Page 164 of Tempting Fate

Follow orders. I seized Comkiri’s dataslab and raced to the lower level. The smoke was thicker here, and I stumbled into the cargo bay.

Running out of time.

But at the other end of the lower level, there was the armoury—and there was a suit sized for a kri’ith. Sweat beaded on my neck. A klaxon blared through a damaged speaker, adding to my frustration as I pulled on the cumbersome suit.

Too slow. Too loud. Too hot.

Imani’s face hovered in my mind, and I clung to it. I painted it with every colour I could think of, bringing her to life, gilding it with the most precious hardlight paint because only perfection would do.

I forced a slow breath. Every movement was a step closer to my mate.

Finally, I pulled on the helmet, and the suit sealed with a hiss. The mag boots were heavy, and my footfalls rang too loud against the floor. The background crackling grew more fierce. Flurries of sparks from severed wiring cut across my path, another glaring reminder I was running out of time. All the noises layered and layered, threatening to overwhelm me.

Imani had held my hand in town “I’ve got you, kitten, not far now.”

Keep running. Just get to the bridge.

Her face, her real face, greeted me next to Reskavi’s on the screen, more beautiful than anything. Her lower lip trembled. “You’d better come back to me. That’s an order.”

My thoughts calmed. “Yes, Marni, I promise.” Fierce warmth bloomed in my chest, and I grinned beneath my helmet. Yes, I was good for more than trading; I was good for Imani.

“Pay attention.” Reskavi tapped the side of his ear ridge. “Button here to talk. I’ve unlocked the access codes, you can open the airlock when you’re ready. I’ll bring the Tusk around, but I can’t risk getting too close. Push off, head straight, and we’ll catch you. I’ll be in your ear the whole time.”

“Open the airlock, close it behind me, jump out. I’ve got it.” I took in Imani’s face, her brow knitted with worry, the desperate hope in her eyes. “I will see you soon, my mate, my heart.”

I strode to the airlock and sealed myself inside, then secured the AI’s data cylinder in a pocket. The airlock controls were simple. One button. One glowing blue square between me and desperate foolishness—and hope.

“Hurry up, lad,” Reskavi said.

I slapped my palm onto the control panel. The outer door slid open. The void beckoned, a vast expanse of nothingness, as eager to grant me passage as it was to swallow me whole. A sea of stars. Full of entire worlds, yet nothing but a cold, lonely death.

Or a welcoming expanse, returning me to her.

I clung to the handle. My courage is the strength that brings victory.

The Jewelled Tusk rounded the dying ship from the right, a vision in pale irsinium, as an explosion went off behind me. The whole vessel shook. The airlock door creaked and groaned, and the hiss of severed conduits urged me on.

I checked everything again. Suit sealed. Target sighted.

Without even a whispered prayer, I stepped forward and pushed off into the void.

I didn’t have to worry about the speed I’d travel at; the main section of the Altair exploded, propelling me through empty space, and I gained on the Tusk at a speed that was far too fast.

“Good timing, Airi.” Reskavi’s voice was tinny in my headset. “There’s a button on your chest, on the left. Press it and you’ll decelerate. I’ll open the airlock, but you can land anywhere and walk to it.”

“Aye, Captain.” Sharp focus accompanied the rush of adrenaline. I could fly a speeder. I could jump out of a pirate ship. I could fly through space. And I could follow the call of my bones directly to Imani.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Dancing on the ceiling

Imani

BLOOD RUSHED IN my ears, so much I barely heard the others’ footfalls behind me. Every window I passed showed the same thing, the glare of the burning ship. No sign of Airida. No sign he’d gotten away safely.

I slowed as I reached the end of the corridor and pressed my face to the airlock glass. Against the bright explosion of the Fanged Altair, a dark spot appeared, growing and growing as it got closer and closer. My breath caught in my throat. Airi. “He’s coming in so fast!”

Reskavi replied in a slow rumble, the steady calmness of experience. “Not so fast he’ll be tsati fodder.”