Page 88 of Tempting Cargo

Stubborn skykking male. But there was no time to argue.

The ydouir skidded into the cargo bay on unsteady feet, her wings flying out to each side, wingtips brushing the crates on one side, the wall on the other.

“Go, go, go,” I shouted into my comm at the same time as hitting the door control, then, “Brace!”

The ramp rushed closed with a hiss, and I grabbed a cargo strap, bashing into Garrison and Daiytak as theDorimisalurched into flight.

“Get us out of the lower atmosphere,” I said into my comm.

“Thegoizawill pursue us past that.” The ydouir was breathless, but her low voice was clear and calm, even as we heard the screech and grating scrape of claws down the hull. “You must leave the atmosphere.”

I wanted to glare at her, but the creature—thegoiza—banged against theDorimisaagain, making her lurch.

Fine, I’d trust the ydouir.

“Leave the atmosphere completely, Paiata, top speed. Let’s shake this visitor.”

“Aye, Cap.”

Turning to Garrison and Daiytak, I said, “We have about a minute to get to the bridge before it gets too bumpy. Move.” I glared at the newcomer. “You’re staying here. Don’t move until I come and get you. Don’t touch anything.” I had no way to restrain her and had to hope she wasn’t trouble.

“I understand, Captain Shohari. I will be here.”

As we staggered up to the bridge, the unsteady flight pitching us against the corridor walls as we went, I realised I’d not given her my name. The knot in my stomach eased slightly; if she was Anandri’s contact, that was at least something.

I crashed rather than sat in the captain’s chair. “Status!"

“Shields holding enough, Cap, but we might have a dent or two,” Paiata said. “You know, I could do with a copilot if you’re going to make a habit of this kind of run, though.” I didn’t miss his pointed look at Garrison, who sat in the navigator’s chair with confident ease.

I stared out of the window, watching the roiling clouds from above. The deep pink of the sky darkened into burgundy, then black, Hydouis a red orb dominating the screen as we achieved orbit.

Our guest sat on the cargo bay floor, cradling her left arm.

She rose to stand, bowing low in the ydouir way. “My thanks to you, Captain Shohari. I owe you a lifedebt.”

I blinked. It wasn’t often I was rendered speechless, but an ydouiran lifedebt? Though, I considered, perhaps their raritywas more due to the rather low likelihood of saving one’s life. Meeting an ydouir, after all, was not a usual occurrence.

I attempted a bow, not that my frame accommodated the movement nearly as well as hers, and almost thanked her before remembering it would be insulting. “I am glad we arrived when we did,” I opted for instead. “I take it you are our contact? You have me at a disadvantage as I do not have your name.”

“I am Coerril, third of the name, and yes, I have the shipment you came for.”

I lowered my brows. She didn’t seem to be carrying anything. “That is as well. These are Garrison and Daiytak, my… security.”

“My greetings to you, Garrison, Daiytak.”

“Where do you want dropping off?” I didn’t want to play jump the atmosphere, especially considering the battering the shields had taken from the goiza, but needs must.

“Are we not going to meet with Anandri?”

“Weare. You’re not.”

“Forgive me, Captain Shohari, but I fear there has been a miscommunication. I am to transport the shipment to Anandri. I am under strict instructions.”

Kri give me strength. “I was not told I was picking up a passenger.”

“And yet here we are.” She rolled her shoulders and flexed her fingers, wicked claws glinting under the bay striplights. Her thin, sinuous tail coiled around her leg, its needle-sharp tip almost brushing her red skin. “I do not wish to cause you trouble, Captain, especially after your proficient and fortuitous rescue, but if you set me back down on Hydouis, our employer will be less than pleased. I will not need transport back from Anandri’s, if that is your concern.”

Staring at her, I tried to find a competent answer, but all I could manage was, “Skykking Anandri.” I was going to kill thatshort, blue arsehole. The only small comfort was Paiata wasn’t here to gloat at me.