“They are parasites they deserved to die.” His eyes met hers and did not flinch. “I have to go check on the wrecking crew. I am leaving you in charge of the others.”
“Why me?”
“Because Jessica, who would be the best choice, jumped into the tube to go with the wreckers.”
“Wow. That woman is insane.”Clara said, “Okay. I don’t know what to do.”
“Just make sure they are okay. Keep them calm. Especially the seamstress. Marik will be giving med aid so see if he needs your help with that. If he does, marshal them and make them help.”
He walked off. Marik found her, and he did need help. Clara went to fetch Dana, and she proved adept at stitching flesh back together even if she did weep the entire time.
By the time Renall returned with the rest of the crew, Clara was weak with exhaustion and hunger. Renall found her in a small room bent over a wounded crewmember. He took her by the arm and said, “That is enough. Come.”
He led her back toward her chamber. His clothes were filthier than ever, and his suit had more blood on it now. She said, “I…I really wish I had never gotten on that ship.”
He asked, “Do you miss your home?”
Home?Her home had been a warren of half-broken cement rooms in the very bowels of the Underground. She had only ever known that place, and except for the rare occasions when she had managed to sneak to the surface, she had never seen anything other than that back there.
“No. Yes. I mean, I miss my family, but I do not miss where we lived.”
“What was it like?”
They were standing in a hallway now. He was clearly interested in hearing what she had to say but she could not have said why he cared at all. She said, “It was dark and damp. The tables we ran were closer to the surface so the rich people could find us and there was better air there but…but mostly it was hard and frightening.”
“But you survived.”
“Most do.”
The words made her shoulder lift. His eyes raked her face. He said, softly, “I hate the darkness. Even the darkness of space.”
“Then why do you stay on this ship?”
“I don’t, not if I can help it. I live on the surface of the planet where you will be working for me.”
She regarded him. “I see.”
He paused then said, “There is sun there. It is a beautiful place, if strict. You will be able to walk on the surface and in the daylight. Perhaps that will make you feel better about the bargain that we have struck.”
Did it? No, she decided, it didn’t. She wanted to go home, even if there was no way that she could and even if home was nothing but a cheerless fight for her very survival, she wanted to be there. It was familiar, and she would not be alone. She would know the rules and the whys and the ways to escape notice and retribution from the government. Not that she had escaped any of that. She had let her wayward heart place her and her entire family into a situation which had only one out, and that out was the being staring back at her right then.
She asked, “How do I know you will keep your word about my family?”
“I will.” His sigh was heartfelt. “I never make promises I cannot or do not intend to keep.”
She wanted to believe him. She did. But she knew from hard experience that believing someone was apt to get her into a lot of trouble, or worse.
She said, “I never thanked you.”
Renall studied her. “For what?”
“For saving me from slavery.”
Renall said, “I am glad to hear you do not think working for me is slavery.”
An unwilling smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “I never said that.”
His smile was reluctant but there. “Oh?”
