“Ah, but a female is always important here,” Knobb replied, his gaze making Adryel uncomfortable.
She moved closer to Stron.
“This is Lee,” he replied. “She’s a guest.”
The lie rolled smoothly off Stron’s lips, and heck, she believed there for a second that her name was Lee too.
“Well, Lee, welcome. Take off that silly hood so we can see you.” He leaned in a little. “Because I know you’re not Kantenan.”
She glanced at Stron, and imperceptibly, he nodded.
At least that’s what she thought she saw. She pushed the hood back, revealing her face and the two piles of hair on her head to make a more believable Kantenan silhouette.
“Pretty little thing, aren’t you?” Knobb said.
Adryel didn’t respond.
“Your guest seems rather shy.”
“She’s had a hard last few days.”
“I heard some Kantenan guests had some difficulties,” Knobb replied and headed toward a chair out of sight of the doorway. “Please, come take a seat.”
Stron followed, and the space that Knobb entered had several chairs surrounding a low table. Drinks had been placed on it, a large decanter in the center with the empty glasses around it. It had a vibe that this was a private lounge, somewhere where deals were made and secrets shared.
Adryel wasn’t a huge fan of the space.
“Here,” Stron said, handing over the bag of wine.
Knobb smirked. “Trying to buy my affection, Stron? I’m surprised.”
“Bring a gift to the host,” Stron said.
Knobb pulled out the bottle. “Ahh. This is nice. Nevillian wine. Treviss.” His gaze darted to Stron. “I was not aware you were such a connoisseur of drink.”
“A gift from Lee,” he said, gesturing to Adryel.
“From the female? How kind.” Knobb looked her up and down. Knobb was likely in his fiftieth standard year, if not older, but he absolutely looked like he would put up a fight if he had to.
Again, he made her think of the Rhysgarrds.
She wouldn’t be surprised if they were friends.
“It was the best I could do on short notice,” she said dryly.
“Well, I thank you.” He glanced at Stron. “She’ll bring you some new veins, I expect.”
“That I do not doubt.” Stron replied, glancing at her with a smile. “She absolutely surprises me at every turn.”
“Like all good veins of ore,” Knobb said. He raised his hand and a female Kantenan came over and delivered a device.
She didn’t look any older than Adryel, and she seemed tired. Circles sunk under her eyes, and her hands trembled. The fear, Adryel immediately empathized with. She wanted to put her arm around her and tell her that she could get out of there. That she could run. Find someplace else to be. That she didn’t have to stay there. There were other places she could go.
Help the girl.
Surely they had other cities. Other colonies, even. After all, the Kantenans were miners. They had to have mining operations all over the place. Surely she could?—
Stron put his hand on the small of her back again, and it felt so natural.
