Evie was the only thing that mattered.
Ally set off down the corridor, a new purpose in her steps.I can do this.
Somehow.
CHAPTER 19
LYK
“Mayra needs to talk to you, like now.”
Lyk was on the bridge, going over their coordinates with his navigational crew. They were talking about the possibilities of split wormholes, about the advantages of such fast-track travel throughout the quadrants. Lyk could only devote half of his attention because the rest was distracted by thoughts of Ally.
“Give me a minute.”
Lyk excused himself, then headed for the pocket door at the end of the bridge. It led to a small office—really only big enough for a desk and a few chairs—that served as his Captain’s Perch. He rarely used it, preferring to be out among his men, but it afforded privacy when it was necessary.
Lyk hit a few buttons on his console, noting that he no longer had to bother to secure a channel. The limited number of times he’d called home to talk to Kara were few enough to count on one hand, and he’d always taken meticulous precautions. It seemed like those days were over.
“Brother,” she said, smiling warmly.
Lyk returned her smile. His sister was a Vartik, through and through, and although she had the same physical beauty as herbrothers, she suffered from the trademark lack of curves that all Vartik women shared. He was in a small subset of males who preferred a little more roundness on his women, like the perfect proportions on Ally.
“Nojan is here with Mayra.” Kara adjusted the camera and Lyk’s second oldest brother came into view. Nojan the Nerd, he and his brothers were fond of calling him. He’d put science before everything else, even women. But it seemed like he’d finally pulled his head out of his computer long enough to catch the eye of a stunner.
Mayra had the type of curves Lyk preferred in spades. But in his mind, she still couldn’t hold a candle to his chosen mate.
“Hey, nerd,” Lyk said, hoping the insult would be received in the spirit it was given.
Nojan frowned, but Mayra laughed, elbowing her husband until he cracked a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Lyk,” Mayra said. “I didn’t even know Nojan had another brother.”
“There are quite a few of us. We’re like the mythical hydra and its heads. Cut down a Vartik brother and two spring up in his place.”
Mayra giggled while her husband looked over his little brother. “Piracy seems to agree with you.”
Lyk shrugged. “It’s a living.” Rather than get bogged down in the eventual argument, Lyk turned his attention to Nojan’s wife. “Kara said you needed to speak with me?”
The oracle nodded. “It’s a rather urgent matter, I’m afraid. The female you picked up, Ally? She’s going to try to steal a lifeboat, and you need to let her.”
“I’m sorry?” Lyk assumed he’d misheard her.
“I think they’re called lifeboats,” Mayra said, scratching her head. “At least that’s what Abby calls them. They’re… like little shuttles… or emergency pods… I don’t know. The ones you haveare able to be piloted. She’s going to try and grab one and take it to Dazimin.”
“And I’m supposed to let her do that?”
Mayra nodded. “Yes. If you don’t, you’re never going to end up with her.”
“End up?” Lyk had rarely been so confused.
Nojan chuckled. “My wife is fond of matchmaking. She thinks that you’re in love with this female.”
“He is,” Mayra and Kara said in unison.
Lyk closed his eyes and shook his head. Of course, his empath sister would know how he felt about Ally. And apparently, the oracle knew as well. At this rate, the only person who wouldn’t know would be Ally herself.
“So if I let her take off by herself to Dazimin, I’m going to somehow ‘end up’ with her?”
“I never said to let her take off alone. You have to find a way to go with her.”
