Page 18 of Stolen Fire (N.O.A.H (Nostradamus Outerspace Advancement of Humanity) #2)

“I… That’s great. I don’t have anything else lined up,” Blaize confessed.

“But I can make some inquiries while I’m on station.

I thought I would have…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought.

” She’d thought she’d still be captain of her own ship.

“It didn’t work out. But don’t worry. I’ll line up more opportunities.

It’s the next step. My job has just been more intense than I expected.

It’s an older ship with unique design features, and I never expected to go as far as Kolben.

Since I’m here, I’ll make some inquiries, because as the plan stands now, I’ll be going to Hiargus.

And that’s nearly as long a journey as Kolben, especially because our captain is not fond of ER bridges.

We’ll likely have to take at least one. And now that she has her mate, she seems…

” Blaize stopped herself before she started rattling on about Cyra’s love life.

“You know, I met with another sponsor who’s been traveling. He might have some connections or be willing to sponsor an internship. He’s very active with the organization.”

Was she talking about Cifer? “That would be great. Who is this sponsor?”

“I need to talk to him first, but I think he would be willing to meet with you to talk about the program. He’s dedicated to seeing our charges safely through their transition to independence.

” The director clicked on the screen of her personal comp.

“In fact, I’m supposed to meet with him shortly to review some repairs and improvements we need at the juvenile facility. ”

“I’d like to meet with our academy students while I’m on station if that would be possible.” Blaize was embarrassed. Normally that would have been the first thing on her agenda. Instead, she’d been focused on Cifer.

“Do you have time to do a presentation? Nothing formal. Maybe an insight into the daily life of an engineer during long flights or special techniques for facilitating ER travel? I know they would be fascinated.”

“I’d be happy to do that. Soon. I only have a few cycles on Cassan.”

“I’ll schedule it with the principal.” Niquola tapped on her data pad.

“In the meantime, I’ll reach out to my contacts to find additional jobs or internships.” Maybe Rhysa would have some ideas.

“Blaize, I don’t know what we would do without you. Thank you so much.” The director reached out and patted her hand, exactly as she had done with Cifer. Maybe they weren’t lovers. Their relationship shouldn’t matter to Blaize, but it did. More than she was comfortable with.

She left the director’s office and went across to a diner, facing the building.

Cifer would be at the director’s office later.

Losing his trail because of the stupid security officer had been frustrating.

If she learned more about him, she’d feel more comfortable about agreeing to take him to Hiargus on the ship she lived on.

It was only about the next journey, not the fact that she was falling for him. Not at all.

She didn’t have to wait long. Her beverage was being served when she glanced out the screen and saw Cifer exit an expensive hired sled and duck into the orphanage. If she hadn’t been looking out the screen, she would have missed him, he moved so quickly.

Before Blaize could finish her drink, Cifer and Niquola came out of the offices and waited on the edge of the pedestrian platform.

Blaize swiped her credit chip and ran to the exit.

They got into the director’s sled, being operated by one of the students probably in training as a professional hack.

Blaize raced to the underground tram entrance, bolted down the stairs, and boarded the crowded vehicle that connected all the parts of the huge station.

She arrived at the juvenile facility in time to see Cifer and Niquola clear security.

With no authorization and no story, she couldn’t go in.

She looked around for a place to settle in where she could see them when they left.

Time dragged on. At this rate, she’d never make dinner with the crew.

How long did it take to look at a home for little ones?

It wasn’t like they had a lot to say, not like the females she sponsored, who were interesting and curious and intelligent.

They were touring a facility for children who couldn’t even deal with their own bodily functions.

Blaize pushed her weight to the left side and rotated her right ankle.

If they didn’t come out soon, she would have no choice but to leave; others were taking note of her presence.

Finally, the doors opened. The director left in her private sled. Alone. Cifer crossed the thoroughfare, darting between crowds of beings and dodging the occasional jet-scoot driver. He walked directly to where Blaize had hidden.

“You could have joined us for the tour.” His teasing tone set her on edge.

Heat crept up her cheeks, and the roots of her hair tingled. “I’m not… I wasn’t?—”

“Following me? You were, and I’m flattered, but I would be happier if you would share a meal with me. My treat. We can talk about the orphanage and the plans you have for the Engineering Academy graduates.”

“Director Glinchart told you about my sponsorship?”

“No, she told me she had a sponsor. And since you spent so much time in her office earlier, I put it together. By the way, you’re terrible at shadowing. If you want to improve, I can give you some tips.”

“I wasn’t… Fine, I was. But I’m not that bad.”

“Good thing you know how to make engines sing.” He looped her arm through his. “Let me feed you.”

Blaize paused, checking the time. There was no way she could join the captain, so she allowed herself to be pulled along by the male who made her skin tingle and fought her desire to press her body closer to his.

The muscles of his arm were like power cables—firm, flexible, and capable.

Blaize’s fingers tingled with the temptation to trace the lines up his arms and stroke his chest.

Cifer paused in front of a small storefront framed in light-blue metal siding. “This place is great. I make sure to eat here whenever I can.”

“The Blue Skewer?” She’d never heard of the sketchy-looking dive.

“Yeah. Meats from all over the galaxy. Nothing fabricated. The special changes, sometimes hourly, depending on what’s available, but it’s always delicious.” Cifer pulled her into the space.

There were mismatched round tables covered in images of planets from nearby solar systems. The seating was just as varied to support those with extra height, appendages, or unique shapes. Bodi would love the low-back chairs that wouldn’t interfere with her delicate wings.

Blaize let Cifer order the special and two house brews while she inspected the artwork that covered the walls from floor to ceiling.

It was primitive. White line drawings that were almost graphical on the dark, rusty metal siding depicted animals of all sizes and humanoid figures with long pointy sticks.

One image showed the people holding the beasts at the end of their spears over a pit.

“They’re ancient cave drawing reproductions from NOAH’s origin planet, Earth.” Cifer pulled her attention from the walls and back to the man who was as dangerous to her heart as the line people were to the drawn beasts.

“It’s surprising that something so simple as a line drawing can be so dramatic, and the story is told so clearly.”

“It’s the essence, without all the layers that obscure the truth.” Cifer was focused on the table and his voice was low.

“Exactly.” Blaize took a breath to continue to discuss the artwork but was interrupted by the food being delivered to their table.

Blaize brought the first bite to her mouth and froze under Cifer’s intense gaze.

“Eat. I want to see your first reaction.”

She put the morsel in her mouth and moaned. Flavors erupted on her tongue that she’d never tasted before, a perfect symphony of sweet and savory, spicy and tangy, with a hint of fire. She savored the bite and finally swallowed.

Cifer nodded. “I knew it. I knew you would appreciate this.”

“How did you find this place?”

Cifer was silent for a moment and took a bite of the unnamed dish himself. Blaize got the impression he was stalling. She couldn’t imagine why. Maybe he’d found the restaurant while doing something wrong.

“One of the kids at the orphanage. He used to eat out of their dumpster. Said it was the best place, but he had to be careful because the older ones would beat him if they found him nearby.”

Blaize dropped her fork, her appetite misplaced and her throat tight. “That’s horrible. I mean, I know they all have sad stories, but eating out of a dumpster and having to fight for those scraps? It’s disgusting what happens to the little ones when they have no one to care for them.”

“It’s not your fault.” Cifer stroked her shoulder.

“It feels wrong to eat inside at a table when the children are suffering.” She stared at her plate.

“What good does it do to make yourself suffer? It changes nothing. You have to take action, not restrict yourself.”

“Is that why you were meeting with the director?”

“You know, you really are terrible at hiding.” Cifer laughed once.

“I kept my distance. I stayed in the shadows. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”

He took a lock of her hair in his and caressed it slowly with his thumb.

“You would have to hide this mane to remain unseen, even in the crowds of Cassan.” He dropped her hair and dragged his fingers down her wrist and across her fingers.

“This pale, alabaster skin is more luminescent when contrasted to the darkness of a shadow.” He paused and stared into her eyes.

“And I would feel you. Know you were near.” He put his hand over his own heart. “No matter how well hidden.”

Blaize froze. She couldn’t breathe. The things he said, the way her body responded to his words was indescribable.

It was beyond reason and beyond her control.

She took a shuddering breath, forced herself to look away, and put a bite of food in her mouth.

The flavor was still intense, but her brain was offline, and it didn’t fully register.

They ate in silence, cleaning their plates when Blaize recalled the question she’d asked, but he hadn’t answered. “You didn’t say. Why were you meeting with Director Glinchart?”

Cifer tilted his head, and his brown eyes bored into hers. He sighed. “I do what I can to help the orphanage. Their mission is so important. I was meeting with her to find out how things were going and if they needed anything.”

“You give them money?”

“As often as I can. And I spend time with the kids who are struggling.”

“That’s so sweet.”

Red spots flashed over Cifer’s skin, so fast she almost missed it. “How long have you known the director?”

“She was one of the first people I met when I came to Cassan. I was trying to rent a room, and the owner was giving me a hard time. She was at the complex visiting a girl who had recently aged out. Checking on her, even though that’s not the director’s responsibility once they leave.

When she first saw me, she assumed I was underage.

After I explained where I was from and that I had a place at the flight academy to study but needed a room for a couple of months until the dorms opened up, she vouched for me.

We kept in touch.” Blaize trailed off. There was so much more she could say.

But she wasn’t ready to share that story.

“Your first time away from home. You got into the academy because of the training you got from your mentor. The one who gave you the meter we fixed. That’s why you started the training for the girls, to honor your mentor.” Cifer had a way of seeing into her like no one else ever had.

“When I lost him, well…It was like losing a father.” She pushed down her tears with a sip of the brew. “The adolescent females who want to go into the tech field can apply for a spot. It’s voluntary. My mentor made all the difference in my life.”

Tears filled her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her mentor had meant everything to her while he was alive, but he’d left her with nothing on his death except an old meter reader and another hole in her heart.

“They’re lucky to have you.”

“I wish I could do more.”

“I do too.”

They finished the remarkable meal, and Cifer swiped his credit chip through the mini kiosk at the table and then stood. He held out his hand to Blaize.

She considered him for a moment and then put her hand in his, letting him guide her from the cafe without a word of explanation about where they were going and what would happen next.