Thank goodness for birth control. If it were up to them, I would be permanently pregnant. We do not have time for that atthe moment. I need to finish this thing with the Syndicate and make it through my first season as ringmaster, and then we will reconsider. Maybe by then the grandpas will be happy to come back and help out. I can’t command a circus if I’m stuck sitting on eggs as a dragon or having to hibernate like the nagas do. That is a concern for another time though.
I wipe my face and get dressed, then I head out to see how much damage has been done to the club.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Lila
Istand in front of Magenta’s door, chewing on my lip as I try to decide if I’m going to risk knocking or not.
“They will be alright, my sweet blood rose.” I almost jump a mile into the air at the sound of Saxon’s voice behind me. I thought I’d been stealthy when I snuck away to check on my friend. I whirl around to face him, my cheeks heated with embarrassment. The corridors are filled with excited performers and crew who are all making their way to the circus pod for entry to Earth.
We sent out a ship-wide notification that none of us would be traveling down with the pod because of our children. Instead, we will beam down as necessary so we don’t have to leave our children alone because we feel they are too young to travel to Earth.
It’s been well received, and lots of people tell us goodbye as they pass.
I lean against the wall next to Saxon and stare at the closed door. “Doesn’t mean I don’t worry.”
He chuckles and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Magenta is way more prepared for something like this than you were, and you survived just fine. So will she. Come on, the pod is about to leave, and it’s fascinating to watch it from the bridge.”
I take one more look at my friend’s door and allow Saxon to lead me away. He’s right, the corridors are a lot less crowded. All of the performers and crew travel down with the pod. The remaining crew on the big ship, the café staff, and retail store workers, as well as housekeeping and such all treat this time as days off. Some of them also travel down with the pod to do tourist things on Earth. The cafes and stores are closed, and the entertainment venues have reduced hours because of the lack of patrons. The large dining area will be used for all meals.
It really is a skeleton crew, so I’m surprised when I get to the bridge and there is almost a full complement of crew and someone projecting their emotions like they are an electronic billboard in Times Square. I just about stumble at the impact, but I manage to keep myself steady—Saxon’s hand on my back helped too.
“What’s going on?” I ask Captain Lester, and he grunts a greeting before replying.
“None of us wanted to travel down on the ship this swing. We were there recently.”
“But can Bubby fly the pod on his own?”
“He isn’t on his own, you stupid girl. The pod has a separate crew from this one,” he snarls, and my eyebrows jump in surprise.
“Watch how you speak to her.” Saxon steps between Lester and me and stares the Skarrian man down. Lester pales considerably and steps back, but he doesn’t apologize.
This asshole is on my very last fucking nerve. He has been nothing but rude and combative with me since day one.
“Clear the bridge,” I call as Xavier and Brannock walk out from the war room and take up spots on the wall. They obviously heard our confrontation.
The crew members exchange glances but are quick to comply.
“Not you, Lester,” I say flatly as he tries to join the rest of them. He stiffens and turns back to face me, his lips turned up in a sneer.
“Look at you, growing a backbone. Well, it won’t be enough. You won’t be able to replace your grandfathers. You don’t have the balls to run this operation.”
“Whether I do or not is neither here nor there, but you won’t be here to see it. Pack your things, you’re fired.”
“But I have a contract,” he sputters, looking surprised that, yes, I do have those balls he was skeptical of.
I shrug. “I don’t care. I will have our lawyers pay it out. I’m done with this shit.”
“Who will captain this ship? Broderick Potter can’t do it on his own.”
“I don’t care. I’ll find someone,” I reply calmly, though internally I’m freaking out.
“I can do it.” Saxon moves now that Lester isn’t as confrontational. “If I can captain a Vilaxian battle cruiser, then this ship will be a piece of cake.”
“Oh snap,” Xavier mutters, and he and Brannock exchange a fist bump. I ignore their antics.
“I will arrange for a fast shuttle from Skarr to retrieve you. Until then, you are confined to your quarters for insubordination to your superior.”
