Page 68 of Needed in the Night
Once we were in the bath, he insisted on washing and combing out my hair. No one had ever done that for me before, and it was marvelous. We were briefly distracted from our mission to get clean while I thanked him with kisses.
As we washed ourselves—and each other—with soap and soft cloths, I told him what Brae had said about the shop and Nubo’s agents. He listened, his mouth a tight line.
“Brae could go to Zaa’ga and try to spy on Nubo,” I finished. “I’m sure Nubo isn’t going to just wait for us to walk out of here. He must be plotting something. I’d like to know what.”
“As would I.” He drew me close. “Your companion is a very excellent spy. If you think he can do this safely, then I am in favor of it.”
I reached out again to Brae.If you can get into Zaa’ga and find out what Nubo is planning, then go ahead, I said.But your safety is more important than anything else. If it’s dangerous, just come back.
I will, he promised.
In the meantime, Mikas and I are going to talk to Atlath about booking travel to Jakora and getting to the port safely. I’ll let you know what we decide. Be safe and check in regularly until you get back. I love you.
Love you too, Isla.
I leaned against Mikas’s chest and sighed. “He’s going to Zaa’ga.”
“Good.” He kissed my hair. “My Isla, I am ready to be away from Nubo and on our way to Jakora. Are you?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m ready.”
CHAPTER 24
MIKAS
Once we finished bathingand cleaning, we opened the door of our suite to find travel cases in the hallway packed with clothing and toiletries for each of us.
Everything in my case smelled of Madame Ycari, while Isla’s new clothes carried Pioni’s delicate scent. All the clothing was quite practical yet stylish and could be combined to create a number of different outfits. I happily discarded my clothing from the day before in favor of a comfortable shirt and trousers that flattered my build and accommodated my spines.
Rather than discard her own dress, Isla packed it into the case and selected a very plain and practical jumpsuit to wear instead. As she slipped her daggers into their sheaths on her arm and in her boots, I had to suppress the urge to shed my clothing and make love to her again.
Even after bathing, she smelled strongly of me, ofus. I doubted she was aware of it or of how profoundly her scent affected me. My hearts radiated warmth as they had never done before. And though I was uneasy about the dangers we faced,Isla had chosen to be with me. I could face anything with Isla at my side.
I carried our cases and followed Isla from the third level to the ground floor. With every step, my mate’s contentment evaporated, replaced by the metallic scent of apprehension. This more than my own unease caused my spines to bristle.
We had stolen half a day of sanctuary, but now we must face the grim reality of finding a way safely off Fortusia.
“Any word from Brae?” I asked as we reached the bottom of the staircase, my voice pitched low.
“Yes. He doesn’t have anything to report yet.” She swallowed audibly. “He’s in the bar, waiting for an opportunity to slip into Nubo’s office, or for him to come out.”
I kissed her temple. I had to bend far less to do so when she wore boots rather than being barefoot. “Have faith,” I stated. “He will be all right. Shadowbats are masters of disguise.”
“It’s not just Brae.” She touched my hand. “I feel all prickly, like someone’s breathing down my neck. I get that feeling sometimes, and usually it means something is about to go very, very wrong.” She bit her lip. “The day my mission on Ngara blew up in my face, I had this same feeling from the moment I woke up.”
“I too have sensed rising danger for the past several days.” I set my case down and squeezed her hand. “I cannot say which threat is the most immediate—or whether there is something lurking we do not yet know about. We must trust our instincts in all things, now more than ever.” I pressed my lips to her ear and murmured, “That includes apparent allies as well as known adversaries.”
“I know we can depend on Ycari and Pioni,” Isla countered, her voice firm. “And if they trust Atlath, so do I. My gut tells me the danger is outside this building.” Her expression turned wry. “Unfortunately, so are all the spaceports.”
She waved her hand over the scanner next to the doors to the shop. They slid aside, revealing the dimly lit shop floor andthe terrarium in its center. The doors to the market were indeed closed.
As we entered, Atlath emerged from the terrarium and waddled toward us. “Isla,” he croaked, and then dipped his head in my direction. “Mikas.”
“Good afternoon, Atlath,” Isla said, smiling.
Months after our first meeting, it amazed me how her smile made my skin tingle—even in the midst of so much uncertainty.
“Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful Star Bird room,” my mate added. “We’re so grateful.”
