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Thud, thud, thud—a migraine built behind my eyes. “You must contact Yagras and arrange for them to send the darts.”
Most of my adult life had been spent defending the people of Yagras from the hellsna. I shuddered, rubbing my hand over an old scar on my rib cage, wishing I didn’t know how many rows of shredding teeth spiraled down the nocturnal creature’s throat.
Yurst gestured to the projection. “Do you think this would fit in the space over there?” Then he pointed to an empty corner.
Though I’d trained my soldiers in stealth and silence, remaining levelheaded under Yurst’s careless leadership was straining every nerve. On a deep inhale, I tapped into my resolve, remembering my soldiers, whose lives had been taken from them. DarDar. My stomach plummeted. His savaged body had taken its toll on my heart. The sonorous honor chant returning him to the protection of our ancestors still rang in my ears. If anyone deserved a statue, DarDar did, but that was not the Rock Dweller way.
“I recommend you take action immediately, as the beast will stir again when spring arrives.”
Yurst strolled to the pool and circled a black-clawed toe in the water. “Plenty of time then.”
Thud, thud, thud. I gripped my aching temples, but it brought little relief. The mayor’s boastful statue risked dismemberment if I stayed any longer. As I stood, the lounger skidded over the floor.
Yurst tsked as he hurried over to straighten my chair.
My wristport pinged with an incoming com.
Ginger: Hey, King Kong. As demanded…oops, requested…just letting you know I’m leaving for the rocky outcrop in half an hour.
Blanting great! I twisted my taut neck from side to side, trying to alleviate my headache. Another problem to deal with. Did she even know how to get there or how to trap linobee? She better have warmer clothes on this rotation.
“She’s not going anywhere without me,” I grunted at my wristport.
“Yes, Tern’s a lovely place to be.” Mayor Yurst tipped his empty container of orzfoam to his lips.
This is a lost cause. “I have somewhere else I need to be. Please excuse me.” Only I wouldn’t let him off that easy. I had one more lucky card in my hand to deal. “I’ll be sure to pass along the details of our conversation to Bonic and give him your regards.”
The mayor’s face turned from tawny to a sickly yellow. His drink container rocked back and forth on the side table where he’d released it too quickly. “Well, if the Lornian royal family were to aid us”—he cleared his throat—“financially, that is, in this endeavor… perhaps we’d make some headway. After all, who would pay such an outrageous fee for a tiny red mushroom?”
Arm held high, he flapped his hand like a broken wing. “Bye, JayJay. I’m sure we’ll come to a solution.” His eyes flashed back to the gem-encrusted eyes of the statue projected on his wall.
With half a sun’s warning, I had no time to prepare. Stopping by the sono I lived in with the rest of the Rock Dweller crew, I rushed over the pink dirt floors, through the shared living quarters, then grabbed the emergency duffel bag from under mybunk. Soon after, I flew down the main street. In the distance, mid-sun glinted off the greendwelling’s lamar windows where a couple of enforcers grew plants—a lucrative side hustle. I whisked past D’ovey’s bakery, inhaling the fresh scent of baked graneth bread. A few voices drifted from the cantina across the street, though moontime was far away.
Ginger stepped outside, eyes wide, when I parked in front of the open bay door to Makir’s hovery. Her breath ghosted in the cold air while she tugged a white-furred linobee hat over her beautiful hair.
My mind tumbled back to the last time I’d seen her. A swirl of white had spread out behind her while she sped through the dangerous hoverbike course like a seasoned race crew member. Confused by the deep thrum of approval rising from low in my belly, I’d called her reckless. And for good reason. She didn’t seem to care for her well-being whatsoever.
I liked the way the skin around her nose scrunched as she said, “Oh…I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
Of course I had. She’d get lost otherwise.
“Do you know where the rocky outcrop is?” My thick thumb rubbed over the frayed edges of my pants, and I focused on the neat rows of hoverbike parts that lined the walls of Makir’s hovery.
The shadows under Ginger’s eyes stood out in sharp relief under the mid-sun. Is she getting enough sleep? She sucked in a breath as if fighting for calm and tried to speak.
I interrupted. “How much sleep do humans need?”
She put her hands on her hips. “You think I’d just wander around, sleep-deprived, on an unfamiliar planet and hope for the best? Geesh.” She slipped a bag of gear over the saddle of Makir’s hoverbike. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but Sisip programmed the route on my wristport, and I took a picture in case there’s no coverage.”
I nodded, impressed by her taking the initiative to get aid from the lead enforcer. “Do you—”
“Stop right there.” The heel of her palm jutted out to halt me in my tracks. “You can come because I know you feel obligated to watch out for me.” She raised her eyebrows as if daring me to object. “The invitation doesn’t extend to inquisition-style questioning, nor does it allow you control over my actions.” She muttered, “Why did Geo sick this guy on me?”
Because Geo knows just how stubborn you are. “Fine,” I grumbled.
“Let’s go then.” She jammed her helmet over the fur hat and jumped on the hoverbike with no further preamble.
At least Makir’s spare helmet fit better, with her puffy hat beneath it. Off she flew, me on her heels. Her head dipped now and then so she could reference the map on her wristport. Her shoulders were loose, and she looked as comfortable as someone who’d ridden her whole life. Once again, I nodded, impressed by her navigation skills but worried about her safety. The right sized helmet shouldn’t fit over a thick-furred hat.
