Page 33 of When the Universe Sings

“That is not your fault.” The statement was so fierce that I reeled back, even as it softened the dread pooling in the pit of my stomach. Captain Ruciyah pulled on his other glove and there was something about the set of his shoulders, or maybe it was the way his eyes narrowed on the cuff of his glove as if it had personally offended him, that made me speak.

“I won’t apologize for what I did.”

He was already turning away from me, just enough to hide his face as he stared down the hall. “Nor will I—it was a pleasure to watch the life leave his eyes. I only wish I could have done it sooner.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-THREE

Rys,it turned out, was just as adept at tech and hacking as Maxtalen.

Though he claimed he lacked the “finesse of thatrekan-fucker.” The worry I’d felt about the crew’s anger over one of their own dying was all for nothing, I realized as I settled into one of the empty seats. A sheen of sweat covered my brow from trying to keep pace with the captain and my back throbbed no matter how I shifted in the chair. Rhiaon gave me a once-over from their place across the table, nodding thoughtfully to themselves before Kal slipped into the chair beside me.

He didn’t say a word, but from the corner of my eye I catalogued the mask that in many ways was an echo of Captain Ruciyah’s helmet. The expression was cold, impersonal, even a little cruel, though it slipped for just a moment when he looked at me.

I listened to the captain and Greabes as they talked through the new plan, holding back my grimace when they explained that it might not be as smooth as before. Captain Ruciyah and I would be traveling to Lesephous’ estate in Louxuria seemingly alone.

“I’ll have Hudzon, Greabes, and Crux waiting in the cargo hold,” he explained, looking at Rys.

The male nodded, leaning back in his chair until the front two legs lifted. “One of the containers down there is empty, so you’ll be getting nice and cozy in there so the security scans don’t read you.”

Kal huffed, resting a scarred forearm on the table, and gestured between Rhiaon and their twin. “And what about you two?”

Rys grinned, steepling his fingers together. “Rhi here is putting in their notice. I’m happy to report they’re starting a new life as ajunior security officerfor Phyenix Listra’s personal collection of treasures. I’ll be staying behind on the ship with Zoleka to be your eyes and ears.”

Captain Ruciyah placed the toe of his boot on the edge of Rys’ chair and it fell to the back to all four feet with asnap. Next to me, Kal snickered, shaking his head.

“I fear I might be recognized in this group,” Zoleka offered. “My father and sister were well known throughout the quadrants. But I’ll be close at hand to provide any assistance needed.”

The captain hummed his agreement and I realized he’d been avoiding looking in my direction. I couldn’t blame him, not with the weight of what he had to do already pressing down on his shoulders. Somehow it was different now, even though this male was someone I still couldn’t trust.

“It’s important to remember if you encounter the stone, it cannot be touched with your bare hands,” Zoleka said, pulling open one of her large books.

“Why? What happens?” Rys asked, a grin pulling at his cheeks.

But it was Captain Ruciyah who answered in a monotone: “The power in that stone will rip you apart bone by bone, cell by cell, atom by atom until there is nothing left.”

Not even Rys had a response. But all agreed we would either wait for the captain, or carry gloves on our person. He dismissed the meeting a few minutes later, stomping out in that heavy way of his down to wherever his quarters were.

Rhiaon circled the table and squatted next to me, their voice soft. “You look pale.”

I nodded. There was no point in denying it. A cup slid across the table to me followed by Zoleka smiling kindly. Kal picked it up first, taking a sip and then passing it to me. To an outsider, it must have looked like he was marking his territory—Zoleka’s brows ticked up in surprise—but I saw it for what it really was. He’d lost cycles and cycles of protecting me. It was the only reason why I didn’t roll my eyes or grumble at him.

“May I?” Rhiaon asked, a hand hovering over my wrist.

Clearing my throat, I gave them another nod. They pressed two fingers to the thin skin there, expression growing distant.

“What does she need?” Kal pressed.

“Maker’s tits, Crux, sheneedsspace,” Greabes chided.

My mouth twisted to the side. I didn’t need to see Kal to know the affronted look on his face, the same one I’d seen countless times when we were children.

Rhiaon let me go, resting their forearms on their thighs. “I think your body is just tired—it’s gone through a lot in the last day or so. Eat something and then head back to your room, okay? Rest. The ventilation system can have one night alone.”

I spluttered at the joke. Even Kal gave a chuckle beside me while he plugged commands into the meal renderer. Rhiaon gave me another nod before rising to their feet and leaving the room with a goodbye.

Less than a heartbeat later a plate heavy with veg and protein cakes slid in front of me.