The AI translated his words, creating a weird situation where he felt like he was being mocked.
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Gark crossed his arms, frustrated. The external translation program wasn’t the most reliable, as it was an older version. It was usually unnecessary, as it was an emergency backup. Anyone who travelled between planets had a translation chip inserted in their early years, which was far more effective than any translation program.
Klath frowned at the tablet. “It should be…” he tapped the screen twice. “There!”
The slightly too-smooth AI voice spoke again, translating his words, and the woman’s eyes darted to Gark’s.
“But you have Dylan! I saw you take her away!” She stepped up to Gark, poking him in the chest with a finger. “Where. Is. My. Sister!” She poked him with each word.
“I did not take anyone.”
She raised an eyebrow, spreading her arms and looking down at herself. “Oh yeah?”
Gark ground his teeth together. Why did the Lady send him a mate who was so stubborn? She definitely would be the death of him. “I rescued you.”
She snorted, pushing her hair out of her face with one hand. “Look, buddy. I was doing fine.”
It was Gark who snorted this time. Either she was deluded, or she’d had a knock to the head. He mentioned as much to Klath.
The woman crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. “I’m not insane, and I didn’t get hit on the head. I saw a bunch of guys who look like you—” she gestured between Gark and Klath “—take my sister. I tried to get to her, and they left on a black ship.”
Gark frowned. “And why do you think she’s on The Lady?”
She walked toward the display screen on the wall over Klath’s desk. The one that was currently showing the view of the mess. She lifted her hand and pointed at A’Kar, who was standing against the wall with his arms crossed.
“Because the guys who took my sister had that same tattoo.”
CHAPTER 5
ALETTA
Her rescuer with the stunning purple eyes—Gark, he’d introduced himself as—escorted her straight to the mess after her revelation. The corridors were lit with recessed lights near the floor, the ceiling disappearing into the dark. The interior decorating was utilitarian, with dark grey panels lining the walls and a bare-metal floor. It was clean, though. There was no dust or grime, even though the door panels were worn from many hands touching them over the years.
It was cold as she followed Gark from the med bay through the ship, and Aletta dragged her coat more tightly around herself, wishing she’d thought to wear a scarf.
From the outside, the ship hadn’t appeared that big, but she was soon lost as Gark took one turn, then another, then climbed a short flight of stairs that was so steep it was more like a ladder. The steps were too large for her, and she hauled herself up the first two with a grunt of effort.
“Here, let me help you.” A large, bronzed hand appeared, and she gripped it, letting Gark pull her effortlessly up to the next level.
“You’re cold.”
She looked up to see him frowning as he looked down at her hand still clutched in his, his nostrils flaring and nose wrinkling like he’d smelled something disgusting.
She tugged it from his grip, cheeks heating. “I’m ok.” God, she must reek after everything she’d been through. She clamped her arms to her sides.
He tilted his head, brows knitted above those purple eyes, and frowned. “You will let me get you something warmer to wear.”
She shook her head. “Later.”
He hesitated, then nodded once before turning to stride down the corridor. He paused in front of a door with a ding in it that kept it from closing properly, light streaming from the room into the corridor.
He swiped his hand over the panel to one side, and the door slid back to reveal what had to be the mess.
It was a small, rectangular room barely bigger than the tiny med bay. On the wall opposite the door was a long bench, below which were cupboards and what Aletta assumed were cooking gadgets.
Gark stepped into the room. Aletta stayed behind him. She didn’t know any of these people, but Gark at least had saved her more than once. He had listened to her when she’d pointed out the tattoo.
