“Aye, Captain,” Gweneth said.
“Is there anywhere to keep these reivers so they stay out of trouble?”Shiloh asked.
Ellard glanced at Gweneth and smiled.“We know just the place.”
Planet Narenda, home of the dragon shifters
TheIndy,the reiver’s ship, and Ransom’s ship kept close as they headed for the spaceport on Narenda.Gweneth watched the green-and-blue planet come into view as they angled into the atmosphere.Narenda had more water than Viros, hence the splashes of blue on the surface.As they neared the spaceport, the jagged mountain range where the reivers had captured them came into view in the distance.Between the mountains and the town, the forest and lakes took precedence.Then, they were coming in to land at the spaceport, and Gweneth noticed ten dragon shifters, heavily armed, waiting for their arrival.
The reivers’ ship landed with pinpoint precision, and the captain powered down with competent ease.As the engines grew silent, she heard his sigh.Her blaster rose, and she nudged his shoulder to remind him of her weapon.
“No escape attempt.Aye, we had a good run,” he said and shrugged as if he had not a care in the world.“We be eludin’ capture for several rotations, made a good living from our pickin’s.”
“Silence,” Gweneth ordered.Something about him, his easy attitude, the watchful eyes, the tilt of his chin, told her he was lying through his teeth and would seize the first opportunity to escape.The man had intended to sell her and Ellard for profit, and she didn’t trust him for a sec.
He shifted his weight and made to stand.
“Stay,” she barked.“Open the entrance to your ship.”
“And if I say nay?”His gaze met hers in a challenge.
“I killed Malasses.I shot him in the gut three times.My hand didn’t shake.”She didn’t attempt to break their visual connection, just stared back and prayed none of her inner turmoil leaked free.While she’d help save Leeam and Sheera, she took no pleasure in her first kill.Once, while Ry schooled her in the use of a blaster, he’d told her she shouldn’t learn unless she planned to fire the weapon to save herself or others.Learning to operate a weapon came with responsibilities.She must never point a weapon unless danger lurked, and she needed to remember that taking a life came with a price.The faces haunted dreams, and a kill claimed a part of the shooter’s soul.She hadn’t understood his calm yet determined words and had merely nodded and agreed.
Now, almost two rotations later, she comprehended his lecture.
She wouldn’t sleep well this eve.
“You shot him?”
“Yes.”
“Nay, don’t believe you.”
“It’s the truth,” Ellard said from behind them.
Shiloh stood at his brother’s side, watchful, his feline close to the surface and ready to pounce.
“What you be doin’ with me and my crew?”the captain asked.
“That is up to Ransom and his people,” Ellard said.“Open your cargo hold to allow the dragon guards aboard.”
Some of the confidence seeped from the captain, and he lost his easy insouciance.He pushed a button on his controls, raised his hands, and stood.
“Gweneth!”a masculine voice roared.
“Gweneth!”another voice shouted, this one female.
“You’d better go and reassure your friends before they do some damage,” Shiloh said.
Gweneth smiled and went to the entrance of the bridge.“I’m here on the bridge.”
Ry jogged around a corner, followed by Kaya.In three giant steps, Ry grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her in a hug.Just when she wondered if she’d manage another breath, he released her, a hand on each shoulder as he studied her face.“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
Kaya scrutinized her face for a long moment and finally nodded, her blue hair swinging to reveal her pointed ear.“You look different.”
“It’s been an adventure.I just want to go home.”Gweneth wouldn’t reveal personal details.Kaya’s intense interest told her she required a distraction.“I managed to talk the dragon shifters into attending the festival.They’d like to exhibit their jewelry.How did everyone else go?Are there enough of our neighbors interested to bring extra visitors to Viros?”
