Page 38 of Stealing Mercury (Arena Dogs #1)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Samantha considered Pillar’s claim that her father had been a refugee runner on the way back to pick-up Carn and Lo. Why wouldn’t he or her mother have told her if it was true? No, she would have known.

Pushing all thoughts of her father aside, she let her feet follow the path they’d trod a million times before.

When she finally led all three men through the market, she realized the tension in her muscles meant she was nervous.

She stopped at the gateway to the refugee camp.

It was on a rise with the shantytown where she’d been born spread across the slope below.

Beyond the camp, the desert stretched out in all directions.

Near the entrance to the trails that led out into the warren of temporary homes, the buildings were made of salvaged materials, the hulls of derelict ships, mostly.

It made for some oddly shaped structures, and the conditions in them were often the worst in the camp.

The buildings had no cooling units and the metal roofs made them nearly unlivable during daylight.

To the right of the gate, small, flimsy structures huddled around the port’s safety perimeter in tightly packed clusters.

The ramshackle corridor had changed over the years, taking in each new wave of refugees until they could establish some safer section on the border of the camp and build more permanent homes.

Directly ahead and beyond the older scrap-built structures, there were sections with rows of prefabricated emergency housing and areas dominated by rows of colorful tents.

She had no idea how Mercury would see the camp. They hadn’t talked much about conditions in the place he referred to as a kennel. She hoped it wasn’t as bad as it sounded, but knew no matter the conditions, his life had been hell.

Her mother’s tent was luxurious compared to what they’d had in the early days, but even then she’d had her mother’s love and a sense of community.

Steeling her courage, Samantha looked up to the men’s faces.

Their ears twitched with curiosity, their noses flared as they took in the rich array of spices that perfumed the air, their eyes took in the bustling jumble of people.

These were the refugees of destroyed worlds and forgotten cultures.

Gollerra hadn’t always been a peaceful sector.

The camp had already been well established when her mother’s people had made their way here.

They’d crossed the border to get out of the reach of the Earth Alliance.

Mercury must have felt the weight of her stare. He looked down and his lips tilted in a smile. “There are many different species here.”

“Yes,” Samantha confirmed. “Mostly humanoid, but from different worlds.”

“We’ll be able to blend in.” At Carn’s low growl he added, “Until we leave to free Hera.”

Lo stepped closer, gently tugging a handful of Samantha’s hair. “Show us the way, little Sam.”

“Right. This way.”

She gave a nod to the nearby group of men playing Fret, an informal group of sentries that kept an eye on who entered the camp’s safe zone.

She led Mercury, Carn, and Lo through a tidy, wide trail to a long-established part of the camp.

Her mother’s tent was smaller than some, larger than most. Colorful stripes showed where it had been expanded when she was a child.

The entrance stood open, the cloth door tied back. Samantha started to step through, but Mercury held her back. Lo ducked inside then straightened. His ears twitched and his nose flared and then his body relaxed as he motioned her forward.

Samantha stepped quickly inside, sure Lo’s appearance had scared her mother speechless. She should have known better. Her mother stood near the meal table. It was covered with food. A warm smile curved her lips and her face radiated a golden glow.

Samantha flew into her mother’s welcoming arms.

“Welcome home, daughter.”

“Mom.” She sunk into the sage and desert-dahlia smell of her for a moment before pulling back.

“You were expecting us.”

Her mother’s smile widened. “This is still a small community, daughter. Messengers came from the port to let me know the moment you landed.” She turned her attention to the men. “They said you traveled with three large males, so I prepared food to make them welcome.”

Samantha introduced her mother and briefly explained the circumstances of their visit. She left out any mention of the more intimate part of those circumstances. It wasn’t something she was ready to explain, but her mother would know. She’d sense it.

It was Mercury who approached her mother, bowing his head like a supplicant. “Thank you, Moira, for gifting our lives with your courageous daughter.”

Her mother’s laughter filled the tent like musical bells. “Her father called that particular trait recklessness. I’ve always thought it was an extension of her generous heart. I’m glad she was able to help you. Please sit and eat. You all look too long without a proper meal.”

Moira led them to the table and the men ate as she filled Samantha in on all the news from the camp.

Samantha peeled a citrus fruit and handed it to Mercury who broke apart the sections and shared it with Lo and Carn. “We won’t be here long. We have to find Carn’s mate. He’s very worried about her.”

Her mother’s golden hue flushed to a dull copper. “I’m proud of you, daughter. But also afraid.”

Mercury stood and went to Moira, kneeling at her feet. “I’ll do all in my power to keep her safe.”

Moira reached out a hand and stroked his head as if he were just a boy. “I believe you.”

Surprised by the exchange, Samantha cleared her throat and stood to start clearing the table. “Is Felzaf still working in the clinic?”

The men took their cue from her getting to their feet and helping her clear away the remains of the meal. They’d all discussed it during the journey and decided their first priority had to be getting rid of the tracers that had allowed Drake to hunt them.

“Yes.” Her mother’s glance bounced from person to person. “Is someone injured?”

Samantha could feel Mercury’s questions in the air, but he remained silent.

She hadn’t thought to explain that Felzaf was more medic than technician.

“Everyone is okay, but we think Mercury, Lo and Carn may have tracker implants. I’d like to get that taken care of as soon as possible.

Roma could have contacts at the port. If Owens sends someone after them, I don’t want to make it easy for them. ”

Her mother nodded. “I’ll send word you’re coming.”

Mercury stroked a hand down Samantha’s back. “Do we endanger your mother, by staying here?”

Moira had moved to the opening to call a messenger from the path. “There are no maps of the camp and no one would help an outsider, even one from the port, to find my home.”

The men still seemed tense.

“It’s true, guys,” Samantha assured them. “You’ll be safe here as soon as we get rid of those trackers.”

A young boy stepped up to Moira, who greeted him by name.

Sometimes Samantha was struck by how fortunate they were—how different Haverlee was from the camps she’d seen on the Alliance side of the border. “Mom, the guys need clothes. Could you send a messenger to the market, too? I’ll give you my account number.”

Moira shook her head. “I have plenty in my account from what you last sent.”

Samantha swallowed to wet her throat. “You should hang onto that. I’m out of a job for a while.”

“Don’t worry,” her mother soothed as she glided back across the room and took Samantha in her arms. “Things will work out.”

She hoped her mother was right, but there were so many obstacles in their way. All she could do was take it one thing at a time.