filled and secured in her pockets.

Turning for the shore, she found Rogue had returned, a furry object hanging from his muzzle. “Did you find some dinner? Or is it a morning meal?”

Free of the water, she reached for her socks, eager for the warmth. A few yards away, Lochan rose from where he had constructed a small cairn and topped it with the beacon. He hastened to her side. “I see Rogue has returned.”

Hearing his name, the dog tilted his head, tail wagging. A moment later, he dropped his prize. Blue eyes glowing and posture stiff, he stared into the distance. A second later, Lochan had Adele in his arms and was pressing her to the stones. “Keep flat.”

“What is it?”

“Flyer. Coming over the lake.”

“Is it one of ours?”

“I cannot tell. Wait.”

Adele could feel Rogue’s weight against her side, but a quick glance revealed nothing but stones. “Rogue is camouflaged.”

“Good. It is still dark enough that we blend into the stones.”

The soft rumble of flyer propulsion grew louder. It was getting closer. The rumbling increased, becoming thunder. Lochan was on his feet, yelling and waving his arms.

Rolling to face the sky, she could see the blue lights of the propulsion systems and the golden glow of searchlights glinting on scarlet alloy. The searchlights swept over Lochan and then rose, flying high before dropping into a barrel roll.

“It is from the Nightingale! They have seen us.” He reached down a hand to help her up. “We should wait by the beacon. They are going to land.”

“How did you know it was from the Nightingale?”

“Scarlet.” He pulled her close, molding her to his hard chest. “The scarlet alloy Leonardo invented for the Nightingale and its flyers. No other stellar transports have that hue.”