Jeffrey shook his head.That guy’s entirely comfortable with command. He vibrates power even when standing still.It was hard not to be impressed.
He looked at the pad in his hand, swiping at it to get it to divulge its contents. A screen came up, filled with Zantharian writing.This looks more like a geometry problem than it does a language.What good is this going to do me?
Entering the ship, he hoped his pilot would be able to make more sense of the assignment than he could. The ship’s interior was small, and as he climbed in he entered a small open space comprising the back of the ship.
Cocking his head to the left, he found two seats positioned in front of a front console, which lay directly below a large window. There was someone already occupying one of the seats.
“So I hope you know where we’re going,” he said to his companion, “because I sure as hell don’t.”
The pilot stiffened at his words, and he watched with growing unease as the seat turned to reveal its inhabitant.
“Kat’Chinna.” He’d recognize that gorgeous face anywhere.
Her eyes were wide, revealing their glowing golden rings, and her mouth was open slightly. He thought he saw her hand fly to her belly, then skitter away again, while a faint orange blush traced its way up her skin.
He’d known that he would see her again before he returned to Earth. He just figured he’d have more time for his wounded heart to heal first. Maybe if he’d had more time, it wouldn’t feel so raw and achy when confronted with her again.
He could see the desire to flee in her eyes. She stood up, moving back toward the door, being careful to squeeze past him without touching.
She’s going to leave.He felt like he’d been punched in the gut.
Instead, she closed the entry hatch and bolted it, then returned to her seat. “I was told my navigator would have the coordinates for our trip.”
Jeffrey exhaled heavily. He was relieved to see that she was willing to spend time with him.Maybe you shouldn’t be, his inner voice said.Remember, she’s a professional at all times, and the regent requested her for this mission.
Disheartened but trying not to show it, he sat down and handed her the pad.
Kat pulled up the coordinates, her face a mask of confusion. “Did the regent mention why he wants us to go here?”
He shook his head. “He told me that the details of the assignment were in there.”
“All this says is Storm Peskel Island.”
“Where’s that?” he asked.
Kat sighed, setting the pad down. “It’s this little island in the middle of the Northern Salten Sea. There’s nothing there but a bunch of birds.”
Jeffrey scratched at his chin. “Why send us there?”
Kat shrugged. “Maybe they’ll be more information there when we arrive.”
“Sounds like a wild goose chase to me.”
“Wild goose chase?” she asked, the words hyper-pronounced.
“It’s an idiom,” he said idly. “It means a fool’s errand.”
Kat looked at him but remained silent. He wondered what thoughts were hidden behind those dark, penetrating eyes.
“Well I’m game if you are,” she said with a slight smile, and started hitting controls on the console.
A weight lifted inside his chest. Even if he couldn’t claim her as his for all eternity, at least he could enjoy the little bit of time they had together. He watched as she steered the vessel into the line of departing ships, and almost laughed at the little jolt they experienced when they hit the open water.
“The trip there will take about an hour,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “There won’t be much to do.”
“On the contrary,” Jeffrey said, watching the creatures around him as they sped through the depths. “You can show me the sights.”
Kat gave a nervous laugh. “We’re going pretty fast. Most of the sights will go by in a blur.”
