Page 44 of Stealing the Star Stone
“Ms.Blake, you and Mr.Thornemustcome with me.”
“What?”he whispered, nudging Nova with an elbow.
“Hurry.”Frederik cast a glance over his shoulder as if he expected an interruption.That gesture alone sent a frisson of cold fear through Eli.
He sat up, shoving back the duvet.“What time’s it?”
“Two.”
Eli stared at the man like he was mad.
“What’s happening?”Nova asked, pushing herself up.
“Frederik wants us to go with him,” Eli said.
“Get dressed.”Frederik marched toward their closet, tossing pants, shirts, and jackets at them.
“This sounds ominous.”Eli snatched up jeans, pulling them on without panties.He eyed yesterday’s bra, grimaced, and clipped it on, mumbling when his nipples ached.For no damn reason.
Nova was scrambling into cargo pants, peeling on a T-shirt, then sitting on the edge of the bed to put on socks and boots.Getting dressed was so much easier for men.
“What’s Orien up to, Frederik?Can you tell us that?”Nova demanded, grabbing their notes from last night, the books with the maps, and a few bottles of water.She held the box of tea, hesitating, then threw that into the bag, as well, darting around the burly bodyguard.
“This isn’t from Lord Orien,” Frederik announced.
Eli stilled, glanced at a pale Nova, then stood, stomping his feet in the boots.“What do you mean?”
“I’ve prepped the shuttle.”
A slow smile spread across Nova’s lips.“You didn’t.”
“We must hurry.The pilot has flown past Artivar, bringing you closer to Lethara.The delay might not be noticeable if we can make it to the station-sec rendezvous before Lord Orien awakens.”
Eli reeled, unable to believe they’d found an ally without realizing.“I love you, Frederik.”
The man scowled.“Do not say such things, Ms.Blake.”He ushered them out of the cabin and along many passages.As he did so, he said, “The shuttle’s stocked for an expedition.Lethara is programmed into its navigation.That’s all I can do.”
“You’ve done more than enough,” Nova said.
“Good.I’ll be fired or jettisoned out of an airlock when Lord Orien finds out.”He dropped his head.“Does that job offer still stand?”
“Hell yes,” Eli said.“Please, if you get a chance, let Graham Whitney know what happened to us.He’s Eli’s manager.He’ll take care of you.”
“Will do.”He stepped aside to let them enter theViator IV.
“Why the change of heart?”Nova asked.“Why now?”
“Since we’re supposed to hand Ms.Blake over today, Lord Orien ordered shock therapy and an MRI.First thing in the morning.”Frederik frowned.“Only you, Ms.Blake.”
“Well, then thank you, my friend,” Nova said.“I won’t forget this.”
“Good luck,” he said, smacking the button to shut the shuttle’s door.
She faced Eli and squealed.“Can you believe this?”
“We couldn’t have asked for better assistance.Now, can you fly this thing?”Eli tapped the back of the pilot’s seat.
She stilled, glanced at the console, and approached, sinking into the chair while running a delicate touch over the keys.“I hope so.This is state-of-the-art.Some of these functions I don’t know.”
