Page 60

“I’m assuming Kwon has told you our plans,” Cowes said. “There’s a space on the ship for you. We’ll get you out of here safely. After that, you’re on your own. Now you can concentrate on that art you dedicate so much time to.”

“I guess so.” All Rane wanted to do was hide from this mess. How had he gotten things so wrong?

Cowes gave a curt nod. “We leave in forty-five minutes. We won’t wait for you if you’re late.” He turned and left the room.

“Ouch,” Kwon said quietly after the door slid shut behind Cowes. “He really kicked you in the nuts.”

Rane tipped his head back. “He’s got a right to. I did fuck up. I was so certain I could influence Councillor Agrave and make him see sense. I pushed him hard.”

“Too hard.”

“It’s not that.” Rane lifted his head. “Did you get the sense anything was off with him when you worked with him?”

“Other than he was a struggle to control? He fought every time I used my ability. I had to be at full strength before he backed down. I’ll admit it was unusual.”

“It was wrong. The whole thing was wrong. No one fights that hard unless they have something to hide. I should have noticed. I would have noticed if I hadn’t been distracted.” Rane glanced at the door. “I don’t suppose Cowes will change his mind anytime soon about my position in the team?”

“He punched a wall when he found out what you’d done. He’s never going to forget this.”

Rane closed his eyes. This should be his dream. He was free to pursue his art. He should feel good. Instead, he felt like he’d been sucker-punched in the gut.

“Is there anything you need?” Kwon asked. “I’ve got to finish packing my stuff before we go. I can give you a hand with yours if you like.”

Rane shook his head as he opened his eyes. “Get me back to my room. I’ll figure out the rest for myself.”

Kwon waited as Rane eased himself off the bed.

Rane tested his shoulder. It was sore, but the medi-patch was doing its work. “Let’s get out of here.”

As they walked slowly toward his quarters, he noticed the anxious focus of everyone they passed. It looked like they weren’t the only ones getting off Prodigy.

“Is everybody leaving?” he asked Kwon.

“A stationwide alert was sent out,” Kwon said. “Although there hasn’t been an official order to abandon the station, that’s what most people are doing. Even if they’re just heading into space and waiting to see how this thing plays out, it makes sense. As Cowes said, this station isn’t set up to be attacked by a troop of well-armed Tolong assholes.”

Rane scraped a hand down his face. If he hadn’t spoken to Councillor Agrave and goaded him into action, maybe he would have changed his mind and gone through with the negotiations. He shook his head. That alien was a sly, underhand shit. This had been his plan all along. At least now, they were onto him and could prepare themselves.

“I’ll be fine from here,” Rane said as they stopped by his quarters.

“If you need a hand, let me know.” Kwon was already hurrying away. “Don’t forget the ship leaves in forty-five minutes. Cowes will not wait if you’re late.”

Rane nodded as he watched his friend hurry away. It was only when he was safely behind his door that he let out a deep breath.

This was one giant mess, and he was right in the center of it. He stared out the window at the flashes of color in the darkness of space. Normally, such a sight grounded him and made him feel at peace, but Rane didn’t think anything could settle him this time.

He walked toward the window and slowed. Someone drifted by in a space suit. Anyone out on a spacewalk must need their heads testing. Surely, they knew there was a security alert and war ships were approaching.

He stopped by the window and stared out. It looked like one person, maybe an engineer checking on the defenses to make sure everything was in place for the upcoming attack.

Rane groaned and bumped his forehead against the wall. This couldn’t get any worse. Even the beauty of space wasn’t helping him. He watched the lone space walker for a few more seconds before closing the blinds and turning away.

There was no way out of this royal fuck up of his. He’d failed everyone, including himself.

Chapter 17

Nell took a step forward. Her blurry vision snapped back to clarity, and she gasped. Holy hell, she was floating. She looked down, and her heart stuttered. She was in a spacesuit.

Nell looked back to see an open airlock.