Page 11 of Tempting Cargo

“Gods, I don’t know why you tolerate her.”

I yanked on the headspine between my fingers. “She and Father own the ship, Paiata. They own the cargo. They own the profit.”They own me.

Spots appeared in my vision, and I counted to seven.Inhale. Exhale.

When I opened my eyes, Paiata had the grace to look chastened. “Skyk. I forget. Sorry.”

It wasn’t new information to him, but like most kri’ith from Orkri, he struggled to comprehend quite how much control my family had, even after five years.

Probably because I didn’t make a habit of reminding him. Not for the first time, I cursed the gods I was born on Orith.

I turned to the humans’ table, ignoring anything else my pilot might ask. There were fewer than before, and they all argued—over what to do, no doubt. Two of the males were missing, but I’d seen one of them with the corsairs earlier, along with a shapely female. Not that I’d been looking.

I flexed my shoulder spines and hissed.Focus on the credits.It was all that mattered.

CHAPTER SIX

Ten humans, one heartless galaxy

Garrison

I LEFT Ellieto sleep. I wished I could do the same, but I dragged myself back to the cantina. Gaining passage with a bunch of kri’ith wasn’t my favourite idea, but I had to know how Roth had got on.

“They’ve gone!” Zerena was frantic as I approached our booth, and I stared at my friends from under heavy brows until I realised Rayna and a couple of others were missing.

I dragged my hand through my hair. Today could officially do one. “When?”

“In the last hour,” she said. “They left with those pirates who arrived yesterday. We tried to talk to them, but they were determined.”

Too many words swam round my mind, and all I could manage was, “Fuck.” I wasn’t as close with them as some of the others, but to disappear without saying goodbye?

“Did Ellie know?” Did they know what had happened to her?

“No, she went back before they left.”

“We can’t bother her with it today,” I said, and gave them a brief rundown of the altercation.

“And we’releavingher here with him?” Zerena said.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” I turned to Roth. “What did those other kri’ith say?” It couldn’t be anything to make today worse.

“Yeah, that’s the thing, G. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

I spun on my heel, needing to move, even if it was just to pace the cantina. The events of the day were slapping me in the face so hard and fast I should have had whiplash. “You’ve all decided?”

“We don’t want to hang around in case a better offer comes up because what if it doesn’t? Captain Shohari offered a good price, slightly under the budget we’ve been given, and she doesn’t mind dropping us at our respective stops. She’s nothing like the guys we flew out with. But she wants to leave tomorrow. Early.”

I nursed my drink while the others talked. How could I leave when I didn’t know where I wanted to end up? Staying here wasn’t an option. No job, no accommodation. Even though I’d love to be here for Ellie if she needed it, I knew she could look after herself. Or the archon could, no matter that protection came with a side of alien brutality.

I should have been grateful Roth had found us safe passage. It was essential, after all. I’d have to tag along with someone; it was always good to have someone extra to watch out for you.

But I needed to know who I was flying with, which meant talking to this captain.

Without asking, I sat at their table, which felt rude but seemed to be the way things were done out here. I glanced at each of them, taking in their harsh faces and glittering eyes. “I’m Garrison Rhea.”

The bigger woman stared me down with the same intensity as before. “Captain Shohari mai Tasra. My crew, Paiata andMuzati.” Her voice was deep and rich, and she sized me up with amethyst eyes that matched her skin.

“I hear you could be our ride out of here,” I said.