Page 28 of Maar's Girl

The use of my real name still catches me off guard. I lean in, keeping my voice low. "You can trust me, Alyssa. I swear it."

She lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Can I? I can't trust anyone anymore. Not even myself."

Her words sting, but I can't blame her. I reach out, hesitating before placing my hand over hers. "I know I've given you every reason not to trust me. But I'm not lying now. I'll protect you with my life."

Alyssa doesn't pull away, but her gaze returns to the viewport. Mars is now just a red speck among the stars. "That's what the real Raaj said, you know. Right before he died protecting me."

I swallow hard, guilt twisting in my gut. "I'm not him. I can't be. But I can try to honor his sacrifice by keeping you safe."

She turns back to me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Why? Why risk everything for me?"

I take a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Because... because you make me want to be better than I am. Than I've been."

Alyssa studies me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nods, squeezing my hand. "I guess we'll see if that's enough."

CHAPTER 20

ALYSSA

"Passengers be advised this is the final spaceport stop within the Interstellar Human Confederation," the speaker says as our star liner docks at Raminar Station on the edge of IHC space. "The remainder of our journey will be in space administered by the League of Non-Aligned Races."

Maar and I get up from our seats and head to the exit as the ship docks with the station.

"Please be aware that Martian Star Travel has suspended travel to and from the planet Luvon during the Kraaj occupation. Passengers with pre-existing tickets or transiting through Luvon are advised to approach the Customer Service kiosk for alternate travel routes during to current hostilities," the loudspeaker continues.

I shudder.

The IHC colony was brutally occupied by the Kraaj over a year ago and the fighting there has been intense.

I follow Maar through the crowded station, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The bustling crowds and flashing holo-ads blur into a kaleidoscope of noise and color as we weave our way through the throng.

"We need to get you some new clothes," Maar says, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. "Can't have you standing out."

I snort. "Right, because that's my biggest concern right now."

He leads me into a small boutique, filled with an eclectic mix of fashions from across the galaxy. As he browses through racks of clothing, I can't help but shake my head.

"You know, when I imagined shopping with a guy, it usually involved more romance and less... kidnapping."

Maar pauses, a pained expression crossing his face. "Alyssa, I?—"

"Save it," I snap, snatching a tunic and pants from his hands. "I'll try these on."

In the changing room, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes are red-rimmed, my hair a mess. I look nothing like the confident rehab coach I was just days ago. Anger bubbles up inside me, and I have to resist the urge to punch the mirror.

When I emerge, Maar nods approvingly. "Good. Now let's get some food."

We make our way to a food court, a dizzying array of alien cuisines assaulting my senses. Maar orders something that looks vaguely like noodles, and we sit at a small table in the corner.

"So, what's the plan?" I ask, stabbing at my food. "Keep running until your criminal buddies give up?"

Maar leans in, his voice low. "We're going to Glimner. It's outside IHC space, and I have contacts there who can help us disappear."

I laugh bitterly. "Disappear? Is that what you think I want?"

"It's what you need right now," he insists. "Alyssa, I know you're angry?—"

"Angry doesn't begin to cover it," I hiss. "You lied to me, Maar. About everything. How am I supposed to trust anything you say now?"

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