Page 46 of Needed in the Night
I would do whatever I must to ensure we made it safely away. Fighting was what I did—what I had always done. What better cause could I fight for than Isla and our future together?
Two turns and about twenty-five meters later, we reached the end of the tunnel and another sealed door. But when it came into sight, Isla’s steps faltered.
“That orange light above the door is a warning,” she said in answer to my unspoken question. “It means our way out of the market isn’t clear. Ycari or someone she knows must have gotten word that Nubo’s people are searching the whole area, not just the perfume shop and its immediate surroundings.”
My spines bristled and tingled anew. “Nubo may be well-connected, but overt violence in the market itself, in front of many witnesses and law enforcement, seems unlikely,” I said. “I feel we will be in the most danger once we leave the market area. Many of the streets between here and the Delta Port will be quiet this time of night.”
She leaned against the wall and thought. “We could go through the market and head straight for the main boulevard where most of the tourists are. It will be packed with people. We could stick to the crowded areas and head for the Alpha Megaport instead to book passage offworld on a commercial transport. I doubt even Nubo can prevent us from finding a cabin on a cruiser bound for who-knows-where.” She looked up at me, a smile tugging at her lips. “Assuming, of course, you want to share a cabin with me…”
I scooped her up with one arm so I could bury my face against the side of her neck, where her scent was most powerful. “I would share a tent with you on a barren moon, my mate,” I murmured, my lips against her skin. “And it would be heaven as long as you were in my arms.”
“Well.” She drew back to eye me, her smile so gentle that I had to lean against the wall to steady myself. “That is quite the statement of devotion. I’ll have to do my best to make sure you don’t regret making that pledge.”
“I could never regret it.” I kissed her temple and put her back on her feet. “To the port, then, Isla. And on to wherever the first ship we find with an available cabin may take us.” A thought occurred to me. “Have you told Brae our plan?”
“Yes. He’s keeping watch from above.”
Quickly, she braided her long hair, perhaps anticipating the need to fight. As she did so, I reluctantly returned my knife to the sheath in my right boot, since I could not carry it openly in the market. I could draw it quickly again, but milliseconds might mean the difference between life and death.
From the market to the Alpha Megaport was a little more than a kilometer if we kept to the crowded streets. The distance had never seemed so close and yet so far.
She settled her bag in place and squared her shoulders. “Ready?”
“Almost.” I stole one last kiss. “Now I am ready.”
Smiling, she took a deep breath, ran two fingers down along the wall to the right of the door, tapped twice, and waited. I braced myself.
The door unsealed and slid aside, revealing an alcove and a wide alley between this shop and the next. The noise and chaos of the market, which I had not minded earlier, struck me almost like a physical blow after the quiet and stillness of both the sampling room and the corridor.
As the door closed and sealed behind us, I scanned the faces of shoppers passing through the alley, studying their body language with a soldier’s practiced eye. No one seemed to pay us any particular notice other than a few casual glances. The alcove was a perfect place for a couple to steal a few moments together out of the stream of foot traffic. With the door nowhidden, perhaps onlookers assumed we had stepped into the shadows for romantic reasons.
If only it were so. If only we were not running for our lives.
I affected a casual air and stayed close behind Isla as we joined the stream of shoppers and tourists. Rather than attract attention by running or walking briskly, my mate strolled from shop to shop, looking over the goods on display as we made our way toward the exit closest to the street that would lead to the boulevard.
Meanwhile, even with my spines flat, I had never felt quite so conspicuous. Despite her rainbow-colored hair, Isla blended in with the crowd. At least I was not the tallest person in the market, as I might have been on some other world. Most Fortusians were my height or even taller, and the market was packed. But if Nubo and his people were scanning the crowd looking for us, I would be easier to spot than my diminutive mate. I could do nothing for it though but keep watch for danger.
Just as the arch of the market’s exit came into view, Isla paused suddenly. Her hand found mine and squeezed.
“Hello,” said a small, very musical voice.
I peered over Isla’s shoulder and was startled to see the little Sirrah who had sung so beautifully outside the perfume shop standing in front of us. She had donned a long gossamer coat over her dress and carried a small pack on her back that looked about the size to accommodate her collection box.
“There is a merchant this way with good wines to sell,” the Sirrah said to Isla, her hands clasped in front of her. “The shop you like near the exit is no longer open.”
The back of my neck prickled in warning. I slid a glance toward the market’s exit and caught a glimpse of a hawk-like face in the shadows, waiting just outside the arch.
“Please show us to the wine merchant,” Isla said, raising her chin in outward defiance, even as her hand trembled in mine.
I growled low, the sound a rumble in my chest.
To our left, a pair of expressionless human men I recognized as Nubo’s employees were making their way through the crowd toward us. From the direction of the perfume shop, Kona approached, her gaze fixed on Isla and hands on her daggers.
I wanted to fight. I wanted to kill them all and get my mate to safety. We could do neither in this market full of witnesses and innocent bystanders. Rather than appearing casual, Kona and the others moved with a purpose, and I did not like the way they seemed to have a coordinated plan. My rage and worry made my stomach churn.
We followed the Sirrah.
She moved with grace through the endless stream of shoppers, weaving her way past a Fortusian dagger artisan’s studio and a busy fruit and vegetable shop. My hearts pounded in my ears.
