Page 19

Grace

THE SHIP SHUDDERED , making me stumble, but I quickly recovered my balance.

“What the hell was that?” blurted Riley.

After a few more shudders, we all sat down and remained in place for several minutes.

The shaking on the ship finally stopped. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, but I went ahead and gave the door a good loud smack with my fist.

When there was silence, I smacked my palms on it again.

The door finally opened, and I found myself face to face with Orin’s agitated gaze.

I couldn’t help but gulp as he peered down at me with crossed arms.

“Can I speak to Captain Trex?”

“I will contact him. Just a moment.” He tightly pursed his lips, creating a thin line.

Orin gazed at the wall in front of him, but didn’t speak while I waited.

How is that communicating with Trex? I grimaced.

The warrior’s face etched with worry. He nodded, then met my gaze again.

“The Captain is busy at the moment. What is it you require?”

Running my hands through my hair, I exhaled in frustration. “Never mind.”

Naturally, I shouldn’t have expected him to be available. I allowed myself to be fooled by his sweet words. He didn’t actually like me. Not really.

I folded my arms prepared to take a step back, but Avery spoke.

“How did you speak to him for fuck’ sake? Are you some kind of telepath or what?” she snarled.

Cringing, I rolled my eyes. Her swearing every time she got angry bothered me.

Orin chose not to reply.

Trex’s dismissal crushed me. Maybe I was right, and he had a change of heart about speaking to me again. My mouth twisted in disappointment.

Riley stepped up behind me. “When do we arrive at that Javar Station he spoke about?” she blurted.

The warrior’s brows creased. “It will be one more rotation before we reach Javar Outpost .”

Avery expressed annoyance by grumbling, “whatever” from behind Riley. From my understanding, a rotation was almost equivalent to a day on Earth.

Backing up, I almost collided with Riley. I hadn’t even noticed the two women behind me.

“Is it possible for us to leave the ship and look around the space station?” asked Riley smiling at the warrior.

I walked past them and back into the room. I didn’t want any part in their plans to escape.

Ending up stranded on an alien Outpost was the last thing I wanted.

What would happen if I got kidnapped a second time? Yeah. Thanks, but no thanks.

I strolled to where Olivia was standing.

The curvaceous woman glanced at me before shifting her attention to the doorway and the young warrior standing there.

She rubbed her stomach in small circles. Her gaze softened as she eyed him, and the corners of her lips curved into a smile.

Orin uttered a grunt. “Javar is an Outpost. Not a Space Station. They are very different. You won’t find any safe transportation options available to you there. And it is up to the Captain whether you can leave the ship.”

Riley walked back into the room, letting the door close behind her.

While she paced again, I hugged myself.

She paused and observed Avery, who seemed lost in thought.

“I still say if we reach this Javar place we might come across a vacant ship.” Avery’s lip twisted to the side. “I’m open to flying.”

Of course she was. I rolled my eyes.

A chuckle escaped from Riley. “Given how successful we were on that planet I think it would be safer to stow away on a ship.”

Riley received a disapproving look from Avery. “How is that safer? Remember what Joele said about pirates and slavers? There’s no guarantee we would end up with anyone good. We don’t know which races to trust.”

I couldn’t help but remind myself that our current circumstances weren’t so terrible. The warriors, although annoyed by our questions, showed us respect and didn’t hurt us.

Olivia verbalized my thoughts. “Why can’t we just stay here?”

Riley and Avery’s surprise was evident as they looked at Olivia.

“I agree with Olivia. I think we are safe here,” I added.

“Suit yourselves.” Avery declared, “I’m getting off this ship and finding my own way home.”

After a few more minutes of pacing, Riley spoke again. She halted and held up a finger. “How about we ask to speak with Joele? I’m sure she’d help us.”

“Just because she spoke to us on that planet doesn’t mean she is our friend,” Avery whined.

“Avery, are you always so suspicious?” I accused.

Her actions were wearing down my patience.

She seemed oblivious to the fact that we were much better off on this ship with the Protectorate warriors.

Then again, I had no inclination to return to Earth. But she did.

Avery squinted her eyes. “Aren’t you? Oh, that’s right, you are too busy getting close to the piece of hot alien ass. While you should be wondering why they are so keen to keep us with them.”

My cheeks burned, and I fisted my hands before walking away.

“What do you mean want to keep us? Is there something I missed?” Olivia asked, her expression filled with worry.

Avery jutted her chin forward. “This Orin guy claims he doesn’t know where Earth is and doesn’t know how long it will take to get there. That sounds suspiciously like an excuse to not take us home.”

Olivia shuddered.

I shook my head and went over to her, putting my arm around her shoulder. “No worries. Trex said he’ll make sure we’re safe and I believe him.”

I glared at Avery, daring her to open her mouth again.

He may not have romantic feelings for me, but I don’t think he meant us any harm.

Avery made a derisive noise and walked to the other side of the room and sat down.

Riley let out a sigh and glanced at Olivia and me. “Pay no attention to Avery. I’m going to ask to speak to Joele.”

“I’m coming with you,” I declared, hoping to diffuse the situation if I could.

Riley walked up to the door and pressed the panel on the side. Nothing happened.

Again, she did it.

The door remained closed.

A trace of worry snaked through me.

Why were we still locked in? With furrowed brows, Riley and Avery positioned themselves on either side of me.

“Why won’t it open?” asked Riley, looking less casual than moments earlier.

My mouth fell open. “It’s locked.” It looked as though I’d underestimated these new aliens, after all.

I had felt sure Trex wouldn’t keep us locked in now that we had more information.

Shaking my head, I braced myself for Avery’s next outburst.

Instead, the scared and angry woman pounded on the door.

Riley and I exchanged a worried glance.

Within seconds, the door slid open and there was Orin, looking even more imposing than last time.

He stared back at us with his brows raised to his hairline as if to say, what now?

“Why is the fucking door locked?” demanded Avery.

And there it was, her expected outburst. I folded my arms and watched.

Orin’s mouth was a straight line. “Captain’s orders. We won’t harm you and don’t represent a danger to you. However, we also do not want you to do anything foolish,” he declared.

Avery narrowed her gaze. “You mean like trying to escape?”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Orin replied, crossing his arms across his wide chest. “We don’t want any of you to attempt something dangerous. The ship has areas that are potentially hazardous.”

Riley looked at Avery before shaking her head. “I don’t think any of us are that foolish.” she rolled her eyes at Orin.

“We want to see Joele,” I said, putting my hands on my hips.

With a defeated sigh, Orin took a step back from the door and began walking down the corridor.

“Are you taking us to Joele?” I called out, following him and attempting to sound more courteous than Avery.

“Yes, I am,” he stated with a half-shrug as he walked down the corridor

We all walked in silence.

After a few minutes, he abruptly stopped in front of a door, allowing us time to catch up.

He pressed a button on the panel beside the door.

Joele smiled at us when the door opened just a few moments later. “I’ve been wondering when you’d come to visit.” With a grin, she stepped aside and gestured for us to enter.

I FOLDED MY ARMS AND listened for a moment while Avery and Riley spoke to Joele about leaving the ship.

Olivia sat staring at the floor, looking lost and uncertain.

I shook my head and made my way to the opposite side of the room, where I lost myself in the emptiness of space outside the window.

My breath caught in my throat at the sight, filling me with wonder.

Being here felt like a dream come true.

Riley walked up and tilted her head, her curious gaze fixed on me. “Once we get to the Outpost to meet Joele’s people she has agreed to help us find our way back home.”

I responded with a non-committal “hmm”, the sound barely escaping my lips, and frowned.

“Are you alright?” Riley tidied her ponytail as she spoke, then dropped her hands to her side.

I raised my shoulders in a shrug. “Yes. Why would I not be?”

“You look sad.” Her forehead became furrowed. “Is this about Captain Trex?”

My head snapped back. “What? Of course not, no. It’s nothing. I was caught up in my thoughts.” Even I thought my voice sounded high-pitched.

“You have no intention of leaving the ship, do you?” She stated more than asked.

Of course, I don’t want to leave the safety of the ship. Or the gorgeous alien Captain.

Riley surprised me by picking up on that fact.

Denying it was pointless. “I don’t.”

She studied me for a moment.

It wasn’t just because of Trex. Was it?

I’d always dreamed of exploring space. That’s the reason I wanted to stay.

Sure, keep telling yourself that, the small voice in my mind taunted.

My heart twisted at the thought of living in a human colony and never seeing Captain Trex again.

Maybe Riley had a point.

I sealed my lips, unwilling to vocalize my true feelings.

Riley leaned in discreetly. “I knew it. You are attracted to him. I noticed a spark between you two when he brought you back to our room. He likes you too, judging by the fact that he only kissed your hand earlier.” With a mischievous grin, Riley wiggled her eyebrows.

Saying nothing, I blushed.

“They are pretty hot aliens,” Riley laughed.

Her remark caught me off guard, and I smiled. “Are you really going with Joele?”

Riley’s mouth twisted. “I’m not sure. Staying here could be risky.”

I don’t know how she could think that, but okay.

Avery strode over, looking even more resolute. “When we get to this Javar place, I’m going with Joele. She’s promised to make sure I get back to Earth.”

I let out a sigh.

Avery’s decision not to stay with the Protectorate warriors made it clear that there was no need for further discussion.

I forced a smile when I caught Joele’s curious stare.

The alien female’s lips tipped into a smile, though she didn’t utter a word.