Page 10 of The Quoram Effect

Torz’s presence had soothed me, though. His warm hands and charming smile had coaxed me to dance, and I remembered smiling for the first time in what felt like an age. As if the dark vice of anguish squeezing around my broken heart had loosened.

“So, you get the gist. I was shocked he noticed me that night.”

“I’m not at all. But, please, do go on.”

I wasn’t sure if the sigh leaving my lungs was fuelled by the Damson God’s persistence or my reluctance to remember, butafter a moment’s pause, the prickly barriers surrounding the memory dropped, and my words became lucid and light. “One dance led to another, and after Torz snuck us some food and drink out of the party, we ended up in Fakes Park. And…” I froze, reliving the view of the huge willow tree towering above us as we laid on the grass, chatting and laughing. How my stomach flipped as Torz inched closer before his soft lips touched mine.

It had been a kiss full of tenderness and compassion. A kiss between friends with a gentle promise of something new and exciting to follow. But everything glorious about that warm, fuzzy sensation dissolved in a matter of seconds.

“You know what happened next.” I swallowed down the torment that always peeked its head when my mind drifted to what followed. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the confusion, the fear. And when I caught the terror on Torz’s face, his understanding, I…I ran.” Like an overwhelmed child running from the offering of the most sought-after gift, I ran away.

“Did he follow?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, my chest aching at the thought. I’d run and hidden for days at my aunt’s house back on Beta Ring. She’d put my rash demand to immediately fly home down to grief for losing my mum, but I never told her what happened that night. I was too ashamed.

“Weeks later, I eventually found the courage to meet up with him, and we both agreed we were too young. That we weren’t ready to leave our lives on the Orbital Stations. We didn’t love each other enough to commit to a life together. We barely knew each other.”

“You know each other now. You’ve spent the best part of the past six years working together.”

I frowned, thinking of Torz’s success, his achievements, his selfless acts that he covered up with power and authority. I’d ended up being transferred to his team by chance, not knowinghow he’d react. Thankfully, there’d been no awkwardness following the tenuous first few days, and our friendship reinstated, growing as the years tumbled by. But there was nothing more. He didn’t want me in that way—never had.

“He’s outgrown me. He’s a knight, and I’m a pawn. We don’t belong together.”

Chapter Five

I tapped the dagger sheathed in my garter, then rechecked the small gun hidden within the folds of my clutch bag before strolling into VAL’s Cocktail Bar on Alpha Ring.

It was dark in here. Blue neon lights shone from the drinks bar to the left, hinting at the figures milling about. Loud, nondescript music pounded my ears as I moved through the vast space, scanning the crowded venue for faces I recognised. A couple of heads turned as I sauntered past. My long silver cocktail dress sparkled as the slit exposed my right leg, though I doubted any of them could tell my stilettos pinched uncomfortably at my toes.

Regardless of the dress code, this wasn’t the Argentum’s most savoury sector, and I needed to play the part of the relentless partygoer. On-duty military and officials weren’t welcome in establishments near the main docks like this one. But to avoid recognition, we always liaised with Purans here, rather than on Delta Ring where everyone knew Torz and his security team.

As I leaned up against the bar, my eyes continuing to scan the room, I ordered a drink. A wall-mounted digital board near the open doorway caught my attention. The words, “All Puran citizens must vacate to their transports by 1800 hours. Failure to comply will result in a permanent travel ban”scrolled across the purple screen, before flicking to another warning: “Any Purans found in possession of weapons, medication, or restricted items will be arrested. You know the rules. Comply!”

I shuddered with aversion. These new signs were everywhere, legislated by the governing body, led by others similar to Zuli. Their hatred for the Purans was visibly growing, and I wondered how many people loitering in this bar opposed the sanctions.

Only a small percentage of Purans had travel permits—those who proved themselves worthy through gruelling labour or unpaid favours. But those signs correlated to the recently passed laws, andanyPuran found in possession of even a piece of fruit would be arrested and exiled from the Orbital Stations. The governors were obviously tightening the movement of every single Puran. It made me consider if Zuli’s manifesto was behind it, and whether the backing for her proposal was stronger than we feared.

My eyes swept the room again. Where was Chaz?

A clunk on the metal countertop pulled my attention to the tattooed barman gesturing to the pink cocktail between us. I interpreted his lopsided sneer as an attempt to smile as he tipped his head to the side. “Fella in the booth’s buying.”

Eyebrows high, my surprise quickly shifted to a frown of intrigue. I looked over to the line of exclusive alcoves on the far side of the establishment. Three were empty, but one had its purple curtain drawn, confirming someone was occupying it.

“He said to send you over.”

My frown deepened. Chaz would never draw attention to himself in such an elaborate way. He rarely had enough money to buy himself a drink, let alone anyone else.

“Who is it?” I asked the barman.

He shrugged, walking away to serve another customer.

Claws of uncertainty dragged down my spine, twisting my stomach into knots. Snatching up my clutch bag and the cocktail, I meandered through the crowd towards the obscured alcove.

Perhaps Chaz was running from Alpha Ring security and convinced the barman to hide him. Torz had issued him with a fake ID and documentation, but with the recent crackdown on Puran visitors, it was possible he’d been targeted.

As I approached the private booth, I stopped, narrowing my eyes to peer through the tiny gap in the thick curtain fabric. A round table, empty glasses, and a couple of vacant chairs were all I could see. I was starting to wonder if anyone was actually there.

But the curtain was suddenly jerked open, and a tall man with cropped blond hair appeared. At first, I thought it was Chaz. But when I took in the dark suit and tie, the huge shoulders, and the hard expression on a rugged face, I knew I was in trouble.