I gave it all away for the chaos.
And now the silence has come for me.
ROSALIE
“You didn’t have to come,” I say to Maggie and Scarlett.
“I was bored,” Maggie says. “Felt the need to get out more.”
“We’re probably all going to die,” I suggest.
“But there’s Sarkarnii in armor.” Maggie nods at the collection of Dexx and Dante’s warriors who are all sporting a selection of close-fitting armor to their persons.
If I didn’t only have Dante in my head, I could probably appreciate it more.
“Why are they wearing armor? Where did they even get it? They can turn into dragons,” I say absently.
“Dexx says not to take any chances with the Gonoz, given we don’t know what we’re dealing with. And it’s not so easy to turn into a dragon when you’re in the confines of a space ship, apparently,” Scarlett says.
“I wouldn’t have thought Dante or his crew would have any such concerns,” Maggie snorts.
“Why did we let you come again?” I glare at her. “Dante is trying to save his crew, and as much as I am really, really pissed he did it without even telling me, I want them all back safely.”
Maggie has the good grace to look slightly contrite. Although not much.
“We’ll get them back. And Dante too,” Dexx growls from behind me. “He assisted me when there was trouble within my sector, and I will return his assistance.”
Dexx does not look particularly happy about his pronouncement, but I suspect that’s partly because he couldn’t stop several cohorts of Dante’s crew coming with us on this rescue mission, and he’s expecting unhinged behavior.
Which so far, has only happened a bit. I am proud of Dante’s warriors and the way they are with Dexx’s crew. There’s only been a couple of minor scuffles most of which have worked themselves out. Now all the warriors are inspecting each other’s armor.
All these Sarkarnii might live in different ships, but they’re all warriors, and they all want the same thing.
A good fight.
“Ignore Dexx. He’s just being growly. He cares about Dante,” Scarlett says as the great warlord stomps off to the pilot of his ship.
It’s significantly larger than the scout ships Dante uses but then Dexx has to have the biggest. He’s that sort of warlord.
“I’m worried we’re all going to end up in the same trap,” I say to Scarlett. “I don’t know about bringing everyone along.”
“The Sarkarnii like to play a numbers game,” Scarlett says.
“What, alongside the ‘burn everything to a crisp’ game?” Maggie adds, unhelpfully.
“I don’t know. I have a bad feeling.” I rub at my stomach which contains a dull ache.
“I expect that has everything to do with you playing your owngameswith Dante.” Scarlett levels her gaze at me.
“I doubt it.”
“Look at me!” Scarlett says, her bump very much in evidence.
“And Kerra,” Maggie points out helpfully and annoyingly.
“Just because you two have…it doesn’t mean it works with all Sarkarnii-human pairings,” I point out.
“We’ll see.” Scarlett laughs. “But if you’ve been doing the nasty with Mr. Unhinged Warlord, there’s a good chance he’s knocked you up.”
