Page 26 of The Alien's Stolen Rebel

“You’re right. I’ve got more important things to do.” I shook my head sadly and reached out to take my trade goods back. Horzul didn’t let go.

“No, no, why such a rush? I will help. I can make this work.”

“Oh, so youcanmake a profit from these?” It was silly to argue when I was getting my way, but I couldn’t help myself. Horzul considered me with a frown, tapping his teeth with one finger.

“Maybe, maybe.” He sucked in a whistling breath. “Fine, but I get to keep your old drive. Yes?”

Though I didn’t turn away from the stocky alien, I felt the pressure of Kreel’s gaze. It was a lot to give up, I knew, but what choice did we have? “Deal.”

Two of his hands clasped mine to shake on it, whileHorzul clapped the remaining two together. “A good deal, captain. You will not regret this bargain. I can start today, as soon as you direct me to your ship.”

Again, Kreel’s stare weighed on me.Yeah, no shit, I’m not letting him aboard alone.He might recognize theStarshadow. Even if he didn’t, he might decide to fly off with her once he saw we had no other crew. “Load up, then. We’ll take you to her.”

If Horzul recognizedour stolen ship, he was wise enough not to say anything. I don’t know if Kreel would have killed him to keep the secret, and I didn’t want to. My Argentian lover had been more than kind to me, much more, but he was still a pirate.

I watched the engineer start his work, trying to learn something about hyperdrives. Futile, of course, and after an hour of biting my tongue to keep from distracting him with stupid questions, I knew I needed to get out of his hair.

‘Frustrating’ didn’t begin to describe it. Safety was so close I could taste it, but there wasn’t anything I could do to help. The one distraction I wanted was out of bounds, too. I ached for Kreel’s touch, but with Kreel watching Horzul like a hawk, that was out of the question. He wouldn’t leave his post, and I didn’t plan on giving the hired engineer a show.

So jumping Kreel was out. That left…pacing back and forth along theStarshadow’scentral corridor.

Which did nothing for my urge to scream, either.

Searching for something, anything, to take my mind off the tension, I wandered the ship until I found myself on the bridge, looking out through the exterior cameras at the ships that came and went. It was better than staring at the walls or bouncing my brain off hyperspace engineering.

And that’s how I saw Frax’s warriors arrive.

It was sheer luck their shuttle docked on the same platform as us. Good or bad luck was hard to say—they’d walk right past us, testing our improvised camouflage to its limit. But if they’d docked elsewhere, we wouldn’t have known they’d arrived. As it was, I’d have missed them if I hadn’t recognized the Guildfather from the Frax’s court.

And I wouldn’t have seen Vintr hurrying up to meet him, holding up a hologram in his hand. I couldn’t see it well, but I didn’t need to. It was me in my wedding dress.

“Fuck that weasel-brained motherfucker.” Swearing didn’t help my mood, but I kept going because I didn’t have a better idea.

Vintr gestured around, and I took a little comfort from the impatience of the Guild thugs. He obviously hadn’t worked out which ship here was ours.

His oversight wouldn’t keep us safe for long. The Guildfather waved his minions out to investigate the ships one by one, and as soon as they had a good look,they’d recognize theStarshadowunder her gray, blocky disguise.

We have to leave.I struggled with the panicking voice in my head. Leaving was impossible—theStarshadowwasn’t going anywhere until Horzul was done with her. Mysteries of the hyperdrive might be beyond me, but I’d seen that much—any attempt to fire up the engines now would burn them out instead.

And leaving the ship behind wouldn’t work, either. The Guild members weren’t stupid, and they’d stationed guards at the exits. Even if we fought our way through, and I wouldn’t bet against Kreel managing that, we’d still be stuck on Talbrek, and our hunters would know it.

Fighting? That was a hopeless dream, even for Kreel. He’d throw himself into it gladly, and our enemies would regret challenging him, but against this many, even he wouldn’t win.

All he’d achieve was to die protecting me, and while he’d gladly make that sacrifice, I wasn’t prepared to watch.

That left only one option, and I didn’t like it one bit. Kreel would hate it, too, and I knew he’d try to stop me, but that only mattered if I told him.

There was no time for anything complicated, which was almost a relief. If I’d had time to write a note, what could I possibly say?

I left his blaster on the pilot’s seat and slipped off the ship. This would only work if they didn’t see which ship I came from.

16

KREEL

When the ramp lowered, the ship sent me a status report. I’d set it to alert me to any unexpected change, and this counted—a hostile might already be aboard. Which left me to choose between guarding the pirate-engineer Horzul and investigating the threat. I chose the latter, reluctantly leaving Horzul with the half-dismounted hyperdrive. Engrossed in his work, I’m not sure he noticed my departure.

The rest of the ship felt deserted. I saw no sign of an intruder, and while the ramp logs showed it had opened, I found it shut when I checked. Something was wrong, and a suspicion started growing as I searched. It was no surprise to find my blaster abandoned on the bridge.

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