Page 33 of Needed in the Night
I released her throat and wrist and stepped back.
She thought about attacking; I saw it in the way tension rolled through her body and her fingers twitched, no doubt yearning to pull another blade with her good hand. I also saw the moment she glanced at Nubo’s closed office door and decided against it.
I checked my wristcomm. One minute to the start of my shift. If I hurried, I would get behind the bar just on time and use the small medkit I kept there to treat my talon wounds.
I left Kona where she stood, breathing hard and glaring at my back until I stepped through the automatic door and into Zaa’ga to start what I hoped would be my final shift behind its bar.
CHAPTER 12
ISLA
Something was going on,and I wished to hells someone would tell me what it was.
Since our trip to the market, Mikas had been ten times pricklier and more grim than ever before, Nubo hadn’t criticized either my music selections or my changes to the stage lights, and even Brae had taken to keeping watch around the building all night and even throughout the day, sleeping in small increments instead of with me in my bed. He denied he’d seen or heard anything that made him think we might be in danger, and I believed him, but his behavior only added to my unease.
Most infuriating of all, I had a new watcher who followed me everywhere: the menacing Atolani female who’d shown up at the bar to harass Mikas and now apparently had ended up on Nubo’s payroll. I didn’t know her name yet, so I called her Slug because she’d actually thought Mikas would want to be a mercenary raider.
The worst part of the past few days was that I hadn’t had onesingle moment of privacy with Mikas, and not one touch. We couldn’t risk it. Somehow I’d gone from being fine to longing for him to squeeze my hand.
So when just before my shift on the third day since the market trip I received a message from Madame Ycari summoning me back to the shop to pick up my perfume, I nearly danced with happiness. Thankfully, Brae wasn’t in the apartment to see it, or I might not have ever heard the end of it.
I let myself smile and be joyful, knowing once I left to walk downstairs for my shift I had to pretend I wasn’t beside myself with excitement about going to the shop with Mikas.
Maybe someday soon I wouldn’t have to hide my feelings anymore. What a lovely dream that was.
I wore a new dress tonight, one I’d been eyeing for a special occasion. The teal fabric had microscopic prisms woven into the threads that would catch the stage lights and glimmer as if I were a galaxy of stars. I owned a few dresses, but most I rented from a local shop that loaned clothing and costumes to performers who worked in Onat’ras and whose tastes and wardrobe needs exceeded their budget, like me.
Unfortunately, this teal gown was rented and I’d have to return it, but for tonight, I could pretend it was mine. And Mikas would love it. He might even smile.
I finished styling my hair and stepped into my shoes with barely enough time to get downstairs and have a few minutes to compose myself and warm up before I’d have to be onstage.
The screen above my door showed the corridor outside—a common feature in apartment buildings on Fortusia, even in relatively safe areas. A familiar shadow passed back and forth in view of the camera: Brae, waiting to go with me to the bar. He’d been doing that since Slug started following me around.
With Brae keeping watch as a shadow along the ceiling, I took the lift from the fourth level to the ground floor. No signof Slug, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t nearby. My good mood soured and my stomach churned.
The impassive watchers I’d had before like Scar were bad enough, but Slug’s overtly menacing presence was too much. And worse, Nubo could have ordered her to be less threatening, but clearly he hadn’t. Hewantedme to feel afraid.
The realization brought with it a wash of clarity that felt like chains breaking.
Ididlove singing at Zaa’ga, but because I loved singing and spending time with Mikas, not because of the bar itself. I didn’t like or need this job remotely enough to put up with this misery anymore.
By the time I stepped out of the lift, my hands trembled with rage.No more, I thought, my jaw set as I made my way down the long hallway toward the bar.No more being watched. No more waiting for Nubo to pounce. Just…no more.
I stopped midway between the lift and the bar and leaned against the wall, pretending to adjust something in my shoe.
Isla?In shadow form, Brae tucked himself into the ceiling line above my head.Are you all right?
Yes.My mental voice was quiet.I’m ready to go.
Good.His relief was palpable even through our telepathic bond.When? Now?
As soon as Mikas is ready. I’m not going without him.The vehemence of those words startled even me.I’ll talk to Ycari tonight after my shift,I added.I need to make some plans. Keep an eye out for any trouble in the meantime.
You know I will.
With my decision made, my steps lightened as I made my way down the hall. I’d expected to feel sad or angry or bitter, but instead my insides fluttered with anticipation.
I didn’t have a dressing room adjacent to Zaa’ga, much less a practice room, so usually I prepared for my shift in my apartment.On days when I came down without much time before showtime, I resorted to a quick warm-up in one of the large storage rooms behind the bar area. The acoustics weren’t good, but the bar noise and the thick walls ensured I couldn’t be overheard even if I sang at the top of my lungs.
