Rough walls made of the Hive’s usual crystal looked odd but not surprising. The chairs and tables set into the walls at oddangles, though, made looking up a dizzying experience. Artificial gravity kept the patrons seated and their drinks unspilled when my brain insisted they should all tumble down toward me.
I froze in the doorway, staring up at the incredible work of gravitational engineering. Above me, the room buzzed with rumors, falling silent as the guests spotted me. No one made any attempt to hide the fact that they’d been gossiping about me.
I grinned, playing into the attention and nodding to all those who met my gaze. A thief seldom gets to be the center of attention unless a plan goesverywrong. One reason I’d chosen a career in art theft—there, at least my work was famous, even if I kept my identity out of the story.
“You’ve brought the Collectors a remarkable piece of art, Mr. Amzar,” a musical voice said behind me, speaking Galtrade with an unfamiliar accent. I turned to find the human journalist behind me. I didn’t know why I expected anyone else.
It took an effort to keep my calm, and I scowled down at the human female. Her camera-drone hovered beside her, camera facing me and a red light indicating that it was recording. I found my smile again and answered.
“Varok, please, simply Varok,” I said. “No need to be so formal.”
She raised an eyebrow, nodding toward the wealthy nobles around us. I laughed, conceding her point. The room was filled with people who would insist on their titles at all times.
“In any case, I’m pleased to meet you—” I looked at her name badge “—Penelope Halford. We don’t see many humans out in the Reach.”
“True, but we’re not as rare as antimatter sculptors,” she countered, grinning. “And apparently we’re fashionable out here, which makes it easier to get invited to fabulous parties.”
Considering I’d modeled my outfit on her people’s aesthetic, I couldn’t argue. She’d chosen an excellent cover, anonymousenough to blend in, exotic enough to catch attention when she wanted it. Proud as I was of my own, it couldn’t make me invisible the way hers did.
“Ms. Halford?—”
“Penny,” she said, interrupting me with an impish twinkle in her eye. “If you’re Varok, then I’m Penny.”
I nodded. “Penny, then. What are you here to report on?”
“A Collector’s ascension isn’t enough? There hasn’t been one since humans joined the galactic community, and the folks back home want to see what the fuss is about. And of course, the newly minted Collector is donating some artwork from Earth, which always makes for a good sapient interest story. Everyone likes to see aliens taking a positive interest in our culture.”
She flicked her hand up in a gesture at my suit. In the narrow space and uneven gravity, she misjudged the distance and brushed against me. Even through my clothes, the warmth of her touch made an electric connection that lit up my nervous system. For a moment we both stood there, frozen, then her face reddened, and she snatched back her hand as if burned.
I opened my mouth, though I have no idea what I was about to say. Fortunately for us both, a Bauran servitor saved me from saying it, breaking into our conversation. “Sir? If you come with me, I will bring you to your suite.”
It took me a moment to pull my attention back from the aftershock of the human’s touch. Penny said something—a polite farewell, I think. All I heard was the beautiful melody of her voice.
I muttered a response before following the Bauran out of the strange bar. We were almost at my assigned rooms when I realized something seemed wrong and patted my pockets.
That sneaky witch,I thought, unsure whether I was more impressed or annoyed.We only touched for a moment. How in the Endless Void did she get to my ID chip?
3
PENNY
ALiil led me away shortly after Varok’s departure, and by the time we reached my assigned suite, his flirting had gotten unsubtle enough to be embarrassing. Like many Liil, he was tall and pretty, moving with an elegant grace. Every motion looked like a dance. I admit he might have tempted me…but not after meeting Varok.
Not that I want that silver-skinned alien interloper either,I told myself,no matter how good he looked in a suit.Or, okay, maybe Iwantedhim—that didn’t mean I’d do anything about it. But fuming about him left no space in my mind for anyone else, so the Liil’s efforts stood no chance.
Ignoring the servitor’s approaches gave me a chance to look at my surroundings. Thick burgundy carpet absorbed our footfalls, and the crystal walls glowed with shifting patterns of light. Then we turned a corner, the corridor became a balcony, and I stopped to stare.
The servitor spoke, but I missed what he said. My attention stayed fixed on the right-hand side of the walkway. Instead of a wall, it was open, a sheer drop down the Hive’s crystal face. The icy air of Wardal’s sun-starved day howled past, sounddampened but not silenced by the forcefield keeping the cold and wind from penetrating.
Below, the abandoned city sprawled, the once-luxurious capital reduced to a frozen ruin of its former splendor. I swallowed, thinking about the planet’s slow demise and what the ruins would be like. Thank goodness I wouldn’t be going down there.
The door slid open, letting me step inside a room no larger than the spaceship cabin I’d lived in for the trip from Earth to the Reach. It might not be big, but it still took my breath away. A comfortable-looking armchair hovered unsupported near one wall, and opposite it floated a wooden desktop. The bed? Thathung upside-downover my head, alongside a dresser. My luggage sat on the bed, and I couldn’t shake the thought that it should tumble down to break my skull.
“The Collectors like showing off their gravitic tech, don’t they?” I said, stepping tentatively inside. Nothing fell down, and I didn’t tumble up. I relaxed.
“It allows them to use the space available effectively, Ms. Halford,” the Liil servitor said. “But it’s true that the masters like their artistry to be admired.”
I hadn’t meant the question for him, but since he seemed ready to answer questions, I took it as a cue to ask more. “So, what’s your story? How did you end up working for the Collectors?”
