Page 66 of Tethered

They are smooth and unblemished, despite damaged nails, but I know better; that doesn’t mean he can’t defend himself if needed. From the sound of it, they were too outnumbered for it to matter.

Maximus turns to me. “They were surprisingly nice for pirates. They even gave us a choice once they’d subdued us: crowd into that tiny death box or get spaced. We picked the worst of the two, obviously.”

Devyaan, leaning against the counter, laughs, and it startles Maximus. Devyaan raises a hand in apology. “Karo.”

“Kevir nahai,” Maximus replies.No problem. His enunciation and formal address confirm that he’s of the upper class. Suryavana doesn’t view class like Tellurians do, but the differences in wealth are still obvious. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would keep company with the other two.

“What were you doing on the ship?” I ask.

“Procuring.”

My silence must speak volumes because Maximus continues, looking a little more serious. “I’m an art buyer. I had just acquired a piece for a client.” He winces.

I frown. “No security detail?”

He gestures at his companion. “My brother is all I travel with. Pirates are strategists, and they expect fancy ships with high security to have loot worth raiding. I travel light and fast, and the ships I choose don’t warrant a second glance.”

“Usually,” Julian mutters into his plate, face like thunder.

I’m still picking apart the fact that he called Julian his brother. I look from one to the other, trying to identify a resemblance, but Julian is desperately Tellurian. Except, now that I’m scrutinising him, I can see that he wears aVahrin—and it matches the one that Maximus wears. It surprises me into stillness.

In our culture, we wear one treasured item of maritium, regardless of class or means. It’s seen as a slight to our heritage to wear other items of cosmetic jewellery. Watches and medical bracelets don’t count, likewise any other forms of jewellery that serve a practical purpose.Vahrinhas no decent translation but roughly encompasses a sacred adornment, divorced from any one religion.

Julian wears a simple ring on his pinkie finger, and the lighting plays across it in deep shades of red and purple. It’s maritium, like my earrings; my sister, Kiran, wears the same pair. Maximus, sitting opposite Julian, wears the sameVahrinon the same hand and finger. They’re brothers, not just in the sense of close friends or comrades—they’re family.

“We got unlucky with theCraven,but at least we’re alive,” Maximus says.

Liz huffs and crams a forkful of potato into her mouth as if to stop herself from commenting.

“You don’t agree?” He tilts his head. “We spent three days crammed into that thing you called an escape pod, feeling the oxygen level drop and the food packets dwindle, being battered from all angles. As it is, I don’t think my spine will ever be the same. But we’re here, alive.”

Liz pushes her plate away, almond shaped eyes slamming shut. After some food, her skin now looks healthier, and creamy rather than ashen. “It’s not that simple. I’ve had that ship for over a decade. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into it. Nowit’s gone. Those fucking leeches will scrap it for parts, and my insurance is for shit. But yeah, we’re alive,” she sneers.

I intercede before they can turn it into a full-blown argument. “We should talk about the next step.”

Julian finally looks my way. “Next step?”

“We’re headed for Novus Junction and should be there within two days. You can disembark there. Until then, you’re more than welcome to join the crew for meals and use our facilities. We only have two passengers, so there aren’t many places that are off limits. My medical officer, Khrys, volunteered to show you around. She can also tend to any wounds.”

“Captain.” Devyaan bends and murmurs into my ear. “We’re not taking them to Red Horizon?”

“No. We’ll have—”

“That’s okay, thank you. We would be better served at Novus anyway. I’m in no hurry to reach Suryavana and tell my client I lost his purchase.”

Maximus stands and gently bows his head to me and Devyaan. “If you don’t mind, I think we could do with some sleep in an actual bed. Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Sekmith. It is greatly appreciated.”

Liz and Julian don’t bother to protest, following suit with red eyes and big yawns. Devyaan offers to show them back to their cabins. Right now, Beau is trying to corroborate the trio’s story, so I prefer them chaperoned.

I watch them go.

I’ve never been one to sleep in, even when I need to. Whilst everyone is still in bed, I set up in the gym. An hour later, after working myself into a heavy sweat using a circuit of deadlifts and the punching bag, I change into a swimsuit and head for the pool. Technically, the spa centre is strictly for passengers, but in the absence of any besides a ten-year-old and his stowaway mother, I’m waiving the rules.

But I’m not the only one. When I emerge from the changing rooms, I find Liz floating in the pool. She’s completely naked, eyes closed. With her features smooth and calm, she looks so young, though she’s at least a few years older than me.

Liz doesn’t hear me approach, and when I slip into the deep end and disrupt the water, she capsizes. Spluttering and swearing, she rights herself, glaring at me. She doesn’t seem embarrassed about her lack of clothes, and Suryavans aren’t prudish about the human body, so it doesn’t bother me either.

“Good morning,” I say.