Page 32 of Only Cold Depths
Unlike the Hammers in their green uniforms, this woman was wearing dark gray coveralls and black work boots. A silver blaster dangled from her belt, along with a matching hammer, but it was a small, delicate instrument, like a jeweler’s tool. Her long black hair was piled into a messy bun, and dirt streaked across her pale face.
Lady Asterin Armas slapped her hands on her hips, making dust puff off her coveralls. She glared at Siya, her silver eyes bright with anger.
The leader of the Hammers scowled at Asterin, but she made no further move to attack Vesper or me. The other Hammers also held their positions, and the warriors who had been knocked down quickly got to their feet.
Another round of silence descended over the dome. Asterin glanced at Siya, then Vesper, and finally me. Once she realized we weren’t going to start fighting again, Asterin swung her angry gaze back to Siya.
“Lady Vesper and Lord Kyrion are here by my invitation,” she snapped. “You had no right to try to detain them, much less attack them!”
Siya matched Asterin’s hot glower with one of her own. “I serve House Collier, not you, Asterin. And you donotspeak for House Collier.”
Asterin’s hands dropped to her sides and clenched into fists, and she looked like she wanted to punch the other woman.
I didn’t know much about Erzton Houses and politics, but Asterin’s mother, Verona, was married to Aldrich Collier, the head of House Collier. That relationship alone should have afforded Asterin a place of honor and respect, but Siya clearly didn’t see it that way.
Asterin hissed out a breath, making a visible effort to get her emotions under control. “It doesn’t matter whether I speak for House Collier. Vesper and Kyrion have a truebond. Did they say the phrase?”
A faint grimace crossed Siya’s face.
“So theydidsay the phrase, and you chose to ignore their plea.” Asterin slapped her hands on her hips again, making more dust puff off her coveralls. “Despite the fact that it is a House Collier edict to offer sanctuary to any couple who has a truebond. Looks like you don’t speak for House Collier either. At least not when it comes to the rules.”
A muscle twitched in Siya’s jaw, and an angry flush stained her cheeks a vivid pink. “You want to talk about House Collier edicts? Then perhaps you and I should settle our differences the old-fashioned way, according to House rules. Unless you’ve forgotten your combat training while you’ve been off gallivanting through the Imperium.”
“Maybe we should,” Asterin replied in a cold voice. “I’d be more than happy to knock some of that self-righteousness out of you.”
Someone deliberately cleared their throat, more footsteps sounded, and a man stepped up next to Asterin. He was in his fifties, with light brown hair, ruddy skin, and a short, stocky body that was all muscle. He was dressed in an emerald-green tactical jacket, shirt, and cargo pants, just like Siya was, but his clothes were covered with grime, just like Asterin’s were. His right hand rested on the war hammer dangling from his belt, and all the other Hammers nodded in deference to him.
I recognized the man. Rigel, an Erztonian who’d attended some Regal balls on Corios with Asterin.
Rigel’s dark brown gaze flicked back and forth between Siya and Asterin. “Siya is right,” he said in a calm voice. “Asterin does not speak for House Collier.”
He shot Asterin an apologetic look. Asterin’s face remained blank, but a sharp spike of hurt shot off her and tweaked my telempathy.
Rigel focused on Siya again. “But Asterin is also right. Anyone with a truebond is to be offered sanctuary, according to House Collier rules. As soon as they said the phrase, you should have stood down immediately.”
Siya wilted a little under Rigel’s cool, steady gaze, and she lowered her weapon. “Fine,” she muttered. “We’ll continue our patrol.”
She jerked her head, and the other Hammers also lowered their weapons. Siya shot me and Vesper one more angry look, along with Asterin, then stepped into one of the aisles. The other Hammers followed her, and they all vanished.
Asterin massaged her temples, as though she had a raging headache, then dropped her hands. “Sorry about that. Siya takes her position as the head of security for House Collier very seriously.”
I snorted. That was an understatement.
Rigel cleared his throat again. “Siya is probably informing Lord and Lady Collier about the . . . situation right now. You should escort Lady Vesper and Lord Kyrion to the estate without further delay.”
Asterin grimaced, clearly not liking his suggestion, but she nodded. “Rigel is right. I know you’ve had a long journey and would like to rest.” She paused and glanced at my arm. “And get some medical attention.”
“I’m fine,” I growled.
The numb sensation had finally faded from my fingers, although I probably already had a wicked bruise from where Siya had hit me with her hammer. A skinbond injector from my bandolier would take care of that—later. Right now, I didn’t want to show any sign of weakness.
Vesper speared me with a hard look.You are most definitely notfine.I canfeelhow much your arm is throbbing through the bond.
I quickly walled off the pain behind a psionic shield so it wouldn’t keep rippling through the bond to her.I’ve had worse. Besides, we need to be careful. Asterin might be a friend, but Siya is not.
I nodded at Asterin. “I appreciate your concern, but truly, I’m fine. I’m just glad you and Rigel intervened.”
“Part of my job is to keep Lady Asterin out of trouble,” Rigel said in a dry, sardonic tone. “Along with her friends.”
