Page 87 of Tempting Cargo

She sighed, nostrils flaring. “I’m sure it’s fine. He’s just… not very Shohari, you know?”

I didn’t. “In what way?”

“Higher risk. And he’s supposed to be legit, but I’m sure there’s grey trade in there somewhere. She’s been taking more risks for a while, trying to get extra credits. We thought she was being greedy.” She tugged on her headspines, mouth twisting. “Of course, that was ulthshit, and she was building up credits to try and help her brother. But regardless, Anandri is another level of risk.”

Worry twisted in my gut, and yet again I wanted to go to her, to hold her, to be the person to support her through all these tough decisions. “What are we picking up for him?”

Muzati brushed her palms over her thighs, leaving red, dusty streaks on the grey fabric. “I have no idea.”

Shohari

I WASGOING to skykking kill Anandri if this was a bust, or a trap, or anything we didn’t sign up for.

I didn’t even need the skykking credits anymore, though it would cushion me through my newfound independence if—when, dammit, when—I got free and clear from my parents.

“This can’t be right, Captain.” Paiata pointed to the map projected in the centre of the bridge. “We’re aiming for themiddle of nowhere. The mountains are so high we’ll be landing in ice.”

The coordinates were all Anandri had given. I was getting less and less impressed by the minute, especially as it was getting so late, the light was fading.

“Do you have a better idea?” I said. “And don’t say ‘not dealing with Anandri.’”

He raised a sardonic brow. “In which case, no, Captain.”

“Is it safe to land?”

“Looking for a location now, Cap.”

“What’s that?” Garrison leaned in, his finger grazing a small, dark patch on the map and flicking his fingers open on it, zooming in.

Infuriating male. This was my bridge, for skyk’s sake.

Except I couldn’t be irritated for long. We were close enough that our sensors could project an estimated detailed appearance, and the dark grey metal suggested a disused pop-up utility and landing area.

“Good spot.” I pushed back the flutter of warmth as he stepped away, my body responding to his nearness even though my mind was focused. “Land there.”

Though the landing pad was deserted, as soon as the cargo ramp opened, over the howl of the wind and the icy cold that assaulted my skin, came the squawks and shouts of a commotion.

A figure appeared to be falling from the sky.

An ydouir, their wings outspread, materialised through the clouds, chased by a hideous beast with a wingspan half that of my ship.

I made out two necks, and if it had heads, I wasn’t spending time looking for them. The ydouir seemed to waste valuable time, pausing to reach out at the creature, but whenever they did, it dropped back, issuing a pained screech.

Dear skykking gods.

“We have to help them.” Garrison spoke with the certainty of command, and I pushed down rising irritation.

He was right. Of course. But could I not pick up any more stragglers on this trip? Certainly not one bigger and far more dangerous than me, for Kri’s sake.This is why nobody comes to Hydouis.

As the ydouir came closer, they arrowed their wings and body, voice projecting ahead of them. “Coming in! Get ready to take off.”

“You heard them.” My nerves sang with energy. “Both of you, get up top.” I hit my wrist-comm. “Paiata, be ready to leave on my mark, got a situation here.”

“Ready, Captain.” His voice was steady through the comm.

“Go.” I glared at Garrison, but he pinned me with a flat stare, his weapon drawn and ready, jaw clenching.

“I’m not leaving your side, Sho. I’ll deal with the bruises if it’s a bumpy take off. You can shout at me later.”